There are tons of deciding factors that make consumers choose a certain car over another. It could be the way it looks, it could be how many passengers it can carry, it could be how fast it goes or how big the cargo area is. Generally speaking, consumers look for one major USP in new cars, with maybe a few other would-be-nice-to-haves. If there's one thing that automakers are seriously putting a lot of focus on in these times, it's fuel economy.
With the rise of electrified powertrains and full EVs, it's no longer cool to have a massive, gas-guzzling automobile. Well, it is for some of us, but most people just want a car that will last for a good several hundred miles on a single tank of gas, even if that means you can also plug it in, and you have to do the math in MPGe(quivalent). The options are somewhat limited, but there are quite a few new cars that offer best-in-class fuel economy.
10 Ford Maverick Hybrid - 37 MPG
Ford's revival of the compact pickup truck segment hit the ground running. The Maverick is no bigger than a Taurus (remember those?), but it's a proper pickup truck with a proper bed. Not a very big bed, but it has one, and it can tow as well. The most interesting news about the Maverick is the base engine.
Contrary to the normal practice in the car industry, the hybrid powertrain is actually the base powertrain in the Maverick. It's essentially the same setup as the Escape Hybrid, with a 2.5-liter, 191 hp four-cylinder paired to an electric motor. This unassuming combo means the Maverick is good enough for 37 MPG in combined driving, with up to 42 in the city.
9 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid - 38 MPG
Hyundai's latest Tucson is a prime example of "don't judge a book by its cover." A lot of people hated the styling when the Tucson first debuted, but after sampling it, they realized that this is easily one of the most compelling compact SUVs on the market today. To increase its market appeal further, Hyundai offers two different hybrids.
The regular Tucson Hybrid is the one you don't plug in, and that one gets you 38 MPG in combined driving. Meanwhile, the PHEV gets you 80 MPGe in combined driving, as long as you let the e-motor and the engine work in tandem. That excellent fuel economy is wrapped up in an attractive, practical, and very well-equipped compact crossover.
8 Toyota RAV4 Prime - 94 MPGe
It's very clear that Toyota is trying their best to shake their image of being boring and conventional with some of their latest cars. The current generation RAV4 was definitely a departure from the previous one, and Toyota wanted to make that clear. They managed to do that with the RAV4 Prime.
The RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid, the first time such a powertrain has ever appeared on a RAV4. It also just happens to be the second-fastest car in Toyota's stable, bested only by the GR Supra. 302 hp and a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds, all the while achieving a solid 94 MPGe.
7 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - 52 MPG
There is some method in Hyundai's madness when it comes to the Sonata's design. It seems as though the shape is pretty aerodynamic, as the Hybrid version can do 52 MPG. That's a seriously impressive figure.
The Sonata is also an excellent antidote to the endless sea of crossovers and SUVs we see nowadays. It's still a very practical car, with good rear seat space and a good trunk, and it's also full of some excellent technology, while being very competitively priced.
6 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid - 84 MPGe
When Chrysler debuted the new Pacifica back in 2015, it was a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill minivan. However, the 2021 facelift has taken the Pacifica to the next level. Chrysler suddenly got very serious about their minivan, from looks to powertrains to technology and even luxury.
The 2021 model year brought along the Pacifica Hybrid, which teams the familiar Pentastar V6 engine with a plug-in component, totaling in 84 MPGe. That might not sound the best, but it has its competition trumped on fuel economy. Remember, this is a pretty heavy vehicle that will probably be carrying seven passengers regularly.
5 Honda Insight - 48 MPG
The original Honda Insight was a complete revolution. It was one of the first ever hybrids available to consumers, the styling was truly sci-fi, and its fuel economy was absolutely its biggest highlight. The modern day Insight is a slightly different story.
Not many people are interested in the new Insight, because it is just a lightly reskinned Accord. That's not discrediting the Insight, however, and with its solid hybrid powertrain, it can achieve up to 48 MPG in combined driving.
4 Toyota Camry Hybrid - 53 MPG
The internet's favorite car to make fun of. While the new Camry remains the mid-size sedan and the one people still use for "conventional car" comparisons, it has managed to shy away from its image of being a boring, regular sedan for boring, regular people.
The new Camry looks a lot more attractive, while being just as practical, user-friendly, and without a doubt, reliable. The new hybrid powertrain allows the Camry to achieve up to 52 MPG in combined driving, which is on par and actually beats a lot of its competition when equipped with a hybrid powertrain. Still the gold standard.
3 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid - 48 MPG
The Sonata Hybrid is all well and fine, but it's quite a big car. If you still want a good, smaller sedan with almost as good fuel economy, Hyundai's Elantra Hybrid might just fit the bill. It's one of a few compact sedans that offers a hybrid powertrain at all; the Jetta, Civic, and Mazda 3 aren't quite there yet.
The Elantra also benefits from Hyundai's pretty wild design language, as well as a healthy dollop of modern technology. It also does 48 MPG in combined city and highway driving, which should get you pretty far. It may not be the spicy Elantra N, but it'll do the job.
2 Mazda Miata - 30 MPG
You're probably tired of all the minivans, crossovers and sedans here. Good news; the new Mazda Miata just happens to have the best fuel economy in its class. If you're not after a family car, then what is undeniably the gold standard of roadsters will get you 30 MPG in combined driving and in ideal conditions.
It's good peace of mind, but not without the warning that it'll probably be quite difficult to get to that figure, since you'll be mashing the gas pedal and rowing through the gears on a twisty country road. Still, that 30 MPG figure is a great plus point for the Miata. As if it didn't have nearly every plus point to itself already.
1 Toyota Sienna - 38 MPG
The Toyota Sienna is often described as the minivan in North America. For years, it has been serving families all over the continent with its practical seating layout, massive cargo area, and basically indestructible V6 powertrains.
Major changes were in order for the current Sienna, as it's the only one in the minivan segment to be offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. This unfortunately means no more V6, but the Sienna Hybrid can do up to 38 MPG in combined driving, which is an excellent figure given the size, the number of seats and undeniably the people and cargo that will be inside regularly.