Discover the Most Fuel Efficient Gas Cars in 2024: Save Money and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

With gasoline prices remaining a significant concern for households across the USA, finding vehicles that offer excellent fuel economy is more important than ever. While prices are slightly down from last year, the national average still hovers around $3.15 per gallon for regular and nearly $4.00 for premium. Experts predict another surge as summer approaches, potentially reaching upwards of $4.00 nationally and even exceeding $6.00 in some West Coast areas. These costs significantly impact family finances, making fuel efficiency a key consideration for car buyers.

While switching to a hybrid or fully electric vehicle might seem like the obvious choice for fuel savings, it’s not always the most practical or cost-effective solution for everyone. For those not ready to make the jump to electrification, or simply preferring the familiarity of gasoline engines, there’s good news. Automotive advancements have significantly improved the fuel efficiency of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Many models now achieve impressive mileage figures, offering substantial savings at the pump without the higher purchase price and complexities associated with electric vehicles.

Modern gasoline cars benefit from technologies like turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and advanced transmissions, pushing fuel economy into the 30+ MPG range for many models, even while maintaining satisfying performance. Typically, achieving top MPG ratings involves choosing smaller, lighter vehicles, often with base powertrains and without the added weight and fuel consumption of all-wheel drive.

To assist car buyers focused on minimizing fuel costs, we’ve consulted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fueleconomy.gov database. This resource allows us to present a curated list of the most fuel-efficient gas-powered cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks for the 2024 model year. Our listings highlight the top-performing configuration within each model line, specifying the engine and city/highway MPG ratings.

For 2024, the crown for the most fuel-efficient gas car goes to the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan. This subcompact achieves an EPA rating of 36 MPG in the city and an impressive 43 MPG on the highway, powered by a frugal 78-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the Mirage at just $1,200 based on 15,000 miles of combined city/highway driving, translating to a substantial $2,250 in fuel savings over five years compared to the average 2024 model.

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Top Fuel Efficient Gas Cars: Passenger Cars

Here are the top 5 most fuel-efficient mainstream passenger cars for 2024:

1. Mitsubishi Mirage/G4: Leading the pack with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine and CVT, the Mirage achieves an outstanding 36 MPG city and 43 MPG highway. This subcompact is ideal for city dwellers and budget-conscious drivers seeking maximum fuel savings.
2. Honda Civic: A perennial favorite, the Honda Civic with its 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 33 MPG city and 42 MPG highway. Known for its reliability and driving dynamics, the Civic balances fuel efficiency with everyday practicality.
3. Hyundai Elantra: The stylish Hyundai Elantra, equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and CVT, offers 32 MPG city and 41 MPG highway. The Elantra stands out with its value proposition, combining fuel economy with a well-equipped and spacious interior.
4. Toyota Corolla/Hatchback: Synonymous with reliability and efficiency, the Toyota Corolla and Corolla Hatchback, when fitted with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 10-speed transmission, achieve 32 MPG city and 41 MPG highway. The Corolla remains a trusted choice for those prioritizing longevity and fuel savings.
5. Nissan Versa: Rounding out the top 5, the Nissan Versa, powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and CVT, provides 32 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. The Versa is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on fuel efficiency, making it a smart choice for first-time car buyers or those seeking an economical commuter.

Top Fuel Efficient Gas Cars: Luxury Cars

Even in the luxury segment, fuel efficiency is becoming increasingly important. Here are the top 5 most fuel-efficient luxury cars for 2024:

1. Acura Integra: The Acura Integra, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine and 7-speed transmission, achieves 30 MPG city and 37 MPG highway while requiring premium fuel. The Integra blends sporty performance with luxury and commendable fuel economy for its class.
2. Audi A3: The Audi A3, featuring a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 7-speed transmission, achieves 29 MPG city and 37 MPG highway. The A3 offers German engineering and luxury in a compact and fuel-efficient package.
3. BMW 530i: The BMW 530i, with its 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, provides 27 MPG city and 35 MPG highway. Even in the mid-size luxury segment, the 530i demonstrates that efficiency and driving pleasure can coexist.
4. Mercedes-Benz C300: The Mercedes-Benz C300, utilizing a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 9-speed transmission, achieves 26 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. The C300 delivers Mercedes-Benz luxury and refinement with a focus on fuel conservation.
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA250: Sharing the same MPG ratings as the C300, the Mercedes-Benz CLA250, with its 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 26 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. The CLA250 offers a stylish coupe-like design with luxury features and respectable fuel economy.

Top Fuel Efficient Gas Cars: SUVs

For those needing more space and versatility, here are the top 5 most fuel-efficient mainstream SUVs:

1. Nissan Kicks: Leading the SUV category, the Nissan Kicks, powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and CVT, achieves 31 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. The Kicks is a compact and stylish SUV that maximizes fuel economy without sacrificing practicality.
2. Hyundai Kona: The Hyundai Kona, equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and CVT, offers 29 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. The Kona is a fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient subcompact SUV with a distinctive design.
3. Chevrolet Trailblazer: The Chevrolet Trailblazer, featuring a 1.3-liter turbo-three engine and CVT, achieves 29 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. The Trailblazer provides a blend of fuel efficiency and SUV versatility in a compact size.
4. Hyundai Venue: Another Hyundai entry, the Venue, with its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and CVT, also achieves 29 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. The Venue is the smallest SUV on this list, offering city-friendly maneuverability and excellent fuel economy.
5. Volkswagen Taos: The Volkswagen Taos, powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. The Taos offers a more spacious interior than others in its class, combining practicality with fuel efficiency.

Top Fuel Efficient Gas Cars: Luxury SUVs

Luxury SUVs are also embracing fuel efficiency. Here are the top 5 most fuel-efficient luxury SUVs:

1. Lexus NX: The Lexus NX, with its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed transmission, leads the luxury SUV segment with 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. The NX delivers Lexus’ renowned reliability and luxury with a focus on fuel conservation.
2. Cadillac XT4: The Cadillac XT4, featuring a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 9-speed transmission, achieves 24 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. The XT4 offers Cadillac luxury and style in a compact SUV format while maintaining reasonable fuel economy.
3. BMW X1: The BMW X1, equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 7-speed transmission, provides 23 MPG city and 31 MPG highway. The X1 blends BMW’s sporty driving dynamics with luxury and improved fuel efficiency for its segment.
4. Infiniti QX50: The Infiniti QX50, utilizing a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 23 MPG city but a higher 29 MPG highway. The QX50 offers a comfortable ride and distinctive styling with competitive fuel economy in the luxury SUV category.
5. BMW X3: Rounding out the luxury SUV list, the BMW X3, with its 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 23 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. The X3 provides a balance of luxury, performance, and fuel efficiency in a popular SUV format.

Top Fuel Efficient Gas Cars: Pickup Trucks

Even pickup trucks are seeing improvements in fuel efficiency. Here are the top 5 most fuel-efficient pickup trucks:

1. Ford Maverick: The Ford Maverick, with its 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, leads the pickup truck segment with 23 MPG city and 30 MPG highway. The Maverick is a compact and versatile truck that prioritizes fuel economy.
2. Ford Ranger: The Ford Ranger, featuring a 2.3-liter turbo-four engine and 10-speed transmission, achieves 21 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. The Ranger balances capability with improved fuel efficiency for a mid-size pickup.
3. Chevrolet Colorado: The Chevrolet Colorado, equipped with a 2.7-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, offers 19 MPG city and 24 MPG highway. The Colorado provides a robust truck experience with a focus on maximizing fuel economy in its class.
4. GMC Canyon: Sharing similar ratings with the Colorado, the GMC Canyon, also with a 2.7-liter turbo-four engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 19 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. The Canyon offers a more premium take on the mid-size truck with comparable fuel efficiency to the Colorado.
5. Nissan Frontier: The Nissan Frontier, powered by a 3.8-liter 6-cylinder engine and 8-speed transmission, achieves 18 MPG city and 24 MPG highway. The Frontier, while using a larger engine, still offers competitive fuel economy within the pickup truck segment.

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Beyond choosing a fuel-efficient model, drivers can further reduce their fuel consumption by adopting smart driving habits. Simple changes like avoiding aggressive acceleration and braking, maintaining proper tire inflation, and reducing aerodynamic drag by driving with windows up (when appropriate) and removing unnecessary roof racks can make a noticeable difference. Additionally, minimizing cargo weight can also improve fuel economy.

Choosing one of the most fuel-efficient gas cars in 2024 is a smart move for anyone looking to save money on fuel costs and reduce their environmental impact without switching to an electric vehicle. These models prove that you can still enjoy the benefits of gasoline power while maximizing every gallon.

Source: fueleconomy.gov