My Ten Favorite Fuel-Efficient Cars

EPA estimates: 23 MPG city/36 MPG highway/27 MPG combined

The diesel-powered 335d is rolling proof that there's more to diesel than fuel economy -- there's power. Specifically, there's torque, the force that pushes the seat into your back and puts a smile on your face. The 335d's engine develops 425 lb-ft -- more than the Corvette, more than the Chevrolet Camaro, more even than Bimmer's own M3. The 335d accelerates more like a catapult than a car, and yet -- as with most diesels -- real-world fuel economy is better than the EPA estimates. I myself beat the 36 MPG highway figure while driving like a maniac, and easily hypermiled my way into the low 40s. No question, this is the most brilliant diesel car sold in the US.

EPA estimates: 28 MPG city/42 MPG highway/33 MPG combined

The Eco is Chevrolet's attempt to get maximum fuel economy out of their new-for-2011 Cruze sedan. They did it by fine-tuning the aerodynamics, shaving weight, and fitting a double-overdrive six-speed manual transmission. With the cruise control set at 65 MPH, I had no trouble pushing a Cruze Eco up to almost 46 MPG -- but that's not why this car is one of my faves. I love the Cruze Eco because its manual tranny really wakes up the 1.4 liter turbocharged engine -- of all the available Cruze powertrains, the manual Eco is the most fun. Chevy does make an automatic Cruze Eco, but without the trick transmission, its EPA estimates are a lot lower.

EPA estimates: 60 MPG gas/electric combined

The Volt's EPA fuel economy really don't really matter much, because depending on how they drove, some Volt owners may end up using almost no fuel at all. That's right -- next to none. The Volt runs on home-rechargeable battery power for around 40 miles; after that a gasoline engine kicks in to generate electricity to run the car -- so, unlike a pure battery-powered electric car, you're not stuck if you can't plug in, and you can even drive clear across the country on a whim. If you have an average commute -- say 15 miles each way -- and you buy a Volt, you may wind up visiting the gas station about as often as you visit the dentist. No question, this is one of the most innovative cars ever created.

EPA estimates: 29 MPG city/40 MPG highway/33 combined (automatic w/SFE package)

There are a lot of reasons to love the Ford Fiesta; it's small, its inexpensive, and it's very, very fuel-efficient. But I love it because it's brimming with personality. The Fiesta is huge fun on a curvy road, but it's just as likely to put a smile on your face on a quick run to the grocery store. Best fuel economy numbers come with the automatic transmission, which is a 6-speed twin-clutch unit -- a type of transmission developed for sports cars, but one which also happens to return great gas mileage. The small back seat is a weak spot, but if you love to drive, it's hard not to enjoy the Fiesta.

EPA estimates: 24 MPG city/36 MPG highway/28 MPG combined

This is one of my favorite gas-saving cars because it doesn't use any gasoline at all. The Civic GX runs on compressed natural gas, which is cheap, plentiful, and safer than gasoline. It burns cleanly and doesn't require a heavy hybrid system or complicated emissions equipment. True, the range is less than most gasoline cars, but I had no problems making a 900 mile round trip between Los Angeles and San Jose. But mostly, I just love how smug the GX makes me feel -- how many cars let you feel superior to Prius drivers? If you're looking to make a real difference -- be that by reducing air pollution, reducing our dependence on oil, or simply slashing your fuel bills -- the GX is the best choice.

EPA estimates: 28 MPG city/35 MPG highway/31 MPG combined

My feeling for the Honda Fit isn't so much love as it is admiration. Thanks to its big cargo bay and Transformer-like flip-and-fold back seat, the Fit is the most versatile subcompact you can buy. When people say they need a big SUV to haul all their stuff, I gleefully point out just how much can be carried in a Honda Fit -- not just cargo but people, because the Fit's back seat is bigger and easier to get into and out of than many SUVs. And the fuel economy is great -- though the EPA estimates put it right around 30 MPG, I've had no problems achieving mid- to high-30s in the Fits I've tested.

EPA estimates: 29 MPG city/40 MPG highway/33 MPG combined

There are a lot of reasons I like the Hyundai Elantra: It's great looking, it's got a beautiful interior, and it drives like a much more expensive car. (That said, with Elantra prices starting well under $16k, most cars are more expensive.) Hard to believe from Hyundai's humble roots, but the Elantra really is one of the best compact sedans on the market -- and its excellent fuel economy is just icing on the cake. The Elantra generates decent MPG in town, but long trips are where it really shines -- I found that if I set the cruise control at or just above the speed limit, I could easily nurse the Elantra into the low 40s. This car really is the complete package.

EPA estimates: 43 MPG city/40 MPG highway/40 MPG combined

The CT 200h is not what most Americans expect from a Lexus; it's small, modestly powered, and not as luxurious as other cars bearing the chrome L. But I like the CT. It has plenty of cool Lexus-y features, like the mouse-style navigation/stereo controller, and it's even a bit more involving to drive than other Lexus models. The hatchback body style packs a decent amount of space into a small footprint. And since its powertrain is taken directly from the Toyota Prius, it gets excellent fuel economy, especially in slow traffic -- but unlike a Prius, it doesn't look like a space-age doorstop. I like it because it shows that economy and luxury aren't exclusive -- and because it's just plain different.

EPA fuel economy estimates: 41 MPG city/36 MPG highway/39 MPG combined

Last year, Ford (Lincoln's parent company) introduced an updated Lincoln MKZ with an interior that rivaled the Lexus ES350 (and shocked the hell out of me -- I never expected the MKZ to amount to much). For 2011, the MKZ can now be had with the hybrid powertrain from the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which is (in my opinion, at least) the best mid-size hybrid on the market. Put 'em together, and what have you got? Unexpected brilliance -- a proper luxury car with a big bag seat, generous trunk, and fuel economy as good as a Ford Fiesta. Fantastic.

EPA estimates: 24 MPG city/32 MPG highway/27 MPG combined

The GTI is my favorite front-wheel-drive hot hatchback, and while its EPA numbers may not match some of the other cars on this list, they're still just 2 MPG less than a Honda Civic -- not bad for a sports car. The GTI uses a four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger and direct fuel injection, the same setup in Ford's vaunted EcoBoost engines. To give you some idea of how well this technology works, the 200 horsepower GTI actually gets better fuel economy than the 170 hp VW Golf on which the GTI is based. The GTI is great looking and huge fun to drive, and it proves that cars don't need to guzzle gas to be enjoyable.