Gas prices rose again this week, the summer driving season is around the corner and they are demonstrating today in Saudi Arabia.So before gas hits $5 a gallon, we thought it would be a good day to look at the Top 10 most fuel-efficient rides you can buy -- based on EPA combined mileage ratings that better reflect what you'll average per year -- and the cost to drive them.
We've included -- courtesy of industry researcher TrueCar.com, an industry price and trend tracker -- the cost to drive these cars 15,000 miles a year, at $3.52 a gallon (the national average) and at $5 a gallon. We also included the car's sticker price and TrueCar calculation of what people actually have been paying for one in the past 30 days.(Yes, you could bypass these and go for a pure electric -- if your commuting needs allow, if your family vacations are "staycations," if you have a garage to handle a charger, etc. But that's a lot of ifs, and their availability is limited.)
Of the top 10, nine are gas-electric hybrids, topped by Toyota's 2011 Prius. The only non-hybrid in the top 10 is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
When buying a gas-miser, "consumers should consider two factors – price (to buy it) and annual cost of fuel," advises Jesse Toprak, VP of industry trends and insights at TrueCar. His analysis of the list: "If you're looking for the most fuel-efficient car, the Toyota Prius wins. If you're looking for the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient car, the Hyundai Elantra is the clear winner."
The Top 10 and their costs to buy and drive:
2011 Toyota Prius
- Type: Compact sedan
- Base model sticker price: $23,810
- Average people pay: $22,235
- Combined EPA rating: 49.6 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 302 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,064
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,512
2011 Lexus CT 200h
- Type: Compact luxury sedan
- Base model sticker price: $29,995
- Average people pay: $30,013
- Combined EPA rating: 41.6 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 361 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,269
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,803
2011 Honda Insight
- Type: Compact sedan
- Base model sticker price: $18,950
- Average people pay: $17,851
- Combined EPA rating: 41.3 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 363 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,279
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,816
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
- Type: Compact sedan
- Base model sticker price: $24,700
- Average people pay: $23,290
- Combined EPA rating: 41.3
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 363 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,2792
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,816
- Type: Luxury mid-size sedan (mid-size sedan)
- Base model sticker price: $35,455 ($29,100)
- Average people pay: $33,478
- Combined EPA rating: 38.6 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 389 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,368
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $1,944
2011 Chevrolet Volt
- Type: Compact sedan
- Base model sticker price: $41,000
- Average people pay: $40,893
- Combined EPA rating: 37.1 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 404 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,424
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,022
2011 Lexus HS 250h
- Type: Luxury mid-size sedan
- Base model sticker price: $36,475
- Average people pay: $34,872
- Combined EPA rating: 34.5 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 434 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,529
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,171
2011 Honda CR-Z
- Type: Sub-compact two-door sedan
- Base model sticker price: $20,095
- Average people pay: $19,731
- Combined EPA rating: 33.4 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 449 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,579
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,243
2011 Hyundai Elantra
- Type: Compact sedan
- Base model sticker price: $15,550
- Average people pay: $15,052
- Combined EPA rating: 33.1 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 453 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,595
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,266
2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Type: Mid-size sedan
- Base model sticker price: $27,435
- Average people pay: $25,138
- Combined EPA rating: 32.7 mpg
- Gas burned in 15,ooo miles: 459 gal.
- Cost per 15,000-mile year at $3.52/gal.: $1,616
- Cost per $15,000-mile year at $5/gal.: $2,295