For car owners, fuel efficiency is the No. 1 consideration when purchasing a new ride. With gas prices going down, that equates to even more savings. Consumer Reports measured the best models for fuel efficiency in 2015, conducting more than 50 tests per model and averaging city miles per gallon with highway miles per gallon. The following are the most fuel-efficient cars for 2015 that are currently sold in the market.
Source: ConsumerReports.org
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10. Honda Civic Hybrid
Getting 40 miles per gallon, the Honda Civic Hybrid uses a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder and CVT to maintain its optimum fuel efficiency. A comfortable ride, the Honda Civic Hybrid runs smoothly and has spacious seating. Models range in prince from $18,290 to $24,340.
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9. Lexus CT 200h Premium
The Lexus CT 200h is a hybrid model hatchback with an impressive 40 miles per gallon. It relies solely on electric power at low speeds to help improve its fuel economy, and is known for responsive handling and reliability. The 200h Premium model is priced at $32,050.
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8. Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord hybrid model also gets 40 miles per gallon, with a smooth operation, and some plug-in models are available in some areas with a claimed electric range of 13 miles. Though the hybrid version does not handle quite as well as other models, its fuel economy makes it a great option, priced from $22,105 to $35,055.
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7. Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is one of the biggest names in the fuel efficient, hybrid game, and four of its models – the V Three, C Tow, Four, and Plug-in Advanced – get an impressive 41-to-47 miles per gallon. Models have a range of prices but are known across the board for their reliability, steady handling, roomy interiors, and great value.
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6. Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is the first fully electric car on this list, averaging 84 miles per gallon. This luxury sports car is large for its genre, seats up to seven people with optional rear jump seats, and can travel up to 225 miles per charge. It is known for its exceptional performance, and can fully charge in five hours. The Tesla Model S is priced between $69,900 and $119,000.
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5. Ford C-Max Energi
The Ford C-Max Energi hybrid averages 94 miles per gallon when traveling in electric-only mode, but still averages about 40 mpg when in hybrid transition mode. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder model seamlessly transitions to shut down the engine while coasting at high speeds, and can travel for up to 18 miles in electric mode. Charging takes approximately six hours, and the model is priced between $24,170 and $31,635.
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4. Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt’s 99 miles per gallon comes from its 35-mile electric range, but it also has a backup engine to extend the car’s ability. Once the battery is used up, the 1.4-liter engine kicks in and can travel up to 315 miles. The battery storage should be improving with newer models, but in its current form, the Volt can recharge in just four hours, and goes for $34,345.
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3. Nissan Leaf SL
The fully electric Nissan Leaf SL gets 106 miles per gallon and a 75-mile electric range, taking six hours to fully charge. The SL uses an electric heat system that uses 30 percent less energy than other cars, and boasts above-average reliability, though it has not proven to be the safest model in crash tests. The Nissan Leaf SL is priced at $29,010 to $35,120.
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2. Ford Focus Electric
The 2015 Ford Focus Electric model gets 107 miles per gallon, offering an impressively quiet ride and quick agility. The electric model has quick acceleration but cannot achieve the same pick-up as other Ford Focus models. The fuel economy makes this a great option, priced between $16,310 -$35,200.
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1. Mitsubishi i MiEV SE
Coming in at No. 1 according to Consumer Reports, the Mitsubishi I MiEV SE is one of the cheapest all-electric cars out there, priced at $22,995, and getting 111 miles per gallon. It’s a bit slower and stiffer than its competition, and may take up to seven hours to charge, but the fuel economy cannot be beat. One charge averages only 62 miles, and the interior is a bit smaller than many consumers would prefer.