The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2006

Have you ever wondered what the most fuel efficient cars manufactured in 2006 are? In this article, we'll list out the best 100 fuel efficient cars from 2006 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 2006 Cars by Miles per Gallon

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Honda Insight Manual 5-spd52$1,200
Honda Insight Automatic (variable gear ratios)47$1,350
Toyota Prius Automatic (variable gear ratios)46$1,350
Honda Civic Hybrid Automatic (variable gear ratios)42$1,500
Volkswagen Golf Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Volkswagen New Beetle Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Volkswagen Jetta Manual 5-spd33$2,350
Volkswagen Jetta Automatic (S6)33$2,350
Volkswagen New Beetle Automatic (S6)33$2,350
Volkswagen Golf Automatic (S5)32$2,400
Toyota Corolla Manual 5-spd31$2,000
Honda Civic Automatic 5-spd30$2,100
Scion xA Automatic 4-spd30$2,100
Scion xA Manual 5-spd30$2,100
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD Automatic (variable gear ratios)29$2,150
Honda Civic Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Hyundai Accent Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Kia Rio Automatic 4-spd29$2,150
Kia Rio Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Pontiac Vibe Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Toyota Corolla Automatic 4-spd29$2,150
Toyota Matrix Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Honda Civic CNG Automatic 5-spd28$1,250
Hyundai Accent Automatic 4-spd28$2,250
MINI Cooper Manual 5-spd28$2,650
Scion xB Automatic 4-spd28$2,250
Scion xB Manual 5-spd28$2,250
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)27$2,300
Lexus RX 400h 2WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)27$2,300
Mazda 3 Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)27$2,300
Mercedes-Benz E320 Cdi Automatic 5-spd27$2,850
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)27$2,300
MINI Cooper Convertible Manual 5-spd27$2,750
Nissan Sentra Automatic 4-spd27$2,300
Nissan Sentra Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Pontiac Vibe Automatic 4-spd27$2,300
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)27$2,300
Toyota Matrix Automatic 4-spd27$2,300
Acura RSX Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Chevrolet Aveo 5 Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Ford Focus Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Ford Focus Station Wagon Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Honda Accord Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Hyundai Elantra Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Lexus RX 400h 4WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)26$2,400
Mazda 3 Automatic (S4)26$2,400
MINI Cooper Automatic (variable gear ratios)26$2,850
Mitsubishi Lancer Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Pontiac Wave 5 Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Saturn Ion Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Suzuki Swift x Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD Automatic (variable gear ratios)26$2,400
Acura RSX Automatic (S5)25$2,500
Audi A3 Automatic (S6)25$2,950
Chevrolet Aveo 5 Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Chevrolet Cobalt Manual 5-spd25$2,500
Chevrolet Cobalt Manual 5-spd25$2,950
Ford Focus Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Ford Focus Station Wagon Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Honda Accord Automatic 5-spd25$2,500
Honda Accord Hybrid Automatic 5-spd25$2,500
Hyundai Sonata Manual 5-spd25$2,500
Kia Optima (2006 New Model) Automatic 5-spd25$2,500
Kia Optima (2006 New Model) Manual 5-spd25$2,500
Kia Spectra Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Kia Spectra Manual 5-spd25$2,500
Mazda 3 Manual 5-spd25$2,500
MINI Cooper Convertible Automatic (variable gear ratios)25$2,950
Mitsubishi Lancer Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Pontiac Vibe Manual 6-spd25$2,950
Pontiac Vibe AWD Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Pontiac Wave 5 Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Saturn Ion Manual 5-spd25$2,950
Suzuki Swift x Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Toyota Camry Automatic 5-spd25$2,500
Toyota Corolla Manual 6-spd25$2,950
Toyota Matrix Manual 6-spd25$2,950
Toyota Matrix AWD Automatic 4-spd25$2,500
Volkswagen GTI Automatic (S6)25$2,950
Volkswagen Jetta Automatic (S6)25$2,950
Audi A3 Manual 6-spd24$3,100
Audi A4 Automatic (variable gear ratios)24$3,100
Audi A4 Manual 6-spd24$3,100
Chevrolet Cobalt Automatic 4-spd24$2,600
Chevrolet Cobalt Automatic 4-spd24$3,100
Chevrolet Malibu Automatic 4-spd24$2,600
Ford Fusion Automatic 5-spd24$2,600
Hyundai Elantra Automatic 4-spd24$2,600
Hyundai Elantra Automatic 4-spd24$2,600
Hyundai Sonata Automatic 4-spd24$2,600
Lexus IS 250 Automatic (S6)24$3,100
Mazda 3 Automatic (S5)24$2,600
Mazda 6 Manual 5-spd24$2,600
Mazda MX-5 Manual 5-spd24$3,100
Mazda MX-5 Manual 6-spd24$3,100
Mercury Milan Automatic 5-spd24$2,600
MINI Cooper S Manual 6-spd24$3,100
MINI Cooper S Automatic (S6)24$3,100
MINI Cooper S Convertible Manual 6-spd24$3,100

Best 2006 Regular Fuel Cars by Miles per Gallon

The table below contains the best 2006 regular fuel cars by combined miles per gallon (MPG).

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Honda Insight (Manual 5-spd)52$1,200
Honda Insight (Automatic (variable gear ratios))47$1,350
Toyota Prius (Automatic (variable gear ratios))46$1,350
Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic (variable gear ratios))42$1,500
Volkswagen Golf (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Volkswagen New Beetle (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Volkswagen Jetta (Manual 5-spd)33$2,350
Volkswagen Jetta (Automatic (S6))33$2,350
Volkswagen New Beetle (Automatic (S6))33$2,350
Volkswagen Golf (Automatic (S5))32$2,400
Toyota Corolla (Manual 5-spd)31$2,000
Honda Civic (Automatic 5-spd)30$2,100
Scion xA (Automatic 4-spd)30$2,100
Scion xA (Manual 5-spd)30$2,100
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))29$2,150
Honda Civic (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Hyundai Accent (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Kia Rio (Automatic 4-spd)29$2,150
Kia Rio (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Pontiac Vibe (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Toyota Corolla (Automatic 4-spd)29$2,150
Toyota Matrix (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Honda Civic CNG (Automatic 5-spd)28$1,250
Hyundai Accent (Automatic 4-spd)28$2,250
MINI Cooper (Manual 5-spd)28$2,650
Scion xB (Automatic 4-spd)28$2,250
Scion xB (Manual 5-spd)28$2,250
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))27$2,300
Lexus RX 400h 2WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))27$2,300
Mazda 3 (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))27$2,300
Mercedes-Benz E320 Cdi (Automatic 5-spd)27$2,850
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))27$2,300
MINI Cooper Convertible (Manual 5-spd)27$2,750
Nissan Sentra (Automatic 4-spd)27$2,300
Nissan Sentra (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Pontiac Vibe (Automatic 4-spd)27$2,300
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))27$2,300
Toyota Matrix (Automatic 4-spd)27$2,300
Acura RSX (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Chevrolet Aveo 5 (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Ford Focus (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Ford Focus Station Wagon (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Honda Accord (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Hyundai Elantra (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Lexus RX 400h 4WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))26$2,400
Mazda 3 (Automatic (S4))26$2,400
MINI Cooper (Automatic (variable gear ratios))26$2,850
Mitsubishi Lancer (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Pontiac Wave 5 (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Saturn Ion (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Suzuki Swift x (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))26$2,400
Acura RSX (Automatic (S5))25$2,500
Audi A3 (Automatic (S6))25$2,950
Chevrolet Aveo 5 (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Chevrolet Cobalt (Manual 5-spd)25$2,500
Chevrolet Cobalt (Manual 5-spd)25$2,950
Ford Focus (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Ford Focus Station Wagon (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Honda Accord (Automatic 5-spd)25$2,500
Honda Accord Hybrid (Automatic 5-spd)25$2,500
Hyundai Sonata (Manual 5-spd)25$2,500
Kia Optima (2006 New Model) (Automatic 5-spd)25$2,500
Kia Optima (2006 New Model) (Manual 5-spd)25$2,500
Kia Spectra (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Kia Spectra (Manual 5-spd)25$2,500
Mazda 3 (Manual 5-spd)25$2,500
MINI Cooper Convertible (Automatic (variable gear ratios))25$2,950
Mitsubishi Lancer (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Pontiac Vibe (Manual 6-spd)25$2,950
Pontiac Vibe AWD (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Pontiac Wave 5 (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Saturn Ion (Manual 5-spd)25$2,950
Suzuki Swift x (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Toyota Camry (Automatic 5-spd)25$2,500
Toyota Corolla (Manual 6-spd)25$2,950
Toyota Matrix (Manual 6-spd)25$2,950
Toyota Matrix AWD (Automatic 4-spd)25$2,500
Volkswagen GTI (Automatic (S6))25$2,950
Volkswagen Jetta (Automatic (S6))25$2,950
Audi A3 (Manual 6-spd)24$3,100
Audi A4 (Automatic (variable gear ratios))24$3,100
Audi A4 (Manual 6-spd)24$3,100
Chevrolet Cobalt (Automatic 4-spd)24$2,600
Chevrolet Cobalt (Automatic 4-spd)24$3,100
Chevrolet Malibu (Automatic 4-spd)24$2,600
Ford Fusion (Automatic 5-spd)24$2,600
Hyundai Elantra (Automatic 4-spd)24$2,600
Hyundai Elantra (Automatic 4-spd)24$2,600
Hyundai Sonata (Automatic 4-spd)24$2,600
Lexus IS 250 (Automatic (S6))24$3,100
Mazda 3 (Automatic (S5))24$2,600
Mazda 6 (Manual 5-spd)24$2,600
Mazda MX-5 (Manual 5-spd)24$3,100
Mazda MX-5 (Manual 6-spd)24$3,100
Mercury Milan (Automatic 5-spd)24$2,600
MINI Cooper S (Manual 6-spd)24$3,100
MINI Cooper S (Automatic (S6))24$3,100
MINI Cooper S Convertible (Manual 6-spd)24$3,100

Conclusion

The most fuel efficient car of 2006 is the Honda Insight. It has a combined MPG of 52 and costs $1,200 per year to drive it.

The most fuel efficient non-electric car of 2006 is the Honda Insight. It has a combined MPG of 52 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 in 2006." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2006.

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2006." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2006. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2006. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2006.