The automotive industry is going the way of electrification. But for a variety of reasons, not everyone is quite ready to venture into the world of EVs, PHEVs, FCVs, or even simple hybrids. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t care about fuel economy. Fortunately, there are a number of traditional combustion-only cars you can buy that get plenty of mileage out of the gas you put in them. These are the top five:
Hatchback: Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is the most efficient non-hybrid car you can buy, earning an EPA-estimated 39 miles per gallon combined. At a glance, it’s easy to tell why. The compact hatchback is quite small, and if you look under the hood, you’ll find a tiny 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine capable of producing just 78 horsepower. It’s not the kind of car you want to drive to feel inspired, but if you’re on a tight budget and driving is something you’d just rather not do in the first place, the Mirage is a great choice.
Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica
Fuel savings are extra important when you’re hauling around family, as every dollar saved tends to be a dollar that can go toward new shoes, clothes, or anything more exciting than gasoline. There are only four minivans on the market, and the most efficient one is the Pacifica plug-in hybrid that earns a staggering 82 MPGe. However, if you’re truly settled on a non-hybrid model, then the next-best thing is any of the three remaining options: the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and gas-only Chrysler Pacifica. They all get 22 mpg.
Pickup: GMC Sierra / Chevy Silverado
Shoppers seeking an efficient non-hybrid pickup have a great friend in diesel technology. Both the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, which share a Duramax® turbodiesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, earn 24 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined.[5] This puts them ahead of not just other diesel- and gas-powered trucks but even ahead of hybrid pickups like the F-150.
Sedan: Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra is an attractive entry-level midsize sedan that earns 37 mpg combined. For just two fewer miles per gallon than the Mirage, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, which is much closer to the usual power figures you’d expect in this segment. The Elantra is also offered as a hybrid, but those electric motors add nearly $4,000 to the price tag, so it would take a good amount of driving to even out the score. For those seeking a stylish sedan at just over $20,000, the Elantra is compelling.
SUV: Nissan Kicks
The Kicks is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid SUV you can buy in 2023, earning an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway. It achieves this with an Xtronic CVT® transmission and a small engine producing just 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque to push it along. It’s hard not to think of this ride as an oversized hatchback, but there’s no arguing with 32.3 cubic feet of trunk space — which is a lot more than either the Mirage or the Elantra have to offer.
Most of these cars have a few things in common: Relative to their less efficient counterparts, they’re smaller (or have smaller engines), lighter, and generally less expensive. In other words, even if you weren’t specifically looking for a non-hybrid car, they may still be a great value proposition — especially if you’re shopping for something smaller than an SUV.