The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Cars and SUVs

Why Buying Fuel-Efficient Matters

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.)

Chew 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.

The 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.

The cars, wagons and SUVs listed here are the only 2009 models to achieve better than 30 mpg combined fuel economy.

Pricing information from edmunds.com, manufacturers or published reports, and reflects base or list price.

1. 2009 Toyota Prius

Price: $22,000

If it\'s lonely at the top, the Prius knows it. The iconic hybrid is the most fuel-efficient buy again in 2009.

Fuel 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)

2. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Price: $23,550

Second 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.

Fuel 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)

3. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Price: $26,650

The 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.

Fuel 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

4. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,750

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mercury Mariner is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel 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)

4. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,305

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Ford Escape is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel 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)

4. 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $28,175

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mazda Tribute is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel 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)

5. 2009 Smart Fortwo

Price: $11,590

A 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.

Fuel 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)

6. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Price: $26,150

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is unchanged from the 2008 model, but a notch down the list, thanks to the Smart Fortwo.

Fuel 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)

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Tie)

Price: $17,340

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and the Jetta SportWagen are the only diesel vehicles to make the list in 2009.

Fuel 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

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (Tie)

Price: $19,649

If 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.

Fuel 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)

8. 2009 Toyota Yaris

Price: $12,965

The 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.)

Fuel 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)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper (Tie)

Price: $18,550

There\'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.

Fuel 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)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman (Tie)

Price: $18,880

Tied with its sister, the bigger Clubman is in its second year on the market.

Fuel 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)

10. 2009 Honda Fit

Price: $14,550

Rounding 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.

Fuel 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)

2000 Honda Insight

Why buy new?

In 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.

Before you make your decision, consult fueleconomy.gov to compare models, both new and old.