We’ve ranked the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars of 2017 in North America. There are certainly others that achieve better economy in the electric-powered and hybrid markets, true. But since those are niche markets, they’ve been excluded for the time being.
Imagine you want something that’s efficient yet stylish. You want a car that doesn’t look like or act like all the others. Maybe something Italian. Well, on your way for spaghetti al forno at Luigi’s, grab a Fiat 500. Its four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine has 101 horsepower. In a tiny two-door, that’s not so bad.
However, the list is about fuel economy, and the Fiat 500 does all right for itself. 34 miles per gallon is its overall EPA-rated performance. That factors in its 31 mpg city efficiency and 38 mpg on the highway. That all happens with a starting price tag around $15,000. Also check out the Abarth edition for an amped-up ride.
Contain your excitement (I know, it’s hard). The smart fortwo has an enthralling 89 horsepower from its turbocharged 3-cylinder 0.9-liter engine. And yes, this is all sarcastic.
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Still, for someone who wants great fuel economy with a relatively low purchase price, the sart fortwo fits the bill. Starting just over the $14,000-dollar mark, the smart fortwo wrangles ninth place with 34 mpg overall. That comes from 31 city mpg and 39 highway mpg.
For those who want something bigger than a microcar, the 2017 Nissan Versa should draw some attention. The four-door sedan gives more space than the Smart car, along with more power. The Nissan Versa has 109 horsepower and a full four cylinders.
The Versa definitely doesn’t have the recognizance of the Smart car, but it does have something more appealing – a price tag starting about $2,000 less. For around $12,000, you can get an EPA-rated 34 miles per gallon combined, factoring in 31 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.
“It’s not small, it’s fun size.” That’s one of the advertising slogans from General Motors about the Chevrolet Spark. And while it might be a little more driver-centric than some others, the Spark IS small. The 1.4-liter Ecotec engine falls just short of 100 ponies from a 1.4-liter engine, and it’s available in automatic or 6-speed manual.
If you’re looking for reliable transportation for a daily commute, or have a teen learning to drive, the Spark can do these well. Just don’t expect any overnighters – there’s virtually no space for cargo in the hatch. For 2017, the Chevrolet Spark starts at $13,000 and has an EPA-rated 34 mpg combined, 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
Now it gets interesting. The 2017 Ford Fiesta has perhaps the best combination of style and equipment. It’s available in a sedan or hatchback for whichever works better for your lifestyle. It’s a good-looking little diddy, and – dare I say – sporty. Its 1.6-liter I4 engine packs 120 horsepower under its small hood to tickle your fancies.
Your Ford Fiesta could suffice for a good all-around car, especially if you pick the sedan. You can expect a 35 mpg overall fuel economy, or 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, starting at $13,660. Or, should you want a little extra zippity-doodah, the Fiesta ST hatchback has 197 horsepower.
When Toyota slashed the Scion brand, it amalgamated its models, including the iA. This compact sedan is now the entry-level Toyota, albeit an improvement on the former. The Yaris iA uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder to eek out 106 horsepower. It needs all of it, because the bland exterior isn’t persuading anyone.
Between a satisfactory power rating and a fresh interior design that is surprisingly nice, the Toyota Yaris iA seems like a decent option. Spice it up with a fuel-conscious rating of 35 mpg overall, based on 32 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
Fuel efficiency isn’t just reserved for tiny cars. Hyundai offers up the Elantra with a wide range of trim levels, from the basic entry-level SE to the loaded-up Limited. One such trim is the Elantra Eco, using its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-banger to pump out 128 horsepower.
The modest trim package also includes Proximity Key, Blind Spot Detection, and a dual-clutch transmission. All of this for $20,650, and you can expect to pass more gas stations as well. The Elantra Eco achieves 35 mpg average, 32 mpg city, and 40 mpg highway. It’s a great choice if you need more space than a sub-compact.
Who says that fuel efficient can’t still be fun to drive? Honda certainly disagrees, emphasizing their point with the Honda Civic. For 2017, the Civic comes in a sedan, coupe, or hatchback, and all with similar appeal. Its entry-level powertrain is a 2.0-liter I4 with 158 horsepower, so why not make the commute a little more enjoyable?
You can also upgrade to Honda’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, jacking the power up to 174 ponies. A minor drop in fuel efficiency results, so let’s stick with the 1.5-liter for now. Its efficiency takes third place with a combined EPA rating of 36 miles per gallon. Split up into its respective categories and the Civic pulls 32 mpg city and 42 mpg highway.
Taking second spot is another Honda. The Honda Fit five-door hatch promises highly-efficient transportation but doesn’t fall short on the comforts you desire. You receive the decent complement of power amenities along with available features like Honda LaneWatch. But mostly, you’re looking at the Honda Fit for its fuel-sipping 1.5-liter with 130 horsepower.
With the 2017 Honda Fit, the best fuel efficiency comes in the LX package with CVT transmission. That’s correct – the auto transmission does better than the 6-speed manual. Starting at just over $16,000, the Honda Fit gets 36 mpg overall, combining 33 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
Well, that’s a bit of a surprise… Mitsubishi has claimed top spot in fuel efficiency among gas-powered vehicles in North America with the Mirage. The micro-car from Mitsubishi is well-equipped with a host of power options. Here’s the kicker though: it’s the least powerful car on the list! With a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, it spins up just 78 horsepower.
The top spot honors are due to a combined rating of 39 miles per gallon, using 37 mpg city and 43 mpg highway as its basis. But remember the Mitsubishi fuel ratings scandal? Could that be an issue here?
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