For 2011, hi-mpg.org has come out with its preliminary list of favorite vehicles that achieve at least 30 mpg on the highway and can be purchased for less than $25,000. These are excellent examples of new cars that are iconic in design, gentle on your wallet, and reasonably benign at the gas pump as well. [...]
Lotus Elise (Photo: Lotus Wallpapers)
Today, there are virtually no automotive manufacturers adhering to this philosophy with the notable exception of Lotus. This British sports car manufacturer, founded in the minimalistic philosophy of Colin Chapman, was known in the 60′s for its lightweight fiberglass machines that would tear up the tracks despite their small-displacement engines. The Elise continues this tradition. » Read more..
Chevrolet HHR (Photo: JB Car Pages)
The PT formula? Take the underpinnings of a fuel-efficient car (in the HHR’s case, the Chevy Cobalt), and put on top of it a body that offered ample room for both humans and cargo. Inject some styling cues harkening back to the 50′s hot rods—big grills, chrome door handles, etc.—all while engineering in some nifty features like flat-folding seats, flat cargo areas, etc. Then, as if all of that wasn’t enough, slap on a price tag no higher than most humble, insipid compact cars. How ingenious is that? » Read more..
2011 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan (Photo: Ford)
The EPA estimated gas mileage for this trim level is 28 mpg city and 37 highway. How much did we achieve at the end of the 283 mile journey? According to the car’s onboard trip computer, 47.3 miles per gallon! » Read more..
2011 Ford Mustang
Porsche Boxster, second generation (Photo: jbcarpages.com)
We admit, we had overlooked this one. Sure there are a few high-performance sports cars that are fairly well-known for being good on gas (e.g., a four-cylinder Audi TT). But a Porsche?
It’s true! Apparently, since 2007, the Porsche Boxster is capable of achieving 29 mpg on the highway per the EPA’s new test methodology. Per the old EPA test methods, the second generation Boxster gets as much 32 mpg! This is better than a brand new V6-powered Mitsubishi Eclipse, for example, which is nowhere near the Boxster in terms of sporting aptitude. Teutonic greatness? Yes. » Read more..
