Top 10 fuel-thrifty American cars

26 mpg overall — 22 mpg city/33 mpg highway

It's nice to see that an affordable midsize car can be so good on gas. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission in the base Chevrolet Malibu are only 1 mpg less efficient overall than the class leader, the Honda Accord. When looking at the EPA's data, separate city and highway estimates don't always average out to the combined mpg estimates. That's because the EPA bases combined mpg ratings on 45 percent highway driving and 55 percent city driving.

View Pictures:  2013 Chevrolet Malibu

26 mpg overall — 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway

Adding a couple of extra gears to an automatic transmission helps cut fuel consumption, which is why cars like the Ford Fusion are now sold with 6-speed automatic transmissions instead of 4-speeds. Although the Fusion's estimated fuel economy in city driving is rated at 1 mpg better than the Chevrolet Malibu's, it still gets the same combined fuel economy by the EPA's calculations, which are derived from testing conducted at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., and by test data submitted by the automakers.

Compare: Ford Fusion vs. Chevrolet Malibu vs. Chrysler 200

27 mpg overall — 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway

Frankly, the Dodge Caliber should get better mileage than it does, considering its size. As it is, we'd call its 27-mpg rating decent, but not great. The base model's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine isn't much more efficient than the larger, more powerful 4-cylinder powerplants in the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion. The real catch here is that to get optimal fuel economy, Caliber buyers must opt for a 5-speed manual transmission. Upgrading to an automatic drops estimated fuel economy considerably, to 24 mpg overall.

Watch Video:  2011 Dodge Caliber

30 mpg overall — 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway

Some might cry foul on this one, because the Chevrolet Aveo is really a Korean car. But it was our prerogative to consider anything with an American logo on it for this list. If we had considered only vehicles made here, we'd also have to take into account models from the likes of BMW, Honda, Nissan and Toyota, all of which build cars in the U.S. The Aveo is soon to be replaced by what looks to be a much better car, the Chevrolet Sonic. Unlike many in the automotive press, we're fans of the little Aveo. Like the Dodge Caliber, it's efficient compared with other cars its size, it gets the job done, and the hatchback is surprisingly practical. But again, the 5-speed manual is imperative for top efficiency.

View Slideshow:  Made in the USA

32 mpg overall — 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway

That an SUV like the Ford Escape Hybrid can now get better fuel economy than a tiny hatchback like the Chevy Aveo is a testament to the advantages of hybrid technology. But those advantages go only so far, as evidenced by the fact that the Escape's fuel-economy rating for the highway is lower than for the city, which is opposite the norm. That's because speed negates some of the advantages of hybrid systems, as does opting for all-wheel drive, which lowers fuel economy by 3 mpg overall. The Escape Hybrid can drive on electric propulsion alone for short distances at low speeds. But you have to have a light foot; otherwise, the 4-cylinder gas engine kicks in.

View Slideshow:  Full-Size Fuel Sippers

33 mpg overall — 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway

Unlike the other vehicles on this list, which carry over to the new model year with minimal changes, the all-new 2012 Ford Focus is much different than the car it replaces. It's better in every way, including fuel economy. But there's a catch. You can't just buy any Focus and expect to get the mileage estimates above. You have to be selective and opt for the SE trim (not the base S trim) on the sedan version (not the hatchback) with the $1,095 6-speed automatic (not the standard 5-speed manual) and add the $495 Super Fuel Economy package, which includes low-rolling-resistance tires, special aerodynamic wheel covers and a rear spoiler.

View Slideshow:  The Most Affordable Fuel-Efficient New Cars

33 mpg overall — 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway

Ford's new Ford Fiesta is a similar story to the Focus. You have to hunt and peck for the right trim with the right equipment to get the absolute best fuel-economy numbers. This strategy has some competitors pointing fingers at Ford for being sneaky, but the reality is that every automaker is guilty of this. As federal fuel-economy standards rise, they're all looking to juice the numbers. What's great about the Fiesta is that it's small and light enough to be inherently efficient without having to worry about special tires and such. If you want to squeeze out every last mile per gallon of gas, go for the SFE package, which costs $695 on the Fiesta SE sedan because, besides aerodynamic air deflectors, it adds other amenities such as cruise control.

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33 mpg overall — 28 mpg city/42 mpg highway

Chevrolet's equivalent to Ford's SFE package is the Eco version of the Cruze. Chevrolet renders the most fuel-efficient version of the Cruze a little less obscure than Ford does with its SFE package by making it a separate trim level called Eco. The distinguishing factor for the Cruze Eco is that it comes with a 6-speed manual transmission instead of the standard 6-speed automatic. It also comes with the upgraded turbocharged engine, which means it's not only more efficient than the base trim, but it's also more fun to drive.

View Slideshow:  Top 10 'Green' Machines

39 mpg overall — 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway

The hybrid version of the Ford Fusion is almost a totally different car compared with the regular Fusion, which is why we included it separately in our ranking. The electric motor and battery pack of the Fusion Hybrid help it achieve far better fuel-economy numbers. And it's no surprise that a hybrid car is one of the top performers industrywide. What was a surprise to us, at least when we first drove a Fusion Hybrid, was just how good it is overall. It asks no sacrifices of the driver in terms of performance, handling and comfort. It's also more spacious and practical than the popular Toyota Prius. The one downside is its starting price, at $28,600.

Watch Video:  2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid

93 mpg overall electricity only — 95 mpg city/90 mpg highway
37 mpg overall gasoline only — 35 mpg city/40 mpg highway

As pricey as the Ford Fusion Hybrid might seem, it pales in comparison to the $40,280 Chevrolet Volt . Still, with its unique hybrid system, which treats the gasoline engine as an onboard power generator to recharge its batteries, this plug-in hybrid can, in theory, drive a short daily commute without ever having to stop at a gas station. Just plug it in every night to recharge and you're good to go, provided you don't drive more than 40 miles or so round trip and don't have a lead foot.

View Pictures:  2011 Chevrolet Volt

Matthew de Paula wanted to be an automotive journalist ever since reading his first car magazine in grade school. After a brief stint writing about finance, he helped launch ForbesAutos.com and became the site's editor in 2006. Matthew now freelances for various outlets.

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