Fuel Efficient Cars Under $15,000

Let’s discuss the SUV craze first and foremost. SUVs generally deemed to be safer, thus excusing the higher initial cost and long term cost of decreased gas mileage, are not. They are more likely to roll over according to the National Highway Safety Administration. So what you are thinking. I will still be safe in my sturdy vehicle. Think again. 70% of all vehicle fatalities can be directly related to a roll over. This compounded with the environmental costs makes them very expensive indeed. Is it time to rethink your vehicle? Here is a list of the top ten most fuel efficient, safest 2007 cars under $15,000. Yes, I said under $15,000. Of course, you could spend more, but considering most of them earned 5 star crash ratings in head on and side collisions and earned very low roll over ratings, why would you? Did I mention fuel efficient; think 28 to 38 miles per gallon. I know what you are thinking now. I need to haul stuff. I covered that too. Many of these models have fold down back seats that open into the trunk area, essentially opening them into 2 seat station wagons. One model, the Fit, can do five different seat configurations to accommodate oddly shaped items. Do you really have a reason to not consider them?

After combing through many upcoming 2007 models, I selected these ten based on fuel efficiency, safety and price, then ranked them against one another. All of the cars had 16 valve 4 cylinder engines, anti-lock brakes, power steering, front and back crumple zones and collapsing steering columns. In my analysis I put safety first, ranking based on the number of stars given by the National Highway Traffic Administration. Next, I ranked fuel efficiency based on the rates given by the EPA. Lastly, I ranked by price as they compared to one another.

The final analysis surprised me as I had expected the newly released models, marketed on the fuel efficiency angle, to have rated better against some old timers like the Kia. Here are the results.