Most and Least Fuel Efficient 2008 Vehicles

News of higher oil prices and store signs with higher gas prices have many people searching for a more economical vehicle. The U. S. Department of Energy has released its rankings of the most and least fuel efficient 2008 cars, vans, trucks, and SUV's based on miles per gallon (mpg) in the city. If you would like to see all ranked vehicles, compare fuel efficiency of certain models or learn about hybrids, click here.

The most efficient overall is the Toyota Prius Hybrid getting a whopping 48 miles to the gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway (4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular EPA Size Class). Yes, it's true - more miles to the gallon in the city than on the highway. Running a close second in the Regular Class is the Honda Civic Hybrid getting a respectable 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

It is disappointing to learn that the popular Ford Mustang (8 cyl, 4.6 L, Auto (5), Regular) is one of the worst performing cars for fuel efficiency getting only 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Other low fuel efficiency performers in the 14-16 mpg range for city driving were various models of Chevy Corvettes, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, Chrysler Roadsters, and Audi. Some of these vehicles are 6-cylinder engines with manual transmissions, but with engine size in the 3.2 liter - 7.0 liter range.

Other cars making the list of most fuel efficient 2008 vehicles are:

Toyota Yaris: 29 mpg in city; 36 mpg on the highway

Toyota Corolla: 28 mpg in the city; 37 mpg on the highway

Honda Fit: 28 mpg in the city; 34 mpg on the highway

Nissan Versa: 26 mpg in the city; 31 mpg on the highway

MINI Cooper Convertible: 23 mpg in the city; 32 mpg on the highway

Honda Accord: 22 mpg in the city; 31 mpg on the highway

Audi TT Roadster: 22 mpg in the city; 29 mpg on the highway

Mazda MX-5: 22 mpg in the city; 27 mpg on the highway

Volkswagen Passat Wagon: 21 mpg in the city; 29 mpg on the highway