With gas prices starting to climb back up to the $4 per gallon mark, we want to help you get ready so that it doesn’t hurt quite as much at the pump. Here are the 11 most fuel efficient cars within their classes on sale today; we’ve sorted them by the classes the Environmental Protection Agency uses to rate them for your handy convenience.
Most Efficient Two-Seater: 2011 Honda CR-Z, 35/39 city/highway mpg
While the CR-Z may not have been the sales success Honda had hoped for, it is still an efficient little hatchback. Opting for the continuously variable automatic transmission is what sets the hybrid two-seater at the top of its class. Even if the 109-horsepower, 1.5-liter inline-four cylinder and 13-horsepower electric motor is coupled with the six-speed manual transmission, it still returns 31/37 mpg city/highway. The slippery, wedge-shape and hatchback design both recall the mid-90s CRX coupe and means that the coefficient of drag is only 0.28 while still allowing for a capacious cargo area.
Most Efficient Compact: 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid and 2011 Honda Insight (tie), 40/43 city/highway mpg
There is no surprise that Honda’s compact hybrid duo make this list, especially given that their CR-Z cousin made the list too. Both the Civic Hybrid sedan and Insight hatchback are propelled by a combination of a 1.3-liter inline-four teamed up with an electric motor drawing from a pack of nickel-metal hydride batteries. The Civic puts down slightly more power at a total of 130 horsepower, versus the 98 horsepower of the Insight; both rout power through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Choosing between the two comes down to bodystyle preference and price; the Civic Hybrid starts at $24,700 and the Insight starts at $18,950 (including destination).
No comments:
Post a Comment