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Best Gas Mileage Cars
Most fuel-efficient cars for 2023
August 8th, 2023
Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2023
While buyer trends have shifted toward larger SUVs, demand for fuel-efficient cars has remained strong. Even as cars have become heavier, advancements in powertrain technologies mean that today's cars are more efficient than yesteryear's. Edmunds has compiled a list of the most fuel-efficient cars — including both traditional and hybrid powertrains — across a variety of body styles to help you save money and, if you're so inclined, reduce your carbon footprint. There's even an SUV on the list — you'll just have to read to the end to find it.
- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $28,545 (LE FWD)
- Fuel economy:
- 57 mpg combined (57 city/56 highway)
- EPA range:
- 644 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $800
2023 Toyota Prius
The iconic Toyota Prius is once again the king of fuel economy, only now it has eye-catching curves that make it more than a science project. The 2023 Prius got a complete makeover, with a sleek new silhouette and an overhauled interior. The powertrain got… some love as well; it now offers considerable gains in performance yet fuel economy is still comparable to previous models. Riding on 17-inch wheels shod in ultra low-rolling-resistance tires, the base LE is the thriftiest of the bunch. Other trims, which span from the nicely equipped XLE to the range-topping Limited, carry lower EPA ratings, but real-life cost savings aren't significant. The Prius is notable for being one of the only hybrid cars with available all-wheel drive.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $25,665 (Blue hybrid)
- Fuel economy:
- 54 mpg combined (53 city/56 highway)
- EPA range:
- 594 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $850
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The current Hyundai Elantra is one of our top-ranked compact sedans and we think the hybrid is the one to get. It offers an attainable starting price, plenty of features for the money, and crisp styling that stands out from the sea of other compacts on the… road. The hybrid Blue trim is the most efficient model with an impressive EPA-estimated 54 mpg in mixed driving. Higher trim levels come equipped with larger wheels and take the fuel economy down to 50 mpg combined. That said, we tested a top-of-the-line Elantra Hybrid Limited on our real-world evaluation route and observed an impressive 55 mpg.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $29,215 (Blue)
- Fuel economy:
- 52 mpg combined (50 city/54 highway)
- EPA range:
- 686 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $900
2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is one of our highest-rated hybrid sedans. We like its comfortable ride, spacious interior, generous safety and tech features, and excellent fuel economy. The base Blue trim gets an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in mixed driving (the same as… its rival, the Toyota Camry Hybrid), while the higher Sonata trim levels get about 47 mpg combined. During our mixed-driving evaluation route, we averaged 47.1 mpg, which means it should be easy to meet or exceed the EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $29,750 (LE)
- Fuel economy:
- 52 mpg combined (51 city/53 highway)
- EPA range:
- 686 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $900
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid
One of the most popular sedans in automotive history is also one of the most efficient, at least in hybrid form. The EPA estimates the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid will achieve 52 miles per gallon in combined driving, but there's a catch — that lofty rating only… applies to the base LE model. Upper trims ride on larger wheels and tires and drop the combined EPA estimate to 46 mpg. Even if you go with one of these trims, the Camry sips fuel at a lower rate than most competitors, and its hybrid performance is smooth and unobtrusive. A large trunk, airy cabin, and generous list of available features are among its many strengths.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $24,145 (LE)
- Fuel economy:
- 50 mpg combined (53 city/46 highway)
- EPA range:
- 570 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $950
2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
If the Toyota Prius is out of your price range, the Corolla Hybrid is worth considering, as it is the least expensive hybrid on sale today. The 2023 model is notable for getting a number of significant updates. Front and rear styling was revised, a sporty SE… trim and loaded XLE trim were added, plus you can specify all-wheel drive — a rarity on compact cars. AWD is optional on LE and SE trims but does reduce fuel economy by 2-3 mpg. We tested a 2022 model, which had an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in mixed driving, and were able to get 58 mpg. On that basis, we expect that you'll have no problem meeting or exceeding the EPA rating.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $34,635 (EX-L Hybrid)
- Fuel economy:
- 48 mpg combined (51 city/44 highway)
- EPA range:
- 614 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $950
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid
The 2023 Honda Accord marks the beginning of its 11th generation with a full redesign. You won't find a separate Accord Hybrid model this year, as the hybrid powertrains have been incorporated into the midtier to upper trim levels. While the Sport Hybrid trim… is your entry point into the hybrid engine, the most efficient model is the EX-L Hybrid due to its smaller 17-inch wheels. The EX-L gets an EPA-estimated 48 mpg. We tested the Accord Sport-L, which has bigger 19-inch wheels and an estimated 44 mpg combined but returned 41.5 mpg on our real-world evaluation route. Overall, we think the Accord Hybrid is a solid choice for a fuel-efficient midsize sedan.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $44,490
- Fuel economy:
- 44 mpg combined (43 city/44 highway)
- EPA range:
- 700 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,050
2023 Lexus ES 300h
The Lexus ES 300h is one of the few luxury hybrid sedans on sale today. Other luxury automakers offer plug-in hybrids, but they cost significantly more and don't necessarily have better fuel economy. The ES 300h won't blow you away with its acceleration, but… it does handle well. Besides, we're guessing that if you're interested in this car, you're more concerned with comfort, luxury and fuel economy. The good news is that the ES 300h delivers on all those fronts. It has a silky smooth ride, a premium-feeling interior, and an EPA estimate of 44 mpg in mixed driving. Our testers were able to record 46.2 mpg, which means that these numbers should be easily attainable.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $41,045 (XLE)
- Fuel economy:
- 41 mpg combined (42 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 594 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,150
2023 Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown is an all-new hybrid vehicle from Toyota. It is a large sedan with an elevated ride height and serves as a midpoint between a sedan and an SUV. If you were a fan of the discontinued Avalon from years past, the Toyota Crown could be an… appealing substitute. Like the Avalon, the Crown has a more premium feel compared to other Toyotas, though not quite to Lexus levels. With its base engine and standard all-wheel drive, the Crown gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in mixed driving. There's a more powerful engine available in the top Platinum trim, but that extra power comes at the cost of 11 mpg versus the Crown's base engine.- Starting price (including destination fee and mandatory tonneau cover and welcome package):
- $17,650 (ES)
- Fuel economy:
- 39 mpg combined (36 city/43 highway)
- EPA range:
- 359 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,200
2023 Mitsubishi Mirage
The 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid on the market as well as one of the least expensive. Buyers whose only requirements in a new car are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a decently sized cargo area… and a low monthly payment will find all of these in the Mirage. But like its Mirage G4 sedan sibling, the Mirage hatchback suffers from a noisy and underpowered engine, uncomfortable seats and cheap interior materials.- Starting price (including destination fee and mandatory welcome package):
- $18,500
- Fuel economy:
- 37 mpg combined (35 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 340 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,250
2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4
The 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 will primarily appeal to shoppers looking to spend the bare minimum on a fuel-efficient new sedan. The base Mirage G4 starts at around $18,500, and even the top SE trim will only run you a hair over $20,000. But this car is an… excellent example of the old "you get what you pay for" adage. Its anemic three-cylinder engine, uncomfortable ride quality and intrusive cabin noise are just a few reasons to keep it off your shopping list. Other similarly priced sedans on our list are significantly more refined and nearly as efficient.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $27,545 (EX)
- Fuel economy:
- 36 mpg combined (33 city/42 highway)
- EPA range:
- 446 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,300
2023 Honda Civic
The 2023 Honda Civic continues to dominate the small sedan class. Highlights include a terrifically roomy cabin and a well-tuned suspension that expertly balances comfort and sportiness. Four trims are available, starting with the LX, which is basic but… includes a full suite of advanced safety features. The midlevel EX trim is where things get interesting. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is replaced by a turbocharged 1.5-liter that is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient. Given the gulf between the two powertrains, we're only considering the 1.5-liter engine in this list; we strongly advise upgrading from the base 2.0-liter unit. Note that the Touring, with its larger wheels and tires, is thirstier by 2-4 mpg all around.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $17,875
- Fuel economy:
- 36 mpg combined (32 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 428 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,300
2023 Kia Rio
The 2023 Kia Rio can be had as a four-door sedan or a hatchback, which Kia calls the 5-Door. Either variant will have the same four-cylinder engine with the same EPA estimate of 36 mpg in mixed driving. The Kia Rio is notable for bringing refinement to the… subcompact class. Plastics abound but don't feel cut-rate, while the ride is quiet and comfortable. There's a healthy list of standard features, and the available Technology package adds a few desirable options for a reasonable price. On Edmunds' real-world evaluation route, the fuel-sipping Rio managed an impressive 43 mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars we've tested as of late.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $22,795 (LE sedan) $24,250 (SE hatchback)
- Fuel economy:
- 35 mpg combined (32 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 462 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,350
2023 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Hatchback
The Toyota Corolla and its hatchback variant haven't won many comparison tests over the years, but the Corolla has nonetheless been a solid car for decades. The 2023 model year brought a number of updates to the Corolla, including revised styling, more… standard safety tech and the 2.0-liter engine's promotion to standard across all trims. Not only is this engine both efficient and relatively powerful, but the car is surprisingly agile. On the inside, the Corolla gets an updated touchscreen with more features and upscale materials. Buyers looking to save the most on fuel costs should go with the base LE model on the sedan or the SE model on the hatchback. The XSE models feature larger wheels that lower fuel economy by 2-3 mpg.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $22,550 (S with automatic transmission)
- Fuel economy:
- 35 mpg combined (31 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 462 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,350
2023 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta may get overshadowed by its Taos and Tiguan SUV siblings, but it still has some unique things to offer. With an emphasis on minimalist styling, comfort, a long list of standard features, and two years/20,000 miles of standard maintenance,… the Jetta makes a strong case for itself among compact sedans. The best fuel economy (35 mpg combined) can be found on the base S model with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Opting for the higher trims will cost you a few mpg but shouldn't make a big difference overall.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $18,745 (S with CVT)
- Fuel economy:
- 35 mpg combined (31 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 378 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,350
2023 Nissan Versa
There's a short list of subcompact sedans these days, but the Versa offers more features, comfort and tech than you'd expect. It also features Nissan's latest styling cues, with plenty of bold creases and textures to make it one of the more visually… interesting small sedans. The Versa's spacious interior and large trunk rival those of some entry-level European cars, and it remains one of the few cars available with a manual transmission. That said, if you're looking for the best gas mileage, you'll need to pay a little more for the CVT transmission, which helps the Versa get an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in mixed driving.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $20,815 (LX)
- Fuel economy:
- 34 mpg combined (30 city/41 highway)
- EPA range:
- 476 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,400
2023 Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a compact sedan that tends to fly under the radar, but it's one you'll definitely want to look into. It is typically priced a bit less than its competitors while offering more features for your money and a generous warranty. The base LX trim,… formerly called the FE in prior years, is the most fuel-efficient, as it offers an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in mixed driving. All other trims will take a toll on fuel economy, with the more powerful GT trim being the least efficient at 30 mpg combined.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $32,695
- Fuel economy:
- 33 mpg combined (30 city/37 highway)
- EPA range:
- 409 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,700
2024 Acura Integra
Closely related to the Honda Civic discussed above, the Integra's base and A-Spec versions are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (200 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque) that's paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The… base model gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in mixed driving, while the larger wheels on the A-Spec reduce fuel economy by 1 mpg all around. You can get an A-Spec with a manual transmission, but that drops the combined mpg to 30. The Integra is notable for being the only vehicle on this list to require premium fuel. If you don't have any nostalgia for what the Integra used to be, the reborn version could hit the spot as a relatively fuel-efficient premium vehicle.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $21,925 (S)
- Fuel economy:
- 33 mpg combined (31 city/36 highway)
- EPA range:
- 356 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,400
2023 Nissan Kicks
The Kicks is Nissan's smallest, most affordable and most fuel-efficient SUV. It's also the only SUV on our list. Every Kicks comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (122 horsepower, 114 lb-ft of torque), a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)… and front-wheel drive. This powertrain is rated at 33 mpg in mixed driving no matter which trim level you choose. We were able to record a high of 37.4 mpg for one tank with our test car and averaged 33.4 mpg during our test. As long as you don't come in expecting spirited acceleration, you might be pleasantly surprised.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $21,295 (S)
- Fuel economy:
- 33 mpg combined (29 city/39 highway)
- EPA range:
- 409 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,400
2023 Nissan Sentra
At a glance, the Nissan Sentra offers a compelling value. It comes well equipped with loads of standard tech and safety features and starts at a lower price than a lot of the class. The cabin looks upscale and the materials all feel pretty good. But in… Edmunds' testing, we found it to be held back by a rather weak engine, an outdated central touchscreen and longer-than-average braking distances. On the fuel economy front, you'll see an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in mixed driving, but during our testing we observed 28.7 mpg over three tanks in our test vehicle, with a best fill of 32 mpg. Note that opting for the top SR trim with its larger wheels drops the Sentra's EPA estimates by 1 mpg all around.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $27,415 (LE)
- Fuel economy:
- 32 mpg combined (28 city/39 highway)
- EPA range:
- 506 miles
- Annual fuel cost:
- $1,450
2023 Toyota Camry
For decades, the Toyota Camry has been the go-to pick for a no-frills midsize sedan that is comfortable, reliable and great on gas. The 2023 non-hybrid Camry with the four-cylinder engine in either LE or SE trim has an EPA-estimated rating of 32 mpg combined.… This is among the best fuel economy in its class. We were able to achieve 33.7 mpg on our standardized 115-mile evaluation drive route, so the Camry's EPA numbers should be attainable in the real world. Larger wheels on the upper trims will drop fuel economy by a few points, but overall the Camry is an efficient sedan across most of the lineup. Just be aware that there's an optional V6 engine that'll take a big bite out of fuel economy in return for muscular acceleration.
Next steps
From hybrids to traditional gas-only vehicles, there's a wide variety of fuel-efficient cars suitable for any budget. The smallest and lightest are generally the most efficient, and even though they're more expensive initially, automatic transmissions help save on fuel costs in the long run. Use this guide, along with other shopping tools on Edmunds, to help you find a fuel-sipping car to fit your lifestyle.
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