Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars of 2012
The Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient cars have been named for 2012 by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA (those guys that come up with the official ratings for cars) has compiled the list, which is dominated by Japanese automakers. Those remaining two are domestic vehicles, although with one being a commercial van, it almost should count. On the list are electric and hybrid vehicles only, with no diesels or pure gasoline engines.
In 10th spot is the first of three Toyota models and the first of four if you count the larger Toyota company and Lexus. The Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is officially rated at 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. With a combined rating of 41-mpg, it’s the only true mid-size sedan to achieve an average of 40-mpg or better. And these numbers don’t come at the expense of performance either, with 200-hp on tap. Of note, XLE models, which have more content and are heavier, are rated at 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
Updated for 2012, the Honda Insight squeezes onto the Top 10 list in 9th position with a 41 mpg city and 44 mpg. Thanks to aerodynamic enhancements and reduced friction components for the engine and transmission, the numbers have improved over last year’s 40/43 rating. Average fuel economy is pegged at 42 mpg.
One of the most luxurious and enjoyable to drive models on the list, the Lexus CT200h ranks 8th with a 43 mpg city and 40 mpg highway rating. It’s the brand’s second dedicated hybrid model, after the low-selling, HS250h, and it seems to be off to a better start, meeting sales goals and attracting a new, younger demographic to the Lexus brand.
The second member of the Prius family, the Prius v ranks 7th with a 44 mpg city and 40 mpg highway rating, besting the CT by just one mpg. And while the Lexus is aimed more at urbanites, the v is targeted at modern families, who need space and functionality (it’s got 67 cu-ft of cargo room), but still want to be green. Like the CT200 and the standard Prius, power comes from Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive with 134-hp.
All-new for 2012, the Civic Hybrid gets a solid jump in fuel economy to land at sixth spot on the list with a 44 mpg city and 44 mpg highway rating. Much of the increase comes as a result of a new lithium-ion battery (replacing the old nickle metal hydride unit) and is the first example of a Li-On battery being used in a production Honda. In addition, Honda has replaced the 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 1.5-liter, meaning that not only is fuel economy up, but power gets a slight bump too, to 110-hp and 127 lb-ft.
The best selling hybrid in the world, it’s responsible for half of all hybrid sales in the U.S. and ranks fifth on the EPA’s list of the Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars.With a 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway rating it was the first car to hit the magical 50 mpg average mark. Perhaps more impressive is that it even after several years on the market it’s still a leader. For 2012 the Prius gains Toyota’s Entune telematics system with numerous apps, including XM Fuel Prices to help you find the cheapest gas near you.
The most fuel efficient vehicle on the list that actually uses fuel is the Chevrolet Volt, coming in 4th with a 58/62 rating. Of note, the Volt is ranked at 37 mpg by the EPA on extended range (using both gasoline and electricity), and 96 mpg on a pure EV range. The Volt gets a 60 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent) rating as well, a real world indication of what consumers should expect. But perhaps the most impressive feature of the Volt is that unlike any range-limited EVs, it allows for a total distance of 379 miles.
It’s almost not fair to include the Ford Transit Connect Electric in this list, because no one is going to buy one as a daily driver. Still, it gets an impressive 62/62 mpg rating and can haul around plenty of flowers, or lumber, or artwork. It’s third on the list.
Unlike the Volt, it doesn’t have an extended range, but it does offer some rather shocking fuel economy numbers. At 106 mpg city rating and 92 mpg highway rating the Nissan Leaf comes in as a runner up to the top spot. Nissan claims a real-world range of 70 miles. A 220 volt outlet can charge the car in 7 hours, with a special quick-charger that can deliver up to an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.
And the most fuel efficient car in America is… the Mistubishi i. Also known as the i-MiEV, it’s rated at 126 mpg in the city and 99 mpg on the highway. So should you buy one?
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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The Top 10Most Fuel Efficient cars have been named for 2012, ya if you have 40,000 USD up to 80,000 USD laying around in your bank acount and this is not adding the service for one of these cars which the cost is equivalent to buying a new car.
Really Stupid Adding those electric babies...!!!