Fuel efficiency is a major topic of discussion in automobile ownership and new-car purchasing. Some people are upset about the high cost of gasoline. Others boast about getting an extra mpg out of their vehicle. Moreover, gasoline prices nearly usually rise over time. A high-mpg vehicle will help you save money on gas in the long run.
There are several methods to travel these days effectively, ranging from fully electric vehicles to plug-in hybrids, diesel, hybrids, and even hydrogen automobiles. These are the most fuel-efficient vehicles and SUVs in 2023. We choose to focus on non-plug-in vehicles, thus there are no EVs or PHEVs on this list. However, there are a lot of hybrids here, and these cars are available in most traditional body types, including sedans and popular crossovers. The best fuel sippers are evaluated based on combined fuel economy, which accurately depicts how a vehicle uses gasoline in real-world conditions.
43 MPG combined
The Kia Sportage is a brand-new vehicle that stands out in its class. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine works in tandem with an electric motor to provide a total of 227 horsepower. This configuration allows for rapid acceleration in town and while passing on the highway.
The Sportage Hybrid achieves a combined fuel economy of 43 mpg. It also has a payload capacity of up to 73.7 cubic feet. These are both excellent figures for the hybrid SUV market. The Sportage Hybrid is outfitted with a slew of modern driver-assistance technologies, including a completely digital instrument panel and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
44 MPG combined
The Lexus ES Hybrid has a four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that produce a total of 215 horsepower. It has strong low-end acceleration and enough power at freeway speeds. The ES 300h provides a comfortable ride that glides over most road imperfections.
The ES 300h receives an upgraded infotainment system with a touch screen for 2022, increasing its usability. The ES 300h now comes standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, adding to its long list of driver-assistance features.
47 MPG combined
The Honda Accord Hybrid performs admirably in both comfort and cornering. The disadvantage? It does not outperform comparable midsize hybrid cars in terms of fuel economy or straight-line power. The combined fuel efficiency lowers from 47 to 43 mpg if you choose the Sport or Touring grades.
The Accord Hybrid does come with an excellent cabin. It has roomy seats as well as a slew of standard amenities. It also has Honda Sensing, a package of driver-assistance systems that includes front collision warning, lane-keep assist, and traffic-sign recognition.
50 MPG combined
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a tiny automobile with a fuel-efficient engine. Though rear-seat headroom and trunk capacity are limited, the Corolla Hybrid’s engine provides strong acceleration from a stop and a seamless transition from electric to gas power.
The Corolla Hybrid is an excellent bargain, with a starting price of $22,800 and a broad list of standard safety and technology features. The Corolla Hybrid comes standard with automated temperature control and an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance technologies.
52 MPG combined
The Toyota Camry Hybrid effectively combines utility and performance with excellent fuel economy. A four-cylinder engine and an electric motor combine to provide 208 horsepower, which is channeled to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic gearbox. The entry-level LE grade is the most fuel-efficient Camry Hybrid due to the wheels and tires that come standard.
The Camry Hybrid’s infotainment system is old in comparison to more recent systems on the market, although it does have Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Camry Hybrid also has front collision warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist recognition, and a slew of other driver-assistance systems.
52 MPG combined
The Honda Insight, unlike the most of the cars on this list, is one of the few dedicated hybrid models—there is no conventionally powered variant. This has both advantages and disadvantages. Its 151-horsepower hybrid motor provides outstanding fuel efficiency but is noisy while attempting to reach highway speeds.
The Insight isn’t particularly nimble, but it has a smooth ride. For a car of its size, the inside is rather large. Although rear-seat headroom is limited, both rows of seats provide ample of legroom. The new dash arrangement is easy on the eyes and offers simple controls.
52 MPG combined
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid entices you with its almost-aquatic unconventional design and rewards you with an extensive list of standard comfort and safety features. One such innovation is the Safe-Exit Assist, which prevents the doors from opening if a vehicle approaches from the side or back of the car.
An electric motor works in tandem with the four-cylinder engine to provide strong acceleration on the highway and excellent low-speed pickup. The six-speed automatic does have a tendency to whine under heavy acceleration, but it’s a worthwhile sacrifice for excellent fuel efficiency and power delivery.
53 MPG combined
The newly updated Kia Niro is another specialized hybrid car, combining a four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor to provide 139 horsepower. It has decent low-end acceleration and a six-speed automatic transmission that controls power adequately at all levels. The Niro moves faster in sport mode, at the expense of a few miles per gallon.
Despite being a hatchback crossover, the Niro’s storage room (63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded) falls short. It has lots of room for passengers and a beautiful dashboard arrangement. The audio and temperature controls may be problematic due to the “form-over-function” motif.
54 MPG combined
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is the most efficient hybrid vehicle on this list, giving the best of both worlds. Its large inside gives ample head and legroom for a vehicle of its size, and its 14.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity is adequate for a compact car.
The four-cylinder engine and electric motor provide 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, which are managed by a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Elantra Hybrid offers sufficient of power to get around town and on the interstate. It rides well over bumps in the road while yet being pleasurable to drive through curves.
59 MPG combined
Any hybrid can out-fuel-sip a Prius, but the Hyundai Ioniq does it owing to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.56-kWh battery pack. As one might assume, acceleration is slow in most driving situations, but fuel efficiency is excellent, particularly in the entry-level Ioniq Blue.
The Hyundai Ioniq-5 offers as much use as it does fuel efficiency, with two rows of generous seats and useful cargo capacity. The contemporary dashboard boasts a basic and easy structure, which is topped off by an intuitive 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
