2010 Toyota Prius
The eye-opening fuel prices of the past year or two revealed the harsh reality that an automobile with all the horsepower and luggage room in the world is essentially worthless if you can't afford to fill its fuel tank. This realization has led many people to rethink how and what they drive, and has forced carmakers to refocus their efforts on maximizing fuel economy. In fact, manufacturers are churning out more fuel misers than ever before.
Each year around this time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes its fuel-economy guide for most new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. After crunching the data, we have compiled a list of our picks for the 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles for the 2010 model year. Unlike the EPA's top picks for the most fuel-frugal rides, which we published in our Exhaust Notes blog, this list is based on a vehicle's combined city and highway mpg rating. The EPA based its choices on city ratings alone. What's the difference? Not a whole lot. But there are a few subtle changes. Think you know which machine is top dog in the mpg wars? Let's find out.
Read: Top 10 Gas Guzzlers of 2010
10. Ford Escape Hybrid
2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
What? A domestic SUV on the list of fuel misers? Sure enough, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD manages to sip away at just 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway — good enough for a combined total of 32 mpg. With the Escape's handsome looks, its ability to haul five people quasi-comfortably and its cavernous storage area, it may just be the most functional vehicle on the list. Throw in the low price tag of $31,500 and it's hard to beat this hybrid small utility vehicle. And if the Ford badge is a turnoff, don't worry — you can nab the Blue Oval's hybrid as a Mercury Mariner or a Mazda Tribute.
Video: Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
9. Volkswagen Golf TDI
2010 Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen's tiny diesel hatchback has come a long way from its humble roots as the sooty tin can of the late '70s. Today the car boasts great looks, a perfectly executed interior and a teetotaler of an engine. The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel 4-cylinder manages 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway (34 mpg combined) without any of the hassles of a hybrid drivetrain. Even more impressive are the 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque at your command. It may not be as efficient as the rest of the green machines on this list, but the 2010 Volkswagen Golf is a heck of a lot more fun to drive. Of course, if you find the tiny hatch a little too cramped, you can get identical fuel economy from the Audi A3 TDI, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI.
Bing: Pictures of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI
8. Toyota Camry Hybrid
2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
No one should be surprised to see the country's best-selling sedan on our list of gas station featherweights. Add an electric motor with 109 lb-ft of torque to the already winning concoction and the Toyota Camry Hybrid is bound to please. At 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway (34 mpg combined), this 4-door isn't going to rough you up when it comes time to visit the pumps, either. Of course, the Camry Hybrid is more than just green inside. You can opt for a special Spruce Mica paint to show the world just how dedicated you are to saving the planet. The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $26,150.
Read: Head-to-Head: Four Family Hybrids
7. Nissan Altima Hybrid
2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan hasn't made too much of a fuss over its hybrid effort, but that hasn't stopped the company from snagging seventh place on the list. The Altima Hybrid may look just like its gas-hungry (by comparison) brethren, but under the sheet metal sits a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, good for a combined 198 horsepower. While the muscle figures are pretty impressive, the Altima Hybrid's real claim to fame is its fuel-economy stats — the car is good for 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway (34 mpg combined). Those aren't bad numbers by anyone's standards, and the price tag of $26,780 isn't tough on the budget, either.
Compare: Nissan Ultima Hybrid vs. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. Mercury Milan Hybrid
Discuss: How much does fuel economy weigh into your car-buying decisions?
6. Lexus HS 250h
2010 Lexus HS 250h
Lexus has taken a hard line in the fight for ever more efficient luxury vehicles. In fact, the company produces four hybrid cars and SUVs, a result of its having essentially pioneered the luxury-hybrid trend. The most efficient of that bunch is the all-new HS 250h. While the jury is still out on whether or not America will open its arms to a small, premium hybrid sedan that looks like a Toyota Prius, Lexus has done its homework on the car. EPA numbers sit at a surprising 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway (35 mpg combined), courtesy of the combined efforts of a 2.4-liter engine and a small electric motor. Prices start at $34,200.
business 
