What Are the Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles?

As a follow-up to Monday's post, here is a list of the most efficient gas-powered cars in the various car classes. New innovations in fuel efficiency are happening all the time, so hopefully this list will soon grow much longer (and higher in efficiency). Be sure to check back Friday when we will discuss one particularly promising innovation that could greatly increase the mileage numbers for just about any car out there.

Image via Wikipedia1. Most efficient overall - Honda Insight hybrid
With 60 mpg city and 66 mpg highway, the Honda hybrid has top honors as most fuel efficient in the United States.  With a 1.0 gas engine mated to an electric motor, the insight was designed to make the most of the power by using low resistance tires.  The bad things about the Insight include a cramped interior, seating for two, and a very odd exterior styling, which some find unappealing.

2: Most fuel efficient mid size car - Toyota Prius hybrid
(60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway)
The Prius, unlike the Honda Insight, is capable of carrying 5 people plus their gear.  The Prius will generate a total of 110 HP from its gasoline engine and electric motor.  The sleek shape to the Prius has a low co-efficient drag although Toyota has managed to do this with a larger, yet more driver friendly vehicle than the Insight.

3. Most efficient compact car - Honda Civic hybrid
(49 mpg city and 51 mpg highway)
With a reputation of being the cheapest hybrid in North America, the Civic hybrid takes the great design of the regular Civic and makes it a lot more efficient.  With an output of 110 HP, the Civic hybrid is very competitive for the class. 

Image by Prior Design NA (priordesignusa.com) via Flickr4. Most efficient sub compact car - Volkswagon diesel
(37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway)
The Volkswagon Beetle diesel is ahead of even the sub compact hybrids.  Making 100 HP, the Beetle diesel may not sound that powerful, although the 177 lb-foot of torque will put shame on every other vehicle in the same class. 

5. Most efficient station wagon - Pontiac and Toyota
(30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway)
The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are both the result of a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors.  Both vehicles come equipped with Toyota engines, although a lot of the design and engineering came from General Motors.  Both the Matrix and the Vibe are versatile with active lifestyles.  With a fuel efficient 1.8L 4 cylinder that produces 126 HP, the Matrix and the Vibe aren't going to win a street race although they make up for it with smoothness, efficiency, and refinement.

6. Most efficient large car - Hyundai Sonata
(24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway)
The Sonata is a major surprise, beating out very stiff competition.  The 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is very smooth, responsive, and powerful.  The suspension however, is soft, and geared more towards comfort than handling.  This isn't a BMW, although the build quality is great, clearly demonstrating that Hyundai is no longer a second rate manufacturer.