Top 10 Most Efficient Non-Hybrid 2013 Cars 

(By Combined Mileage)

With hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric vehicles topping the fuel/energy efficiency charts, Motor Trend put together a list of the most efficient fossil-fuel powered cars based on the EPA’s combined rating for the 2013 models. This list is consists of equal parts gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. 

Here are the top EPA-rated non-hybrid vehicles available from lowest to highest (ties broken by the model with the highest highway mileage, then city mileage):

10)  Nissan Sentra FE+: 1.8-liter I-4, 34 mpg Combined, 30/39 mpg city/highway

The Sentra is offered in a fuel-economy enhancing package that gets combined mileage to 34 mpg. The car may not get 40 mpg highway, but its combined mileage is pretty high.

9) Volkswagen Passat Dual-Clutch: 34 mpg Combined, 30/40 mpg city/highway

The Volkswagen Passat TDI is the only midsize car to make the list of most fuel efficient cars. Combine that with a roomy interior, large trunk, and sporty look.  And to top it off it was named  2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

8) Fiat 500 manual: 34 mpg Combined, 31/40 mpg city/highway

While the Fiat 500’s 101-hp 1.4-liter I-4 engine may be short on power, it eases out 34 mpg combined. Just don’t be surprised if the, five-speed manual, transmission needs to be shifted into a lower gear or two to climb any hills.

Audi A3 TDI

5) Volkswagen Jetta TDI/Jetta Sportwagen TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Golf TDI, A3 TDI

Volkswagen has owned the passenger car diesel market in the U.S. with its 140-hp, turbo diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The compact Jetta sedan with manual or dual-clutch transmission and Jetta Sportwagen wagon with the manual are rated 34 mpg combined.

5) Volkswagen Golf TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Jetta TDI, A3 TDI

The Volkswagen Golf TDI offers 34 mpg combined in a slick hatch bodystyle with two or four doors.

5) Audi A3 TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Golf TDI, Jetta TDI

If you want something a bit more luxurious than the Volkswagen Golf, you can step up to the redesigned 2013 Audi A3 TDI with dual-clutch transmission. While still maintaining the same 34 mpg combined fuel economy.

4) Nissan Versa sedan CVT 35 mpg Combined, 31/40 mpg city/highway

One of the least expensive cars in the U.S. is also one of the most fuel efficient. The subcompact 2013 Nissan Versa sedan, with its 109-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder, is third on our list. It also offers more rear-seat leg room than many larger vehicles.

3) Volkswagen Passat manual: 35 mpg Combined, 31/43 mpg city/highway

Smart Fortwo coupe

A midsize family sedan with a six-speed manual transmission and 35 mpg combined? What’s not to like? Of course you may want more power, but the Passat manual gives you all the control without the guilt.

2) Smart Fortwo coupe and cabriolet: 36 mpg Combined, 34/38 mpg city/highway

As its name suggests, the Smart Fortwo offers seating for just two people. The Smart is the smallest car on the list but also the least powerful with a 70-hp I-3 engine and five-speed automated manual transmission.

1) Scion iQ: 37 mpg combined 36/37 mpg city/highway

Although the Scion iQ’s 3+1 seating is most comfortable for just two occupants, the car offers the highest combined rating of any non-hybrid 2013-model-year car in the U.S. The city car’s 37 mpg combined rating matches its highway rating thanks to a 36 mpg city rating.

According to Motor Trend these are the vehicles that almost made the list:

Honorable Mentions

Chevrolet Spark manual: 34 mpg Combined, 32/38 mpg city/highway

Mazda3: 2.0-liter I-4, six-speed auto, 33 mpg Combined, 28/40 mpg city/highway

Chevrolet Sonic: turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4, six-speed manual, 33 mpg Combined, 29/40 mpg city/highway

Toyota Yaris: 1.5-liter I-4, five-speed manual, 33 mpg Combined, 30/37 mpg city/highway

Ford Fiesta dual-clutch auto, 5M, and SFE 1.6-liter I-4, 33 mpg Combined, 29/39-40 mpg city/highway

Source: EPA

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