| According to the United Sates Department of Energy, | | | | not available on the regular Civic for any price.Most |
| these are the most fuel | | | | fuel-efficient subcompact car - Volkswagen New |
| efficient vehicles in their respective classes.Most | | | | Beetle diesel |
| fuel-efficient vehicle overall - Honda Insight hybrid | | | | (37 mpg city / 44 mpg highway) |
| (60 mpg city / 66 mpg highway) | | | | The New Beetle diesel stays on the list even in the |
| Once again the Honda Insight hybrid has taken top | | | | face of an onslaught of |
| honors as being North | | | | hybrid offerings. Making 100hp, the New Beetle diesel |
| America's most fuel-efficient vehicle. With a 1.0 gas | | | | may not sound all that |
| engine mated to an electric | | | | powerful but the 177 lb-ft of torque will shame every |
| motor, the Insight produces 71 horsepower. The Insight | | | | other vehicle on the list. Of |
| was designed to make the | | | | course diesels still pollute more than hybrids but they |
| most of that power using low resistance tires and by | | | | offer few compromises and |
| having a co-efficient of drag of | | | | their long-term reliability and durability is rock solid, |
| .25 (the lower the number the better a vehicle is able | | | | something that cannot yet be |
| to cut through the wind. A | | | | said for hybrid vehicles.Most fuel-efficient small station |
| typical family sedan has a co-efficient of drag of | | | | wagon - Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix |
| about .31). The Insight's | | | | (30 mpg city / 36 mpg highway) |
| shortcomings include a cramped interior, seating for | | | | The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are the result of |
| two, and oddball styling.Most fuel-efficient mid-size car | | | | a joint venture of Toyota |
| - Toyota Prius hybrid | | | | and General Motors. Both vehicles come equipped |
| (60 mpg city / 51 mpg highway) | | | | with Toyota engines but much of |
| Unlike the Honda Insight, the Prius is capable of | | | | the design and engineering came from General |
| carrying 5 people plus their | | | | Motors. The Matrix and Vibe are |
| gear. The Prius generates a total of 110hp from its | | | | versatile vehicles suited to adventurous, active |
| gasoline engine and its electric | | | | lifestyles. With a fuel-efficient 1.8L |
| motor. Now in its second generation, the Prius makes | | | | 4-cylinder producing 126hp, the Matrix and Vibe are |
| few compromises to | | | | not going to win many street |
| passenger comfort. The sleek shape yields a low | | | | races but they make up for it in smoothness, |
| co-efficient of drag (.26) but | | | | efficiency, and refinement.Most fuel-efficient large car - |
| Toyota has managed to do this with a larger, more | | | | Hyundai Sonata |
| driver friendly vehicle than the | | | | (24 mpg city / 34 mpg highway) |
| Honda Insight.Most fuel-efficient compact car - Honda | | | | The Sonata is the surprise of the list beating out tough |
| Civic hybrid | | | | competition to be |
| (49 mpg city, 51 mpg highway) | | | | rated as the most fuel-efficient large car. The 2.4L |
| Touted as being North America's cheapest hybrid, the | | | | 4-cylinder engine is smooth and |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | | | | relatively powerful. Unfortunately, the suspension is |
| takes the great design of the regular Civic and makes | | | | soft, geared more towards |
| it even more efficient. With a | | | | comfort than handling. A BMW this is not. Build quality |
| total output of 110hp, the Civic hybrid is very | | | | is great, clearly showing that Hyundai is no longer a |
| competitive for its class. The hybrid | | | | second rate manufacturer. This car is all about |
| version of the Civic costs about $5000 more than | | | | comfort and |
| basic sedan but it includes many | | | | efficiency, a formula that worked wonders for the |
| more standard features, and some features (like | | | | Toyota Camry. |
| automatic climate control) that are | | | | |