10 Cheap Cars with Great Gas Mileage
Looking for a cheap car that uses less gas? Then you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of options on the market that can help you get to your destination in style without spending a ton of money at the pump.
Best Cheap Cars with Low Gas Mileage
Gas is pretty expensive these days, isn’t it? If you’ve done all you can to reduce the gas mileage on your current car and you’re still not happy with the results, consider one of the following options for the car you drive every day.
1) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Who said you can’t have fun and save money at the same time? Thanks to its lightweight, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, the Mazda Miata easily hits the 30 mpg mark on the highway. Older Miatas get in the high 20s (unless you trade in your LS3), while newer Miatas can get over 35 miles per gallon.
The Miata is one of the easiest cars to repair, thanks to the dedicated do-it-yourself car repair community. You can find a lot of valuable technical information in online forums and Facebook groups. When the weekend approaches, spend the money you saved on a trip to your local racetrack or autocross event to experience thrills unmatched on four wheels.
2) Volkswagen Golf GTI
If you need a sports car for all occasions, there are few better choices than the VW Golf GTI. The GTI is front-wheel drive, so drivetrain parasitic losses are relatively low.
The Mk1 Golf GTI was introduced in 1976 and sold countless times in the United States. There are plenty of options to choose from, and they are always pretty fuel-efficient. The new GTI has it all. It delivers 241 horsepower and an EPA-rated 34 mpg on the highway. Plus, the Golf’s interior is widely considered to be the best in the economy car and hot hatch segments of the market.
3) Mazda3
If you’re looking for a stylish four-door with great handling, Mazda has some great offerings. Opt for the 2.0L Skyactiv-G engine and you’ll get up to 36 mpg on the highway.
These may not be the best fuel economy numbers in the class, but the Mazda3 is one of the most fuel-efficient and best-handling cars out there. If you want a car that’s both practical and fun to drive, it’s got it all.
4) Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a great alternative for those looking for something other than the Corolla. Fuel economy is typically 30% lower, with newer models reaching 40%.
If you’re looking for a car that can set fast lap times, the Civic Type R gets a respectable 28 mpg on the highway. This isn’t surprising considering the powerful 306 horsepower engine.
5) Smart ForTwo
No fuel-efficient list would be complete without a mention of the little Smart. Unless you opt for a two-wheeler, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a car that saves more fuel than the Smart.
The Smart car isn’t the best for highways, but it’s great for big cities where parking options are limited.
6) Toyota Corolla
Few cars can beat the venerable Corolla in terms of price, practicality, and fuel economy. There are plenty of trim levels to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. The hybrid version can achieve an astounding 52 miles per gallon in both city and highway driving. There’s a good reason why the Corolla is one of the most popular cars in the world.
7) Toyota Prius
Don’t be fooled by its cliched reputation. The Toyota Prius offers incredible value for money as a commuter car. Like most hybrids, regenerative braking and an all-electric mode make this vehicle extremely efficient in stop-and-go city traffic. The new Toyota Prius gets 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. If you prefer function over form, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better workhorse for long trips.
You can save even more money by buying an older model and replacing your old hybrid battery. ChrisFix has a great YouTube video that walks you through the process. You can probably do this yourself using only common hand tools.
8) Subaru Impreza
If you live in a snowy climate and need a robust four-wheel drive system, Subaru is your best choice. All-wheel drive vehicles tend to use a bit more fuel than front-wheel drive vehicles, but Subaru offers several attractive options that provide great range and fuel economy.
The Subaru Impreza gets an impressive 36 mpg on the highway, which is incredible for a full-time all-wheel drive vehicle. No matter how active your lifestyle is, Subaru has a vehicle to support it.
If you’re buying an older Subaru, be aware of years and models that have had head gasket problems. However, don’t be afraid of these old cars. As long as you have replaced the head gaskets, I think you’ll be fine.
9) Chevrolet Corvette
Wait, what big V8 sports car is on this list? Thanks to its long gear ratios, high torque and sophisticated fuel system, the Corvette doesn’t need as much fuel to keep you going on the highway.
EPA figures show 20% more fuel economy, but any Corvette owner will be quick to tell you they’ve seen numbers above 20% and even below 30% on the highway. This car is also very comfortable on the highway, with the engine revving at under 1500 rpm in top gear.
Corvettes have followed the same formula for decades, and because they are so reliable, you can buy even older vehicles that get good gas mileage for a sports car. Used Corvettes are easy to find for under $10,000.
10) Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang offers several engine options. If you pair the Ecoboost engine with the automatic transmission, you could see numbers as good as 32 MPG on the highway.
Born from the 1973 oil crisis, the older Fox Body Mustang easily reaches the mid 20s on the highway. Fox Body Mustangs can be found for less than $5,000.
Although the V8 equipped Mustang GT gets slightly worse fuel economy than the Ecoboost, it can still hit the mid 20s on the highway. Not bad for a 400 HP muscle car weighing in at 3,500+ pounds.
