Skip to main content

Consumer Reports Analysts Select These Models As The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars to Buy Today

Here’s the latest selection from Consumer Reports on what they found to be the most fuel-efficient cars based on overall fuel-economy test results. And not surprising, the Toyota Prius comes in at near the top of their list.

It’s All About Fuel Efficiency

Lately, we’ve been alerting readers to affordable compact SUVs, the highest recommended midsize SUVs, the best larger sized SUVs and even some of the best new car deals of this summer---all of which, were factored using Consumer Reports barrage of multiple tests in various categories of engine reliability, fuel economy, comfort and style, affordability and Green choice.

However, this past week Consumer Reports kept their tiered selection to just fuel economy for those car buyers who are looking for nothing else but affordability and fuel efficiency coming from their next car to fit their needs and wallet.

Using a precision flow meter over equal portions of city and highway miles rounded to the nearest gallon, CR analysts crunched the numbers and came up with a list of multiple vehicles to choose from that they found to be the leaders under the lone category of fuel-efficient hybrids.

Starting in order from the most fuel efficient first to the least in their selection, here are the listed selling prices and mileage you can expect with each car:

The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars

#1. 2021 Honda Insight

Price Range: $23,130 - $29,040
CR MPG: Overall 54 mpg / City 44 / Hwy 62 mpg
Rated #3 of 19: Compact cars

#2. 2021 Toyota Prius

Price Range: $24,525 - $32,650
CR MPG: Overall 52 mpg / City 43 / Hwy 59 mpg
Rated #1 of 19: Compact cars

#3. 2021 Hyundai Ioniq

Price Range: $23,400 - $38,815
CR MPG: Overall 52 mpg / City 42 / Hwy 60 mpg
Rated #15 of 19: Compact cars
Special Note: Not a model recommended overall for consumers by CR analysts.

#4. 2021 Toyota Corolla

Price Range: $20,025 - $28,310
CR MPG: Overall 48 mpg / City 37 / Hwy 59 mpg

#5. 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Price Range: $19,650 - $28,100
CR MPG: Overall 48 mpg / City 40 / Hwy 55 mpg

#6. 2021 Honda Accord

Price Range: $24,970 - $36,900
CR MPG: Overall 47 mpg / City 40 / Hwy 52 mpg
Rated #7 of 14: Midsized cars

#7. 2021 Toyota Camry

Price Range: $25,045 - $35,620
CR MPG: Overall 47 mpg / City 39 / Hwy 53 mpg
Rated #1 of 14: Midsized cars

#8. 2021 Hyundai Sonata

Price Range: $23,950 - $33,950
CR MPG: Overall 44 mpg / City 36 / Hwy 51 mpg
Rated #13 of 14: Midsized cars

#9. 2021 Kia Niro

Price Range: $24,690 - $44,650
CR MPG: Overall 43 mpg / City 33 / Hwy 52 mpg
Rated #16 of 19: Compact cars
Special Note: Not a model recommended overall for consumers by CR analysts.

#10. 2021 Toyota Avalon

Price Range: $36,125 - $43,400
CR MPG: Overall 42 mpg / City 32 / Hwy 52 mpg
Rated #1 of 6: Large cars

#11. 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage

Price Range: $14,295 - $18,195
CR MPG: Overall 37 mpg / City 28 / Hwy 47 mpg
Rated #6 of 6: Subcompact cars
Special Note: Not a model recommended overall for consumers by CR analysts.

But What If You Are Thinking About a Full EV over a Hybrid for Greater Fossil Fuel Reduction?

With fuel efficiency in mind as your top priority in a new car, you may also want to take a look at fully electric cars as an option. To help buyers understand the differences between owning a hybrid versus an all-electric vehicle, here is an informative YouTube video posted by Consumer Reports to give smart shoppers the knowledge they need to guide their buying decisions.

Is an Electric or Hybrid Car Right for You?

And finally…

If you want to learn more about the fuel efficient vehicles listed above, be sure to use Torque News’ search option in the header above to find past articles and reviews on many models, both current and past.

And, for car enthusiasts or those interested in car maintenance, repair and care, be sure to look for future articles by this writer as I research the best instructional videos that show and tell what you need to know and do in order to properly take care of your car and save money at the same time.

COMING UP NEXT: New Car Discounts in Effect Right Now!

Timothy Boyer is Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily Tesla and electric vehicle news.

Photo by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn on Unsplash