The Most Fuel-Efficient Non-Electrified Used Cars You Can Buy

Everyone, except perhaps those who had the foresight to buy an electric car, is suffering the sting of historically high gas prices.

As of this writing, the AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular-grade fuel stands at an even $5.00, which is $0.60 higher than it was a month ago, and $1.93 more than a year earlier. The most expensive gas prices can be found in California at an average $6.43, while the cheapest are available in Georgia at an average $4.47.

Especially with the war in Ukraine and other adverse market disruptions showing no immediate end, experts say we should all get used to paying high prices at the pump for some time to come. It should come as no surprise that consumers have been snapping up some of the most efficient rides on the road of late, after a few years of cheap gas helped foster a devil-may-care attitude with regard to fuel economy.

Unless you’re perhaps trading in one of the worst gas-guzzlers on the road for one of the most efficient, it probably doesn’t pay to buy a brand new model solely to garner some added mpg, especially at today’s overblown and over-sticker transaction prices. And while used car prices have likewise been thrown out of whack by their own supply and demand woes—the average pre-owned price is now over $28,000—choosing a pre-owned model remains the better deal. And if one chooses a vehicle that uses significantly less gas down the road, so much the better.

To that end we searched the Environmental Protection Agency’s historic database of fuel economy ratings to compile a list of the 21 most-efficient three-to-five year-old used cars and SUVs. Because they’re more affordable and/or plentiful in the used-car market than hybrids and electric vehicles, we stuck with conventionally powered models that run on regular-grade gas. While most are subcompact and compact vehicles, the most-frugal list does include a pair of passenger-coddling midsize sedans.

We’re noting the most efficient powertrain in each respective model line, with the combined city/highway ratings and estimated yearly cost to keep the tank filled, based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and regular-grade fuel at a hypothetical $4.62 per gallon.

The thriftiest pre-owned model we found is the Mitsubishi Mirage subcompact sedan from the 2017-2019 model years. While it’s one of the least-powerful cars sold in the U.S., it’s predicted to cost just $1,800 annually in fuel costs, based upon the above parameters. That means a Mirage owner will save an estimated $3,750 over a five-year ownership period compared to the average vehicle from the same model years. He or she will also make fewer trips to gas stations in the process, possibly saving even more money by avoiding impulse buys like lottery tickets and snacks.

Here are the most fuel-efficient three-to-five-year-old used cars and SUVs:

• 2017-2019 Mitsubishi Mirage: 39 mpg

With 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $1,800.

• 2017-2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4: 37 mpg

With 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $1,850.

• 2017-2019 Honda Civic: 36 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $1,900.

• 2017-2019 Honda Fit: 36 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $1,900.

• 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback: 36 mpg

With 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $1,900.

• 2017 Ford Fiesta: 35 mpg

With 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine and five-speed manual transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,000.

• 2017-2019 Hyundai Elantra: 35 mpg

With 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,000.

• 2019 Kia Forte: 35 mpg

With 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,000

• 2017-2019 Mazda Mazda2: 35 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,000.

• 2017-2019 Toyota Yaris iA: 35 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,000.

• 2017 Chevrolet Cruze: 34 mpg

With 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2017-2018 Ford Focus: 34 mpg

With 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2017-2019 Nissan Versa: 34 mpg

With 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2017-2019 Toyota Camry: 34 mpg

With 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050

• 2017-2019 Toyota Corolla: 34 mpg

With 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2019 Toyota Yaris: 34 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2019 Volkswagen Jetta: 34 mpg

With 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,050.

• 2017-2019 Chevrolet Spark: 33 mpg

With 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,100.

• 2018-2019 Honda Accord: 33 mpg

With 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,100.

• 2019 Lexus UX 200: 33 mpg

With 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,100.

• 2018-2019 Nissan Kicks: 33 mpg

With 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT automatic transmission. Yearly fuel cost: $2,100.

Source: fueleconomy.gov.