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Best Overall Fuel Economy

Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency compiles its Fuel Economy Guide to educate car buyers on fuel-efficient vehicles. Find and compare estimates for all vehicles at fueleconomy.gov. The most fuel-efficient 2010-model-year vehicles are listed below.

Best 2010 Model MPG Ratings
Vehicles are ranked by city mpg, followed by highway mpg and annual fuel cost.
Rank Make and Model City MPG Hwy. MPG Fuel* Annual Fuel Cost
1.
Toyota Prius 51 48 HEV $780
2.
Ford Fusion Hybrid (FWD)
Mercury Milan Hybrid (FWD)
41 36 HEV $998
3.
Honda Civic Hybrid 40 45 HEV $928
4.
Honda Insight 40 43 HEV $952
5.
Lexus HS 250h 35 34 HEV $1,115
6.
Nissan Altima Hybrid 35 33 HEV $1,147
7.
Ford Escape Hybrid (FWD)
Mazda Tribute Hybrid (2WD)
Mercury Mariner Hybrid (FWD)
34 31 HEV $1,217
8.
Smart ForTwo 33 41 P $1,084
9.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 33 34 HEV $1,147
10.
Lexus RX 450h (2WD) 32 28 HEV $1,399

*Fuel key: D=diesel, HEV=hybrid/electric vehicle, P=premium, R=regular

All miles-per-gallon (mpg) figures are from the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which is published by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Fuel Economy Guide data is derived from vehicle testing done at the EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., and by vehicle manufacturers that submit their own test data to the EPA. All vehicles are tested in the same way so consumers can compare the results when choosing a vehicle type or class. The mpg ratings appear on window stickers on all new cars and light trucks prior to sale.

Annual fuel-cost estimates are EPA calculations based on the assumptions that you travel 15,000 miles per year (55 percent city, 45 percent highway) and that fuel costs are $2.60/gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, $2.80/gallon for premium and $2.70/gallon for diesel.

© Cars.com 10/27/09