I am looking for a 06-08 mid sized sedan or smaller suv. I am looking for the best possible gas mileage. Please let me know makes and models I should look at.
Thank you.
I have at most $13,000. So, I am in no incredible rush, so I want to find something that I like.
Ryan B
Favorite Answer
If you're looking for a slightly used midsize sedan or compact SUV, there are several choices. Gas mileage is about the same no matter the make and model. 4-Cylinder engines will get better mileage, but expect to pay the penalty when driving on the highway. Hybrids are similar. The city mileage is higher than the highway mileage on nearly all of them, but if you live in the city, it's a good choice. They're also more expensive than standard gas-powered cars. A manual transmission will also get you better mileage, provided you know how to drive one. Hybrids are all automatics. Have a look at these models:
- Midsize cars -
Chevrolet Malibu, 22-32 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Chrysler Sebring, 21-30 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Dodge Avenger, 21-30 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Ford Fusion, 20-29 miles per gallon
Honda Accord, 22-31 miles per gallon
Hyundai Sonata, 21-31 miles per gallon
Kia Optima, 21-31 miles per gallon
Mazda 6, 21-29 miles per gallon
Mercury Milan, 20-29 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Mitsubishi Galant, 20-27 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Nissan Altima, 23-31 miles per gallon (CVT)
Saturn Aura, 22-32 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Subaru Legacy, 20-27 miles per gallon (AWD)
Toyota Camry, 21-31 miles per gallon
Volkswagen Passat, 20-29 miles per gallon
- Compact SUVs -
Ford Escape, 22-28 miles per gallon
Honda CR-V, 20-27 miles per gallon
Hyundai Tuscon, 20-25 miles per gallon
Jeep Patriot, 23-28 miles per gallon
Kia Sportage, 20-25 miles per gallon
Mazda Tribute, 22-28 miles per gallon
Mercury Mariner, 20-26 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Mitsubishi Outlander, 20-25 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Nissan Rogue, 22-27 miles per gallon
Saturn Vue, 19-26 miles per gallon (Automatic)
Subaru Forester, 20-27 miles per gallon (AWD)
Subaru Outback, 19-26 miles per gallon (AWD)
Toyota RAV4, 20-27 miles per gallon (Automatic)
- Hybrid Cars -
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, 24-32 miles per gallon
Nissan Altima Hybrid, 33-35 miles per gallon
Saturn Aura Hybrid, 24-32 miles per gallon
Toyota Camry Hybrid, 33-34 miles per gallon
Toyota Prius, 45-48 miles per gallon
- Hybrid SUVs -
Ford Escape Hybrid, 30-34 miles per gallon
Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 30-34 miles per gallon
Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 30-34 miles per gallon
Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, 25-32 miles per gallon
All the above models have 4-Cylinder engines, Manual Transmissions, and Front-Wheel Drive except where noted and hybrids, which are all Automatic Transmission.
In the midsize cars, I left out the Suzuki Verona because it has a 6-Cylinder engine, and in the compact SUVs, I left out the Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Torrent, and Suzuki Grand Vitara for the same reasons. Of those SUVs, only the Chevrolet and Pontiac are Front-Wheel Drive; the rest are Rear-Wheel Drive.
If you don't mind downsizing for the ulimate mileage, there are a trio of compact Diesel-powered Volkswagens that rate the highest in gas mileage of any vehicles in the United States:
Volkswagen Beetle TDI Diesel, 48-52 miles per gallon
Volkswagen Golf TDI Diesel, 42-48 miles per gallon
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel, 42-48 miles per gallon
They're highly sought after, so you may have trouble finding one, but the incredibly reliable, pollute less than a gas-powered car of the same size, and score higher in mileage than a Smart car and, with the Beetle, even higher than the esteemed Toyota Prius.
I hope this has answered your question. If you have any more, please feel free to ask.
Anonymous
Small SUVs still average around 24mpg.
They should get better.
Camry, Accord, Corolla, Civic in that order are my choices.
I like all four of these from 2004 up.
A Corolla is probably the best all around car in the world.
The Camry is great at 5mpg less...
Accord is sportier feeling.
I like the luxury feel of a Camry.
The older Lexus ES series are great cars.
If I was to buy new I would get a Honda Fit.
Go look and drive one before you roll your eyes.
I was very surprised by this car.
I need something to haul a power wheelchair or scooter in so Toyota Sienna would be practical for me.
Fit, Civic, Corolla all around 38mpg with me driving.
I am easy on the pedal.
?
I think the new Dodge Caliber (replaced the Dodge Neon) is a sweet car, MSRP starts at 14K. Remember to negotiate down from the MSRP and not from a dealer markup! Some try to get you to negotiate between the dealer markup and the MSRP-- but you're still overpaying. You want to pay LESS than MSRP. Focus has a $2500 rebate right now and MSRP starts at around 14K as well. Remember you probably wont get the highest value for your trade in-- dealerships rarely do give you top dollar. Ask around to compare not just prices on the new car but trade ins-- this can make a huge difference!
pol_224
In a newspaper ad a couple weeks ago, a dealership had 4 or 5 2007 Ford Fusion's and they were listed in the ad as $12,295. You can always get that number down at least another thousand or more.
Plus, the Fusion gets great gas mileage and it beat out the Camry and Accord for reliability according to Car and Driver.
Louis G
Honda Accord , Toyota Camry , Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu.
How much do you want to spend? You could also look at the Hybrid cars like the Hybrid Altima and Camry but they are alot more expensive than thier 4cyl counterparts.