Monday, February 16, 2009

The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Cars and SUVs


1. 2009 Toyota Prius

Price: $22,000

If it's lonely at the top, the Prius knows it. The iconic hybrid is the most fuel-efficient buy again in 2009.

Fuel Economy
City: 48 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,133
CO2 Emitted: 4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 7.4
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

2. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Price: $23,550

Second again, the Honda Civic Hybrid achieves the same strong fuel economy stats as the 2008 model. It can't match the Prius in city driving or price — but it does have a higher (better) EPA air pollution score.

Fuel Economy
City: 40 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,242
CO2 Emitted: 4.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 8.2
Air Pollution Score: 9 (of 10)

3. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Price: $26,650

The Nissan Altima Hybrid notches the third spot on the list again. What does third place mean? Better than most, but still 27 percent less efficient than the No. 1 Prius.

Fuel Economy
City: 35 mpg
Highway: 33 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,535
CO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.1
Air Pollution Score: N/A

4. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,750

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mercury Mariner is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

4. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,305

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Ford Escape is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

4. 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $28,175

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mazda Tribute is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

5. 2009 Smart Fortwo

Price: $11,590

A newcomer to the list in 2009, the diminutive Smart Fortwo may not be a hybrid, but it makes a statement. Choose the coupe or the convertible: Both models get the same mileage. The coupe is the most affordable model on the list of most-efficient 2009 models.

Fuel Economy
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 41 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,564
CO2 Emitted: 5.1 tons
Barrels of Oil: 9.5
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

6. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Price: $26,150

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is unchanged from the 2008 model, but a notch down the list, thanks to the Smart Fortwo.

Fuel Economy
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 34 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,535
CO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.1
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Tie)

Price: $17,340

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and the Jetta SportWagen are the only diesel vehicles to make the list in 2009.

Fuel Economy
City: 30 mpg
Highway: 41 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,711
CO2 Emitted: 6.2 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11.6
Air Pollution Score: N/A

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (Tie)

Price: $19,649

If you choose the automatic transmission rather than the manual, in either the VW Jetta or Jetta SportWagen, you lose 1 mpg in both highway and city driving — enough to cost $52 in diesel fuel per year.

Fuel Economy
City: 29 mpg
Highway: 40 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,763
CO2 Emitted: 6.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11.9
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

8. 2009 Toyota Yaris

Price: $12,965

The third Toyota to make the most-fuel-efficient list (and the most affordable of the three), the Yaris gets a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg. (Knock off 1 mpg in highway driving if you choose an automatic, rather than a standard transmission.)

Fuel Economy
City: 29 mpg
Highway: 36 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper (Tie)


Price: $18,550

There's a big advertising campaign around the fuel-efficiency of the 2009 Mini Cooper. The stylish little car delivers, besting 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,761
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman (Tie)

Price: $18,880

Tied with its sister, the bigger Clubman is in its second year on the market.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,761
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

10. 2009 Honda Fit

Price: $14,550

Rounding out the most-fuel-efficient list is Honda's second selection, the Fit. It's the third-least-expensive choice, behind the Smart Fortwo and the Toyota Yaris. Choose the manual instead of the automatic, and you'll lose 2 mpg, and pay $115 more per year.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 35 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,686
CO2 Emitted: 5.9 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

article by By Dan Shapley on www.thedailygreen.com

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I knew that I made the right choice with my Yaris. With its most fuel-efficient feature, I can have the luxury to drive more and spend less. Though I had my Yaris a year older, I knew that the used car dealerships (orange county based) have assured my cars condition. I'm proud to be a Yaris owner for 5 years.

Drivers Ed Georgia said...

Good list of fuel efficient cars, it's very useful for car buyers whom looking for statics of top vehicles altogether.

Nevada Learners Permit said...

yeh very nice post friend, really this helping me to determined which vehicle to buy, thanks for your info.