Most Fuel-Efficient Cars Of 2011

Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt top the list, but overall the number of fuel-efficient cars that get 30 mpg or better is growing. Two fuel-efficient SUVs and one station wagon make the list, too, thanks to hybrid and clean diesel technologies.

Read the whole story

Comments

[Mike Vaz]

11:49 AM on 01/19/2011

Chevy Volt all the way!

[Quasi Libertarian]

09:31 AM on 01/17/2011

I am no engineer, but as a layman, it seems to me that there are more fuel efficient cars out on the streets and around the world now than there ever has been in history and oil prices are climbing.  I realize that more nations use oil, but the oil producing nations that have an anti-western position will continue to manipulate production and petroleum prices because they know full well that the best battery powered engine will no time in the near future be able to power jets, trains, bug rig trucks, etc.  They just cannot handle the payload.  Batteries are fine for commuting but that will be all it is good for.
 
Opec will be just as happy charging 150 dollars per barrel and reduce the production rather than sell crude at 75 dollars per barrel and have to increase production to compensate.
 
Also, we better start build more electricity generating power plants to handle the increase demand for electricity to charge these battery-powered econo-boxes.  I realize Nuclear is a dirty word in a lot of environmentalist circles, but something has to give.

[ANCook]

01:11 PM on 01/17/2011

I am an engineer, and there's a lot of promise in the hybridization of commercial vehicles - the buses are everywhere already, and I think coca-cola is hybridizing their distribution fleet...however slowly.

Furthermore, turbines and diesel engines love running on biofuels, which are (mostly) carbon neutral and renewable. Invest in algae; battery technology is likely at a plateau for the next 10 years or so (see zn-air and lithium-air), but biofuel development is the next step in making the switch to green energy transparent to the consumer...

As far as the requirement for more power plants, I think you would be surprised at how psyched energy utilities are about the prospect of running closer to output capacity at night while these vehicles are charging. Electricity demand sags very low at night, and utilities are actually almost better off running at peak power and giving it away rather than running at

[ANCook]

02:43 AM on 01/17/2011

There are two things which should be mentioned about this article. First is that it states that the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster produce 0 tons of CO2 annually...that's a bit misleading right? If the grid was 100% green then yes, but you're drawing power derived from coal, gas etc. out of your outlets, so something still needs to be on fire somewhere to charge the battery.

Second, the Leaf can indeed charge to 80% in 30min using a CHAdeMO-type charging station...but only one of those exists in the country for public use so far (a NEC model in Oregon is public and there are a few private ones), and it would take high single digit hours to charge from your regular ol' 220VAC drier outlet.

But other than that, go electric cars! Woo! My next car will definitely be a (used probably) EV or PHEV!!

[baxtron]

01:58 PM on 01/20/2011

Wow you're really concerned about air pollution from power plants. just imagine no visits to the oil change place as a reduction in electric usage because you sound very concerned about it.

[Edward Standley]

04:07 PM on 01/15/2011

I've really been amazed at Hyundai's fast rise in the auto world. Their quality has improved dramatically, and I think they are going to have everybody else chasing their leads. Good job Hyundai!

[rustysc]

08:18 PM on 01/16/2011

Bought the 2011 Sonata and the MPG range from 31 to 37. Very pleased with gas milage and quality of the car. Reccommend it to anyone.

[The Rewd]

12:06 PM on 01/15/2011

In other news, car styling reaches a new nadir.

[Tyrione]

02:45 PM on 01/14/2011

The entire Auto Industry is a scam. We've had turbine consumer engine designs since 1990 that get 90mpg via the Department of Energy challenge contests.

We've never seen them hit the streets.

Raise the minimum to 60mpg and you'll see all the manufacturers whine and ultimately praise themselves for coming out with 60mpg Hybrids and Gas Turbine solutions.

As a Mechanical Engineer I've always been ashamed of how business exploits the Consumer.

[esquilax]

07:00 PM on 01/14/2011

Turbine car? What was the service interval for the turbine?

[nanjemoy]

02:38 PM on 01/14/2011

"the number of fuel-efficient cars that get 30 mpg or better is growing"

The Model-T had up to 21 mpg. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T

That was more than a hundred years ago. The 1979 VW Rabbit got 55 MPG.

So pardon my deep yawn and smirk of disdain at this 30 MPG crud.

If it weren't for the global environmental destruction, human suffering, and national security nightmares that such a condition perpetuates, I'd presume it was intentional.

Then again, maybe it still is.

[Amadahy]

01:07 PM on 01/14/2011

They always leave my car, the Toyota Corolla, off these lists. It baffles me. And the Yaris is on there? "scratches head" The 2011 Corolla is rated at 34mpg highway beating out the last couple on this list. I own an earlier model, also rated at 34 mpg highway, I don't drive it aggressively, and I nearly get 40mpg every fillup. I religiously calculate it every single fillup too.

The Chevy Volt may be my next car.

[fxtrade]

09:54 AM on 01/14/2011

Love the Volt. Can not wait to buy one. With my 15 mile commute, the gas engine will never turn on, but nice to know I can drive somewhere without having to worry about running out of juice.

[Kenz300]

08:03 AM on 01/14/2011

As the price of oil continues to rise, we will become much more conscious
of the price of energy. Ford and Hyundai have increased their market share
by producing a fleet of vehicles that are fuel efficient. I guess they have figured
out that Quality, Value and Fuel Efficiency sell.

If those that believe PEAK OIL theory are correct and the rising demand from China
and India with their billion+ populations will soon outpace the worlds supply raising
the price for all.

Bring on the electric, hybrid, and flex-fuel vehicles. In 2008 the price of oil went up to
$147/barrel and people started parking their trucks and SUV's and were tripping over
each other looking for high mileage vehicles at the foreign car dealers.

We have such short memories. Those trips from the suburbs will get awfully expensive
the price of oil climbs higher.

[baxtron]

02:01 PM on 01/20/2011

PEAK OIL theory.

Scientific research and estimates by experts is now theory. You funny. or stupid.

[katooom]

06:53 AM on 01/14/2011

Where can you buy a VW Golf TDI for $17,965? I wonder if the rest of this article is erroneous.

[quillsinister]

11:07 PM on 01/13/2011

As a Prius owner, I have to raise a glass to all of the electric cars making my formerly amazing mileage mediocre. The first best destiny of the hybrid car was always to facilitate its own obsolescence. I still plan to drive my car until the wheels fall off, and after that I look forward to bidding farewell to internal combustion altogether.

[Phxgwen]

08:59 AM on 01/14/2011

I miss my Prius every single day. I finally relented and purchased a mini van to handle growing boys and their sports bags, visitors from out of state and long road trips that were awkward with us all packed into the Prius with the family dog. We are a one car family since the hubby has a company vehicle... but man oh man.. I pray for the day he changes jobs and we can buy a second vehicle.. whether he likes it or not it will be a Prius.

Why can't Toyota offer the hybrid mini van here in the States again?

[DanSc]

08:49 PM on 01/13/2011

Only 3 diesels? 3? A six-cylinder Jaguar XF will get just as good of mileage as any of these hybrids.

[esquilax]

09:47 PM on 01/13/2011

Not in the city.

[DanSc]

09:57 PM on 01/13/2011

If you're in the city take public transit.

[quillsinister]

11:00 PM on 01/13/2011

Close, but not quite. :-)