Fuel-Efficient Small Car Guide

Does Small Mean Unsafe?

Some data suggest that consumers driving smaller, more fuel-efficient cars may be compromising some level of passenger safety. But the playing field is more level than it may first appear.

When thinking about saving money at the pumps or reducing emissions at the tailpipe, size matters. Bigger vehicles weigh more than smaller ones—and vehicle weight is the single biggest determinant for fuel efficiency. A heavier vehicle needs more power, and thus uses more fuel to accelerate. You’ll be way ahead of the fuel economy game if you “right-size” your vehicle.

It’s important to take a step back and consider why you drive. Are you looking for a car primarily to commute to and from work? Or is it a second car for quick errands around town? How many passengers do you usually carry? Shopping for a car that meets—but does not exceed—those real needs is an essential first step toward fuel efficiency.

List of Small Cars

Name	Combined MPG	Type	MSRP	Available	Description
Smart ForTwo	36 MPG	Coupe	$12,000	Now	The Smart ForTwo is cute and relatively fuel efficient, but underpowered with a clunky transmission.
Mini Cooper	35 MPG	Coupe	$18,700	Now	Matches or beats efficiency of other subcompacts, but with tons more style.
Toyota Yaris	32 MPG	Sedan	$12,400	Now	The Yaris is the leader of the subcompact triumvirate, which includes the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa.
Mini Cooper Clubman	32 MPG	Coupe	$19,900	Now	The same hip and efficient Mini Cooper, but with a longer body and wheelbase.
Honda Fit	31 MPG	Sedan	$14,600	Now	The Fit has a smart, but playful appearance, and a deceivingly large and versatile five-passenger interior.
Toyota Corolla	30 MPG	Sedan	$14,200	Now	Popular and practical model with fuel efficiency approaching the hybrid realm.
Scion xD	30 MPG	Sedan	$14,500	Now	Small and efficient like the xA, but edgier and more powerful.
Honda Civic	30 MPG	Sedan	$15,500	Now	The best-selling compact is affordable, and gets good mileage.
Kia Rio	29 MPG	Sedan	$10,900	Now	Plain-Jane from from front to back. The Kia Rio makes no false promises. It's affordable and efficient.
Ford Focus	29 MPG	Sedan	$14,700	Now	Comfortable, controllable, efficient, and affordable.
Toyota Matrix	29 MPG	SUV	$16,200	Now	A segment buster: part compact car, part sport wagon, and part small crossover utility.
Pontiac Vibe	29 MPG	SUV	$17,400	Now	One of the premier “compact crossover” vehicles in the new segment.
Chevrolet Aveo	29 MPG	Sedan	$12,000	Now	One of the cheapest cars on the market. You get what you pay for.
Nissan Cube	29 MPG	Sedan	$14,000	Now	A whimsical and quirky option in the small economy class.
Nissan Versa	28 MPG	Sedan	$13,600	Now	Offered in two body styles, a sporty 5-door hatchback and a 4-door sedan, the Versa is the largest and most powerful entry-level city car.
Kia Soul	28 MPG	Sedan	$13,300	Now	Hip, affordable, boxy urban cruiser, with lots of accessories.
Scion xB	25 MPG	Van	$15,700	Now	Good fuel efficiency for the little wagon. Urban and youthful.
Mazda5	25 MPG	Van	$18,000	Now	Number one most fuel-efficient minivan on the market. Smaller than most.
Suzuki SX4	24 MPG	Sedan	$15,300	Now	The most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle on the road today.
Honda Global Subcompact Hybrid	n/a		n/a	2009	A small, practical, affordable and entirely new hybrid-only model from Honda.
Honda Fit Hybrid	n/a	Sedan	n/a	2010	The hybrid version of the Honda subcompact could become the leader of the pack on fuel efficiency.
Chevrolet Cruze	n/a	Sedan	n/a	2010	New stylish subcompact, due in 2010, could be Chevy's high-mpg hit.
Toyota iQ		Coupe		2010	The iQ will compete with Smart by offering four seats, and Toyota quality.
Volkswagen up!	n/a	Coupe	n/a	Concept	Volkswagen's play into the high-mpg minicar market.