Top 11 Most Fuel-Efficient Sedans for 2013

Gas prices have climbed steadily in recent years and this phenomenon has made fuel efficiency a sought-after attribute for many sedan shoppers. Car manufacturers have risen to this challenge by producing an ever-increasing array of automotive choices for buyers looking to save money at the pump.

The 11 picks that follow (our list is longer than the usual 10 due to ties) are the most fuel-efficient sedans for 2013. Manufacturers have been adding more and more hybrids to their rosters and our list reflects this. This year, our choices are comprised entirely of hybrid models.

Included are luxury hybrids like the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Lexus ES 300h. Full-size sedan lovers will cheer the appearance of the newly launched Toyota Avalon Hybrid. There is also a wide range of affordably priced hybrid models on the list, such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid.

A plug-in hybrid also makes the cut — the Ford Fusion Energi. The Fusion Energi is able to travel for about 20 miles solely on electric power. After that, it functions like a regular hybrid, with a fuel efficiency rating of 43 mpg combined and 44 city/41 highway. Its initial 20 miles on electric-only power is not factored into its fuel efficiency rating, but if it were, it would likely be the most fuel-efficient choice on this list.

One model that is conspicuous in its absence is the Toyota Prius. The reason is that the car's useful rear hatch makes it more of a hatchback than a sedan. The Prius makes an appearance on our "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Hatchbacks and Wagons" list.

Note that electric cars are excluded from this list. Limited range and a lack of charging stations make these cars impractical for many buyers. Most buyers are not likely to cross-shop them with the hybrids listed below. The fuel efficiency of electric cars is evaluated separately in a dedicated list.

Our rankings are based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. Each vehicle's placement is determined by its combined fuel economy rating. We used the EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. The rating for each vehicle below is expressed in mpg as a combined/city/highway ratio.

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   1. 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid — 47/47/47