With Gas Prices Skyrocketing, Cars.com Identifies Cars that Deliver Best Bang for Your Buck

CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As the price of gas continues to reach
record highs, more car shoppers are making fuel efficiency a top priority.
While gas mileage typically takes center stage, combining the sticker price
of a car with its predicted lifetime fuel cost can offer consumers a guide
to their overall savings during the lifetime of a car.

"Hybrid cars get a lot of attention when gas prices start to rise. They
certainly can save money at the pump and are typically better for the
environment," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor. "However, not
everyone can afford to own a hybrid, and some consumers have needs that are
not met by hybrids. If your primary goal is to save money, there may be
better options."

Cars.com (http://www.cars.com) looks at the top 10 cars in various
vehicle segments that deliver the best bang for the buck based on vehicle
price and average lifetime fuel costs. The Toyota Yaris tops the list with
a base price slightly more than $11,000 for a two-door hatchback and
average fuel economy of 34 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

The list was compiled by combining the base sticker price with a fuel
cost estimate based on the car's estimated gas mileage. Fuel cost estimates
assume the car will be driven 15,000 miles per year, with 45 percent of
those miles on the highway and 55 percent on city streets. The cost of
regular unleaded gasoline in the estimate is $3.13 per gallon, and it
assumes the car is owned for eight years. Premium fuel costs are estimated
at $3.44 per gallon.

Top Compact Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Toyota Yaris 34/40 $11,150 $10,301 $21,451
2. Hyundai Accent 32/35 $10,415 $11,285 $21,700
3. Kia Rio 32/35 $10,770 $11,285 $22,055
4. Chevrolet Aveo5 27/37 $9,995 $12,219 $22,214
5. Chevrolet Aveo 27/37 $12,010 $12,219 $24,229
6. Nissan Versa 30/34 $12,550 $11,857 $24,407
7. Honda Fit 33/38 $13,850 $10,708 $24,558
8. Toyota Corolla 32/41 $14,305 $10,578 $24,883
9. Saturn Ion 26/35 $12,300 $12,775 $25,075
10. Kia Spectra 27/33 $12,895 $12,773 $25,668

Top Midsize Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Hyundai Elantra 28/36 $13,395 $12,073 $25,468
2. Dodge Caliber 28/32 $13,725 $12,660 $26,385
3. Toyota Matrix 30/36 $15,410 $11,581 $26,991
4. Suzuki Aerio 25/31 $14,299 $13,715 $28,014
5. Pontiac Vibe 30/36 $16,760 $11,581 $28,341
6. Toyota Prius 60/51 $22,175 $6,757 $28,932
7. Kia Optima 24/34 $16,355 $13,579 $29,934
8. Nissan Altima 26/35 $17,950 $12,775 $30,725
9. Chevrolet Malibu 24/34 $17,215 $13,579 $30,794
10. Hyundai Sonata 24/34 $17,345 $13,579 $30,924

Top Full-Size Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Chevrolet Impala 21/31 $21,015 $15,289 $36,304
2. Dodge Charger 21/28 $22,100 $15,874 $37,974
3. Ford Five Hundred 21/29 $23,035 $15,665 $38,700
4. Dodge Magnum 21/28 $23,245 $15,874 $39,119
5. Mercury Montego 21/29 $23,835 $15,665 $39,500
6. Toyota Avalon 22/31 $24,320 $15,874 $40,194
7. Buick Lucerne 19/28 $26,875 $14,842 $41,717
8. Kia Amanti 19//26 $25,745 $16,909 $42,654
9. Chrysler 300 21/28 $25,495 $17,373 $42,868
10. Ford Crown Victoria 17/25 $24,620 $18,913 $43,533

Top Luxury Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Volvo S40* 22/29 $24,240 $16,726 $40,966
2. Hyundai Azera 19/28 $24,235 $16,909 $41,144
3. Chrysler Pacifica 18/25 $24,460 $18,237 $42,697
4. Volvo V50* 22/29 $26,690 $16,726 $43,416
5. Lexus IS 250* 24/32 $30,255 $15,265 $45,520
7. Lincoln MKZ 19/27 $29,305 $17,133 $46,438
6. Volvo V70* 22/29 $30,045 $16,726 $46,771
8. Cadillac CTS 18/27 $29,925 $17,737 $47,662
9. Volvo S60* 21/30 $30,885 $17,003 $47,888
10. Mercedes-Benz C230* 19/25 $29,650 $19,380 $49,030
* Premium fuel is recommended by the manufacturer for these cars. Premium
fuel costs of $3.44 a gallon were used in these calculations.

Top Minivans City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Mazda5 22/27 $17,735 $15,650 $33,385
2. Dodge Caravan 20/26 $19,055 $16,830 $35,885
3. Chevrolet Uplander 18/25 $20,205 $18,237 $38,442
4. Kia Sedona 18/25 $20,695 $18,237 $38,932
5. Chrysler Town & Country19/26 $21,695 $17,373 $39,068
6. Saturn Relay 18/25 $21,570 $18,237 $39,807
7. Toyota Sienna 19/26 $24,155 $17,373 $41,528
8. Hyundai Entourage 18/25 $23,895 $18,237 $42,132
9. Ford Freestar 17/23 $23,705 $19,500 $43,205
10. Honda Odyssey 18/25 $25,645 $18,237 $43,882

Top SUVs City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Jeep Patriot 26/30 $14,425 $13,579 $28,004
2. Jeep Compass 26/30 $15,425 $13,579 $29,004
3. Kia Sportage 23/28 $15,900 $15,018 $30,918
4. Hyundai Tucson 23/28 $16,995 $15,018 $32,013
5. Saturn Vue 23/29 $17,475 $14,810 $32,285
6. Ford Escape 24/29 $19,320 $14,436 $33,756
7. Toyota RAV4 24/30 $20,950 $14,242 $35,192
8. Honda CR-V 23/30 $20,600 $14,616 $35,216
9. Honda Element 21/25 $18,900 $16,598 $35,498
10. Saturn Vue Hybrid 27/32 $22,870 $12,933 $35,803

Top Pickup Trucks City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Ford Ranger 24/29 $13,860 $14,436 $28,296
2. Toyota Tacoma 23/28 $14,180 $15,018 $29,198
3. Mazda B2300 24/29 $15,535 $14,436 $29,971
4. Chevrolet Colorado 20/26 $14,085 $16,830 $30,915
5. GMC Canyon 20/26 $14,235 $16,830 $31,065
6. Nissan Frontier 22/25 $16,050 $16,151 $32,201
7. Isuzu i-290 20/26 $16,989 $16,830 $33,819
8. Chevrolet Silverado Classic17/21 $15,840 $20,260 $36,100
9. GMC Sierra Classic 17/21 $15,840 $20,260 $36,100
10. Mazda B3000 18/23 $19,040 $18,825 $37,865

For a more complete guide to fuel economy, including cars that get the
best gas mileage, information on alternative fuel technology and
fuel-savings tips, visit Cars.com.

About Cars.com
Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television
stations and their websites, Cars.com (http://www.cars.com) is the most
comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used
car. The site lists more than 2 million vehicles from 13,000 dealer
customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers
the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content,
tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by
Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, Cars.com combines
powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing
information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools,
original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers
connect with sellers each month.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures,
LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE: BLC),
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune
Company (NYSE: TRB) and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).


SOURCE Cars.com

I have heard that the Gas price is going to go up about 82 cents for the next 4 years. I hope it is not true.

$3.44/gallon for premium? Thats cheaper than regular in my area!

Changing cars to 'save money' is rarely a good deal. Do some serious math before making the switch.

Example:
You drive 1000mi./month
If you get 20mpg you use 50 gallons a month.
If you buy a new car that gets 33mpg you use 30 gallons a month.
So you saved 20 gallons, even at $4, is $80/mo. savings.

And how much did your car payment or money out of pocket go up again?

Changing cars to 'save money' is rarely a good deal. Do some serious math before making the switch.


Absolutely correct.

BTW, I just noticed that they ranked the Prius as a mid-sized car. Mid-sized? :uh:

Changing cars to 'save money' is rarely a good deal. Do some serious math before making the switch.



Yep. It often costs money to "save" money. This is what I tell so many people who think that a brand-new Prius sitting in the driveway is the answer to all of their gas problems.

That's generally a good list, Andrew. I don't have much to criticize on it, except for the fact that they forgot to separate several models, like the IS250 and Ford Five Hundred (now Taurus), into 2WD and AWD versions. AWD versions, obviously, use more fuel.

BTW, I just noticed that they ranked the Prius as a mid-sized car. Mid-sized? :uh:

Car size is determined by interior volume. The Prius (16 cuft) is about the same size on the inside as a Camry (15 cuft). Ergo, both are midsize.

Absolutely correct.

BTW, I just noticed that they ranked the Prius as a mid-sized car. Mid-sized? :uh:

That's the beauty of the Prius.

It looks small outside (and it is... it's 3" shorter than the Corolla!) so it's easy to park and drive around the city.

But it's not cramped inside. It has more rear legroom than the Gen 5 Camry (I think the new Camry beats it by 0.5 to 1").

Compare the wheelbase of the current Prius and the Gen 5 Camry. Should be the same. The new Camry has a 2" longer wheelbase.

Changing cars to 'save money' is rarely a good deal. Do some serious math before making the switch.

Example:
You drive 1000mi./month
If you get 20mpg you use 50 gallons a month.
If you buy a new car that gets 33mpg you use 30 gallons a month.
So you saved 20 gallons, even at $4, is $80/mo. savings.

And how much did your car payment or money out of pocket go up again?

Thats 1 example, now lets look @ another. Personally I drive ~ 30k miles/ year so 2500 miles/ month. Now you have a savings of $200/ mo. and $2400/ year(using ur #'s, which it may very well go to.) I am not even factoring in the possibilty of purchasing a car w/ 37-50 mpg which there are a few choices out there and would make the savings even more substantial. There is also the Tax credit to offset cost even more although the Camry Hybrid is down to $650.. others are around $1300 and were as high as ~$2500 iirc.


Car size is determined by interior volume. The Prius (16 cuft) is about the same size on the inside as a Camry (15 cuft). Ergo, both are midsize.

The Prius is a Hatchback so thats why it has such a large interior volume. If you look at the actual passenger seating dimensions its about the same as the '06+ Civic and thats why the prius is often compared with the Civic hybrid in comparison tests and not the accord hybrid (that goes against the Camry hybrid).

The Prius is a Hatchback so thats why it has such a large interior volume. If you look at the actual passenger seating dimensions its about the same as the '06+ Civic and thats why the prius is often compared with the Civic hybrid in comparison tests and not the accord hybrid (that goes against the Camry hybrid).

Makes you wonder if that's the same for wagons and SUVs lol.

The TCH is waaay bigger than the HAH (both exterior and interior dimensions).

The Prius is often compared to compact cars because people see the outside as compact. EPA defines their category by interior volume as you said.

The HCH is a large compact car (the wheelbase is the same as the Prius!). The only thing stopping it from being classified as a midsize is probably the smallish trunk. (Makes you wonder how the Versa passes as a subcompact when it's nearly the size of a Corolla (inside))

The Prius is often compared to compact cars because people see the outside as compact. EPA defines their category by interior volume as you said.




Yes...IMO that's a rather awkward system, but that is how the EPA does it.....it has been that way for decades.

Makes you wonder if that's the same for wagons and SUVs lol.

The TCH is waaay bigger than the HAH (both exterior and interior dimensions).

The Prius is often compared to compact cars because people see the outside as compact. EPA defines their category by interior volume as you said.

The HCH is a large compact car (the wheelbase is the same as the Prius!). The only thing stopping it from being classified as a midsize is probably the smallish trunk. (Makes you wonder how the Versa passes as a subcompact when it's nearly the size of a Corolla (inside))

:thumbup: The Camry is much bigger than the Accord Hybrid but its the closest hybrid rival so they get compared. The Accord Hybrid is a huge failure as a hybrid IMO since it only gets 25mpg!! I know it does 0-60 in ~ 6.9s but if you want performance just get a EX V6!! I think it gets 23mpg as well LOL!

Thats 1 example, now lets look @ another. Personally I drive ~ 30k miles/ year so 2500 miles/ month. Now you have a savings of $200/ mo. and $2400/ year(using ur #'s, which it may very well go to.)

Good post, however, your scenario brings other factors into play. If you buy a new car to get improved fuel economy, the problem is the 30k mi. in the first year also costs you a load in the value of the new car dropping. You might be better off keeping the old car which won't lose as much value with increased mileage if it already has a bunch of miles on it. :)

But there's scenarios where it can be made to work, like switching from a Hummer to a Prius. :D

Prius gets what, 40mpg in real world mixed driving (not bogus pre-08 epa numbers)? Anyway, if a Hummer gets 15, let's run the numbers on 30k/yr.

30k mi. on Hummer at 15mpg is 2000 gallons.
30k mi. on Prius at 40mpg is 750 gallons.
Gas savings on Prius at $4 gallon is (1250x4) $5000/yr.
Plus there's a Hybrid tax credit but that's one time I think.

So even in this pretty extreme scenario it's debatable whether to go for it because I'm sure a Hummer with high miles isn't worth much so the person trading to a Prius probably has to shell out money. It probably works after a couple of years though.

Good post, however, your scenario brings other factors into play. If you buy a new car to get improved fuel economy, the problem is the 30k mi. in the first year also costs you a load in the value of the new car dropping. You might be better off keeping the old car which won't lose as much value with increased mileage if it already has a bunch of miles on it. :) .

It makes more sense financially to have already been in the market for a new car. :) But i know the scenario u were talking about was dumping a gas guzzler for a more fuel eco car. Also they arent eligible for tax credits but there are some pretty reasonable used Hybrids like an '03 Civic Hybrid or an '04 Prius(gen 1 prius is not too great imo).



So even in this pretty extreme scenario it's debatable whether to go for it because I'm sure a Hummer with high miles isn't worth much so the person trading to a Prius probably has to shell out money. It probably works after a couple of years though.

Right, the studies show that the savings usually start a couple of years after a new hybrid purchase :thumbup:

Right, the studies show that the savings usually start a couple of years after a new hybrid purchase :thumbup:

Yeah but what is fun worth. :p

I ain't driving no energizer bunny car with skinny tires. :D

Yeah but what is fun worth. :p

I ain't driving no energizer bunny car with skinny tires. :D

LOL absolutely.. you know the only hybrid I would actually consider is the Camry Hybrid. Its a great all rounder imo. Of course its not too great in the handling or acceleration(0-60 in 8.3) dept. One day we will have Hummer hybrids lol and all other great choices like sports car hybrids/ alt. fuel etc... The Tesla roadster will be out in the fall so it looks like were already on our way to having the best of both worlds ;)

my sis in law, who owned a rio until she totaled it yesterday, is in the market for a semi green car. she wants either a Yaris or a saturn ion. why should she buy either? she is single and comutes many miles to work (Red Bluff to Sactown-135 mles 1 way) a true hybrid is out of her price range (she thinks) so this is a perfect time for her to get the "right" car. wht do you guys/gals know that will help? thanks

Absolutely correct.

BTW, I just noticed that they ranked the Prius as a mid-sized car. Mid-sized? :uh:

they also called the hyundai as a luxury car ... IT IS NOT A LUX CAR PPL


i think the hybrid market isn't so much to encourage ppl to change cars now, so much as if you're in the market for a car ... why not concider this hydrogen car here

I say the best bang for your buck is a used BMW 318i. You can get in one for $3995 and tool around town at 30 mpg with the fun that comes with a late E36 chassis. Parts are cheap to replace and they last for a couple hundred thousand miles.

Fun + 30 MPG @ $3995 and you get something that doesn't look like an egg balancing on a bike.

One day we will have Hummer hybrids lol and all other great choices like sports car hybrids/ alt. fuel etc...


A hummer hybrid will finally acheive 13mpg!!!

i kid i kid :D

A hummer hybrid will finally acheive 13mpg!!!

i kid i kid :D

Yeh :p how about a fully electric hummer?!?!

Pacifica is a car?!

There is also the Tax credit to offset cost even more although the Camry Hybrid is down to $650.. others are around $1300 and were as high as ~$2500 iirc.


I also believe the Ford Escape Hybrid has a $3000 tax credit.....Motorweek just tested it and got 33mpg!!

I got the $3150 tax credit last year when I bought my Prius! $$$$$
-- So in reality I paid $21K for my loaded Prius and average mid to hi 50 mpg.


Some smart states like Colorado make it an even BETTER deal with excellent tax credits on state income tax, pretty much negating the hybrid premium cost.

Yeah but what is fun worth. :p

I ain't driving no energizer bunny car with skinny tires. :D

I keep my nice car in the garage for weekend duty!!
I let my hybrid take the daily crappy rock chips, rain, traffic etc. Oh yeah and get 71mpg to save $$$$ (honda insight)






I say the best bang for your buck is a used BMW 318i. You can get in one for $3995 and tool around town at 30 mpg with the fun that comes with a late E36 chassis. Parts are cheap to replace and they last for a couple hundred thousand miles.

Fun + 30 MPG @ $3995 and you get something that doesn't look like an egg balancing on a bike.

hummm BMW parts are cheap? :uh:

I got the $3150 tax credit last year when I bought my Prius! $$$$$
-- So in reality I paid $21K for my loaded Prius and average mid to hi 50 mpg.


Whoa nice tax credit! Guess it pays to get in early:thumbup:

hummm BMW parts are cheap? :uh:

And plentiful. E36 parts are literally saturating the market.

As far as "skyrocketing gas prices" are concerned, this thread may be a little out of date now. Where I live, gas prices are actually way DOWN now. They have dropped some 30-35 cents in just the last month or so....from $3.09 for Shell 87 Octane to under $2.80 ( I saw good-quality Chevron today nearby for $2.74.

But, of course, most of us agree that the long lerm pricing will only be up....China and India are placing enormous new demands on the world oil market that are largely out of our control.