This has prompted most auto manufacturers to produce traditional and hybrid models of their top selling vehicles.
Why Non-Hybrid Cars Are Popular
For many, the choice among standard or hybrid models is based on price. Hybrid cars, which combine gas and electric, are more expensive than their standard counterparts. Depending on which manufacturer and the model chosen, prices may vary from only a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Many believe that the additional price isn’t worth what they will save at the pump each time they purchase fuel. Others choose non hybrids because of a certain vehicle they like. Not all cars have hybrid counterparts, so those who want that particular model have no choice in the matter. There are still others who believe that hybrid cars are just a fad and that they will quickly outgrow their popularity. Whether you believe in global warming and harmful emissions or not, most hybrids do have better fuel economy than non hybrids. Of course, many gasoline powered vehicles have excellent epa gas mileage ratings.
Top Rated Non-Hybrids
You may have seen a SmartCar driving down the street and wonder what it is. This super-compact mini was first sold in the United States in 2008 and is considered the most fuel efficient non-hybrid on the road. With an estimated 36 miles per gallon combined, the Smart ForTwo, made by Mercedes®, will travel 432 miles on one tank of fuel and costs $11,600.
The Volkswagen® Jetta Diesel ranks second among non-hybrids in terms of fuel economy. Owners of this smart yet classy car can expect a 34 mile per gallon combined rate and an annual cost of approximately $1200 to operate. The Jetta is available in a non diesel version; however, the mpg ratings are much lower for that model.
Tying with the Jetta is the Toyota® Yaris which also has an estimated mpg rating of 34 per gallon combined. First introduced in the United States in 2005, the Yaris is the small hatchback that has taken the country by storm. Popular among budget conscious consumers and young drivers, the Yaris is available in several striking colors.
The five-speed automatic MINI Cooper has a combined fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon combined. Sure to attract attention, the small yet sporty car is popular in the United Kingdom as well as the United States. The MINI is available in both a hard top and convertible style perfect for just about every driver.
The Chevy Cobalt XFE has one of the highest gas mileage ratings in its class, and the epa gas mileage ratings show that it gets 37 miles per gallon in the highway and 25 in the city. Car gas mileage ratings aren’t always completely accurate, but extensive testing has been done by both the EPA and Chevy to ensure that the Cobalt performs as promised.
While slightly more expensive to drive than the Cobalt, the 2009 Ford® Focus does offer a few amenities that the Cobalt doesn’t. The Focus offers more head and leg room, and general interior room is far greater. The Focus is able, despite its larger size, to travel 378 miles on a tank of fuel, and 35 miles per gallon is the highway rating.
Nissan’s® Versa ranks fifth among the top mpg ratings for non hybrid cars. The Versa offers an impressive 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway and comes in both a sedan and hatchback option. Priced from $13,000, the Versa was awarded the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy award three years in a row. The gas mileage ratings for the Versa have been rigorously tested by Nissan® before introduction into the US market, to ensure quality across the board.
The Toyota® Corolla has long been considered one of the top rated small sedans, so it’s no surprise to see it on this list. The Corolla gets an estimated combined mile per gallon rating of 32 and has a 13.2 gallon gas tank. The Corolla is priced from $15,300. The front-wheel drive Corolla is able to travel more than 375 miles on a single 11.1 gallon tank of fuel, and the 5 speed automatic transmission is extremely reliable and shifts smoothly.
The Honda® Fit offers its owners one of the most spacious interiors in its class, and the Fit is extremely fuel efficient. The Fit will average 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway, though it also offers among the slowest 0-60 times. The Fit has an MSRP of just over $11,000 and is designed to provide the most room possible while maintaining the ability to go 345 miles on a single tank of fuel.
The Hyundai® Accent, also sold as the Kia® Rio, offers a 5-speed manual transmission, though it’s also available in an automatic version. The Accent offers 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway, and the combined MPG is 29 miles per gallon. It costs an average of $2.33 to drive 25 miles in the Accent, and it can travel nearly 350 miles on a single tank of fuel. The Accent is one of the least expensive cars in its class; with a base MSRP of just over $11,000, it’s easily affordable for almost anyone. The car’s options can be customized by going to the Hyundai® website, and the company will deliver your chosen vehicle directly to a dealer of your choice.
Regardless of the high-fuel economy vehicle that you like, there is always one to suit the tastes of even the choosiest consumer. EPA gas mileage ratings are important for consumers who are concerned not only about the environment, but in keeping their fuel costs low. Car gas mileage ratings can help consumers better understand how a car affects the world around them, and can help them make their ultimate decision on what to buy.
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