We all often use the term fuel economy when talking about our cars but few of us understand what it means. Fuel economy of an automobile is the fuel efficiency relationship between the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle.
Consumption can be expressed in terms of volume of fuel to travel a distance, or the distance travelled per unit volume of fuel consumed.
Fuel economy is an important factor to consider when buying a new car, even when gas prices are down. This is not to say only fuel economy must be given diligent thought as there are several factors you need to consider such cost, spaciousness, engine reliability and secondhand value to mention a few.
Here are some of the most fuel efficient automobile in the world and it is not surprising that Toyota got a prime mentioning as it consistently combine fuel efficiency with reliability and performance.
Toyota RAV4
RAV 4, which stands for “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive”, made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994 and 1995 in North America. This car was created to give consumers a choice of a four-wheel drive that an SUV offers plus the fuel efficiency and easy handling of a sedan. RAV4 also offers a more spacious cargo room and better visibility for drivers.
It includes four trims: LE, XLE, Limited, and a new SE which offers a sport-tuned suspension. It comes with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that churns out 176 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque, together with a 6-speed automatic with driver-selectable operating modes.
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
“Camry” is taken from the phonetic transcription of the Japanese word, “kanmuri”, which means crown. It follows Toyota’s tradition of naming their primary models using the crown name, starting with Toyota Crown in 1955.
Toyota names Camry as their “second world car” after its most successful model, the Toyota Corolla. It has been in the market since 1982, and originally started as a compact car that grew into a mid-sized sedan. Camry is viewed as a luxury car, with around 75 percent of its parts and assembly done in the United States. It’s consistently praised for its great performance, very quiet interior, and more high-tech amenities.
It comes in LE, SE, XSE and XLE trims, with hybrid versions that include: LE, SE and XLE variants. All the models come with six-speed automatic transmissions, and offers two engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that churns 178-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 rated 268-hp and 248 lb-ft.
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu
Swoopy styling and modern power-trains are highlights of Chevrolet’s redesigned Malibu. The new car is competitive among midsized sedans, with a quiet cabin and easy-to-use controls. Malibu is quiet, with a comfortable ride and responsive handling. Two four-cylinder turbo engines are offered: a 1.5-liter with a six-speed automatic—which got 29 mpg in our tests—and a more powerful and refined 2.0-liter backed by an eight-speed automatic.
Ford Fusion
Ford Fusion
The Fusion is a delight to drive, with a supple ride and nimble handling reminiscent of a European sports sedan. All trim levels and power-trains feel solid and upscale, with a well-finished and quiet cabin. The 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinders are powerful enough, but both has competitive fuel economy. A new high-end version, the Sport, is equipped with all-wheel drive and a 325-hp, 2.7-liter V6. It is quick, comfortable, and quiet.
Other car with good fuel economy include Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Lexus CT, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Sonata just to mention a few.
