Here’s a fact: If you want the best possible fuel economy, you need to buy a hybrid vehicle. Page through this list of the most fuel-efficient cars for 2012, and you’ll find just two models that achieve truly impressive mileage ratings operating solely on a traditional internal combustion engine. And they’re both sitting in the bottom tier of the list.
We set out to create a Top 10 most fuel-efficient cars list. But because some vehicles achieve identical combined city and highway fuel economy ratings according to the EPA, we ended up with 11 models that are expected to get 37 mpg or better in combined city and highway driving. Yet when you look at our numbers, you’ll see the highest number is #9. Don’t be confused. These are still the 11 most fuel-efficient models in the land. And the good news is that the qualifying vehicles range from tiny city cars to roomy luxury sedans, meaning there’s something on this list for just about everyone. Even driving enthusiasts might find something appealing here.
We’ve structured the results of our research by the combined EPA fuel economy rating, which is the distance an owner can expect to travel per gallon of gas based on a mix of city and highway driving. It is important to remember that most people do not achieve EPA fuel economy ratings in real-world driving. Here’s why:
- Driving Style – If you have a heavy right foot, you’re going to burn more gas than the EPA says you might.
- Vehicle Maintenance – If you don’t maintain your car properly, including keeping the tires at the proper pressure, you’re going to burn more gas than the EPA says you might.
- Weather Conditions – If you drive in the rain, or in the snow, or against stiff head- and crosswinds, you’re going to burn more gas than the EPA says you might.
- Geography – If you live in a mountainous region that requires you to regularly power up hills, you’re going to burn more gas than the EPA says you might.
- Junk in the Trunk – If you carry a bunch of extra weight in your vehicle, you’re going to burn more gas than the EPA says you might.
Combine several of these fuel economy killers, and it’s not at all surprising that so many people are so disappointed in the fuel economy they actually get compared to what’s displayed on the window sticker. Still, EPA data is valid because it is generated using standardized methodologies that correct for real-world challenges, and it remains the best yardstick against which to compare vehicles. And if you care a great deal about maximizing fuel economy, you may also want to read 8 Fuel-Economy Myths Debunked for more details about how you can save at the pump.
Read: 8 Fuel-Economy Myths Debunked
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9. 2012 Chevrolet Volt – 37 MPG Combined (Tie)
This one requires some explanation. Yes, it is an electric car. Yes, you plug it in and recharge the batteries. But when the battery pack reaches a minimal state of charge, a small gasoline engine fires up and serves as a generator to continually feed energy to the battery pack, which continues to power the car with electricity. That’s why you can drive a Volt (read review) across the country instead of just across town. When operating with the battery at its minimal state of charge, the Volt averages 37 mpg.
Read: 2012 Chevrolet Volt Review
Read: 2012 Chevy Volt is Electrifying
