Car ownership can come with a number of expenses. One of the most common expenses is gasoline. With the rising gas prices, it is no wonder more and more people are searching for fuel-efficient cars. However, most people lack the budget for an electric vehicle, such as a Tesla, and it's usually too expensive (or too technical) to convert your car to a bio-fuel engine. The increasing demand for vehicles with great fuel economy has many people wondering, what is a good fuel-efficiency vehicle?
If you drive often, a fuel-efficient car could be the way to go. If you spend a lot of time on the road for your job, then a car with good gas mileage can mean you are spending less at the gas pump.
What is classed as fuel efficient, and what should you look for in a car that's going to take you further for less?
Here's what you should know about the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, and which models most drivers should make sure to stay away from.
When people say fuel efficient, it means that the car gets more miles per gallon (mpg) than the average car on the market. Who wouldn't like to be able to drive further without having to stop at the gas pump?
Examples of types of cars that are NOT fuel-efficient are generally vehicles that are one of two things:
As a general benchmark, a car getting 30 mpg or more in combined city and highway driving is considered fuel efficient for a standard gas-powered vehicle. Cars hitting 40 mpg or above are considered excellent. If you are looking at a used car and want a quick filter, 30 mpg combined is a reliable starting point.
Cars that are heavy, and drive like military tanks, generally consume a lot more gas than their lighter counterparts.
In order to propel the weight of a heavier car forward, these cars need to use more gas.
While it's true that most people are thinking of Hummers here, let's be clear that there are many other car brands and models one could also point the finger at. Almost every car brand on the market has a super fuel-efficient vehicle model, as well as a model that is not fuel efficient.
Older car models generally consume more fuel than their newer counterparts. This is because the engines are older, and they were invented at a different point in time when reducing the carbon footprint wasn't at the forefront of sustainability discussions.
If you drive an older car that's in decent condition, it might still be worth something as a trade-in. If so, you might consider selling your older vehicle for a reasonable, market-friendly price so you can upgrade to a car with better fuel efficiency.
Older cars just don't drive the same as newer models. An upgrade can cut more money off your long-term fuel costs than you might expect.
Not all cars are measured against the same standard. A midsize SUV getting 28 mpg is doing well for its class, while a compact sedan getting the same number is only average. Here is a practical reference:
If you are shopping for a used car and fuel costs are a priority, sticking to compact sedans and hatchbacks from the past ten years gives you the most options under budget.
For most buyers on a budget, a standard gas engine in a compact or midsize car is the most practical choice for fuel efficiency without a higher purchase price. Hybrids offer meaningfully better mpg, especially in city driving, but typically cost more upfront even in the used market. Full electric vehicles eliminate gas costs entirely but require access to charging and carry their own ownership considerations. For buyers at Drive Fast USA's price points, a well-maintained gas or hybrid compact from the past seven to ten years is usually the sweet spot.
There are several essential things that can give someone an indication as to how fuel efficient a car is. Cars that are lighter and newer can be far superior to heavier, older models in many ways.
If you want to buy a new or used car and you're not sure if it gets good mpg, you should first look up the specs. Vehicle specs are available from the manufacturer's website. Fuel efficiency is generally something they list in the catalog.
The more you know about the make and model of the car you're interested in, the more power you have as a potential buyer.
Remember that the reverse can also be true. The less you know, the more likely you are to buy something at a disadvantage. Always research a vehicle before buying.
Most used cars that are sold in good condition or new should come with a service booklet. When buying a used car, the service history is one of the most important things you can check.
While fuel efficiency isn't listed here, the service history can tell you more about the car such as when and what things have been fixed. The more time that has passed between regular checks and general car services, the more trouble you can expect a car to give you.
Service history can also be a great indicator as to whether or not the used vehicle will be fuel efficient. It can help to talk to an auto mechanic about the service history to learn more about the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
The U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov lets you look up the official EPA fuel economy rating for any make, model, and year. It is the most reliable free tool for comparing vehicles before you buy. Enter the year and model you are considering and it will show you city, highway, and combined mpg alongside an estimated annual fuel cost.
A car with underinflated tires or a neglected air filter will not perform at its rated mpg in the real world. When evaluating a used car, look at both the service history and the current tire pressure. A vehicle that has been consistently maintained will typically get closer to its EPA-rated efficiency than one that has not.
If you’re located near Omaha, Lincoln, and Kansas City and have a weak or nonexistent credit score, you are a likely candidate for no credit car loans. However, lenders will still have minimum eligibility qualifications for bad-credit auto loans.
Are you looking to buy a car? Our stress-free car shopping experience will have you driving home amazed at how fast and easy the process was. Just because we’re a “Buy Here Pay Here” car lot doesn’t mean we don’t have a great selection of pre-owned vehicles to choose from. Our inventory is continuously being updated. That means if we don’t have the perfect vehicle for you, be sure to check back next week or even the next day.
In any case, we’re confident that we’ll have something that will fit your tastes, needs, and budget. We encourage you to browse our inventory online in Omaha, Lincoln, or Kansas City to narrow down your preferences to make things even faster when you visit our auto dealership.