The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been rating the fuel mileage of cars since 1984. Revisions have been made to the fuel mileage calculations in recent years to show the most accurate numbers for real-life driving. The figures have also been updated on the older models so you can compare the EPA miles per gallon (MPG) rating.
Over the last 27 years, these cars made the top 25 list of EPA-rated regular gasoline or hybrid vehicles. The cars on this list are ranked by the combined city and highway fuel economy. Along with each car, learn the city and highway MPG, engine size, transmission type and other fun facts. To find out more information about the following high mileage cars or to look up the fuel mileage of your own car, go to fueleconomy.gov.
1. 2000 Honda Insight
- Combined MPG: 53
- City MPG: 49
- Highway MPG: 61
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Models: 2001-2006
This two-seater was the first hybrid car in the United States, beating the Toyota Prius by 7 months. To learn how these two cars compare, check out 2001 Toyota Pruis and Honda Insight: How These Hybrid Cars Stack Up.
2. 2010 Toyota Prius
- Combined MPG: 50
- City MPG: 51
- Highway MPG: 48
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.8
- Transmission: Automatic
- Similar Models: 2004-2009
This is the third model of the Prius sold in the United States, and unlike other high fuel mileage cars, it does better in the city then on the highway. Get the inside scoop on what makes this model differ from previous versions by reading Plug-In Prius Test Drive.
3. 1986 Chevrolet Sprint ER
- Combined MPG: 48
- City MPG: 44
- Highway MPG: 53
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Models: 1985, 1987-1988
This lightweight Chevrolet was a Sprint with additional features, such as a light indicating the ideal time to shift.
4. 1994 Geo Metro XFI
- Combined MPG: 47
- City MPG: 43
- Highway MPG: 52
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Models: 1989-1993
This Geo Metro aimed for high fuel mileage, but deleted amenities such as the passenger mirror in the process.
5. 1986 Honda Civic Coupe HF
- Combined MPG: 46
- City MPG: 42
- Highway MPG: 51
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.5
- Transmission: Manual
Similar Models: 1984-1985, 1987-1990
The HF stands for High Fuel economy, and that is exactly what Honda wanted from this coupe, nearly a decade before hybrids were introduced.
6. 1995 Honda Civic HB VX
- Combined MPG: 43
- City MPG: 39
- Highway MPG: 50
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.5
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Models: 1992-1994
Another Honda Civic makes the list. This VX was the new HF in this fifth generation Honda Civic. The HF stands for High Fuel economy, and that is exactly what Honda wanted from this coupe, nearly a decade before hybrids were introduced. Honda has a long history of mileage, check out Honda’s High Mileage Club to learn more.
7. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid
- Combined MPG: 42
- City MPG: 40
- Highway MPG: 45
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Automatic
- Similar Models: 2003-2009
Based on the seventh generation Honda Civic, this first generation Honda Civic Hybrid hit the U.S. market in 2002. To learn how to get the most efficiency from your hybrid, read How to Drive a Hybrid for Maximum MPG.
8. 1985 Pontiac Firefly
- Combined MPG: 42
- City MPG: 39
- Highway MPG: 47
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
Haven’t heard of the Pontiac Firefly? That is because this car was only sold in Canada and the Middle East from 1985 to 2001.
9. 1985 Suzuki SA310
- Combined MPG: 42
- City MPG: 39
- Highway MPG: 47
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
Before the Suzuki Cultus, Forsa and Swift, there was the SA310, only sold in 1985.
10. 2010 Honda Insight
- Combined MPG: 41
- City MPG: 40
- Highway MPG: 43
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Automatic
This hybrid came on the market as more affordable than other hybrids, costing around $20,000. Read Honda’s New Hybrid: 40+ MPG for Less Than $20K for more information about this new gasoline-electric hybrid car.
11. 2001 Toyota Prius
- Combined MPG: 41
- City MPG: 42
- Highway MPG: 41
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.5
- Transmission: Automatic
- Similar Models: 2002-2003
This was the first generation of Toyota Prius on the U.S. market.
12. 1989 Chevrolet Sprint
- Combined MPG: 41
- City MPG: 38
- Highway MPG: 45
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
This is the second generation of the Chevrolet Sprint.
13. 1989 Suzuki Swift
- Combined MPG: 41
- City MPG: 38
- Highway MPG: 45
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Models: 1990-1994
The second generation of the Suzuki Swift started in 1989 and ended in 1994.
14. 1996 Geo Metro
- Combined MPG: 40
- City MPG: 37
- Highway MPG: 44
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
This third generation Geo Metro sold in both sedan and hatchback models and only sold in the U.S market.
15. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD
- Combined MPG: 39
- City MPG: 41
- Highway MPG: 36
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 2.5
- Transmission: Automatic
Ford’s first hybrid mid-sized sedan came out alongside the Mercury Milan hybrid. Interested in how hybrid technology works? Check out How Hybrid Cars Work to learn how gasoline and electicity power this vehicle.
16. 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid
- Combined MPG: 39
- City MPG: 41
- Highway MPG: 36
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 2.5
- Transmission: Automatic
Mirroring the Ford Fusion hybrid, buyers of this car could qualify for $3,400 tax credit. Learn more about these new hybrids from Ford and about the tax credit in New Hybrid Sedans from Ford.
17. 1987 Suzuki Forsa
- Combined MPG: 39
- City MPG: 36
- Highway MPG: 43
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Model: 1988
Marketed in Ecuador, Chile, Canada and the USA (minimally) from 1985 to 1988, the Suzuki Forsa was the first generation Suzuki Cutlas.
18. 1992 Honda Civic
- Combined MPG: 38
- City MPG: 35
- Highway MPG: 43
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.5
- Transmission: Manual
- Similar Model: 1993
Yes, another civic makes the list. This fifth generation Honda Civic had increased dimensions and a more aerodynamic style.
19. 1999 Chevrolet Metro
- Combined MPG: 37
- City MPG: 34
- Highway MPG: 42
- Cylinders: 3
- Engine Size in Liters: 1
- Transmission: Manual
This Chevrolet Metro only sold in the U.S. market from 1998 to 2001.
20. 1992 Geo Metro LSI Convertible
- Combined MPG: 36
- City MPG: 33
- Highway MPG: 40
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Manual
Even the luxury of having a convertible could be fuel efficient with the Geo Metro LSI Convertible.
21. 1984 Toyota Starlet
- Combined MPG: 36
- City MPG: 33
- Highway MPG: 40
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Manual
Sold in the United States from 1981 to 1984, this was the first Toyota extensively sold outside of Japan.
22. 1989 Suzuki Swift GA
- Combined MPG: 36
- City MPG: 33
- Highway MPG: 40
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Manual
This second generation Suzuki Swift was sold primarily in Europe and Australia.
23. 2010 Lexus HS 250h
- Combined MPG: 35
- City MPG: 35
- Highway MPG: 34
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 2.4
- Transmission: Automatic
The HS 250h is Lexus’s first hybrid, offering more luxury and space than other hybrids on the market.
24. 1985 Isuzu 750C/I-Mark
- Combined MPG: 35
- City MPG: 32
- Highway MPG: 39
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.5
- Transmission: Manual
This is the R-body Isuzu Gemini, sold in the United States by the name of the I-Mark.
25. 1988 Ford Festiva
- Combined MPG: 35
- City MPG: 33
- Highway MPG: 39
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Size in Liters: 1.3
- Transmission: Manual
The first generation Ford Festiva sold well in the United States but had to compete with the Yugo.
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