whats the most fuel efficient gasoline car i can buy

[joesgot4]

i'm driving a 2006 malibu auto i'm averaging about 39 miles to gallon driving about 61 mph on highway! i'm interested in buying a new vehicle and i want the most fuel efficient,non hybrid,non diesel new car i can buy in the united states! what car do i need to buy? thanks for any advice!

[SVOboy]

New car, eh? I think that's a tall order as far as finding something efficient, the yaris, fit, and corolla are all good there, though...

If I would you I'd wait until 2009/2010 when honda/toyota release their new lines of cool stuff. I know honda is planning on releasing the fit hybrid for cheap.

[joesgot4]

i drive very long distances so it really wouldn't help to buy a hybrid and with the price of diesel about 1.00 more than gas thats not an option either

[digitaldissent]

My friend has the Fit and its pretty nice but mileage is not even close to my Yaris, his roommate's '08 Civic does better. We live down the street from each other and work together so the commute is the same.

Almost forgot I rented a Versa for about 3 1/2 weeks (some lady hit my car) and I liked the power but was unhappy with the mpg.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/best/bestworstNF.shtml

[Arminius]

Wait a year and you'll be able to buy an electric car. Wait two more years and you'll have a good variety to pick from.

[MetroMPG]

Can you clarify your "long distances" comment and why a hybrid won't work?
A Prius would return excellent fuel economy - probably around 55-60 mpg - at the speeds you're driving your Malibu.

PS - 41 highway mpg in your Malibu is excellent.

[PaleMelanesian]

Look into the new Malibu XFE or Cobalt XFE - it's one of the highest-rated non-hybrids these days. It's a new variant this year.

[Daox]

While hybrids do get better mileage in the city usually, they also blow away the competition on the highway. Just try to find a conventional gasoline car that gets as good of highway mileage (EPA rated) as the Prius does. Sorry, you just can't. The highest EPA rated vehicle for sale currently in the US without going with a hybrid is the Smart ForTwo rated at 33 city 41 highway. The Prius beats that very nicely with 48 city and 45 highway and is massive compared to the ForTwo. The same goes for the Civic Hybrid at 40 city 45 highway. Nothing can touch these cars (when talking brand new vehicles). Just for kicks I'll mention the Yaris EPA ratings of 29 city 36 highway. The point here is, even if the hybrid isn't getting its best mileage on the highway, it still kicks everything elses butt. Now, if you really want a high mileage highway car you'll get yourself a used Honda Insight (stopped making them in 06) rated at 48 city 58 highway.

[PaleMelanesian]

Cobalt XFE is rated 25 / 36.

You're right about the hybrids, although a TDI can match them in highway driving. Of course, nobody does only highway driving, and a Prius will knock it down in the city. There's the higher diesel cost, too.

[joesgot4]

i'm a union electrician and i drive sometimes up to 1500 miles to get to my next job and most of the time weekly drives of 400-600 miles one way i need a fuel efficient vehicle that i can put 200,000 miles on! size really doesn't matter because most of the time its just me in the car!