The importance of cars in our community cannot be overemphasized. Today, we now see the production of million-dollar cars, although those are limited supercars that are only produced for the “elites”. The basic purpose for the production of cars back then was to move people from one place and they still serve that purpose today, although different concepts have been added to the original purpose. People now invest in cars with different values and purposes.
For some people, investing heavily in limited edition cars is a way to show off their wealth; a true representation of their value. While for others, it’s all glued to the founding purpose; getting a car to move them from one place to the other. You often hear people talk about whether it’s a million-dollar car or it only costs a few thousands, the purpose will never be defeated. It’s a funny claim but in the end, it’s all about the basic purpose. One of the things people put into serious consideration when trying to settle for a decision as far as cars are concerned is their budget. Cost price, maintenance cost, fuel economy; all these factors are some of the most important factors when getting a car on a budget.
The fuel economy of a car is always measured in miles per gallon (mpg as it is often displayed) and there’s nowhere you’d get the best of that than in hybrid cars. Although switching from the conventional petrol/diesel engine can be a bit difficult, the cost of electric cars have made them even more difficult to get. In this case, hybrid cars have stepped up and so far, they’ve proved to be far better alternatives, especially the plug-in hybrids which allow you to charge while you temporarily switch to the usual petrol/diesel engine for a while.
Hence, we’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars on the market in 2021.
10. 2021 Honda Civic (36 mpg combined)
Honda Civic is one of the most fuel-efficient gas-only cars with a 32/42/36 (city/highway/combined) EPA-based mpg rating. There are a couple of engine options with the sedan versions of the 2021 Honda Civic, including the 2.0L four-cylinder engine that cranks out 158hp and a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that cranks out 174hp. In the general sense, the 2021 Honda Civic is a great option if you’re not willing to invest in one of the hybrid cars featured on this list. Pricing begins at $21,250 USD, making it also an affordable alternative to its hybrid counterparts.
9. 2021 Hyundai Elantra (37 mpg combined)
There are hybrid versions of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra but we highly recommend this gas-powered version for those who are looking at an all-gas engine with a great fuel economy. It has an EPA-based rating of 37 combined mpg, making it a great alternative to hybrid vehicles as far as fuel efficiency is concerned. The vehicle runs on a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 147hp, making it a great option if you’re also putting power into consideration. It has a starting price of $23,550 USD.
8. 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid (48 mpg combined)
The Hybrid trim of the 2021 Honda Accord is one of the most fuel-efficient sedans available on the autos market today. The hybrid trim has a 48/48/48 (city/highway/combined) mpg rating based on the 2021 EPA mileage ratings, ranking it as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles of 2021. Its two-motor hybrid powertrain is mated to an e-CVT transmission to let out a total of 212 system horsepower and electric torque. Pricing for the vehicle starts from $36,900 USD.
7. 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid (50 mpg combined)
Performance and compact design are what the 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid is known for. It’s hard to get one’s hands on a crossover SUV with this great fuel economy, as proved by its EPA-estimated 53/48/50 mpg. Apart from being a fuel-efficient SUV, you’ll also get to enjoy amazing features like the Blind Spot Detection Technology, Smart Key with Push Button Ignition and Remote Start, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Concealed Under Floor Storage Tray and many more all for a starting MSRP of $24,690 USD.
6. 2021 Toyota Prius Hybrid (52 mpg combined)
The 2021 Toyota Prius Hybrid is a lot similar to its Hyundai counterpart in terms of performance and fuel-efficiency with its EPA-estimated 54 city/50 highway/52 combined mpg. When you’re running on electric power, the Toyota Liftback can cover up to 30 miles which is pretty much what the petrol engine can also cover. The plug-in hybrid’s capability leaves you in good hands, especially when most of your rides will be in the city where there’s a constant supply of electricity. Its fuel economy is very impressive and that’s owed to how flexible the vehicle’s electric charging is. Do you love tech? This vehicle is packed with a host of tech features like Amazon Alexa, Android Auto Connectivity and an 11.6-inch Multimedia Display. Pricing for the 2021 Toyota Prius Hybrid starts from $24,525 USD.
5. 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (52 mpg combined)
Fuel economy is impressive in the hybrid trim of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata with up to 52 combined mpg based on the 2021 ETA rating. What’s even more impressive is the available solar roof panel that recharges the electric batteries and increases the driving range by 2 miles per day and an estimated 700 additional miles per year. It runs on a 192-hp gas and electric engine with other features like the Blue Link Connected Car System, Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist, and many more. Starting MSRP is set at $27,750 USD.
4. 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid (52 mpg combined)
Regarded as the best midsize hybrid sedan in the market, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is returning for the 2021 model year with an improved 208hp electric/gas engine which means more power! It is a good family sedan with enough room for passengers while people have also found the cargo space impressive. Tech features include a 7-inch touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay among many others. The vehicle also features advanced safety features like the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking for a starting price of $27,270 USD.
3. 2021 Honda Insight Hybrid (52 mpg combined)
The Honda Insight’s engine might only have a power output of 151hp which by all the standards Honda has set, might not be enough. However, its 52 combined mileage per gas shows that what it doesn’t have in power output, it makes up for in fuel economy and that’s what good cars are about. Also, the standard infotainment system for the 2021 model year won’t be featuring the 5-inch LCD screen and Bluetooth but don’t worry, you’ll get to enjoy upgraded features like an 8-inch touchscreen and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
2. 2021 Toyota Prius Prime (54 mpg combined)
Toyota Prius Prime is the big brother of the popular Toyota Prius which is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. This five-passenger hatchback runs on a powertrain that lets out 121 horsepower; don’t be put off by that. On the electric side, you’ll get to enjoy a 25-mile all-electric range and can also recharge the batteries up to 100% from 0 in as little as 2 hours, 10 minutes. Fuel economy is impressive with a combined EPA-based mpg rating of 54. Pricing for the popular Prius Prime begins at $28,220 USD.
1. 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (58 mpg combined)
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is arguably the most fuel-efficient hybrid car in America based on EPA-estimated combined MPG as provided by Hyundai. The sedan has 59 combined MPG, 58mpg for the city and 60mpg for the highway. It edges another highly-rated fuel-efficient vehicle, Toyota Prius, and the smart tech features it is packed with can’t just be beaten. The base trim is ‘Blue’ and it runs on a 139hp gas and electric engine, supported with features like the 8-inch Color Touchscreen Display Audio, Proximity Key with Push Button Start, Forward Collision-avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay to mention but a few. Starting price for the hybrid sedan is $23,400 USD.