New cars are getting more fuel efficient all the time, but that doesn't mean you have to pay new car money for great economy. Here are five strong choices, all with different technologies that excel at earning good mpg figures.
If fuel efficiency is your ultimate goal, the Toyota Prius is a very safe bet. It's a reasonably versatile car that meets the needs of city dwellers, families and commuters. But it excels at giving great fuel economy in most driving conditions, especially if it's stop-and-go traffic you find yourself in most of the time. Its proven reliability record seals it as a solid pick.
Buyers who do lots of highway miles should check out the TDI model. Its 140-horsepower turbodiesel engine has plenty of passing power and is rated for at least 40 mpg on the highway -- owners frequently report even better efficiency, though. Best of all, the Jetta has a roomy interior and a solid feel to make it a great everyday car.
The Honda Civic has long been a popular bet on the used car market. And all versions are relatively fuel efficient, most coming close to 40 mpg. While the 2012 model feels less substantial than Civics have usually been, all made after 2006 have a full complement of safety features and have good feature content. And available as a hybrid, coupe, sedan and hot Si models, there's a Civic for all kinds of tastes.
Interested in a family sedan? The Hyundai Sonata has been a proven entry in the segment, and extremely popular. Best of all, its four-cylinder engine range is efficient for the class. That means you can have space for five in an extremely competent sedan for a good price and with the added bonus of 30+ mpg on the highway, even from turbocharged models.
Need a fuel efficient crossover? The Honda CR-V is perfect for frugal shoppers. Its four-cylinder engine gets great fuel economy for its class, without the complexity of a hybrid powerplant. Yet it has lots of space inside for people or cargo, or both. All versions are loaded with power amenities and it has a strong reliability record.
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