Suggestions wanted for our Top Ten Fun and Fuel-Efficient Cars
On Wednesday, SUVs guide Jason Fogelson and I will head off to the Motor Press Guild's annual Track Days. Track Days is (are?) a two-day festival of automotive debauchery in which the automakers bring out dozens of vehicles for us journalists to drive on the street, the racetrack or the off-road course. I'm particularly looking forward to proving to Jason once and for all that my track-driving skills are every bit as lousy as I say they are, perhaps even worse.
Since the nature of the event focuses on performance rather than practicality, I'll be on the lookout for candidates for our list of the top ten fun fuel-efficient cars, which hasn't been updated since December '05 and is badly in need of revision. One hot prospect for the list is the 28 MPG Volkswagen GTI pictured above, which is available as a family-friendly four-door (say that ten times fast) for 2007.
The bulk of our driving will take place on Thursday, so if you've got any suggestions for possible candidates, click the "comments" link and let me know -- I'll do my best to get some seat time. Remember, I'm looking for new cars only, preferably cars with EPA city/highway estimates that average out to 25 MPG or better. They don't have to be fast, but they do have to be entertaining enough to put a smile on the average driver's face. Can't wait to hear (read) your suggestions. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
While it wouldnt match the 200 hp of the GTI VW’s turbo diesel should have about the same handling and certainly far better fuel efficiency. They even race them in Europe. Actual mileage for the GTI is 19 city, 32 highway. Overall 28.
Second would be Mini Cooper, the supercharged Cooper S with 207hp would be pretty hot. “Handling is agile with quick, precise handling and little body lean make it truly fun to drive.” Overall actual mpg is 25 though that probably is not the supercharged model.
The Mazda MX5 Miata should be both fun to drive as well as returning decent mileage. Actual mpg is 21 city, 32 highway. Overall 27.
The Honda Civic Si probably qualifies as well with 197 hp and a red line of 8000 rpm. Handling is pretty nimble. Quality is always above average and actual mileage is 19 city, 35 highway. Overall 27.
The SE version of the Hyundai Accent- Does it have real driving responsiveness or does it hold true to it’s econo-box roots?
This is an easy one, but you knew that…
You didn’t restrict the list to common cars (hence the Elise) or practical cars (hence the Caterham).
1. Mazda MX-5
2. Lotus Elise
3. Caterham 7 (just barely a “car”)
4. Mini Cooper S
5. Mazda 3 (maybe Mazdaspeed Edition)
6. Subaru WRX (maybe STI)
7. Subaru Legacy GT
8. Civic Si
9. VW GTI
10. Pontiac Solstice / Saturn Sky
Bonus: Ariel Atom
Try out a PT Cruiser Convertible GT. Make sure the top’s down! Mine always brings a smile to my face.
No one here has heard of the Vette ?????
400 hp + 26 mph highway The only super car (Z06+500+hp) with no gas guzzler tax.
How much fun can you stand?
Beep beep, gone
If you want smiles, try the smart car. I just went from the Maritimes in Canada to Florida and everyone that saw it was smiling. And I was smiling too as fuel mileage was 61 Mpg(US) or 73mpg(Imp). 99% of the people that saw it wanted one.
Duh, a Caterham. Pick your flavor. As fast or faster than ANYthing on the road (depending on the level you pick) and easily getting 30+ mpg. You just can’t beat lightweight.
OK, it’s not the kind of car you find at the local auto mall, but it IS sold as a new car.
If that’s too extreme, slightly less bonkers is the Lotus Elise, getting 25+ mpg.
If those are too exotic. a Mazdaspeed 3’s mpg is 20/28… that’s close to the cut-off. A WRX is just below 25mpg, but a non-turbo Impreza should pretty much nail that target, and provide AWD fun in the snow that’ll be here soon. A Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will give a little (very little) Evo feel without the performance or AWD, but while getting over 25mpg. But the Eclipse with the same engine will probably make you happier if sporty coupes are your thing.
I have had my ‘06 Acura TSX for a few months now, and it is definitely “Fun and Fuel Efficient”. I get about 30 mpg on the highway and with the 6 speed manual and 205 HP, it is an absolute blast when the road starts to twist! All for less than 30k!
You must be crazy to not include the Honda S2000. I can run rings around a ZR for at least 10k less purchase price and be just as fuel efficient. In addition, because it’s a Honda, it starts and runs every day and that’s real fun (I’ve owned a BMW)!
I love my 06 scion xa It rocks my world. I have to drive and take care of school buses as part of my job. I am a bit of a gear head so when my car died I really spent some time reaserching what I got. I can’t afford the L.A. insurance for a pickup and they are too big in the U.S. these days so a little hatchback with yakima racks was the answer. The high gearing was wierd at first but it really helps get up the hills better. I actually got stuck behind a slow mercedes on a big hill today.
When is one of the best cars of the year the same as the cheapest… never… but mine was.
Some consider fun and fuel efficient to be a contraction. I don’t and commend you trying to find us some. Please give some ‘brownie’ points for those that are also practical (ie hatchback or fold down rear seats).
Also please consider fuel economy ‘corrected’ to the equivalent mpg using regular gas. Many fun premium vehicles exact a ‘premium’ price at the pumps when you pay for their mpg’s.
I would add Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix to your list of top ten fun fuel efficient vehicles. These two clones are not high performance cars, but are lively and handle well. They achieve far higher fuel economy than many already on your list, with a large dose of practicality thrown in. I will not own a turbo car ever again, including VW and Subaru, both of which our family owns today, simply because their requirement for premium fuel at the pump makes them far more expensive to run. Attractive as the new VW GTI might be, it is off my next car list for that reason alone. There is a price for everything, but especially so for horsepower.
Mazda 3 and the Mazda Speed 3 should be on the list. I would love a GTI except for the reliability issues VW has been having and seems to still have. I went to test drive a new Jetta and half of the lights didn’t work and the gas pedal was funky. I car in the shop is no fun.
Honda SI, and the Mazda MX-5 seem like sure things. The Mazdaspeed 6 might be close to the milage requirments and and you get lots of run and awd turbo fun.
I would have to throw in the Nissan Versa. I almost bought an SL. It was fun to drive and loaded with gadgets.
Maybe I’m spoiled, but anything that gets less than 40mpg isn’t very fuel-efficient in my mind.But, I drive an ‘01 VW New Beetle 1.9 TDI. My (very biased) vote is for the Beetle TDI. I get anywhere from 40-50mpg. And the engine will last for a very long time.
It may not be quite as fast as some as the other cars suggested, but the fun factor is huge. It draws alot of attention; waves, honks and lots of smiles.
It also has a good amount of power and it handles really well.
I love my Beetle. When it finally dies, if it ever does, I will buy another one. Do you think VW will still make them in 2021??
Tesla Roadster… 0-60 in 4 and 1/2 secs, and electric powered for the masses.
What the heck is going on with GW? How dare he let oil drop below $58bbl. What about my oil related investments? Aaron promised me that oil would go back up after the election so what’s going on? GW controls the commodity markets right?
That’s the last time I rely on A Gold. I really believed him when he said GW would make gas go back up after the election. Crap, maybe I’ll invest in some ethanol companies ;op
Hey, where’s the keys to my Denali?
Fun is a Black Chevy HHR.
Great millage Fun electronics
Hi all, thank you for the comments and suggestions!
BTW, JKyle — Got to drive the WRX on the track, first time I’ve ever done so. (Everyone else: JK is a die-hard Subaru fan.) I have new-found respect for the car. Wonderful little machine. Unfortunately there was no Evo around to show it up.
The Caterham is an interesting idea. The biggest problem is that whole “Some assembly required” deal…
The premium vs. regular fuel thing is a good point. Technically, one can run these cars on regular fuel; the knock sensor will alter the ignition timing to prevent any engine damage. The car will simply produce less power… of course, it might also get worse fuel economy. Turbo cars generally don’t make the cut because of their higher fuel consumption. The FSI engines in the GTI and A3 are the exception because they are remarkably fuel efficient for all the power they develop, higher fuel costs aside.
Some turbo cars are OK running on 87 octane occasional (”premium fuel recommended”), some should never be run in 87 (”premium fuel required”) – for example, the WRX says recommended, the WRX STi says required.
MotorWeek recently mentioned something about a new fuel economy measurement by the government that would rate it in barrels per year IIRC – but I can’t find any mention of it online. But it would be different for cars that use different octanes of fuel. The gov’t guide does list annual fuel cost.
The Boxster and Cayman with the 2.7l 6 and the 5-speed fit into the requested category – 23/32 mpg. The Chrysler Crossfire with a 6-speed makes the cut, also.
All Corvettes and the S2000 average fuel economy ratings are lower than what Aaron was looking for.
But really, almost any small car with a stick can be fun.
SVT Focus…..
2007 Chevy Aveo, fast, powerful and fun to drive and still gets 35-40mpg and priced under $15K (fully loaded)
Jessica — the 2007 Aveo was one of seven cars in the slalom test along with the Hyundai Accent. (The others: Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio5 and Suzuki SX4.) A slalom test is one in which we weave the cars through a line of cones; it allows us to test how the car reacts to sudden changes in direction at speed, such as in a sudden swerve.
The Aveo was actually the poorest performer in the test. It felt heavy and was less agile and willing to change direction. Now, part of the problem was that it was the only automatic; it was slow off the line and that made it hard to get up to and keep a steady speed in the cones. That was actually the only car in which I actually slid off the course — on my fastest run through the low-speed slalom I simply couldn’t wind in the steering input fast enough to make the last cone. (I was the only driver to leave the course during our session… very embarassing. Lucky for me there were no photos taken!)
i think (know) that the full electric ariel atom 2 would leave every car in the list in a cloud of smoke made by tire squealing fun
I agree with Kate. In my book, a vehicle has to get at least 30mpg to be notably fuel-efficient, and closer to 40mpg in order to really stand out. Personally I think scooters can be a lot of fun for city folk, although I guess this is a car magazine.
I agree with Kate. In my book, a vehicle has to get at least 30mpg to be notably fuel-efficient, and closer to 40mpg in order to really stand out. Personally I think scooters can be a lot of fun for city folk, and they get close to 100mpg – but I guess this is a car magazine.
GTM Libra. Like an Elise but better aerodynamics. Caterhams are great cars but very draggy.
Wait… isn’t the Ariel Atom 170mpg with the combined gasoline/electric motor for the Honda Civic R-type? Thats what it says on the wiki. If I am wrong get my facts straight somebody.
Yes, the atom does run off the same engine as the civic. But it’s about 1/4 the size, making it crazy fast. Lotus is my top choice, for any car. Need a family car? Lotus exige is right for you! Just stick the kids in the trunk. Elise gets better millage though, so is more appropriate for this. The atom is right behind.