gasoline, price, chart
Gasoline price chart
Gas prices might fluctuate week to week, but over the long haul they are headed emphatically in one direction: Up. While smart driving techniques and maintenance can help you save as much as 20 percent on fuel costs, the biggest savings comes or doesn\'t when you purchase a new car. (Or, finding ways to avoid driving by using innovative alternatives.)
\r\n\r\nChew on this: Even the cars on this list will add between $94 and $147 in fuel costs to your monthly car payment. And these are the most fuel efficient cars and SUVs on the market. Talk about cash for clunkers.
\r\n\r\nThe following fuel economy and cost estimates, using data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, are based on driving 15,000 miles a year 45 percent on the highway and 55 percent in the city and paying between $3.75 for gasoline and $3.88 for diesel.
\r\n\r\nThe cars, wagons and SUVs listed here are the only 2009 models to achieve better than 30 mpg combined fuel economy.
\r\n\r\nPricing information from edmunds.com, manufacturers or published reports, and reflects base or list price.
Price: $22,000
\r\n\r\nIf it\'s lonely at the top, the Prius knows it. The iconic hybrid is the most fuel-efficient buy again in 2009.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 48 mpg
\r\nHighway: 45 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,133
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 4 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 7.4
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
Honda, Civic, hybrid, 2009 model, fuel efficient
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
Price: $23,550
\r\n\r\nSecond again, the Honda Civic Hybrid achieves the same strong fuel economy stats as the 2008 model. It can\'t match the Prius in city driving or price but it does have a higher (better) EPA air pollution score.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 40 mpg
\r\nHighway: 45 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,242
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 4.4 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 8.2
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 9 (of 10)
nissan, altima, hybrid, fuel efficient, 2009 model
2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Price: $26,650
\r\n\r\nThe Nissan Altima Hybrid notches the third spot on the list again. What does third place mean? Better than most, but still 27 percent less efficient than the No. 1 Prius.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 35 mpg
\r\nHighway: 33 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,535
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.1
\r\nAir Pollution Score: N/A
Price: $29,750
\r\n\r\nTied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mercury Mariner is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 34 mpg
\r\nHighway: 31 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,634
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
Price: $29,305
\r\n\r\nTied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Ford Escape is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 34 mpg
\r\nHighway: 31 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,634
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
Price: $28,175
\r\n\r\nTied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mazda Tribute is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 34 mpg
\r\nHighway: 31 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,634
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
smart, fortwo, 2009 model, fuel efficient
2009 Smart Fortwo
Price: $11,590
\r\n\r\nA newcomer to the list in 2009, the diminutive Smart Fortwo may not be a hybrid, but it makes a statement. Choose the coupe or the convertible: Both models get the same mileage. The coupe is the most affordable model on the list of most-efficient 2009 models.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 33 mpg
\r\nHighway: 41 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,564
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.1 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 9.5
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
toyota, camry, hybrid, fuel efficient, 2009 model
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Price: $26,150
\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Camry Hybrid is unchanged from the 2008 model, but a notch down the list, thanks to the Smart Fortwo.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 33 mpg
\r\nHighway: 34 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,535
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.1
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)
Volkswagen, Jetta, 2009 model, fuel efficient, diesel
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Price: $17,340
\r\n\r\nThe 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and the Jetta SportWagen are the only diesel vehicles to make the list in 2009.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 30 mpg
\r\nHighway: 41 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,711
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 6.2 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 11.6
\r\nAir Pollution Score: N/A
Volkssagen, Jetta, SportWagen, fuel efficient, diesel, 2009 model
2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Price: $19,649
\r\n\r\nIf you choose the automatic transmission rather than the manual, in either the VW Jetta or Jetta SportWagen, you lose 1 mpg in both highway and city driving enough to cost $52 in diesel fuel per year.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 29 mpg
\r\nHighway: 40 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,763
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 6.4 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 11.9
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)
toyota, yaris, fuel efficient, 2009 model
2009 Toyota Yaris
Price: $12,965
\r\n\r\nThe third Toyota to make the most-fuel-efficient list (and the most affordable of the three), the Yaris gets a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg. (Knock off 1 mpg in highway driving if you choose an automatic, rather than a standard transmission.)
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 29 mpg
\r\nHighway: 36 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,634
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)
Mini, Cooper, fuel efficient, 2009 model
2009 Mini Cooper
Price: $18,550
\r\n\r\nThere\'s a big advertising campaign around the fuel-efficiency of the 2009 Mini Cooper. The stylish little car delivers, besting 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 28 mpg
\r\nHighway: 37 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,761
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)
Mini, Cooper Clubman, fuel efficient, 2009 model
2009 Mini Cooper Clubman
Price: $18,880
\r\n\r\nTied with its sister, the bigger Clubman is in its second year on the market.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 28 mpg
\r\nHighway: 37 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,761
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 10.7
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)
Honda, Fit, 2009 model, fuel efficient
2009 Honda Fit
Price: $14,550
\r\n\r\nRounding out the most-fuel-efficient list is Honda\'s second selection, the Fit. It\'s the third-least-expensive choice, behind the Smart Fortwo and the Toyota Yaris. Choose the manual instead of the automatic, and you\'ll lose 2 mpg, and pay $115 more per year.
\r\n\r\nFuel Economy
\r\nCity: 28 mpg
\r\nHighway: 35 mpg
Annual Impact
\r\nCost to Drive: $1,686
\r\nCO2 Emitted: 5.9 tons
\r\nBarrels of Oil: 11
\r\nAir Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)
Honda, Insight, fuel efficient
2000 Honda Insight
Why buy new?
\r\n\r\nIn terms of fuel efficiency, environmental impact and fueling costs, the 2000 Honda Insight outperforms every car on the 2009 list. It gets a combined 53 mpg, and costs less than $1,000 to fuel up each year.
\r\n\r\nBefore you make your decision, consult fueleconomy.gov to compare models, both new and old.
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