Cars

Gas prices jumped right past 3 last year without warning and could do so again anytime With so many great fuelstingy cars out there why take a chance Below are the ten 2006 cars whose mileage numbers will best protect you from a pinch Note that th
Gas prices jumped right past 3 last year without warning and could do so again anytime With so many great fuelstingy cars out there why take a chance Below are the ten 2006 cars whose mileage numbers will best protect you from a pinch Note that this is EPAs estimated mileage which comes with the fine print of results may vary thanks to its archaic testing procedures Still the tests are consistent from car to car so the finishing order of the cars can be expected to hold up in the real world even if the exact numbers dont

CityFreewayAverage

1Honda Insight606663
2Toyota Priusautomatic6051555
3Honda Civic Hybrid495150
4Volkswagen Beetle TDI3744405
5Volkswagen Golf TDI3744405
6Volkswagen Jetta TDI3641385
7Toyota Corolla3241365
8Scion xA3237345
9Honda Civic automatic304035
10Kia Rio Hyundai Accent3235335

The Rio and Accent are the same car Except for the Prius and two Civics all figures are for cars with manual transmissions which by nature of their more efficient design tend to squeeze out 12 extra MPG But even with an automaticsonly rule the same ten models still comprise the list in only a slightly altered order no surprise there

Hybrids of course take the top three spots largely thanks to the ability to turn off their engines Other reasons include shrunken engines improved aerodynamic tricks and harder tires Dont think that mileage comes for free hybrids cost a couple thousand more at the outset Dieselpowered cars occupy the next three spots though not everyone is comfortable with the technology mostly due to outdated generalizations of 1980s diesels or having to find gas stations that carry the fuel

For those who prefer to tread in familiar waters lets hack off the top six entries and redo the list This time just normal gaspowered cars

CityFreewayAverage

1Toyota Corolla3241365
2Honda Civic automatic304035
3Scion xA3237345
4Kia Rio Hyundai Accent3235335
5Toyota Matrix Pontiac Vibe303633
6Scion xB303432
7Mini Cooper283632
8Nissan Sentra 18L tie2835315
Mazda 3 20L tie2835315
10 Mitsubishi Lancer tie2734305
Hyundai Elantra tie2734305
Chevrolet Aveo tie2635305
Acura RSX tie2734305

Yes there are plenty of cars that get an EPA estimated 30 MPG on average and its a pleasant surprise that perennial favorites Corolla and Civic lead the pack Presence of the Mini Cooper and Acura RSX serve as proof that mileage need not come at the cost of fun or performance