Most efficient car under 20k?
 

What would be the most fuel efficient car under 20,000 dollars new or used?

That’s a pretty broad question, a G1 Insight is pretty damn good, and a 2k or 2k1 model could be had under $3k, a plug in Prius could be had under $20k, as well as a used first gen Volt... I gotta vote for most any mid 2000s GM product with the 2.2 Ecotec, as they’re a decent engine that’s pretty efficient for its displacement...

Gas powered will be a gen1 Insight. Electric looks like the BMW i3 wins for MPGe in that price range (from my few minutes of research).

Any used ev will be ridiculously efficient

For 20k you could get a used Fiat 500e AND an Autozam AZ-1 in ok condition.

One for the commute, one for fun :)

For new cars: the Prius C starts at $20.5k MSRP, I'd bet you could get that under $20k

For used, a Honda Insight (first gen) will get you 60mpg all day with a bypassed hybrid battery.

I wonder how economical an AZ-1 would be? Curb weight well below 800kg, 660cc turbo triple, transversely mounted, manual trans...

I’m guessing not so extremely so at high speed due to drag and that tiny engine screaming along, but maybe at 45-55mph it could be really good...

At any rate it would be a hoot to drive and way cheaper than something bigger to drive...

Brazilian expats in Japan usually say the turbocharged versions of kei-cars are not so fuel-efficient at all, since they rely on a rich AFR to prevent knocking. Not sure about some newer ones which are already fitted with direct injection.

$20K? Arcimoto FUV and a Power Wall.

G1 Insight is the king. Although I think the deals are going to dry up, you can still find them for under $1500 in great shape with a dead battery. You can build a grid charger for under $50 and try to revive it or just bypass it. I heard the CVT ones do really well with a bypass but after mine went out with a manual trans it was really crappy taking off from a start. If it was level ground that's fine. A little slow, never got a horn honk. But if you find yourself on an off ramp at a stop with a steep grade it's brutal. Clutch out, 50% part or full throttle, someone could do a little jog and go right by you on foot.

That's why you rev it to 6 grand and drop the clutch. :D

But seriously. I could chirp the tires in 2nd gear when the battery was in place, and now I can't in first.

Basically any of the Gen I EVs besides Tesla. Then the plug-in hybrids. Then the regular hybrids.

Depends on gas and electricity prices.

-An Insight at $2.70 per gallon and 75mpg (pretty easy in this car) costs roughly 3.6 cents per mile before maintenance. Oil changes add another ~0.2 cents per mile to that.

-A Leaf or Volt at ~100mpge and 15 cents per kwh ($5 per "gallon" of electricity) is approximately 5 cents per mile.

I'm sure a careful driver can do better than 100mpge, but the point stands. I think the Insight would win even vs an EV in terms of cost per mile of fuel for highway commutes, whereas an EV might pull ahead in city driving. Nevermind that you can often find G1 Insights for under $2,000.

Especially if your highway driving includes trips longer than the range of the low-priced EVs. Even against a Volt, Honda did a LOT of weight reduction & aerodynamic efficiency on the Insight.

I easily get 130mpge cruising at 62mph in my g1 volt. The g1 insight is exceptional, but not quite able to keep pace with an ev in terms of efficiency.

I spend about $.03/mile electric. 130mpge and $.105/kwh (volume discount, we use a lot of electricity)

Arcimoto FUV is 'in production'. They just haven't made mine yet. :(

Arcimoto

Electricity is 10.4¢ in Eugene, across the river in Springtucky, it's 5.4¢. Do that math.


edit: A nice update from June:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCWmjNOIvu4

They are earning money? Nobody mention the 3-wheeled vaporware that isn't!

Some good info/suggestions in this thread.


Are you shopping? Which way are you leaning?

I'd toss in Hyundai Elantra, daughters driving isn't taking full advantage of it's ability, but she got 28ish with a cobalt rated for 34. Changed the oil for the first time over weekend, 80% full belly pan, holes for filter and plug, channel down the middle for exhaust.

Mirage?