In today's world of high gas prices and increasing environmental consciousness, finding a used car that offers excellent gas mileage, as rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a top priority for many buyers.
Whether you're looking for a compact car, a hybrid, or an SUV or truck, there are plenty of options that can help you save money at the pump while reducing your carbon footprint. Here, we'll identify some of the best gas mileage used cars by segment.
Note: This list has been updated over the years to keep current, hence the slightly differing formats below. The sections include newer used cars (3-5 years old), mid-age (5-15 years old) and older vehicles (up to 20+ years old).
Also, specific MPG figures may vary depending on factors such as trim level, driving habits, maintenance, and the vehicle's age and condition.
Also, for tips on maximizing your gas mileage, you may want to see How To Save Money On Gas.
Best Gas Mileage 3 To 5 Years Old
Compact Cars:
- Honda Civic: 28-32 MPG in the city and 36-42 MPG on the highway.
- Toyota Corolla: 28-31 MPG in the city and 36-40 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Cruze: 28-32 MPG in the city and 37-42 MPG on the highway.
- Hyundai Elantra: 26-29 MPG in the city and 35-40 MPG on the highway.
- Mazda3: 27-28 MPG in the city and 36-37 MPG on the highway.
Hybrid Cars:
- Toyota Prius: High 40s to low 50s, both in the city and on the highway.
- Ford Fusion Hybrid: Provides combined MPG figures generally above 40 MPG.
- Honda Insight: 48-55 MPG in the city and 45-49 MPG on the highway.
- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid: 55-58 MPG in the city and 54-59 MPG on the highway.
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: 43-51 MPG in the city and 47-53 MPG on the highway.
Midsize Sedans:
- Toyota Camry: 25-29 MPG in the city and 35-41 MPG on the highway.
- Honda Accord: 27-30 MPG in the city and 36-40 MPG on the highway.
- Nissan Altima: 25-28 MPG in the city and 35-39 MPG on the highway.
- Hyundai Sonata: 25-28 MPG in the city and 36-40 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Malibu: 22-29 MPG in the city and 32-36 MPG on the highway.
Large Sedans:
- Toyota Avalon: 22-23 MPG in the city and 31-32 MPG on the highway.
- Honda Accord: 27-30 MPG in the city and 36-40 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Impala: 18-19 MPG in the city and 28-29 MPG on the highway.
- Nissan Maxima: 20-21 MPG in the city and 29-30 MPG on the highway.
- Ford Taurus: 17-19 MPG in the city and 26-29 MPG on the highway.
Subcompact SUVs:
- Honda HR-V: 28-31 MPG in the city and 34-38 MPG on the highway.
- Subaru Crosstrek: 27-28 MPG in the city and 33-34 MPG on the highway.
- Mazda CX-3: 27-29 MPG in the city and 32-34 MPG on the highway.
- Toyota C-HR: 27-29 MPG in the city and 31-33 MPG on the highway.
- Hyundai Kona: 27-30 MPG in the city and 33-36 MPG on the highway.
Midsize SUVs:
- Honda CR-V: 28-31 MPG in the city and 34-38 MPG on the highway.
- Toyota RAV4: 27-30 MPG in the city and 33-35 MPG on the highway.
- Subaru Outback: 25-25 MPG in the city and 32-33 MPG on the highway.
- Ford Escape (especially with EcoBoost engines): 21-23 MPG in the city and 28-32 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Equinox: 22-26 MPG in the city and 29-32 MPG on the highway.
Large SUVs:
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 29-30 MPG in the city and 27-28 MPG on the highway.
- Ford Explorer: 17-21 MPG in the city and 23-28 MPG on the highway.
- Honda Pilot: 18-20 MPG in the city and 26-27 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Traverse: 17-18 MPG in the city and 25-27 MPG on the highway.
Trucks:
- Ford F-150 (with EcoBoost engine options): 17-20 MPG in the city and 23-26 MPG on the highway.
- Chevrolet Silverado: 15-20 MPG in the city and 21-24 MPG on the highway.
- GMC Sierra: 15-20 MPG in the city and 20-24 MPG on the highway.
- Toyota Tacoma: 19-20 MPG in the city and 22-24 MPG on the highway.
Best Gas Mileage For "Mid-Age Vehicles - 5 to 15 Years Old
Compact Cars:
- Honda Civic: The Honda Civic is a compact sedan that consistently delivers excellent fuel economy. Models from the early 2010s can achieve up to 40 MPG on the highway, making them an attractive choice for those who prioritize fuel efficiency without sacrificing space or style.
- Toyota Corolla: The Toyota Corolla is another reliable compact car known for its impressive gas mileage. Many models offer over 30 MPG in city driving and around 40 MPG on the highway, depending on the generation and specific trim.
Hybrid Cars:
- Toyota Prius: The Toyota Prius is the quintessential hybrid car, with exceptional fuel efficiency. Older Prius models, particularly from the late 2000s and early 2010s, can achieve MPG figures in the high 40s or even low 50s, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious buyers.
- Ford Fusion Hybrid: The Ford Fusion Hybrid offers a more upscale hybrid option. Models from the early 2010s deliver impressive combined MPG figures, usually above 40 MPG, providing a comfortable and efficient ride.
Midsize Sedans:
- Toyota Camry: The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that consistently offers impressive MPG figures. Depending on the engine and generation, it can achieve around 25-29 MPG in the city and 35-41 MPG on the highway.
- Honda Accord: The Honda Accord is another midsize sedan that focuses on fuel efficiency. Models from the early 2010s can offer 27-30 MPG in the city and 36-40 MPG on the highway.
Large Sedans:
- Toyota Avalon: Models from the late 2010s offer around 22-23 MPG in the city and 31-32 MPG on the highway.
- Ford Taurus: Some models from the early 2010s deliver around 18-19 MPG in the city and 26-29 MPG on the highway.
Subcompact SUVs:
- Honda HR-V: The Honda HR-V is a subcompact SUV that combines practicality with impressive fuel efficiency. Models from the late 2010s offer around 28-31 MPG in the city and 34-38 MPG on the highway, making it a great choice for those who want the flexibility of an SUV without sacrificing fuel economy.
- Subaru Crosstrek: The Subaru Crosstrek is another subcompact SUV that offers all-wheel drive and solid fuel economy. Models from the late 2010s typically achieve 27-28 MPG in the city and 33-34 MPG on the highway.
Midsize SUVs:
- Honda CR-V: The Honda CR-V is a popular midsize SUV known for its fuel efficiency. Models from the mid 2010s offer approximately 28-31 MPG in the city and 34-38 MPG on the highway, depending on the engine.
- Toyota RAV4: The Toyota RAV4 is another midsize SUV that prioritizes fuel efficiency. Models from the same era deliver similar MPG figures, making it a practical and economical choice for families.
Large SUVs:
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Offers approximately 29-30 MPG in the city and 28-28 MPG on the highway, thanks to its hybrid powertrain.
- Chevrolet Tahoe: While it's not as fuel-efficient as smaller vehicles, some models from the late 2010s can offer around 15-16 MPG in the city and 20-23 MPG on the highway, thanks to improved technology and engineering.
Trucks:
- Ford F-150 (with EcoBoost engine options): This popular pickup averages around 17-20 MPG in the city and 23-26 MPG on the highway with models from the mid 2010's.
- Toyota Tacoma: Over the same time frame, the Tacoma provides roughly 19-20 MPG in the city and 22-24 MPG on the highway.
Best Gas Mileage For "Older" Vehicles - Pre-2010
Best Overall:
1. Toyota Prius ... 48 city, 45 hwy ... 4-Cyl. variable automatic
2. Honda Civic Hybrid ... 40 city, 45 hwy ...4-Cyl. variable automatic
3. Honda Insight ... 40 city, 43 hwy ... 3-Cyl. 5-speed manual
4. VW Diesel Beetle/Golf/Jetta ... 38 city, 46 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
5. Honda Civic ... 36 city, 44 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
6. Toyota Echo/Yaris ... 35 city, 43 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
7. Toyota Scion xA ... 32 city, 38 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed automatic
8. Toyota Corolla ... 32 city, 40 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
9. Toyota Scion xB ... 31 city, 35 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
10. Toyota Celica ... 29 city, 36 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
Large Cars:
1. Chevrolet Impala ... 21 city, 32 hwy ... 6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
2. Chevrolet Malibu Maxx ... 22 city, 30 hwy ... 6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
3. Chrysler Concorde/LHS ... 21 city, 29 hwy ...6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
3. Dodge Intrepid ... 21 city, 29 hwy ... 6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
5. Buick LeSabre ... 20 city, 29 hwy ... 6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
Midsize Cars:
1. Hyundai Elantra ... 27 city, 34 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
2. Honda Accord ... 26 city, 34 hwy ...4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
3. Chevrolet Malibu ... 24 city, 34 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
4. Nissan Altima ... 23 city, 31 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 6-speed manual
4WD SUVs:
1. Jeep Liberty ... 20 city, 24 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
1. Nissan Murano AWD ... 20 city, 24 hwy ... 6-Cyl. variable automatic
3. Chevrolet Tracker Hardtop ... 19 city, 22 hwy ...6-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
3. Saturn Vue AWD ... 19 city, 25 hwy ... 6-Cyl. 5-speed automatic
Pickup Trucks:
1. Ford Ranger 2WD ... 24 city, 29 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
1. Mazda B2300 2WD ... 24 city, 29 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
3. Nissan Frontier 2WD ... 22 city, 27 hwy ... 4-Cyl. 5-speed manual
4. Toyota Tacoma 2WD ... 22 city, 25 hwy ...4-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
5. Chevrolet Colorado 2WD ... 19 city, 24 hwy ... 5-Cyl. 4-speed automatic
Conclusion
When it comes to used cars, you don't have to compromise on fuel efficiency, regardless of the segment you're interested in. There are plenty of options that provide excellent gas mileage, saving you money and reducing your environmental impact.