Apart from being one of the most expensive purchases you can make, cars are the one thing that can significantly affect a household’s carbon footprint. It is not just about the cost of the car itself but you also have to take into account the cost of fuel and how much gas it produces that may affect the greenhouse gasses during the vehicle’s lifespan. This article compiles the list of the most efficient cars. Vehicle emissions are now a key contributor to climate change and these cars can help make a difference.
It is worth having in mind that smaller cars are generally more fuel-efficient than larger ones, but in this list, there are trucks and SUVs that are also the most fuel-efficient in their class
The cars listed here are organised in descending order of overall efficiency, with the top tier, surprisingly, populated by electric vehicles. After that, there are plug-in hybrids, which can run on either fuel or electricity and then pure hybrids, which require both fuel and electricity.
Fuel-Efficient Electric Vehicles
2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
- Fuel economy: 150 mpg city-run, 133 mpg highway run, 142 mpg combined.
- Range: 263 miles battery only.
The most efficient EV is currently on sale from the biggest name in the game. The Tesla is more than just slick design and trendiness, it also has one of the longest driving ranges in its class.
Specifically, Tesla opted to include a new heat pump system in the 3 from the Y, and has also decided to drop the chrome trim. Ranges are increased slightly and there are new 20-inch Uberturbine wheels for the Performance model. Inside, there is a new centre console and the steering wheel is now heated. Tesla also decided to bring back the auto-dimming rear-view mirror for 2021, which is a nice feature to see.
2022 Mini Cooper Se
- Fuel economy: 119 mpg city run, 100 mpg highway run, 110 mpg combined
- Range: 114 miles battery only
The Mini Cooper SE is one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market. It is priced from N12.3 million including delivery, but there is a catch, it has a limited range. What the Mini Cooper SE lacks in range, it totally makes up for in fun and as far as little electric city cars go, it does not get much more fun than this.
Fuel-Efficient Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
2021 BMW I3 With Range Extender
- Fuel economy: 92 mpg city run, 79 mpg highway run, 86 mpg combined
- Range: 126 miles battery only, 200 miles total
BMW has made only one change on the i3 lineup for 2021 which is the previously optional adaptive LED headlamps that are now made standard. BMW has announced that 2021 will be the i3’s final year. To reassure buyers antsy about its driving range, the 2021 BMW i3 offers an optional gasoline-powered engine to provide an additional range.
Rated at 153 miles of all-electric driving range, the i3’s 42.2-kWh battery pack pales in comparison with the Bolt EV’s 60.0-kWh battery and its EPA rating of 259 miles. Likewise, the Model 3 can travel up to 353 miles with its biggest battery. Still, only the i3 has an optional gasoline-fueled range-extending generator that fires up when the battery falls to a 5 per cent state of charge.
2021 Toyota Prius Prime
- Fuel economy: 83 mpg city run, 72 mpg highway run, 78 mpg combined
- Range: 25 miles battery only, 640 miles total
Among the most popular hybrids on the market, the midsize Prius Prime plug-in is also the most efficient in its class.
You are not just buying a Prius Prime for its performance. During its performance testing, the Prius Prime Limited test car accelerated from 0 mph to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds, which is slow no matter how you look at it. Merging onto the highway or passing at higher speeds takes quite a bit of time, throttle and determination. The Prime is also pretty tepid when it comes to agility and handling precision. To look on the better side, the Prime has an easy-driving nature and smoothly transitions from EV mode to hybrid gasoline-engine power.
Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Vehicles
2021 Hyundai Ioniq Blue
- Fuel economy: 58 mpg city run, 60 mpg highway run, 59 mpg combined
- Range: 702 miles total
The Hyundai Ioniq is available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a battery-electric vehicle. Each model is remarkably efficient, but the Ioniq Blue hybrid is the most affordable of the bunch.
The model is perfect for car owners who want a hybrid or plug-in hybrid hatchback that does not call attention to itself and drives like a regular car. The hybrid’s combined EPA rating peaks at 59 mpg combined and the plug-in version offers 29 miles of all-electric range. The hybrid model is more efficient than the thriftiest version of the standard Prius hybrid. With an interior made from sustainable materials and a roster of desirable standard features, the 2022 Ioniq is eco-friendly and user-friendly.
2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Fuel economy: 51 mpg city run, 53 mpg highway run, 52 mpg combined
- Range: 686 miles total
The 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid features impressive fuel efficiency as well as a 200-horsepower engine that nets you more than 50 mpg.
It is a great vehicle in the hybrid and electric car classes. It has a cushioned ride, ample horsepower, and, as you would expect, good fuel economy. A roomy back seat, a long list of safety features, and an easy-to-use infotainment system further boost its appeal.
Fuel-Efficient Standard Truck Vehicles
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Fuel economy: 23 mpg city run, 33 mpg highway run, 27 mpg combined
- Range: 648 miles total
For the second year in a row, Chevrolet’s full-size light-duty pickup truck gets a round of updates designed to add value and make it look more appealing in comparison to its primary rivals from Ford and Ram. Highlights include a new configurable tailgate that opens in multiple ways plus upgraded infotainment and trailer-towing technology.
There is also an adaptive suspension option for the top trim level that should smooth out the ride quality. Chevy does give you a lot of choice for the 2021 Silverado 1500 but it comes in regular, extended and crew-cab styles with a short, standard or long bed. Though trucks offer far less efficiency overall, the Silverado is one of the most fuel-efficient pickups on the market.
Fuel-Efficient Standard Suvs Vehicles
2021 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus
- Fuel economy: 109 mpg city run, 101 mpeg highway run, 105 mpge combined
- Range: 371 miles battery only
Tesla’s pricey electric SUV is built to impress, with a battery that accommodates a longer range than the competition. For 2021, Tesla has updated the interior of the Model X with a higher-definition 17-inch touchscreen, a new instrument panel, and a rather controversial steering wheel design that looks more like something from an aeroplane than a car.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD
- Fuel economy: 35 mpg city run, 35 mpg highway run, 35 mpg combined
- Range: 598 miles total
Powering the Highlander Hybrid is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that is paired to a hybrid system. Combined, they make 243 horsepower. While that’s underwhelming compared to the typical V6-powered SUV, the Highlander Hybrid does get an excellent fuel economy estimated at 35-36 mpg in combined driving. Even with all-wheel drive, this three-row family SUV is supremely economical, offering fuel-economy scores that beat what compact cars delivered just a few years ago.
Why You Should Buy From This List
Having a fuel-efficient vehicle benefits you as a car owner and the people around you. With the world in environmental danger and the issue of climate change, we should be doing our part to get real about our vehicles and how they are affecting the world. Read through the reasons why you should be buying a fuel-efficient vehicle from this list.
- Less Air Pollutions: Most of the smog and harmful particulates emitted into the environment come from highway vehicles. Since this continues to be a problem with every car on the road, choosing a fuel efficient vehicle could be the best option for reducing air pollutants. While they do burn fossil fuels, which do somewhat cause harm, the emissions are much less harmful to the environment.
- Increases Energy Sustainability: Oil is a non-renewable source, and we are running out faster than we think. Cutting back on the oil when it comes to cars will give scientists time to find renewable alternatives that allow for better fuel efficiency and less environmental risks. Hybrids and electric cars are the way to go, while expensive outright, you are still going to be saving in the future.
- Less Green House Gases: Gas and diesel powered cars produce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) which release CO₂ gasses. When you look around, you think you cannot see it, so it is not there, but it is. CO₂ gasses are contributing to Climate Change daily, and a simple fuel efficient vehicle like the Toyota Prius could be the ultimate decider between a healthy or dying climate.
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