2013 cars that get 35 mpg — or more

35 mpg combined (31 mpg city/40 mpg highway)

The Versa is offered as a sedan and a hatchback, but the sedan is the newer of the two. It was redesigned for 2012 while the hatchback continues with its original 2007 design. The more fuel-efficient sedan gets a smaller 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine versus a 1.8 liter in the hatch. When paired with the continuously variable automatic transmission, the sedan returns 35 mpg combined. Pricing with the CVT starts at $13,790, but buyers get a sparsely appointed interior and only 109 horsepower.

2013 Nissan Versa

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

35 mpg combined (31 mpg city/43 mpg highway)

With an available 6-speed manual transmission, the midsize Passat diesel is the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered vehicle offered in the U.S.; it's even thriftier than VW's own compact Golf and Jetta diesels. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes 236 lb-ft of torque; team that with a roomy interior and capable driving dynamics, and the Passat diesel is an excellent family sedan. According to the Energy Department, a year's worth of diesel fuel will cost an estimated $1,700 for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical city and highway driving mix (55 percent city, 45 percent highway).

2013 Volkswagen Passat

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

36 mpg combined (34 mpg city/38 mpg highway)

The smart fortwo has been panned by critics, and for good reason. It seats only two, is no fun to drive, has a horrible transmission and costs as much as far more practical compact and subcompact cars. While fuel economy is good at 36 mpg combined, we expected more from this tiny car. The good news is that both the coupe and cabriolet get the same fuel economy. For some reason, though, the fortwo takes premium fuel, so gas will cost an estimated $1,500 per year for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical city and highway driving mix.

2012 Smart fortwo

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

37 mpg combined (36 mpg city/37 mpg highway)

With its 37 mpg combined rating, the Scion iQ is the most fuel-efficient car in America that isn't a hybrid. It's a bit of an odd duck — Scion bills it as a "premium subcompact" — and it has "three-plus-one" seating with only enough room for a child to sit behind the driver. With its tiny 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, the iQ delivers only 94 horsepower, but its small size makes it easy to park, and gas will cost only an estimated $1,350 per year.

2013 Scion iQ

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

38 mpg combined (39 mpg city/38 mpg highway)

The new Acura ILX Hybrid, which is based on the Honda Civic, is the most affordable model in the Acura lineup. The ILX uses the same powertrain as the thriftier Civic Hybrid — a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 111 horsepower. We like the looks and interior of the ILX, but it lacks power and is rather loud inside, and it takes premium fuel, so gas is estimated to cost $1,450 per year.

2013 Acura ILX

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

40 mpg combined (40 mpg city/39 mpg highway)

The first car on this list to crack the 40-mpg figure, the Lexus ES 300h shares its design with the Toyota Avalon, and it gets the same 200-horsepower hybrid system. Although it costs $3,300 more than the Avalon, it is a bit more luxurious and has the convenience of the Lexus red-carpet dealer experience. The ES 300h is priced comparatively to several sport sedans from Japan, Europe and the U.S., but it offers more luxury, although less agility, than those cars.

2013 Lexus ES 300h

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

40 mpg combined (40 mpg city/39 mpg highway)

Redesigned for 2013, the standard Toyota Avalon uses a larger version of the Camry chassis, and the hybrid version gets the Camry Hybrid's powerful and effective powertrain. With 200 horsepower on tap, the Avalon Hybrid offers an impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency. It also has plenty of room for five passengers in what is essentially an entry-level luxury car. With a 40 mpg overall rating, gas is estimated to cost $1,250 per year.

2013 Toyota Avalon

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

41 mpg combined (43 mpg city/39 highway)

Among the current Camry models, we are most impressed by the hybrid. With this generation, Toyota has managed to improve both power and fuel economy. Its 7.8-second zero-to-60 mph time is close to that of some V6-powered cars, but the car still manages to get as much as 41 mpg overall. The base LE achieves a 41-mpg combined rating, 1 mpg more than XLE trim due to less weight and smaller wheels and tires.

2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

42 mpg combined (43 mpg city/40 mpg highway)

Billed as a sporty hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h is really a premium, agile version of the Toyota Prius. With its four doors and hatchback body style, the CT 200h is practical for couples or small families, and the $32,000 starting price makes it the entry vehicle for the Lexus brand. Those looking for a sporty hatchback will find plenty of rivals that are more fun to drive, but none will match the CT 200h's fuel economy.

2013 Lexus CT 200h

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

42 mpg combined (41 mpg city/44 mpg highway)

Honda got into the hybrid game at about the same time as Toyota, but it has never been able to match Toyota for fuel economy. The Insight is certainly more fun to drive than the Prius, but with less space and a combined mileage 8 mpg less than the Prius, it's not as practical a choice for families. The problem is that Honda's hybrid system doesn't power the car on electricity alone as often as Toyota's system. Still, according to the Energy Department, the Insight will cost owners only $1,200 per year for gas if they drive 15,000 miles with a typical mix of city and highway driving.

2013 Honda Insight

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

42 mpg combined (44 mpg city/40 mpg highway)

With its roomy wagon body, the Prius V is better suited for family duty than the Prius hatchback. The longer wheelbase makes for a smoother ride, and the car is surprisingly agile. Combined fuel economy is 8 mpg lower than the Prius and Prius c, but the everyday practicality makes the V our favorite Prius. If you want hybrid fuel economy with the room of a crossover, the Prius V is the choice.

2013 Toyota Prius V

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

44 mpg combined (44 mpg city/44 mpg highway)

Honda cheapened the Civic with its 2012 redesign, opting for cheesy plastic interior materials as other compacts were becoming more refined. To its credit, Honda has remedied that problem for 2013, and the Civic Hybrid is very fuel-efficient despite the fact that the electric motor can't get the car moving on its own. It has only 110 horsepower, but it's fairly fun to drive, and the Civic still has a reputation for reliability and rock-solid resale value.

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

45 mpg combined (42 mpg city/48 mpg highway)

With its unique combination of peppy power, nimble driving dynamics and excellent fuel economy, this new Volkswagen is our favorite hybrid. The unique powertrain teams a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, and it all works quite well together. Unfortunately, those looking to save a few bucks won't like that the Jetta Hybrid takes premium fuel, which brings the annual cost for typical city and highway driving to an estimated $1,200.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

45 mpg combined (45 mpg city/45 mpg highway)

The MKZ, a midsize sedan based on the Ford Fusion, is the first vehicle in what Lincoln hopes will be a renaissance for the brand. It offers V6, turbocharged 4-cylinder and hybrid powertrains. The MKZ Hybrid is the same system found in the Ford Fusion and Ford C-Max hybrids, and is rated at 45 mpg combined. Buyers can choose the V6 or the hybrid for the same $35,925 starting price, and for their money they get a comfortable, luxurious car.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

47 mpg combined (47 mpg city/47 mpg highway)

The Ford C-Max Hybrid is a unique vehicle in the American market, combining aspects of a hatchback and a minivan in a configuration that Europeans call a multipurpose vehicle. It seats five comfortably and offers plenty of cargo space. Under the hood, the C-Max Hybrid uses the same powertrain as the Fusion Hybrid and returns 47 mpg combined. That figure may be revised down as the government looks into the fuel-economy ratings of both vehicles.

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

47 mpg combined (47 mpg city/47 mpg highway)

With its 2013 redesign, the Ford Fusion becomes one of the better-looking cars on the market, and the Fusion Hybrid is one of the most effective and compelling hybrids. The engine is downsized from 2.5 to 2.0 liters, but it loses only three horsepower to 188, while combined fuel economy increases from 39 to 47 mpg. With careful throttle application, the electric motor can power the car up to 62 mph without the engine.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

50 mpg combined (53 mpg city/46 mpg highway)

We were hoping the Prius c would have better fuel economy than a standard Prius, since the c is 500 pounds lighter. But the short wheelbase makes it less aerodynamic on the highway, so — spoiler alert — it matches the standard Prius at 50 mpg combined. The Prius c also rides harder than its bigger sibling and it isn't any more fun to drive. However, for city dwellers it's the most fuel-efficient car you can buy this side of an electric vehicle.

2013 Toyota Prius c

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

50 mpg combined (51 mpg city/48 mpg highway)

And finally, with a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 50 mpg, the Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient car in America. It's also the best-selling hybrid. With seating for five and a useful hatchback cargo area, the Prius works well as a family car that will cost little to operate. According to the Energy Department, a year's worth of gas will cost $1,000 for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical mix of city and highway driving.

2013 Toyota Prius

PhotosPricesSpecsReviews

For more information on the vehicles in this slideshow, click the links below:

-Nissan Versa
-Volkswagen Passat
-smart fortwo
-Scion iQ
-Acura ILX Hybrid
-Lexus ES 300h
-Toyota Avalon
-Toyota Camry Hybrid
-Lexus CT 200h
-Honda Insight
-Toyota Prius V
-Honda Civic Hybrid
-Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
-Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
-Ford C-Max Hybrid
-Ford Fusion Hybrid
-Toyota Prius c
-Toyota Prius

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experiencetoMSN,andcurrently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.