Cars with the Best Gas Mileage in 2023

The XC60 lands in the top half of our luxury compact SUV rankings. You can choose from three powertrains, but the plug-in hybrid is the one to get if you want the best fuel economy. It travels 28 miles solely on electric power, so you may be able to skip the gas pump entirely if you have a short commute and charge the battery every night.

This Volvo seats five in a plush cabin with sophisticated styling cues, and it has one of the biggest cargo holds in the luxury compact SUV class. You get 22.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered.

The S90 is appealing enough to place in the top half of our luxury midsize car rankings. Base models have a mild-hybrid powertrain, but the available plug-in hybrid is more fuel-efficient, netting the above figures. This model travels 38 miles using just electricity.

The plug-in-hybrid powertrain provides lively acceleration. Also, Volvo’s luxury car emphasizes comfort, with a suspension that toils to keep harshness out of the cabin.

This five-person sedan has comfortable seats, good head and legroom, and an adult-friendly second row. And the cabin is plush, with high-end materials and a chic design.

Minivans are massive vehicles, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get respectable gas mileage. The Pacifica Hybrid – placing near the top of our minivan rankings – uses a plug-in-hybrid powertrain to get exceptional mileage, and it’s able to travel 32 miles solely on electric power.

The Pacifica Hybrid seats seven people in a spacious cabin with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-seat bench in the rearmost row. There isn’t a bad seat in the house; all three rows have comfortable chairs with ample head- and legroom. Standard features include a 10.1-inch touch screen and wireless smartphone integration.

The Accord Hybrid adds a gas-electric powertrain to one of the most beloved family cars on the market. It holds the number-one spot in our hybrid car rankings, benefiting from a top-to-bottom redesign for the 2023 model year.

All models have a hybrid powertrain producing 204 horsepower and brisk acceleration. The Accord Hybrid is a lively partner, whether exploring city streets or merging on the highway. The ride quality is smooth, and the car feels stable while cornering.

With 16.7 cubic feet in its trunk, this Honda has one of the largest cargo capacities among hybrid cars. It also treats passengers to an upscale cabin with many soft-touch materials.

The Santa Fe Hybrid won one of our 2023 Best New Cars for Teens awards and is in the top third of our hybrid SUV rankings. A standard hybrid is available, but the plug-in hybrid is the one to get if you want the stellar fuel efficiency listed above. Models with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain can travel 31 miles using only electric power.

Acceleration is peppy, and the handing is poised. This five-passenger SUV seats adults comfortably in both rows. Also, its cabin is well-insulated, keeping road noise out at higher speeds.

Its mix of competence and value helped the Corolla Hybrid win one of our 2023 Best New Cars for Teens awards. This hybrid car starts under $25,000 and gives you lots of standard features for your money. The list includes an 8-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio and a Wi-Fi hot spot. You also get vital driver aids like adaptive cruise control and forward automatic emergency braking.

The ride quality is gentle over harsh roads. Acceleration from the hybrid powertrain is zippy in the city, but things are more lackluster on the highway. This Toyota seats five in a nicely crafted cabin.

Wagons are a dying breed, but the V60 capably carries the torch. Placing near the top of our wagon rankings, this Volvo offers two powertrains. Select the optional plug-in hybrid setup to get the outstanding fuel economy shown above. That model travels up to 41 miles using just electricity.

The V60 has standard all-wheel drive. That feature improves traction on slick roads, making this wagon excellent for drivers facing snow, ice, and rain regularly. The well-built cabin features premium materials, with effective insulation that prevents road noise from disturbing passengers. Even better, this five-person car has adult-friendly seating in both rows.

The S60 sits near the middle of our luxury small cars ranking. Volvo offers two powertrains, but the plug-in-hybrid version is the one to choose to get the excellent mileage presented above. This model has an all-electric range of 41 miles and produces 455 horsepower.

Acceleration is quick with the plug-in hybrid, and this Volvo has a cushioned ride. A sport-tuned suspension is available for those seeking sportier handling.

Both rows of seats have good head- and legroom, even for taller adults. However, this car’s cargo room isn’t as impressive; the S60 has one of the smallest trunks in its class.

The Sonata Hybrid holds the top spot in our hybrid car rankings. As that placement suggests, it’s an outstanding pick in its class, with excellent fuel economy and a smooth ride.

This sedan provides comfortable seating for five in a cabin with high-quality materials and minimal road noise. And the Sonata Hybrid benefits from Hyundai’s excellent warranty, which surpasses the coverage provided by this car’s key rivals.

Standard equipment is plentiful, offering great value. The lineup includes an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic climate control. All models have driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Camry Hybrid won our 2023 Best Hybrid Car for Families and 2023 Best New Cars for Teens awards, so it has the goods to meet the needs of different types of buyers. All models have a hybrid powertrain with 208 horsepower. Acceleration is zippy on city streets but less energetic on the highway.

This Toyota has poised handling, with a suspension tuned to provide a gentle ride. Adults fit comfortably in both rows, and the attractive cabin boasts solid construction.

The extensive list of standard features includes a 7-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and dual-zone automatic climate control.

You sometimes have to pay a pretty penny for hybrid technology, but that’s not the case with the Niro; this Kia is notable for being one of the more affordable choices among hybrid SUVs. It provides a comfortable ride and composed handling.

The Niro seats five, providing good outward visibility for the driver. The front row is spacious enough for taller passengers, and the rear seats are roomy. Unfortunately, this model’s cargo capacity is below average for the class.

Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The Tucson Hybrid holds the number-one spot in our hybrid SUV rankings and benefits from a light refresh for the 2023 model year. A standard hybrid is available, but opt for the plug-in hybrid to get the above mileage. That model provides 261 horsepower and eager acceleration. Plus, it provides 33 miles of all-electric driving.

This Hyundai provides a spacious haven for passengers. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with both rows providing adequate room for taller adults. You also get outstanding cargo capacity. The plug-in-hybrid version has 31.9 cubic feet of room with all seats in place and 66.3 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The Elantra Hybrid places in the top half of our hybrid car rankings and won one of our 2023 Best Hybrid Car for the Money awards. In addition to excellent fuel economy, this model offers balanced driving dynamics and a pleasant cabin.

All models have a hybrid powertrain with 139 horsepower. It provides snappy acceleration whether cruising in the city or passing traffic on the highway. This five-passenger car has ample room for passengers in the front row and spacious rear seats – impressive considering its small footprint.

The Prius is the venerable granddaddy of the hybrid car segment, paving the way for the many gas-electric cars that have followed in its wake. Despite the newer competition, it remains one of the most fuel-efficient cars you can buy.

Toyota has redesigned the car for 2023, so it’s fresher than ever. Front- and all-wheel drive are available, with the former providing superior fuel economy. Regardless of your powertrain, the Prius complements its exceptional gas mileage with lively acceleration and a gentle ride. The front row is roomy, but taller passengers will feel the pinch in the rear seats.

The NX Hybrid is near the top of our rankings for luxury hybrid SUVs. In addition to its exceptional fuel economy, it provides a plush cabin. This Lexus seats five, with comfortable accommodations for adults in both rows.

A standard hybrid is available, but the plug-in hybrid is the one to drive home in if you want the above mileage. That powertrain has 304 horsepower and capable acceleration.

Lexus equips the NX Hybrid with attractive standard features. The list includes a 9.8-inch touch screen, a 10-speaker stereo, wireless smartphone integration, proximity keyless entry and dual-zone automatic climate control. All models have driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian and cyclist detection.

What is the safest car with the best gas mileage?
The safest car with the best mileage is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (76 MPGe and 33 mpg combined). It earned a U.S. News safety score of 9.9 out of 10.

What is the highest-rated car with the best gas mileage?
In the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, the highest-rated car with the best gas mileage is the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (80 MPGe and 35 mpg combined). It has a U.S. News overall score of 8.7 out of 10 and claims the top spot in our ranking of hybrid SUVs.

Conventional gasoline-only vehicles rely on internal combustion engines to provide all of the power that propels them down the road. Unless a vehicle is labeled as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, it’s likely a gas-only vehicle.

• Cheapest vehicles to buy.
• Easy to maintain by independent shops and dealerships.

• Don’t achieve the highest mileage numbers
• More expensive to operate than hybrids or PHEVs

Hybrid-electric vehicles, normally called “hybrids,” use a combination of gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines and electric motors to move. The hybrid battery packs are charged by the gasoline engine and by reclaiming energy as the vehicle coasts or brakes. They are not charged by plugging into external charging stations.

• Hybrids can generate fantastic fuel economy estimates.
• Hybrid powertrains are found on a wide variety of vehicles.

• More expensive than gas-only equivalent models.
• More complex to maintain than gas-only vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are similar to traditional hybrids with the additional capability of being able to charge from external charging stations. This allows them to travel some distance on electricity alone. When their battery packs are depleted, they seamlessly shift to regular hybrid operation.

• Can travel for miles on electricity alone.
• Generate high MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) estimates when they’re charged from external sources.
• Don’t need to be charged to function. They can operate as traditional hybrids with no external charge.
• Don’t generate the range anxiety full battery-electric vehicles can.
• Some models qualify for generous federal, state, local and utility purchase incentives.

• Significantly more expensive than gas-only or hybrid vehicles
• More complex powertrains to maintain.

• Driving with underinflated tires will lower your fuel economy and reduce the life of your tires. The proper pressures are shown on your vehicle’s tire pressure placard and in your owners manual.

• Driving just a few miles per hour over highway speed limits dramatically reduces a vehicle’s fuel economy. According to the EPA, slowing down 5 to 10 mph can save 7% to 14% in fuel use.

• On hot days, the use of your car’s air conditioning can have a significant impact on your fuel economy. Limiting its use or raising the cabin temperature a few degrees will save on gas.

• Rapidly accelerating, speeding or simply not anticipating upcoming conditions can reduce fuel efficiency. Driving smoothly and using your cruise control when conditions warrant can improve your gas mileage.

• Modern engines are built with tight tolerances and will not operate at peak efficiency without the type of oil recommended by the manufacturer. Using the wrong oil can not only reduce your mileage, but it can also affect the life of the engine.

Don’t carry what you don’t need

• Weight is the enemy of good gas mileage. To improve your fuel economy, take anything you’re not using (other than your emergency kit) out of the car. If you’re not using your car-top cargo box, removing it not only reduces weight, but also reduces efficiency-robbing wind resistance.

U.S. News & World Report is your go-to source for all the latest vehicle information. Whether you’re looking for an affordable SUV, sedan, pickup truck or any other type of vehicle, you’ll find everything you need to know right here. You can research specs, details on virtually any new model by checking our complete new car rankings and reviews.

Our new car rankings are based on two types of information: published reviews from respected automotive critics and data from third-party sources. U.S. News coverage and data are continuously being updated as new models are introduced and fresh data becomes available.

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• 2023 Volvo XC60: 63 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
• 2023 Volvo S90: 66 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
• 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: 82 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
• 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid: 48 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
• 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: 76 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
• 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 50 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 7.8/10
• 2023 Volvo V60: 74 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
• 2023 Volvo S60: 74 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
• 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 52 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
• 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 52 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
• 2023 Kia Niro: 53 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 7.9/10
• 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: 80 MPGe | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
• 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 54 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
• 2023 Toyota Prius: 57 MPG Combined | U.S. News Score: 7.7/10
• 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid: 84 MPGe Combined | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10