Choosing a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

With winter coming, and those travel-filled holidays, many people are thinking of looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. This week we are focusing on this topic, starting today with exploring a few important considerations to look at when choosing a vehicle. Later this week we will post a list of the most fuel-efficient cars, as well as some very exciting upcoming innovations in fuel efficiency.

Whether gasoline prices may be crimping your your household budget, you would like to reduce the U.S. dollars that flow to the Middle East for oil, or perhaps you are motivated by your concern for the environment, or even the nagging reality that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't be wasted, making a fuel-efficient choice in a new car is of greater importance to many these days.

Here are 3 important things to consider when choosing a new vehicle:

Image via WikipediaFuel economy
To put it into perspective, the fuel economy are the numbers posted on the window sticker of a new vehicle.  Studies have shown that the average driver only receives 75 percent or so of the mileage figures that are on the sticker, so be sure to take that into account.

You can use these numbers to determine the best type of vehicle for your purchase.  The numbers will let you know how many MPG your vehicle will get, so you can compare vehicles and then go from there.

Hybrid pricing
The gas electric hybrid vehicles are normally priced higher than non hybrid counterparts, anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to several thousand dollars.

Image via WikipediaHybrids can get a lot of miles per gallon, some averaging around 45 - 55.  This is great for those who want to save money on gas, as hybrids can go many extra miles on a full tank of fuel and they come with extended warranties as well.

Diesel efficiency
Diesel powered vehicles are yet another fuel efficient option.  Diesels are known for getting extra mileage from every gallon of fuel.  They also offer much better torque than many gasoline engines.  The price differential they have over gasoline engines are usually much smaller than that of the hybrid.

With plenty of options available (more every day), you're sure to find what you need to help conserve fuel. Before you make a purchase, always remember to shop around and find what's best for you.