Top 10 fuel-efficient cars

By: Jack Nerad for Driving Today

Date: Wednesday, 01. September 2010

High gasoline prices have prompted a renewed interest in fuel economy. Because of that Edmunds.com recently compiled a list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars available in the 2004 model year. And, like Casey Kasem, we're proud to count them down for you.

Holding the tenth spot are four cars: Dodge Neon, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Celica GT, and Toyota Matrix, all with the same EPA ratings. Number nine on the list is the Scion xB, while the Scion xA ranks eighth, and another Toyota product, the Toyota Corolla ranks seventh. Coming in at sixth is the Toyota Echo, and at fifth on the list is the Honda Civic HX. Fourth on the list is occupied by a troika that includes the Volkswagen Gold TDI, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Volkswagen New Beetle TDI, all new-wave diesels. Then come the hybrids.

Number three on the list is the Honda Civic Hybrid. The second-generation Toyota Prius comes in at number two. And number one on the list of most fuel-efficient is the Honda Insight.

"It is impressive that the most fuel-efficient vehicles enjoy double the per-gallon mileage of the vehicles lower on the list," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com. "During city driving, the Insight and Prius are rated at 60 miles to the gallon, while the vehicles tied for 10th place get 29."

Edmunds.com has also determined that the average fuel economy for 2004 model year vehicles is 19 miles per gallon (mpg) in city driving and 26 mpg on highways. Additionally, the average fuel expense is $1,310 per vehicle, assuming 15,000 miles are driven per year. On average, cars run up $1,178 in fuel expenses per year while trucks, SUVs and minivans average $1,606 annual fuel costs. The most fuel-efficient segment is coupes priced under $15,000, with an average fuel cost of $843 per year while the least fuel-efficient segment is SUVs priced over $45,000, with an average fuel cost of $1,956 per year. The most popular segments are the sedans priced between $15,000 and $25,000, with an average annual fuel cost of $1,013, and the large trucks, with an average annual fuel cost of $1,874.

Edmunds.com expects the market to change drastically in the next couple of years as more manufacturers introduce hybrid vehicles, including SUV and truck models. Awaited as 2005 models are hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Ford Escape, GMC Sierra, Honda Accord, Lexus RX 400h, and Toyota Highlander. Additional hybrid vehicles are in development for the 2006 and 2007 model years. Other fuel-saving technologies are also becoming more common, such as the cylinder deactivation systems recently introduced by GM and Chrysler.