The 104 Most Fuel Efficient Cars for 2009

Previously, I've created lists for the most fuel efficient cars for 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005. So, it should be no surprise that I have create the list of most fuel efficient cars for 2009. What is suprising, for those who aren't aware, is how the list is being changed dramatically.

With the release of 50-state compliant diesel cars for model year 2009, we are seeing big changes in how fuel efficiency looks in the US. Diesel cars are more efficient than gas powered cars, but oil-burners are more expensive to buy, and for now, more expensive to fill up.

Hybrid cars are still rounding up the top spots for fuel efficiency, along with small compact cars. Put them together and you get the top spots going to hybrid, small family sedans like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. But there are some larger cars, SUVs and other types of vehicles in the list. They usually have a diesel engine or a hybrid engine, but not always.

As with the previous lists, I rank the cars based on their combined (45% highway, 55% city) fuel economy ratings from the EPA. These mpg numbers from the EPA have been updated to reflect 'real world' driving. Also, the fuel efficiency rating is detailed on the engine type and size.

One other point, an automatic is different from a stickshift and a 4 cylinder engine is different from a 6 cylinder engine. Which means you're going to see the word MINI a lot in the list, since there are many different types of MINI's based on engine type.

			MPG
Ranking	Category	Vehicle	City	Highway	Combined
1	family sedan	Toyota Prius 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, Regular	48	45	47
2	family sedan	Honda Civic Hybrid 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, Regular	40	45	42
3	small cars	Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel	30	41	35
3	station wagon	Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel	30	41	35
4	family sedan	Nissan Altima Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, Regular	35	33	34
5	small cars	Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel	29	40	34
5	hatchback	Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel	29	40	34
5	station wagon	Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel	29	40	34
6	family sedan	Toyota Camry Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, Regular	33	34	33
7	SUV	Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	34	31	33
7	SUV	Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	34	31	33
7	SUV	Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	34	31	33
8	small cars	Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	29	36	32
9	small cars	MINI Cooper 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	28	37	32
9	small cars	MINI Clubman 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	28	37	32
10	small cars	Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	29	35	32
11	small cars	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular	28	35	31
11	hatchback	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular	28	35	31
12	small cars	Toyota Corolla 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	27	35	31
13	small cars	Chevrolet Cobalt XFE 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	25	37	30
13	small cars	Pontiac G5 XFE 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	25	37	30
14	small cars	Chevrolet Aveo 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
14	small cars	Pontiac G3 Wave 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
14	small cars	Chevrolet Aveo 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
14	small cars	Pontiac G3 Wave 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
14	hatchback	Pontiac G3 Wave 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
14	hatchback	Pontiac G3 Wave 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	34	30
15	small cars	Toyota Corolla 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	26	35	30
15	small cars	Kia Rio 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	35	30
15	small cars	Hyundai Accent 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	35	30
16	small cars	Honda Civic 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular	25	36	30
17	small cars	Kia Rio 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
17	small cars	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (S5), Regular	27	33	30
17	small cars	Hyundai Accent 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
17	small cars	Nissan Versa 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	27	33	30
17	small cars	Scion xD 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
17	small cars	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
17	hatchback	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (S5), Regular	27	33	30
17	hatchback	Scion xD 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
17	hatchback	Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	27	33	30
18	small cars	MINI John Cooper Works 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	26	34	30
18	small cars	MINI John Cooper Works Clubman 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	26	34	30
18	small cars	MINI Cooper S 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	26	34	30
18	small cars	Honda Civic 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	26	34	30
18	small cars	MINI Clubman S 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	26	34	30
18	family sedan	Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	34	30
18	family sedan	Saturn Aura Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	34	30
18	convertible	MINI John Cooper Works Convertible 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 6-spd, Premium	26	34	30
19	small cars	Pontiac G5 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	25	35	30
19	small cars	Pontiac G5 GT 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	25	35	30
20	small cars	Honda Civic CNG 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 5-spd, RNG=170, Natural Gas	24	36	29
21	small cars	MINI Cooper 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic (S6), Premium	25	34	29
21	small cars	MINI Clubman 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic (S6), Premium	25	34	29
21	small cars	Chevrolet Aveo 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	small cars	Pontiac G3 Wave 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	small cars	Chevrolet Aveo 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	small cars	Pontiac G3 Wave 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	hatchback	Chevrolet Aveo 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	hatchback	Pontiac G3 Wave 5 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
21	hatchback	Pontiac G3 Wave 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	34	29
22	small cars	Ford Focus FWD 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	35	29
23	small cars	Scion xD 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	32	29
23	hatchback	Scion xD 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	32	29
23	station wagon	Pontiac Vibe 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	26	32	29
23	station wagon	Toyota Matrix 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	26	32	29
24	family sedan	Hyundai Elantra 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	33	29
25	small cars	Nissan Versa 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 6-spd, Regular	26	31	28
25	station wagon	Pontiac Vibe 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	26	31	28
26	SUV	Saturn Vue Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	32	28
27	SUV	Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	29	27	28
27	SUV	Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	29	27	28
27	SUV	Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	29	27	28
28	small cars	Chevrolet Cobalt 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	33	28
28	small cars	Pontiac G5 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	33	28
28	small cars	Ford Focus FWD 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	33	28
28	family sedan	Hyundai Elantra 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	33	28
29	station wagon	Toyota Matrix 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	25	31	28
30	small cars	Mazda 3 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	32	28
30	small cars	Nissan Versa 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	32	28
30	family sedan	Kia Spectra 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	32	28
30	hatchback	Saturn Astra 2DR Hatchback 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	32	28
30	hatchback	Saturn Astra 4DR Hatchback 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	32	28
31	small cars	Pontiac G5 GT 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	23	32	27
31	small cars	MINI Cooper S 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic (S6), Premium	23	32	27
31	small cars	MINI Clubman S 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic (S6), Premium	23	32	27
31	family sedan	Nissan Altima 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Manual 6-spd, Regular	23	32	27
31	luxury sedan	Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec 6 cyl, 3 L, Automatic 7-spd, Diesel	23	32	27
31	coupe	Nissan Altima Coupe 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Manual 6-spd, Regular	23	32	27
32	family sedan	Pontiac G6 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (S6), Regular	22	33	27
32	family sedan	Chevrolet Malibu 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (S6), Regular	22	33	27
32	family sedan	Saturn Aura 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (S6), Regular	22	33	27
32	coupe	Pontiac G6 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (S6), Regular	22	33	27
33	hatchback	Saturn Astra 2DR Hatchback 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	30	27
33	hatchback	Saturn Astra 4DR Hatchback 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	24	30	27
33	hatchback	Dodge Caliber 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	24	30	27
34	small cars	Suzuki SX4 Sedan 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	23	31	27
34	family sedan	Nissan Altima 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	23	31	27
34	coupe	Audi TT Coupe 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Premium	23	31	27
34	coupe	Nissan Altima Coupe 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular	23	31	27
34	station wagon	Hyundai Elantra Touring 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	23	31	27
35	SUV	Chevrolet HHR FWD 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline	22	32	27
35	SUV	Chevrolet HHR Panel FWD 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline	22	32	27
36	family sedan	Kia Spectra 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular	23	30	26
36	station wagon	Hyundai Elantra Touring 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular	23	30	26

I will come back in the following months to update the list as more figures come out from the EPA. But in the meantime, if you see any cars you think I missed, please let me know in the comments. Keep in mind that it's not enough for a car to get over 25 mpg on the highway to make the list. The combined fuel efficiency has to be over 25 mpg to make the cut.

How I created the list. I was frustrated with how the EPA fueleconomy.gov site gives you the fuel economy figures. You could find any car, but I wanted to compare a lot of cars and types of vehicles all at once. So I pulled the information from the fueleconomy site, and then ordered them. It took a bit of work, but here you are.