Top 11 Most Fuel-Efficient Sedans for 2015

Gas prices rise and fall, but one constant remains: A fuel-efficient car will always save you cash at the pump. And while most shoppers prize fuel efficiency for financial reasons, this trait brings other benefits as well. For example, a car that uses less gas consumes fewer natural resources, and is thus kinder to the environment.

The 11 models listed below (our list is slightly longer than usual due to ties) are the most fuel-efficient sedans for 2015. Our lineup reflects the fact that hybrids are now mainstream players on the automotive scene, with a wide number of manufacturers offering hybrid versions of popular models. This year — as has been the case for the past two years running — hybrids comprise the entirety of our list.

For shoppers in the market for an affordable family sedan, there are choices such as the Honda Accord Hybrid, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Toyota Avalon Hybrid is available for those seeking an extra-roomy full-size sedan. Luxury-car shoppers will want to check out the Lexus ES 300h.

There's also a plug-in hybrid on the roster: the Ford Fusion Energi. This model travels solely on electric power for the first 20 miles. After that, it operates like a regular hybrid. Keep in mind that with this model, the fuel-efficiency rating shown doesn't include miles driven on electric-only power. If these miles were included, this plug-in would certainly rank much higher on our 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.

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.

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. Honda Accord Hybrid — 47 mpg combined (50 city/45 highway)