As appealing as the thought of a gas-guzzling V8 engine might be to many enthusiasts, the hard truth is that the cost of living is going up, and many people's budgets are tighter than ever. More so now than ever before, drivers need to consider how efficient the car they're about to buy is, and how much it'll cost them to run long-term. Not only that but used car prices have shot through the roof in recent years, thanks to inflation and a lack of supply for some models.
With that in mind, this list focuses on the most efficient cars to buy that are under $10,000. They won't break the bank to buy, and they'll be equally affordable to run. They might not be the most desirable vehicles on the market, but when it comes to getting from A to B, they'll all get the job done. The list covers as many sizes and body styles as possible, but bear in mind that SUVs or pickups don't feature here, as they're generally some of the least efficient vehicles you can buy.
10 Toyota Prius
It might be the obvious choice, but there's really no way to fault the Toyota Prius for its frugality. A favorite all over the world among long-distance commuters and taxi drivers, Priuses boast an unbeatable combination of Japanese reliability and fuel-sipping efficiency.
It's possible to get a Prius for considerably less than $10k, but dip much below that figure and most examples will need a higher level of repairs and maintenance to keep running. Having said that, there are plenty of Priuses out there with over half a million miles on the odometer, so higher mileage shouldn't need to be a dealbreaker.
9 Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion has been largely forgotten about along with the sea of other sedans from its era, but it's actually a bit of a used bargain. Sedans are generally out of fashion at the moment, which has helped keep used prices low.
A non-hybrid 2010 Fusion will get up to 31 mpg on the highway, but the hybrid version of the car is even better, achieving 41 mpg. Buyers also get comfortable seating for up to five passengers and a decent amount of trunk space, without the stigma that comes with owning a Prius.
8 VW Jetta
For obvious reasons, hybrid cars dominate this list, but there are a few regular gasoline cars that sport similar mpg figures and are even cheaper to buy. A VW Jetta can be picked up for $6-7k depending on which state it's in, and they're dirt cheap to maintain.
It's capable of up to 28 mpg on the highway according to its official ratings, not quite a match for the hybrids, but then again it comes with a slightly lower cost to purchase. A Golf is a similarly frugal option, but a Jetta gives its buyer more room for the same amount of cash.
7 Honda Civic Hybrid
Almost everyone knows someone who's owned a Honda Civic, and there's a good reason for that. A winning formula of affordable pricing, low maintenance costs, and solid reliability has seen them stay as family favorites for generations.
The Civic Hybrid also adds in efficiency to the mix, with a rating of up to 45 mpg highway. Not only that, but Civics are one of the easiest cars to find used, as so many were sold that there's always a fresh supply of second-hand stock.
6 Chevrolet Spark
Superminis might not be to everyone's taste, but they offer one of the most wallet-friendly ways to get on the road. The Chevy Spark is one of the cheapest cars to buy new and used it's even better value, with cars starting from as little as $5,000 for earlier model years.
They might be small, but Sparks are surprisingly resilient, and it's not unusual to find them being sold with over 150,000 miles on the clock. It's probably not going to be the best highway cruiser, as its 81 hp 1.2L engine can feel a bit anemic, but for a city traffic commuter or grocery getter, it's a great option.
5 Ford C-Max
Some buyers need a lot more space than a supermini or even a regular sedan can give them, and that's where the Ford C-Max comes in. Minivans have slowly but surely been falling out of fashion for over a decade now, but that's good news for used buyers.
It means that C-Maxes in good condition can be found for under $10k, and they're surprisingly frugal, achieving up to 37 mpg according to their official figures. With seven seats and plenty of luggage space, the C-Max is a great choice for larger families on a smaller budget.
4 Honda Insight
Produced between 2010 and 2014, the second-generation Honda Insight was the company's attempt at challenging the Toyota Prius, which by that point had become the undisputed king of family hybrid cars.
Long story short, it wasn't very successful, as Honda failed to capture enough market share to make its investment worthwhile and the car was eventually scrapped. Today, they're one of the cheapest hybrids on the used market, although it's worth noting that the Insight does suffer from a larger range of problems than many of Honda's other cars do.
3 Smart Fortwo
If there was one supermini to define all modern superminis, it would surely be the Smart car. It's become embraced by some and mocked by others, but no matter what anyone thinks about it, there's no denying that it's a super-efficient way to get about.
Its tiny engine and low curb weight mean it's able to achieve 41 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg in the city, more than many hybrid models can manage. They also cost peanuts to buy used, with examples starting at a fraction under $5,000.
2 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Another sedan that's been mostly forgotten about by the wider automotive world, the Chevrolet Cruze took every generic sedan styling trope and put it all in one car. Dull looks aside, it's not a bad used buy, and it can be picked up for $5-6,000.
Their rapid depreciation also means that models as new as the 2014MY can be picked up for under $10k in good condition. As generic as it might be, the Cruze ticks all the right boxes for an economical runabout.
1 Toyota Camry Hybrid
One of America's favorite sedans, the Camry has been a bestseller for decades. In 2012, a new generation of hybrid Camry was introduced, and it's now possible to source one for under $10,000 with a bit of searching.
Finding one under that $10k figure will mean buying a higher mileage car, but given the Camry's rock-solid reputation for reliability, that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Examples of the previous generation Camry will be even cheaper, but the 2012 MY saw several upgrades including a more modern infotainment setup, so it's worth going to the trouble of finding a newer one if possible.