The 2009 Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road today.
There’s no question: Consumers have changed their buying habits when it comes to automobiles. High fuel prices have shoppers gravitating away from large gas-guzzling SUVs toward more efficient subcompacts and gas-electric hybrids, which are not only easier on the wallet but more environmentally friendly. For a better understanding of what vehicles will save the most money at the pump, here’s our breakdown of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles for the 2009 model year.
In the past there have been many complaints, especially from hybrid owners, about EPA fuel-efficiency ratings. The main gripe was that the EPA numbers were too lofty to achieve under real-world driving conditions. In response to these claims, the agency changed its methods of computing fuel economy for the 2008 model year. Fuel economy calculations now take into consideration faster driving speeds, stronger acceleration, air-conditioning use and operation in colder temperatures. Read more about how the EPA has changed its fuel economy ratings here.
Batteries Included
Americans are becoming more accepting of cars powered partially or completely by electricity. Five of the top 10 vehicles in the EPA list are gasoline-electric hybrids, which continue to be great choices for stop-and-go driving, where the vehicle’s electric motor does a lot of the heavy lifting.
View Pictures: Top 10 Fuel Misers
For 2009 the Toyota Prius continues to lead the pack as the most efficient vehicle on U.S. roads today. The five-seat Prius, which was redesigned as a midsize sedan for the 2004 model year, is rated at 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. It combines the power of a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and a 50-kilowatt electric motor to produce a total of 110 horsepower — enough power to get around town, but not enough to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
Next on the list is the Honda Civic Hybrid. Like the Prius — and any other hybrid, for that matter — the Civic Hybrid uses electric motors to help get the most out of a relatively small engine. The primary difference between the Civic and the Prius is that the former has a larger gasoline engine, while the latter opts for a more powerful electric motor. A smaller gas engine uses less fuel; hence the Prius stands at the top of the heap. Even so, the Civic Hybrid does achieve a very respectable 40 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway.
New to the list for 2009 is a car that was just introduced to America in the last year: the smart fortwo. More than three feet shorter than a MINI Cooper, the fortwo is the smallest car sold in the U.S. It has space for only two passengers and the ride is rather uncomfortable, but it gets up to 41 mpg on the highway, putting it third on the list.
One of the most anticipated vehicles coming to market this year is the four-door Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which takes fourth place. Running a clean diesel system that meets the world’s most stringent emission standards, the Jetta sedan is rated at 41 mpg on the highway — matching the tiny smart car in terms of fuel-efficiency, yet it offers much better performance specs. For instance, the smart fortwo produces a measly 68 lb-ft of torque, while the Jetta cranks out 236 lb-ft, so it will be faster off the line and capable of hauling around a much heavier load.
Hybrids are also doing well in the midsize arena. Number five on the list is the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which gets 34 mpg under combined city/highway driving conditions. It has a much roomier interior than its Prius cousin, and a gas-electric hybrid system that produces V6-like grunt (187 horsepower).
