The Top 5 Fuel Efficient Cars

 

 

With a base price of $22,000, the Toyota Prius clocks in with 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway. Crunching the numbers, it costs a measly $1.33 to drive 25 miles, a far outcry from the Ford Expedition I drove yesterday which ate up $15 worth of gas in less than two hour´s drive time. Annually, fuel costs are less than the price of a Macbook and the Prius is also one of the leaders in CO2 emissions. The downside to the Prius is its much publicized recall earlier this year, where 133,000 vehicles were called back due to braking problems. Its pedestrian appearance, with a tiny rear window and an instrument panel as congested as a cockpit, doesn´t help for the style-conscious.

 

 

 

Since launching in 1973, the Honda Civic has quietly become one of America´s most popular cars. The Honda Civic´s little brother, its Hybrid version, comes with 42 mpg fuel economy. Although it costs more ($23000+), the difference is paid off with $500+ estimated in annual fuel costs. Plus, it has performed well with solid crash ratings (5 star government ratings for frontal and rear crashes). Being environmentally safe and ¨safe safe¨ are two of its top advantages.

 

 

At $27,000, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid midsize cars in America. Fuel economy is great with 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. If $27,000 and 41 mpg doesn´t suit you, the federal tax credit worth $850 (awarded before April 1 of this year) would have. Comfort is another strong suit; there is more leg room and 2 inches more hip room in the rear seats than in the Toyota Prius.

 

 

 

This hybrid costs $7000 more than the bare bones Altima but makes up for it with 35 mpg (city) and 33 mpg (highway) fuel economy which cuts costs up to $800 annually. The downside is that this car is only available in 9 states (California, Connecticut, Maine, Oregon, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, and Massachusetts).

 

 

 

Very similar in feel and makeup to the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Mercury Milan Hybrid has taken a backseat with lesser, but still impressive, fuel economy (39 mpg) and a $27,000 base price, worse numbers than the top 4 competitors on this list. It also benefitted from a $850 government tax credit earlier this year. For a family car, the Mercury Milan Hybrid does not disappoint.