| Gas prices jumped right past $3 last year without | | | | aerodynamic tricks, and harder tires. Don't think that |
| warning and could do so again anytime. With so many | | | | mileage comes for free; hybrids cost a couple |
| great fuel-stingy cars out there, why take a chance? | | | | thousand more at the outset. Diesel-powered cars |
| Below are the ten 2006 new cars whose mileage | | | | occupy the next three spots, though not everyone is |
| numbers will best protect you from a pinch. Note that | | | | comfortable with the technology (mostly due to |
| this is EPA's estimated mileage, which comes with the | | | | outdated generalizations of 1980s diesels) or having to |
| fine print of "results may vary" thanks to its archaic | | | | find gas stations that carry the fuel. These are the |
| testing procedures. Still, the tests are consistent from | | | | things you need to consider when choosing a new |
| car to car, so the finishing order of the cars can be | | | | cars. |
| expected to hold up in the real world, even if the exact | | | | For those who prefer to tread in familiar waters, let's |
| numbers don't. | | | | hack off the top six entries and redo the list. This time, |
| The new car reviews are as follows: | | | | just normal gas-powered cars: |
| City Freeway Average | | | | City Freeway Average |
| 11. Honda Insight 60 66 63 | | | | 9. Toyota Corolla 32 41 36.5 |
| 12. Toyota Prius automatic 60 51 55.5 | | | | 10. Honda Civic automatic 30 40 35 |
| 13. Honda Civic Hybrid 49 51 50 | | | | 11. Scion xA 32 37 34.5 |
| 14. Volkswagen Beetle TDI 37 44 40.5 | | | | 12. Kia Rio / Hyundai Accent 32 35 33.5 |
| 15. Volkswagen Golf TDI 37 44 40.5 | | | | 13. Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe 30 36 33 |
| 16. Volkswagen Jetta TDI 36 41 38.5 | | | | 14. Scion xB 30 34 32 |
| 17. Toyota Corolla 32 41 36.5 | | | | 15. Mini Cooper 28 36 32 |
| 18. Scion xA 32 37 34.5 | | | | 16. Nissan Sentra 1.8L (tie) 28 35 31.5 |
| 19. Honda Civic automatic 30 40 35 | | | | Mazda 3 2.0L (tie) 28 35 31.5 |
| 20. Kia Rio / Hyundai Accent 32 35 33.5 | | | | 10. Mitsubishi Lancer (tie) 27 34 30.5 |
| (The Rio and Accent are the same car.) Except for | | | | Hyundai Elantra (tie) 27 34 30.5 |
| the Prius and two Civics, all figures are for cars with | | | | Chevrolet Aveo (tie) 26 35 30.5 |
| manual transmissions, which by nature of their more | | | | Acura RSX (tie) 27 34 30.5 |
| efficient design tend to squeeze out 1-2 extra MPG. | | | | Yes, there are plenty of cars that get an [EPA |
| But even with an automatics-only rule, the same ten | | | | estimated] 30 MPG on average, and it's a pleasant |
| models still comprise the list in only a slightly altered | | | | surprise that perennial favorites Corolla and Civic lead |
| order - no surprise there. | | | | the pack. Presence of the Mini Cooper and Acura |
| Hybrids of course take the top three spots, largely | | | | RSX serve as proof that mileage need not come at |
| thanks to the ability to turn off their engines. Other | | | | the cost of fun or performance. |
| reasons include shrunken engines, improved | | | | |