2008 Toyota Prius, City: 48 mpg, Highway: 45 mpg, Combined: 46 mpg, Base Price: $22,160
The Toyota Prius, the gold standard for fuel economy, is a bit like steamed broccoli: utterly insipid but wholesome just the same. Iconic status was guaranteed when Hollywood types with air-conditioned mega-mansions trotted out Priuses as their green beards, even before the car was immortalized with its own episode of South Park. An anodyne ownership experience includes tepid acceleration, numb steering, and nonlinear brakes. Of note are the unbeatable fuel economy, the impressively low price, and the unique, futuristic lines that house a large amount of usable space. Stay tuned for the next-generation Prius and a plug-in version, which will further increase fuel economy, in 2011.
2. 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid, City: 40 mpg, Highway: 45 mpg, Combined: 42 mpg, Base Price: $23,270
The Prius’s main contender is the Civic hybrid, a more quotidian approach to economical hybrid transportation. In rendering the hybrid more aerodynamic, Honda also made it one of the better-looking Civic offerings, more likely to appeal to those who don’t need to wear their environmentalism on their lapel, although this might be part of the reason it hasn’t seen nearly the sales success of the Prius. The Civic hybrid drives more like a regular car than the competition, is a more responsive handler, and is a touch less sluggish. The Civic’s hybrid system is simple and compact but doesn’t deliver quite the miserly numbers of the Prius.
3. Smart Fortwo
2008 Smart Fortwo, City: 33 mpg, Highway: 41 mpg, Combined: 36 mpg, Base Price: $12,235
A small sum of money gets you a Lilliputian car that returns the third-best fuel mileage of any vehicle here. The Smart Fortwo delivers solidly on its niche-market promise. It’s the ultimate urban vehicular solution as defined by stylish cachet, excellent fuel economy, and—by virtue of being the smallest—being also the biggest gun in the parking wars. Your mileage may vary; ours did, with an average of four fewer mpg than the EPA’s combined number. Given that the Fortwo is the slowest-accelerating passenger vehicle in the country (say a Hail Mary before merging onto a freeway), a lead foot, with a resulting impact in fuel economy, is practically a safety requirement.
4.Nissan Altima Hybrid
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, City: 35 mpg, Highway: 33 mpg, Combined: 34 mpg, Base Price: $26,140
The Altima hybrid is sold only in California and the seven eastern states that share the California Air Resources Board’s air-quality statutes, which is a shame because it delivers hybrid efficiency in a stylish, pleasurable-to-drive sedan. The Altima hybrid delivers similar fuel economy numbers to those of the Camry hybrid, which isn’t surprising considering Nissan licensed Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive for the effort. Paired with Nissan’s 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the Altima hybrid returns performance numbers better than the standard model’s. It delivers on its sporty looks and design-forward interior with a fun, enthusiastic chassis and precise steering. If the name “Camry” makes your inner rebel cringe, you’d do well to consider the Altima hybrid.
5. Toyota Camry Hybrid
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid, City: 33 mpg, Highway: 34 mpg, Combined: 34 mpg(Ratings from 2008 model year), Base Price: $25,860
Yellow-paintbrush-wielding New York cabbies can’t be wrong. The Toyota Camry hybrid is good at moving passengers economically and without drama. Unlike the Altima hybrid, you can buy the Camry hybrid nationwide. Hybridization did nothing to impact the virtues that make the Camry an award-winning family-hauling appliance: laudable road manners, quiet and comfortable operation, and a highly competent overall experience. Stepping up to the hybrid also begets stability control and the top-of-the-line XLE interior package, minus leather seats.
6. Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, City: 30 mpg, Highway: 41 mpg, Combined: 34 mpg, Base Price: $22,640
The TDI, as equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, shines in highway driving, returning fuel economy on par with the air-hockey-table-sized Smart Fortwo. Diesel currently outpaces gasoline prices by about 20 percent, but the TDI betters the fuel economy of the next-thriftiest Jetta model by more than 30 percent. The SportWagen, although slightly more expensive than the sedan (pricing starts at $24,240), suffers no penalty in fuel economy. It offers more luggage volume than the Prius and just slightly less passenger volume while being good-looking and offering a driving experience that won’t approximate the work of an anesthesiologist. Both aesthetically and dynamically, the diesel-sipping Jetta TDI is engineered to be enjoyed by the user, not just employed.
7. Ford Escape Hybrid
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, City: 34 mpg (est), Highway: 30 mpg (est), Combined: 32 mpg (est)Base Price: $29,000
The lone American ranger in this group is the Ford Escape hybrid, the roughest and tumblin’-est vehicle here, if mostly by posture. Refreshed for 2009, the Escape addresses many of the issues that made it an almost unacceptable compromise, including the anemic performance, punishing ride, and poor brake feel. The stronger four-cylinder now boasts 177 horsepower in addition to its hybrid-electric drive, the revised suspension system includes a rear anti-roll bar, and the brakes feel something like normal. The Escape is a hybrid SUV with solid moves at an affordable price for which no excuses need be made. Although an official fuel economy rating has yet to be obtained for the new model, not much change is expected from 2008.
8. Toyota Yaris
2008 Toyota Yaris, City: 29 mpg, Highway: 36 mpg, Combined: 32 mpg, Base Price: $12,210
It’s a happy day for consumers when one of the most-fuel-efficient vehicles sold is also one of the cheapest. The Yaris isn’t even too much of a slowpoke, scampering to 60 mph in fewer than nine seconds. If the petite Yaris seems more quirky than masculine, it’s because it was designed for markets where gas has always been expensive and where people say things like sauve qui peut. Those hoping for Lotus Elise–like reflexes or Gatsby-esque luxury will be disappointed, but those without champagne expectations will enjoy a plush ride and solid build quality. Despite a short wheelbase, the Yaris can transport deceptively large quantities of cargo.
9. Mini Cooper/Clubman
2008 Mini Cooper/Clubman, City: 28 mpg, Highway: 37 mpg, Combined: 32 mpg Base Price: $18,700.
It’s not surprising that a small car designed and manufactured by BMW is a pleasurable thing, but that it’s extra miserly is icing on the strudel. Thanks to a recent redesign, a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder, slightly smaller dimensions, and a new six-speed transmission conspire to produce good fuel efficiency, particularly on the highway, where an extra cog makes all the difference. The Mini Cooper and the slightly longer Clubman get the same fuel economy, so there’s no penalty for the latter other than greater expense and a reduced number of parking opportunities. Watch those options, though. Despite a reasonable $18,700 entry price, the last naturally aspirated Mini Cooper we tested cost as much as a Camry hybrid.
10. Honda Fit
2008 Honda Fit, City: 28 mpg, Highway: 34 mpg, Combined: 31 mpg, Base Price: $14,620.
We crowned the Honda Fit the best of seven inexpensive people movers in a recent comparison test because it makes us smile as few cars this affordable or stingy on gas can. Mini-minivan styling might not seduce the vain, but the upshot to odd proportions is oodles of usable space—this thing is like a clown’s bottomless suitcase. You’ll need to mate a five-speed manual transmission to the Fit’s 1.5-liter engine for the best mileage, but this is something you’ll want to do anyway if you view cloverleafs as opportunities rather than nuisances. In Sport form, the Fit serves up similar fun and more passenger and cargo room than either the Mini Cooper or Clubman for almost $4000 less.
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