Most Fuel Efficient Automakers

By J.D. BOOTH | AOL AUTOS

With fuel prices soaring and seemingly no end in sight, where does one turn?

For some, it's a vehicle that's been engineered to sip, not guzzle. The question then: Which brand is more likely to ease you out of the gas station without feeling you've been turned upside down and shaken?

Perhaps surprisingly, it's not always the Asian-based carmakers that come up on top where fuel economy ratings are concerned.

A look at the U.S. government's official fuel economy ratings (published by the Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and the Environmental Protection Agency) might not be light reading, but it does give a new sense of perspective on what is a very complex issue.

Top 10 Best Average Fuel Economy AutoMakers
Rank	Combined	Manufacturer	# Cars
1	27.66 mpg	MINI	12
2	23.81 mpg	Honda	27
3	23.36 mpg	Chevrolet	88
4	22.33 mpg	Lotus	3
5	22.21 mpg	Volkswagen	28
6	22.20 mpg	Pontiac	24
7	22.14 mpg	Saturn	21
8	21.8 mpg	KIA	20
9	21.77 mpg	Suzuki	18
10	21.6 mpg	Toyota	55

One observation: Carmakers are, on the whole, doing a pretty good job of bringing choice to the market when it comes to fuel economy.

There may, however, be two races to win: the most fuel-efficient car on the road and the automaker that "on average" is most likely to save you money at the pump.

On a single car basis, the Toyota Prius comes out on top, its hybrid technology delivering 48 city miles on a gallon (like other hybrids, its fuel efficiency drops slightly on the highway, to 45).

With fuel prices hitting hard, where are motorists more likely to find relief?

On a fleet basis, the best performing manufacturer is BMW's MINI division, with three models averaging out at just over 27 mpg city/highway.

But fitting a family any bigger than two or three in the MINI isn't possible; Honda might be a more realistic choice, its 27 models average out at almost 24 mpg combined.

Domestically, the winner in average fuel economy is Chevrolet, its 88 models average a combined 23.26 mpg combined city/highway, only slightly lower than Honda's 23.81 mpg average.

What's more impressive is that Chevrolet's numbers factor in a full line of trucks, not the case with Honda (its only offering in that category being the Ridgeline).

But as shoppers would be quick to point out, it's not the fleet that we're buying. It's the individual car or truck.

Top 10 Worst Average Fuel Economy AutoMakers
Rank	Combined	Manufacturer	# Cars
1	10 mpg	Bugatti	1
2	11.44 mpg	Lamborghini	9
3	11.66 mpg	Bentley	6
4	12.16 mpg	Ferrari	6
6	13.33 mpg	Aston Martin	6
7	14 mpg	Rolls-Royce	3
8	14.5 mpg	Maserati	2
9	14.66mpg	Land Rover	6
10	14.66 mpg	Hummer	3
10	15.30 mpg	GMC	69

By category, the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide singles out the leaders, and there it's more than a little apparent that the traditional Asian and European brands aren't about to give up their leadership position.

For two-seaters, it's Mercedes' Smart brand that delivers 33/41 mpg city/highway, followed by Mazda's MX-5 and its 22/27 mpg rating.

MINI stands alone in the next size category (mini-subcompact), with its two variations (manual and automatic) delivering 28/37 combined and 26/34 respectively.

An interesting side note: the traditional argument that manual transmissions deliver higher fuel economy no longer holds true. Several carmakers boast higher fuel economy with the automatic transmission than with a manual (if available).

Toyota's Yaris takes top honors in the subcompact category, posting 29/35 with an automatic transmission (29/36 for the manual).

The compact category has the Honda Civic Hybrid at the top of the ratings, with its 40/45 mpg, followed by Toyota's Corolla and its 28/37 mpg rating.

A little bigger vehicle will still take you further, notably if it's the industry leading Toyota Prius. In second place is the Nissan Versa and its 26/31 mpg rating.

The federal government's "large car" category has the Honda Accord at the top with 21/31 mpg (manual) and 22/31 mpg (automatic).

Honda once again takes top honors in the small station wagon category, the Fit coming in at 27/34 (automatic) and 28/34 (manual).

Volkswagen's Passat came out on top in the midsize station wagon category with 20/28 mpg for the automatic and 20/29 with manual transmission.

Where pickups are concerned, the differences between manufacturers are only slight, with Ford's Ranger two-wheel-drive Ranger pickup tying with its Mazda cousin, the B2300 at 21/26 mpg city/highway, followed by Toyota's Tacoma two-wheel-drive version delivering slightly less -- 19/25 mpg.

In the standard pickup truck category, 15/20 mpg city/highway seems to be the standard, only the Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi's Raider (both two-wheel-drive) eking out a slightly higher 16 mpg city.

GM apparently owns the cargo van category when it comes to fuel economy, its Chevy 1500/2500 and GMC version delivering 15/20 mpg.

And the Mazda5 has similar bragging rights in the minivan category, with 21/27 mpg (automatic) and 22/28 mpg (manual).

The sport utility vehicle category has Ford Motor Co. taking top honors, not only with the Ford Escape Hybrid at 34/30 but its virtually identical hybrid cousins the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner. The Jeep Compass and Patriot, both with manual transmission and two-wheel-drive, are rated at 23/28 mpg city/highway.

So who's the worst when it comes to earning the gas guzzler label?

Look to the so-called "exotics." The average Lamborghini, for example, will average just over 11 mpg (combined city and highway), only slightly outdoing the two-seater Bugatti Veyron's 10 mpg.

But people who buy those cars aren't nearly as likely to wince as the gas pump numbers go flying by.

The lesson: Just about any way the numbers are sliced and diced, there are options for car buyers looking for fuel relief.

And the differences may be surprising.

Comparisons based on data available in the Model Year 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, published by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- www.fueleconomy.gov. Number of vehicles for each manufacturer includes variations in transmission, engine and trim, and fuel octane requirements.

Read about Car Ownership:
- Is Your Car Loan Upside Down?
- Best Cars for First Time Buyers
- Consumer Reports Cost of Ownership Comparison

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Mack3366 04:49:06 PM Jul 30 2008

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I have a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid and on a recent 100 mile trip (one way, I got 41 mpg) On the return trip I also got 41 mpg. Not too shabby!Why didn't the Camry Hybrid make the list?

HAIRSTYLISGIRL 04:44:36 PM Jul 29 2008

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..yeah..i just wonder why HYUNDAI didn't made it either..they're pretty good cars too..NOW..that USA made instead..!!!..Anywayz..i drive a Tiburon Limited.06..i just LOVE IT..THE STYLE AND ETC..IT depends if you take good care of it..keep up with services..IT GOES A LONG WAY..SOO..COOL!!!

Shamgar Renow 06:19:22 AM Jul 26 2008

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i am wondering why Mitsubishi did not make the "best" list....I own one and get, at least, 25 mpg city stop and go driving! My Outlander is a winner.....I have cause to question the accuracy of this list.

Oldchvytrx 02:48:16 PM Jul 20 2008

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I've come to the conclusion that nearly everyone lies about their fuel economy here. I've seen some the most outragious claims I've ever seen! Porches, BMW's, MB's getting 20-30 MPG........ GET REAL! You guys are delusional!!!! A 300D that gets 30????? Maybe 20 behind a towtruck with a tailwind. 18-22 highway is a realistic claim LS7 and LS3 equiped Corvettes getting 30? I doubt it but 26-28 I can believe under optimum conditions with a light foot. Around town with these cars..... maybe 14-18 if you drive very conservative. For the most part I see some pretty outragious claims made but the Civic getting 38.......You never drive in town ehh? From a factory trained Mechanic of German autos who now works on all makes.......

FRANKSWING04 06:28:16 AM Jul 20 2008

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I DON'T KNOW THESE CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE BRAGGING ABOUT 30 MPG, I ONCE OWNED A 1984 HONDA CRX WITH A 1.5 LITER/ 5 SPEED MANUAL THAT AVERAGED 45 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY.

Patyrow 07:47:53 PM Jul 19 2008

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The biggest GUZZLER truck is the Tundra 13/17 city hwy is this the truck that is changing everything I think not , Patrick

HopewellMR 07:09:36 PM Jul 19 2008

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I have a 94 Nissan Sentra and get 30 miles to the gal in town...I get about 28 when I am doing Mt. driving. Nissan seems never to be mentioned in with the Big Ones.... I find it hard to buy a new car with the miles I am still getting with 188,000 miles on the odemeter now....

LB The Dawg 06:09:29 PM Jul 19 2008

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Since the Japanese are lying about currency to screw American workers, it only goes to show that everyhing they do in cars is a lie too.Only a fool buys from liars.

Atlasusa 05:28:05 PM Jul 19 2008

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"As I recall, unleaded regular was $2.19 when the democrats/Pelosi/Reid took over congress " >> > >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>AS HISTORY SHOWS, GAS HAS TRIPLED IN COST SINCE "W" LANDED IN THE WHITE HOUSE. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE SKYROCKETING PRICE OF FUEL IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO HAVING OIL MEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE. DENY THAT AND YOUR HEAD IS BURIED IN THE SAND !!!!

ASHENG 04:39:34 PM Jul 19 2008

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Some thing is wrong in car design. My first car was a 1950 Nash. Six people could fit into in with room for a seventh. It averaged 27 mpg for the 120,000 miles that it lived. The engine, a long stroke 6, used fuel efficiently. The new cars, use short stroke engines because they are cheaper to build.About $100's cheaper. Actually with Aluminumun blocks the cars would cost less to run.

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