The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of All Time

Have you ever wondered just how much more fuel efficient modern cars have become? Which cars are the most fuel efficient now that electric vehicles are mainstream? In this article, we'll give you the 100 most fuel efficient cars of all time, with information on each of them!

How to Determine Fuel Efficiency

The list of the best fuel efficient cars on this page is based on one simple metric provided to us by the U.S. Department of Energy: the combined miles per gallon (MPG).

This metric is calculated by taking the total miles driven by the car and dividing it by the total gallons of fuel used.

Manufacturers provide this information to the Department of Energy, they provide it to us, and we provide it to you after sifting and organizing it.

The combined miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of how much fuel the car uses per mile and is a good indicator of how efficient the car is. It's a combination of both city and highway driving, to give you a more overall accurate MPG.

With that out of the way, let's dive into the list. You can click the links in the table below to see more detailed information about each car.

Best Cars by Miles per Gallon

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD142$450
2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus141$450
2023 Lucid Air Pure AWD with 19 inch wheels140$500
2023 Lucid Air Touring AWD with 19 inch wheels140$500
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric136$500
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric136$500
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric136$500
2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD134$500
2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric133$500
2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric133$500
2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus133$500
2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD132$550
2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD132$500
2023 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD with19 inch wheels131$550
2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD131$550
2022 Lucid Air G Touring AWD w/19in wheels131$500
2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD131$500
2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range131$500
2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range131$500
2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range130$500
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range130$500
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range130$500
2022 Tesla Model Y RWD129$500
2021 Tesla Model Y Standard Range RWD129$500
2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range126$500
2022 Lucid Air Dream R AWD w/19in wheels125$500
2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD125$550
2017 BMW i3 BEV (60 Amp-hour battery)124$550
2016 BMW i3 BEV124$550
2015 BMW i3 BEV124$550
2014 BMW i3 BEV124$550
2023 Tesla Model Y AWD123$600
2022 Tesla Model Y AWD123$550
2020 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range123$550
2019 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range123$550
2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range123$550
2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD122$600
2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD122$550
2023 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD with 20 inch wheels121$600
2023 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD with 21 inch wheels121$600
2023 Lucid Air Pure AWD with 20 inch wheels121$600
2023 Lucid Air Touring AWD with 20 inch wheels121$600
2023 Lucid Air Touring AWD with 21inch wheels121$600
2022 Lucid Air G Touring AWD w/21in wheels121$550
2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD121$550
2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (18in)121$550
2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD121$550
2020 Tesla Model Y Performance AWD121$550
2013 Scion iQ EV121$550
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV120$600
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric120$600
2023 Tesla Model S120$600
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV120$550
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric120$550
2022 Tesla Model S120$550
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric120$550
2021 Tesla Model S Long Range120$550
2020 Hyundai Kona Electric120$550
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric120$550
2023 Toyota bZ4X119$600
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV119$550
2019 Volkswagen e-Golf119$550
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV119$550
2018 Volkswagen e-Golf119$550
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV119$550
2017 Volkswagen e-Golf119$550
2016 Chevrolet Spark EV119$550
2015 Chevrolet Spark EV119$550
2014 Chevrolet Spark EV119$550
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV118$550
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV118$550
2018 BMW i3 (94Ah)118$550
2017 BMW i3 BEV (94 Amp-hour battery)118$550
2014 Honda Fit EV118$550
2013 Honda Fit EV118$550
2023 Kia EV6 Long Range RWD117$600
2023 Kia EV6 Standard Range RWD117$600
2022 Kia EV6 RWD (Long Range)117$550
2022 Kia EV6 RWD (Standard Range)117$550
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus117$550
2022 Lucid Air Dream P AWD w/19in wheels116$550
2022 Lucid Air Dream R AWD w/21in wheels116$550
2022 Tesla Model S Plaid (19in Wheels)116$550
2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (19in)116$550
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD116$550
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance116$550
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD116$550
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance116$550
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf116$550
2015 Fiat 500e116$550
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf116$550
2014 Fiat 500e116$550
2013 Fiat 500e116$550
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV115$600
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV115$550
2013 Nissan Leaf115$550
2023 Toyota bZ4X LIMITED114$650
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD (Long Range)114$600
2021 Kandi K27114$600
2020 Kia Soul Electric114$550

Best Regular Fuel Cars by Miles per Gallon

You might have noticed that the list above includes a lot of electric cars. We can remove those from the list by filtering out the electric cars, to give us the best fuel efficient cars that run on regular fuel.

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
2003 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)53$1,200
2002 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)53$1,200
2001 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)53$1,200
2000 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)53$1,200
2006 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)52$1,200
2005 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)52$1,200
2004 Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)52$1,200
1986 Chevrolet Sprint ER (Manual 5-spd)48$1,300
2006 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2005 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2004 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2003 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2002 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2001 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
2001 Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
1994 Geo Metro XFI (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1993 Geo Metro XFI (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1992 Geo Metro XFI (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1991 Geo Metro XFI (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1990 Geo Metro XFI (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1989 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1988 Chevrolet Sprint Metro (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
1987 Chevrolet Sprint ER (Manual 5-spd)47$1,350
2007 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))46$1,350
2006 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))46$1,350
2005 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))46$1,350
2004 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))46$1,350
1987 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)46$1,350
1986 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)46$1,350
1989 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)44$1,400
1988 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)44$1,400
1995 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1994 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1993 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1992 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1991 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1990 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
1985 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)43$1,450
2007 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))42$1,500
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))42$1,500
1985 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)42$1,500
1985 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)42$1,500
1985 Suzuki SA310 (Manual 5-spd)42$1,500
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
2003 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
2002 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
2001 Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))41$1,550
1994 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1994 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1993 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1993 Geo Metro LSI (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1993 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1993 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1990 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1990 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1990 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1990 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Geo Metro LSI (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1989 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1988 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1985 Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1984 Honda Civic CRX (Manual 5-spd)41$1,550
1984 Nissan Sentra (Manual 4-spd)41$1,900
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))40$1,550
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))40$1,550
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))40$1,550
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1998 Chevrolet Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1997 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1996 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1995 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1995 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1995 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1994 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1994 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1993 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1993 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Geo Metro LSI (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Honda Civic HB VX (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1992 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1991 Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1991 Geo Metro (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1991 Geo Metro LSI (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1991 Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1991 Suzuki Swift (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
1990 Geo Metro LSI (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550

Conclusion

The most fuel efficient car of all time is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD. It has a combined MPG of 142 and costs $450 per year to drive it.

The most fuel efficient non-electric car of all time is the 2003 Honda Insight. It has a combined MPG of 53 and costs $1,200 per year to drive it.

Most Fuel Efficient Cars By Year

Link To or Reference This Page

If you use this page in your research, please reference MPG Buddy as the source.

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of All Time." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars.

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of All Time." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of All Time. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars.