The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2021

Have you ever wondered what the most fuel efficient cars manufactured in 2021 are? In this article, we'll list out the best 100 fuel efficient cars from 2021 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 2021 Cars by Miles per Gallon

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD Automatic (A1)142$450
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Automatic (A1)134$500
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Automatic (A1)133$500
Tesla Model Y Standard Range RWD Automatic (A1)129$500
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD Automatic (A1)125$550
Hyundai Kona Electric Automatic (A1)120$550
Tesla Model S Long Range Automatic (A1)120$550
Chevrolet Bolt EV Automatic (variable gear ratios)118$550
Kandi K27 Automatic (A1)114$600
BMW i3 Automatic (A1)113$600
BMW i3s Automatic (A1)113$600
Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD Automatic (A1)113$600
Kia Niro Electric Automatic (A1)112$600
Nissan Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack) Automatic (A1)111$600
Tesla Model Y Performance AWD Automatic (A1)111$600
Tesla Model S Performance (19in Wheels) Automatic (A1)110$600
MINI Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door Automatic (A1)108$600
Nissan Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack) Automatic (A1)108$600
Tesla Model X Long Range Plus Automatic (A1)105$600
Nissan Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack) Automatic (A1)104$650
Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1 Automatic (A1)101$650
Tesla Model S Plaid (21in Wheels) Automatic (A1)101$650
Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Automatic (A1)100$650
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Automatic (A1)99$650
Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended Automatic (A1)97$650
Tesla Model X Performance (20in Wheels) Automatic (A1)97$650
Volkswagen ID.4 1st Automatic (A1)97$700
Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro Automatic (A1)97$700
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Automatic (A1)97$700
Tesla Model S Performance (21in Wheels) Automatic (A1)96$700
Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Automatic (A1)93$700
Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S Automatic (A1)93$700
Polestar 2 Automatic (A1)92$700
Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended Automatic (A1)90$750
Tesla Model X Performance (22in Wheels) Automatic (A1)86$750
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Automatic (A1)84$800
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Automatic (A1)82$800
Porsche Taycan 4S Perf Battery Automatic (A2)79$850
Porsche Taycan Perf Battery Automatic (A2)79$800
Volvo XC40 AWD BEV Automatic (A1)79$850
Audi e-tron Automatic (A1)78$850
Audi e-tron Sportback Automatic (A1)77$850
Porsche Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus Automatic (A2)77$850
Jaguar I-Pace EV400 Automatic (A1)76$850
Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo Automatic (A2)76$850
Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Automatic (A2)75$900
Porsche Taycan Perf Battery Plus Automatic (A2)75$900
Porsche Taycan Turbo Automatic (A2)73$900
Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo Automatic (A2)73$900
Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo Automatic (A2)72$900
Porsche Taycan Turbo S Automatic (A2)70$950
Hyundai Ioniq Blue Automatic (AM-S6)59$1,050
Toyota Prius Eco Automatic (variable gear ratios)56$1,100
Hyundai Ioniq Automatic (AM-S6)55$1,150
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue Automatic (AM-S6)54$1,150
Toyota Prius Prime Automatic (variable gear ratios)54$1,150
Honda Insight Automatic (variable gear ratios)52$1,200
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Automatic (AM-S6)52$1,200
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue Automatic (AM-S6)52$1,200
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE Automatic (AV-S6)52$1,200
Toyota Corolla Hybrid Automatic (variable gear ratios)52$1,200
Toyota Prius Automatic (variable gear ratios)52$1,200
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Automatic (AM-S6)50$1,250
Kia Niro FE Automatic (AM-S6)50$1,250
Kia Niro Automatic (AM-S6)49$1,300
Toyota Prius AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios)49$1,300
Honda Accord Hybrid Automatic (variable gear ratios)48$1,300
Honda Insight Touring Automatic (variable gear ratios)48$1,300
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Automatic (AM-S6)47$1,350
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Automatic (AM-S6)46$1,350
Toyota Camry Hybrid SE/XLE/XSE Automatic (AV-S6)46$1,350
Lexus ES 300h Automatic (AV-S6)44$1,400
Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Automatic (AV-S6)44$1,400
Honda Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring Automatic (variable gear ratios)43$1,450
Kia Niro Touring Automatic (AM-S6)43$1,450
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Automatic (AV-S6)43$1,450
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Automatic (variable gear ratios)42$1,500
Lexus UX 250h Automatic (AV-S6)42$1,500
Ford Escape FWD HEV Automatic (variable gear ratios)41$1,550
Ford Escape AWD HEV Automatic (variable gear ratios)40$1,550
Ford Escape FWD PHEV Automatic (variable gear ratios)40$1,550
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Automatic (AV-S6)40$1,550
Lexus UX 250h AWD Automatic (AV-S6)39$1,600
Mitsubishi Mirage Automatic (variable gear ratios)39$1,600
Toyota Venza AWD Automatic (AV-S6)39$1,600
Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios)38$1,650
Toyota RAV4 Prime 4WD Automatic (AV-S6)38$1,650
Hyundai Elantra Automatic (AV-S1)37$1,700
Kia Sorento Hybrid Automatic (AM-S6)37$1,700
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Automatic (variable gear ratios)37$1,700
Honda Civic 4Dr Automatic (variable gear ratios)36$1,750
Hyundai Accent Automatic (AV-S1)36$1,750
Kia Rio Automatic (AV-S1)36$1,750
Mitsubishi Mirage Manual 5-spd36$1,750
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Automatic (AV-S6)36$1,750
Toyota Sienna Hybrid 2WD Automatic (AV-S6)36$1,750
Hyundai Elantra Automatic (AV-S1)35$1,800
Kia Forte FE Automatic (variable gear ratios)35$1,800
Mazda 2 Automatic (S6)35$1,800
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Manual 5-spd35$1,800

Best 2021 Regular Fuel Cars by Miles per Gallon

The table below contains the best 2021 regular fuel cars by combined miles per gallon (MPG).

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Mitsubishi Mirage (Automatic (variable gear ratios))39$1,600
Hyundai Elantra (Automatic (AV-S1))37$1,700
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (Automatic (variable gear ratios))37$1,700
Honda Civic 4Dr (Automatic (variable gear ratios))36$1,750
Hyundai Accent (Automatic (AV-S1))36$1,750
Kia Rio (Automatic (AV-S1))36$1,750
Mitsubishi Mirage (Manual 5-spd)36$1,750
Hyundai Elantra (Automatic (AV-S1))35$1,800
Kia Forte FE (Automatic (variable gear ratios))35$1,800
Mazda 2 (Automatic (S6))35$1,800
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (Manual 5-spd)35$1,800
Nissan Versa (Automatic (variable gear ratios))35$1,800
Toyota Corolla Hatchback (Automatic (AM-S10))35$1,800
Honda Civic 5Dr (Automatic (variable gear ratios))34$1,850
Mazda 2 (Manual 6-spd)34$1,850
Toyota Corolla (Automatic (AV-S10))34$1,850
Toyota Corolla APEX (Automatic (AV-S10))34$1,850
Toyota Corolla XSE (Automatic (AV-S10))34$1,850
Volkswagen Jetta (Manual 6-spd)34$1,850
Chevrolet Spark (Manual 5-spd)33$1,900
Chevrolet Spark (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Chevrolet Spark ACTIV (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Honda Accord (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Honda Civic 4Dr (Automatic (AV-S7))33$1,900
Honda Civic 4Dr (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Hyundai Accent (Manual 6-spd)33$1,900
Kia Forte (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Nissan Kicks (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Nissan Rogue AWD (Automatic (AV-S8))33$1,900
Nissan Rogue FWD (Automatic (AV-S8))33$1,900
Nissan Sentra (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Toyota Corolla (Automatic (variable gear ratios))33$1,900
Toyota Corolla (Manual 6-spd)33$1,900
Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE (Automatic (AM-S10))33$1,900
Volkswagen Golf (Manual 6-spd)33$1,900
Volkswagen Jetta (Automatic (S8))33$1,900
Chevrolet Malibu (Automatic (variable gear ratios))32$1,950
Chevrolet Spark ACTIV (Manual 5-spd)32$1,950
Honda Accord Sport/Touring (Automatic (AV-S7))32$1,950
Honda Civic 4Dr (Automatic (AV-S7))32$1,950
Honda Civic 5Dr (Manual 6-spd)32$2,300
Honda Civic 5Dr (Automatic (AV-S7))32$2,300
Hyundai Sonata (Automatic (S8))32$1,950
Kia K5 (Automatic (S8))32$1,950
Lexus UX 200 (Automatic (AV-S10))32$1,950
Nissan Altima (Automatic (variable gear ratios))32$1,950
Nissan Rogue AWD SL/Platinum (Automatic (AV-S8))32$1,950
Nissan Rogue FWD SL/Platinum (Automatic (AV-S8))32$1,950
Nissan Sentra SR (Automatic (variable gear ratios))32$1,950
Subaru Impreza 4-Door (Automatic (AV-S7))32$1,950
Toyota Camry LE/SE (Automatic (S8))32$1,950
Toyota Corolla (Manual 6-spd)32$1,950
Toyota Corolla XLE (Automatic (variable gear ratios))32$1,950
Volkswagen Golf (Automatic (S8))32$1,950
Buick Encore GX FWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))31$2,000
Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))31$2,000
Hyundai Elantra (Automatic (AM-S7))31$2,000
Hyundai Sonata (Automatic (S8))31$2,000
Hyundai Venue (Automatic (AV-S1))31$2,000
Kia Forte (Manual 6-spd)31$2,000
Kia K5 (Automatic (S8))31$2,000
Kia Seltos FWD (Automatic (AV-S8))31$2,000
Kia Soul Eco dynamics (Automatic (variable gear ratios))31$2,000
Mazda 3 4-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6))31$2,000
Mazda CX-3 2WD (Automatic (S6))31$2,000
MINI Cooper Convertible (Automatic (AM-S7))31$2,400
MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door (Automatic (AM-S7))31$2,400
MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door (Automatic (AM-S7))31$2,400
Nissan Altima SR (Automatic (variable gear ratios))31$2,000
Nissan Altima SV/SL (Automatic (variable gear ratios))31$2,000
Subaru Impreza 5-Door (Automatic (AV-S7))31$2,000
Toyota Camry XLE/XSE (Automatic (S8))31$2,000
Toyota Corolla APEX (Manual 6-spd)31$2,000
Toyota Corolla Hatchback (Manual 6-spd)31$2,000
BMW 330i (Automatic (S8))30$2,450
Ford Escape FWD (Automatic 8-spd)30$2,100
Honda CR-V FWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))30$2,100
Honda HR-V FWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))30$2,100
Honda HR-V FWD (Automatic (AV-S7))30$2,100
Hyundai Kona FWD (Automatic (AM7))30$2,100
Hyundai Kona FWD (Automatic (S6))30$2,100
Hyundai Sonata (Automatic (S8))30$2,100
Hyundai Veloster (Automatic (S6))30$2,100
Hyundai Veloster (Automatic (AM-S7))30$2,100
Kia Forte (Automatic (AM-S7))30$2,100
Kia Soul (Automatic (variable gear ratios))30$2,100
Mazda 3 4-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6))30$2,100
Mazda 3 4-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6))30$2,100
Mazda MX-5 (Automatic (S6))30$2,450
MINI Cooper Convertible (Manual 6-spd)30$2,450
MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door (Manual 6-spd)30$2,450
MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door (Manual 6-spd)30$2,450
MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door (Automatic (AM-S7))30$2,450
MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door (Automatic (AM-S7))30$2,450
Nissan Altima AWD (Automatic (variable gear ratios))30$2,100
Nissan Rogue FWD (Automatic (AV-S8))30$2,100
Nissan Versa (Manual 5-spd)30$2,100
Subaru Crosstrek AWD (Automatic (AV-S8))30$2,100
Subaru Impreza Sport 4-Door (Automatic (AV-S7))30$2,100
Subaru Impreza Sport 5-Door (Automatic (AV-S7))30$2,100

Conclusion

The most fuel efficient car of 2021 is the 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 2021 is the Mitsubishi Mirage. It has a combined MPG of 39 and costs $1,600 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 2021." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2021.

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2021." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2021. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2021. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-2021.