The Best Compact Cars for Gas Mileage

The last several years have seen an increase in the number of fuel-efficient transportation options, and some former SUV, truck and van owners may look at smaller cars that cost less to fill up at gas stations. The best compact cars for gas mileage take that a step further, providing some of the best EPA mileage numbers available.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Leading the hybrids and all compact cars is the electrically-assisted Civic with 40 miles per gallon in city driving and 45 MPG on the highway according to federal tests. Part of the economy comes from a special transmission. Unlike standard manual or automatic transmissions, the Civic Hybrid has variable gear ratios that keep it from over-revving.

Honda Insight

Honda's dedicated hybrid, the Insight, no longer gets better fuel mileage than its cousin, but highway mileage of 43 MPG and a city rating of 40 MPG still rank second in the class. For urban commuters it may be worth checking out either Honda since they share the same city mileage. Some buyers may also like the Insight's more futuristic styling compared to the Civic.

Lexus HS250h

Lexus is slightly more upmarket than the other makers on this list, but the hybrid HS250h gets nearly the same mileage, whether in stop-and-go traffic or on the interstate, with a 35/34 city/highway mileage rating from EPA tests. Like the two Hondas, a special automatic transmission helps the HS250h keep from guzzling gas.

Volkswagen Golf

The first diesel-powered car in the compact gas mileage rankings, the diminutive Golf will lead drivers to the green pumps for fill-ups. While driving in the city will generally net about 30 miles per gallon, the Golf shines on freeways where it gets 42 MPG, eight miles more than the Lexus HS250h. Unlike the previous models listed, it's also available as a hatchback for buyers looking for a small car with slightly more cargo room.

Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta offers slightly more room than the Golf, but like the other Volkswagen, it is very efficient when powered by a four cylinder diesel engine. In fact, the gas mileage numbers are identical for either model because the engine is the same. That leaves other features to distinguish the Jetta, including passenger and cargo space, as well as the possibility of buying it in wagon form.