Top 10 Sports Cars for Fuel Economy

When fuel economy is the topic, sport utility vehicles usually bear the brunt of criticism while sports cars oftentimes manage to avoid the radar screen, even though some high-performance models consume more gasoline than a typical light truck. You have to pay a price for spirited acceleration capabilities, in particular, and that tariff is often levied at the gas pump.

While some small-engine sports cars roll along consuming relatively miserly amounts of fuel, this vehicle category, as a rule, doesn't qualify as fuel-efficient. Some sports cars have splendid aerodynamic qualities and are lightweight, but a potent engine will work to counteract these fuel-economy-enhancing attributes, even when driven mildly.

Many of these cars aren't driven mildly, of course. Pedal-to-the-floor takeoffs and weekend track days will likely translate to fuel-economy figures that are nowhere near as good as the Environmental Protection Agency's estimates.

In other vehicle categories, size and weight are the dominant factors in determining fuel economy; but sports cars are different. Most of them are comparatively small and many are light in weight, though some high-powered models push down hard on the scale.

The size of an engine and the number of cylinders it has are far more important considerations. Similar to vehicles in other categories, a four-cylinder engine tends to be more economical than a six-cylinder, and a six is typically more frugal than a V-8; but plenty of exceptions can be found. Also, if a smaller engine is excessively taxed, it can consume more fuel than one with greater displacement and more cylinders.

A performance-tuned engine tends to consume more fuel than tamer power plants. An engine that's supercharged or turbocharged will likely gulp greater quantities of fuel.

As a rule of thumb, manual transmissions generally yield better gas-mileage figures than automatic transmissions. According to EPA mileage estimates, that maxim isn't always true, particularly with sports cars. Some models with automatics turn in better mileage estimates than their manual-shift cousins, and the margin is sometimes substantial. Of course, sports-car drivers generally prefer shifting for themselves, regardless of the impact on fuel economy.

Wind resistance isn't much of a factor because most sports cars are relatively aerodynamic in nature. Their sleek, low-slung lines weren't created to boost gas mileage, but that's a secondary bonus. And don't expect a rear spoiler or deck-lid-mounted wing to improve fuel economy; if anything, the opposite may be true, because such devices tend to limit the car's ability to slice cleanly through the air.

Sports cars typically have wide tires, and while that produces greater grip on the road, the extra friction is likely to reduce gas mileage. But few sports-car owners would give up the benefits of a wide tire in order to achieve slightly better fuel economy.

Most sports cars are equipped with rear-wheel drive. A handful, such as the Acura RSX, Dodge SRT-4, Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Tiburon, Mini Cooper S, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Toyota Celica and Volkswagen GTI, have front-wheel drive.

Don't expect sensational fuel economy from the Lamborghini Gallardo; its best EPA fuel-economy estimate is 10/17 mpg (city/highway).

Some come with all-wheel drive; it is available in the Audi TT and S4, Lamborghini Gallardo and Murciélago, and certain Porsche models, among others. The extra hardware involved with all-wheel drive tends to reduce fuel economy, but these systems are installed specifically to aid handling.

All powered accessories — air conditioning, stereos, cruise control — cause the engine to consume a bit of additional fuel. But only the most ardent sports-car drivers would deny themselves these creature comforts — and not necessarily in an effort to obtain greater gas mileage.

Also keep in mind that most sports cars require — or at least function best with — higher-octane gasoline. Most higher-performing models demand premium-grade gasoline, and that makes the cost of running them even higher. Paying an extra 20 cents or so per gallon adds up over the course of a year. Some automakers hedge their bets by stating that premium gasoline isn't required, but it's recommended for improved performance.

Would a Hybrid Powertrain Make Sense in a Sports Car?

Gasoline/electric hybrid powertrains are gaining popularity, but no automaker has yet put such a system into a sports car.

Technically, such a feat could be accomplished. Whether sports-car fans who expect invigorating performance would fall for the idea of a hybrid-powered sports car is another question entirely. The automaker that first chooses this route will probably face quite a marketing hurdle, even if all the performance and economy figures were in order.

Because hybrids have been available for only a few years, little data exists on reliability. Anecdotal evidence from manufacturers, however, indicates that few significant problems have occurred on the hybrid vehicles that have been on the road for a while. Battery packs need to be replaced eventually, but they're warranted for a lengthy period and could last as long as the vehicle itself.

Diesel-powered sports cars are another possibility that has not yet emerged. Diesels have been around far longer than hybrid powertrains and are best known for their strong low-end torque output, which is beneficial for quick acceleration.