With gas prices on the rise, fuel economy has become an important consideration when buying a new car. Fortunately, the auto industry has made great strides when it comes to fuel efficiency – a gallon of gas goes further than you might think.
The main focus here is on hybrids. Hybrids offer a level of efficiency that pure fuel vehicles cannot match. The talk here excludes plug-in hybrids though, as they can technically get unlimited mileage if they rely purely on charging.
Another thing worth noting is the variety seen in modern hybrids. This list is not limited to compact eco-cars, but here we will also discuss SUVs, AWD models, and even some luxury models.
Let’s take a look at the list of the most fuel-efficient cars of 2022, compiled by SlashGear!
15. Mitsubishi Mirage
Despite coming in at No. 15, the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage is No. 1 in several separate categories. In terms of price, the Mirage starts at $14,645 – making it the least expensive vehicle on this list. the Mirage also has the distinction of being the only non-hybrid vehicle to make it into the 15 most economical vehicles of 2022. So if one wants to save money at the pump but has a deep-seated hatred of electric motors, then this could be a great fit.
In terms of niche appeal, the Mirage is one of the rapidly shrinking subcompact cars on the market. While manufacturers like Toyota, Chevrolet, and Honda are moving in the direction of larger vehicles, subcompacts may still have appealing features. For something cheap, fuel-efficient, and easy to park in, in a tight spot, Mitsubishi could still be a good choice for you.
According to Mitsubishi, the Mirage can get 36 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway, which gives it a combined fuel consumption of 39 MPG.
14. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
If a compact car isn’t for you, then at the other end of the scale is an SUV. Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid offers all-wheel drive (AWD), designed to handle multiple terrain-type settings and state-of-the-art safety features – while maintaining a combined 40 MPG capability.
In some cases, the RAV4 Hybrid may be a better choice than the standard Toyota RAV4 – even without considering fuel usage. The greater torque provided by the hybrid’s electric motor will allow the car to tow an additional 250 pounds (1750 lbs. vs. 1500 lbs.), which could make all the difference.
For SUV enthusiasts who crave more fuel economy, Toyota also has a plug-in butterfly get option in the form of the RAV4 Prime. the RAV4 Prime offers 42 miles of electric range without sacrificing cargo or cabin space. The plug-in model will cost about $10,000 more than the RAV4 hybrid, though U.S. federal and local tax incentives can offset the price difference.
13. Lexus UX 250h
Tied for 13th place is another AWD hybrid SUV, the Lexus UX 250h. Lexus says the UX gets 38 MPG on the highway, 41 MPG in the city and 40 MPG combined — just like the Toyota RAV4.
Aside from the over $7,000 price difference, the key difference between the two is the luxury features Lexus offers. The interior has several comfort-based features such as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and lumbar-support seats, which are in marked contrast to the RAV4’s functional design. City-based UX owners will also benefit from what the manufacturer claims is a “best-in-class” turning radius – 17.1 feet.
On the other hand, the UX 250h has been criticized for its limited cabin and cargo space. You get less than 22 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats in the UX 250h, while the RAV4 nearly doubles that space to 37.5 cubic feet. With the seats down, the difference remains similar, at 40.4 cubic feet and 69.8 cubic feet, respectively.
The UX 250h is a better hybrid version of Lexus’ entry-level UX 200. Compared to the 200 model, the UX 250h’s non-hybrid features include AWD, more torque and an additional 12 horsepower.
- Ford Escape Hybrid
When you think of Ford, you probably think of a muscle car like the iconic Mustang or something like an F-Series pickup truck. Neither of those vehicles is particularly economical. In recent years, Ford has changed its strategy, and it now wants half of its global vehicle sales to be fully electric by 2030. both the Mustang and the pickup truck are on the market in hybrid and all-electric versions, as are other Ford vehicles, like the Escape.
Like many of the other cars on this list, the Escape has a plug-in version. The crossover version is still solid if you don’t want to spend extra money on it. Their non-plug-in Escape hybrid can get 37 MPG on the highway and 44 MPG in the city.
If this list were judged on city driving alone, the Escape would be in the top 10. This car should be a great choice for the morning commute.
- Lexus ES 300h
For a luxury experience blended with excellent fuel economy, then Lexus’ ES 300h should be your first choice. Interior features include what Lexus describes as ultra-spacious legroom and top-of-the-line leather seats. As if that wasn’t enough, Lexus also offers the 300h in Luxury and Ultra Luxury trims for $48,375 and $52,155, respectively. Unlike some other manufacturers, these upgrades won’t hurt your average MPG. Lexus’ Luxury Edition ES 300h gets the same fuel economy as the entry model.
In terms of performance, you’ll see 215 horsepower, 8.2 seconds of 100-mile acceleration and the quiet, comfortable ride that comes with a luxury sedan. But one key feature missing from the 2021 version is also absent from the 2022 model – the Lexus ES 300h does not come with all-wheel drive.
While there are no EPA figures on MPG yet, Lexus says the car can achieve 44 MPG on the highway and 43 MPG in the city, for a combined MPG of 44 MPG.
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Japanese manufacturer Toyota is a big player in the hybrid segment, and the Avalon is one of their premium models. Prices start at $37,350 for the entry model and increase to $43,650 for the “Limited” version. Unlike some car lines, choosing the more expensive version does not reduce the car’s fuel economy. Even in the worst case scenario, the car will only lose a maximum of 1 MPG on the highway.
In terms of safety, the Avalon Hybrid benefits from Toyota’s Safesense 2.5 system. Its features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control – both of which keep the car in the right lane – and a camera that reads speed signs.
Toyota’s Avalon lineup is also the first to get the XSE Hybrid Nightshade Edition. Styling aside, what may make the Nightshade Edition stand out from other hybrids on the market is its use of “sequential shift technology,” which offers functional paddle shifters. The XSE Hybrid Nightshade is said to cost an additional $3,350 and offers a fuel economy of about 1 MPG.
- Honda Accord Hybrid
If want an Accord but the main goal is to get the best possible fuel economy, get the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid. the 2022 model will only lose 1 MPG somewhere on the highway. despite a small drop in efficiency, the Accord Hybrid is still firmly in the top 10 most economical cars this year, delivering 47 MPG on the highway and 48 MPG in the city. With 212 horsepower, the Accord Hybrid is one of the more powerful cars on this list, and it may be the right choice for those who want to make their gas go farther but are concerned about driving a car that lacks power.
There are several versions of the Accord Hybrid to choose from, with the “Touring” version firmly at the top end of the range. When choosing a more premium option, however, the prices can stack up – the same Touring model costs more than $10,000 more than the entry Honda Accord pain. If you decide to spend the money, it will get you 19-inch alloy wheels.
- Kia Niro
The Kia Niro stands out in the city not in terms of attractiveness or noise, but in terms of fuel economy. Kia says the car gets 53 MPG in an urban environment, which is 5 MPG more than the Niro offers on the highway. the Kia Niro also has plenty of storage space: 19.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.5 cubic feet with them down.
Kia hasn’t raised the price of the 2022 Niro, and there are few other changes. Both cars have the same MPG, the same engine and the same layout. the 2022 model appears to have gained 17 pounds from somewhere, and that’s about it. The major changes to the car, on the other hand, are all stylistic. It is reportedly available in five package options.
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Not only does the 2022 Sonata include some of the optional features from the 2021 model as standard, but Hyundai has also lowered the entry price by about $500. Buyers of the new Sonata will find it coming and will get keyless entry and power door locks, all without the extra sting they’ll feel from their wallets.
Those who want to spend a little more on the Sonata can opt for the “Limited” version, which comes with a solar roof. Hyundai describes the panels on the Sonata as more efficient than those found on the roof of a house. The company also said that 5.8 hours of ideal sunlight per day would provide enough energy for the battery to drive about 800 miles per year. While that’s nowhere near enough to serve as the car’s primary power source, it’s certainly a nice bonus if the driver lives in the right area.
There are three ties for fifth place on this fuel economy list, but each car in this position offers something different. If you do a lot of highway driving, then the Hyundai Sonata is the obvious choice for fifth place. It offers up to 54 MPG outside of the city, which beats out the other fifth-place choice and the fourth-place choice. But in the city, the Sonata only gets up to 50 MPG.
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
Every version of the 2022 Camry comes with a 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine. However the fuel economy of the premium version drops to 47 MPG on the highway and 44 MPG in the city. Toyota has released 18 Camry models, five of which are hybrids. And one of the most exciting versions is the Nightshade Hybrid, which has darker trim and black 18-inch wheels. All-wheel drive is also available on some Camry Hybrid models.
In a three-way tie for fifth place, the Camry is the best all-around model, offering 53 MPG on the highway and 51 MPG on the city. If drivers face a mix of city commuting and long-distance highway driving in their normal lives, then the Camry will undoubtedly be the best choice. Frankly, the fuel economy in both cases is excellent.
The Camry hybrid’s fuel economy is comparable to that of the Toyota Corolla’s hybrid. While the Corolla’s combined MPG is slightly better, if you’re a Toyota fan, the fuel economy levels of these two vehicles are comparable.
- Honda Insight
While the Sonata is the best highway driver and the Camry is the best all-rounder, the 2022 Honda Insight has the best city fuel economy. The U.S. EPA estimates that the Honda Insight can get up to 55 MPG in the city.
The 2022 Insight is available in two versions: the EX model, priced from $25,760, and the Touring version, starting at $29,790. The extra $4,000 gets consumers upgrades such as heated leather-trimmed seats and the ability to use the car as a Wi-Fi hotspot
Much like Honda’s 2021 release, the 2022 Insight has a plethora of driver assistance and safety features. Insight owners will also benefit from a “collision mitigation braking system,” in which the car tries to stop itself before the driver accidentally hits something.
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid
The Corolla is one of Toyota’s longest-running product lines. 2021, Toyota reports that they have sold over 50 million Corollas since production of the car began in 1966. To demonstrate this, that’s roughly the equivalent of everyone living in the UK owning a Corolla – including babies, queens and others who are unlikely to have a driver’s license. The hybrid Corolla first hits the road in 2020, and in the past two years it has established itself in Toyota’s extensive hybrid range. Given the global shift toward fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, the introduction of a hybrid version could mean that some version of the Corolla will be available for the car’s 100th anniversary in 2066.
In terms of fuel economy, the Corolla Hybrid is not a little bit different from its cousin, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. It will get 52 MPG on the highway and 53 MPG in the city, and Toyota is reportedly offering only one hybrid version of the Corolla. The single Corolla is roughly $4,000 cheaper and comes with keyless entry, one-touch start and compatibility with services like Apple Car Play.
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The bronze medal went to the Hyundai Elantra, which gets up to 53 MPG in the city and 56 MPG on the highway. last year’s Elantra won North American Car of the Year, a fact that Hyundai still boasts about on its website. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine works in tandem with the Elantra’s electric motor to produce a combined 139 horsepower. In addition to its excellent fuel economy and award-winning pedigree, the Elantra has several “class-exclusive” features, namely wireless Apple Car Paly/Android Auto integration and hands-free trunk opening and closing.
Hyundai is offering a limited edition model of the Elantra Hybrid to increase the range of “class-exclusive” features. Exclusive features of the Limited Edition model include Dynamic Voice Recognition, Reverse Collision Avoidance Assist and Hyundai’s Digital Key System. MPG for the Limited Edition drops to 52 on the highway and 49 in the city.
- Toyota Prius
Toyota first introduced the Prius in 1997, thus making it the first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid on the market. Fast forward 25 years and the Prius is still one of the biggest names in the world of hybrids and electric cars, so it’s probably not surprising that it’s so high on the list.
The Prius gets an impressive 53 MPG on the highway, but it’s in the city that Toyota’s flagship hybrid comes out on top – 58 MPG.
If 56 MPG combined isn’t enough for you, Toyota also offers a plug-in hybrid version, the Prius Prime. features like all-wheel drive are optional, though Toyota has released data showing that choosing all-wheel drive will drop the car’s fuel economy by about 10 percent. While getting 47 MPG on the highway and 51 MPG in the city is still good, if you’re just looking for raw fuel economy, it’s probably not worth the upgrade.
- Hyundai Ioniq
The most economical car of 2022 is Hyundai’s Ioniq. Hyundai says the Ioniq will give drivers an impressive 60 MPG on the highway and 58 MPG in the city, and while it’s on par with the Prius in terms of city fuel economy, it still tops the list – no other standard hybrid comes close to it on the highway.
The Ioniq’s plug-in hybrid version also exists for those who want to improve fuel economy even further. For those who plan to go all-electric, Hyundai also has the Ioniq 5. Like the Elantra, the Ioniq offers several configuration options, all of which have a range of driver assistance and comfort features – some of which are not available in other hybrids in the Ioniq’s class. While the high-end SEL and Limited versions are less economical, their combined fuel consumption of 55 MPG still places them third on this list.
