2.27.2009 10:06 AM

Which of Consumer Reports' Picks for Best Used Cars Gets the Best Gas Mileage?

The Toyota is the best pick if you're buying new ... but what about a reliable, efficient used car? Here is your answer.
Also see Most Fuel Efficient Cars and SUVs of 2009.

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
City: 48 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,133
CO2 Emitted: 4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 7.4
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

Photo: Toyota

By Dan Shapley

Consumer Reports released its annual list of best cars recently, naming the 2009 Toyota Prius as the overall best value new car. It's in its own class in terms of fuel economy, as The Daily Green's Most Fuel Efficient Cars and SUVs of 2009 feature shows. It bests its nearest rival (the Honda Civic Hybrid) in city driving by 20%.

But the annual report also includes a list of the most reliable used cars on the market -- reminding us that for fuel efficiency, "sticker" price and often reliability, used cars are the best value. (The 2000 Honda Insight -- if you can find one -- achieves a combined 53 mpg, which would easily beat the 2009 Toyota Prius by a long shot.)

But buying a used car can be more challenging than buying new, for those who don't consider themselves car buffs. It takes more research (try edmunds.com to start). How do you know you're getting a good value? And who can you turn to if something goes wrong? That's what makes the Consumer Reports list invaluable. Here you have it: 10 used cars that are likely to offer you good value for the money.

The Daily Green has done one better by ranking the small cars among Consumer Reports' picks by fuel economy. (Do your own comparisons with fueleconomy.gov.)