If you’re looking for the cars with the best gas mileage, your best bets are hybrids and EVs, and with the latter, then it’s a case of energy efficiency considering the lack of gasoline. But maybe you don’t like the idea of an electrified vehicle. Maybe you’re concerned about more complicated powertrains or new technologies. Maybe you’re put off by the extra up-front cost of those vehicles. So what’s the best way to get good fuel economy, without batteries? Well, we’ve pulled together the 10 most fuel-efficient cars that only run on gasoline.
Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2024:
Mitsubishi Mirage: 39 mpg combined
When you can’t be electrified, you need to achieve high efficiency with other strategies. In the case of the Mitsubishi Mirage, those come from low weight (just 2,084 pounds) and low power (just 78 horsepower). That’s how the Mirage
The other big draw of the Mirage is that it’s incredibly cheap and has a long warranty. The base hatchback starts at $18,110 with destination, making it one of the cheapest cars on the road. And it has a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. So if you’re looking for maximum frugality above literally all else, it’s hard to top the Mirage.
Honda Civic: 36 mpg combined
While the Mirage wins technically, it makes many compromises to achieve its price and fuel economy. The rest of the list provides far better balancing of economy with being quality modern automobiles. And coming in second is the Honda Civic
Then there’s the Si and Type R, but with much more power and handling upgrades, they’re basically different models. Regardless, almost every version of the Civic
Hyundai Elantra: 36 mpg combined
Nearly tying the Civic is the Elantra. The CVT-equipped 2.0-liter SE model has the same combined mileage, though at 32 city and 41 highway, it’s a little bit behind in those specific categories. Higher trims dip to 34 mpg combined. But otherwise, the Elantra does basically everything the Civic does with loads of space and impressive refinement. It’s a bit slow with just a 147-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, and it’s not quite as engaging to drive. But otherwise, the Elantra is another excellent small sedan choice, regardless of fuel economy. We’re not discussing the N Line and N models that get notably worse fuel economy and are arguably different models.