Before we get started, the Toyota Prius is considered a family sedan by the EPA and not a compact car, even though many see it as such. That's why you won’t find it below. Surprisingly, the highest mileage per gallon vehicle available in North America for 2010 is not a compact car (it’s the Prius). But all the compacts and coupes on this list deliver solid fuel efficiency. The list features a healthy mix of tiny cars, hybrids, clean diesels and super-efficient conventional engines, and their order in our top ten might surprise you.
Fuel economy estimates are courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA estimates are based on laboratory tests conducted by manufacturers according to federal regulations. EPA re-tests about 10% of vehicle models to confirm manufacturer's results. Your results may vary. Learn more at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/.
10. 2010 Nissan Versa
The Versa and the Accent like to battle back and forth for the title of most affordable car on the market, occasionally undercutting each other by $20 or so and dipping below the $10,000 mark. That figure alone makes a car like the 2010 Nissan Versa (view photos) tough to ignore when economy and efficiency are among your top shopping priorities. Of course, you get what you pay for as the Versa is a plain but functional vehicle. However, the Versa does come with plenty of room for a car in this class and plenty of ways to upgrade.
9. 2010 Kia Rio / 2010 Hyundai Accent
In terms of style, there's not a whole lot to get excited about with the latest Kia Rio (view photos) or Hyundai Accent (view photos). But that doesn't mean there isn't a solid affordable car here, either. We're still holding out hope that the once-promised hybrid version may finally show up one day on our shores. But for less than $12,000, you can get long ways down the highway in either an Accent or Rio for just a little cash.
8. 2010 Honda Fit
For a while there it looked like the 2010 Honda Fit (view photos) was going to be the new hot, small car for the millennial generation, much like the Civics and Accords were for earlier generations. While the buzz seems to have cooled a bit with young drivers trying to figure out if newer, purportedly hipper brands like Kia are for real, the announcement of a Fit hybrid coming in 2010 have us all a-twitter again, and wondering if we might see such a Fit fiddle atop this list next year.
7. 2010 MINI Cooper Clubman
The 2010 MINI Clubman (view photos) improves on the 2010 MINI Cooper by simply stretching it out a little bit. Although if you're looking to move more folks or cargo, why not make a more substantial move up to something like a Honda Fit or even an efficient wagon? Both offer plenty more room with similar levels of fuel efficiency and roughly the same price out of the gate. Your answer is that it all comes down to the distinctive MINI style, which is undeniably unique and adds just a little dash of extra fun to each trip to the store.
