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| “Not again!” |
One of the most important factors of purchasing a new car, especially in these times, is its overall cost at the pump. Courtesy of industry researcher TrueCar.com, here are the Top Ten Most Fuel-Efficient Cars, along with what you’d spend each year on gas for each.
10. 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
MSRP: $27,435
Combined EPA rating: 32.7 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,616
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,295
Surprisingly, this car gets lower mileage than a pure gasoline engine, as well as its Lexus counterparts, but it does come with a much nicer price!
9. 2011 Hyundai Elantra
MSRP: $15,550
Combined EPA rating: 33.1 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,595
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,266
The Elantra has nice styling, and has received positive consumer reviews. It doesn’t have a hybrid system, it’s just darn efficient!
8. 2011 Honda CR-Z
MSRP: $19,731
Combined EPA rating: 33.4 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,579
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,243
The CR-Z is a new model from Honda, designed for maximum fuel economy. One drawback: this car only has two seats. No wonder it’s so efficient!
7. 2011 Lexus HS 250h
MSRP: $36,475
Combined EPA rating: 34.5 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,529
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,171
Lexus (actually Toyota) does it again, adding a hybrid system into a luxury model. Who says you have to trade efficiency for comfort?
6. 2011 Chevrolet Volt
MSRP: $41,000
Combined EPA rating: 37.1 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,424
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,022
The widely anticipated Chevy Volt finally started rolling off the assembly line this year, but its battery/generator combination is best used for short trips.
5. 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (and sibling Ford Fusion)
MSRP: $35,455 ($29,100)
Combined EPA rating: 38.6 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,368
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,944
The MKZ and its Ford Fusion counterpart have received high marks for reliability. You’ll also be getting a combined 38.6 mpg, which is a nice plus.
4. 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
MSRP: $24,700
Combined EPA rating: 41.3
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,2792
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,816
If you like the fact that new fuel-efficient technology has made it into the historically reliable Civic, this could be a great car for you.
3. 2011 Honda Insight
MSRP: $18,950
Combined EPA rating: 41.3 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,279
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,816
The Insight recently got a design refresh from its previous Robocop-looking model, adding two rear doors in the process, a big visual improvement.
2. 2011 Lexus CT 200h
MSRP: $29,995
Combined EPA rating: 41.6 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,269
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,803
Needing some luxury? With this Lexus, you’ll be driving in style and you might have to actually tell people it’s a hybrid since it doesn’t look like one.
1. 2011 Toyota Prius
MSRP: $23,810
Combined EPA rating: 49.6 mpg
Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,064
Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,512
Everyone knows about the Prius, and despite what some may think about the design, it will certainly not take hold of your wallet at the pump!
Pictures (Chronological)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qMb5dyRI0qI/S-P5YJnfMpI/AAAAAAAAABM/hdcmTR7RcgI/Fuel%2BEfficiency.jpg
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_toyota_camry_hybrid_4_door_sedan/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_hyundai_elantra_gls_m_t/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_honda_cr_z_base_6m/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_lexus_hs_hybrid_250h/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_chevrolet_volt_base/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_lincoln_mkz_hybrid/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_honda_civic_hybrid_cvt_at_pzev/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_honda_insight_base/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_lexus_ct_hybrid_200h/
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_toyota_prius_prius_ii/