In 2012 Kurt Neibuhr for Edmunds stated that, if a person wanted to find the best indicator of their automobiles real-world fuel economy, they should combine a car’s highway and city mpg figures together and use the averaged result. When it comes to buying a new car, fuel economy is one of the biggest factors that influence the decision-making process. Having an idea of a car’s fuel efficiency will give you a better idea of what your monthly fuel costs are going to be and could also help you decide between specific car models. If you’re looking for a new car, it’s a vital number that you need to know.

The question thus becomes how to determine a car’s mpg and how to best compare the mpg of several cars to see which one is the best. To that end we put together a blog today to give you lots of great information that will help you to do just that. Enjoy.

The easiest way to determine the mpg for a specific new car is to take a look at the window sticker when you’re at the dealer’s lot browsing around. All stickers have a specific section that the EPA uses to put information on the three main numbers that people are looking for, city, highway and combined MPG.

While the smiling salesman at your car dealership would love you to believe that those numbers are accurate, the fact is that few cars will actually achieve the mpg on their EPA sticker in the real world. About the only way to actually achieve those numbers would be to drive in perfect conditions, on an open road with no stops and no curves and driving at a very specific and controlled rate of speed.

Yeah, like that’s going to happen.

That’s why it’s never a good idea to get too attached to the MPG numbers given on the window sticker. All new cars starting in 2013 will be sporting the EPA’s new fuel economy label, one that makes a point of making the combined mpg figure larger and also adds information about fuel cost estimates and how the car will affect greenhouse gases.

If you’re looking for a better tool to compare MPG you’ll definitely want to surf to the US Department of Energy’s website. At Fueleconomy.gov you can actually look as far back as 1984 to find the mpg of any motor vehicle. Not only that but they have retroactively adjusted mpg ratings to account for the EPA’s revisions of 2008.

One feature that is very interesting is that you can get a personalized readout based on the car you drive, the type of driving that you do and some other factors. Once you input that information you’ll be able to see what the cost should be to fill up your tank, how much it would cost to drive 25 miles and also the amount of fuel that you would use and a lot of other interesting information. If you have a few minutes it’s definitely worth taking a look at.

Many people believe that checking a car maker’s website is an excellent way to get fuel economy numbers but the fact is that many automakers will only display the highway MPG number on their website. If you’re looking at an automobile that’s not exactly known to be fuel-efficient, like a full-size SUV, you’ll most likely have to really dig to find any information about the MPG and, in some cases, you won’t find it all.

With gas prices steadily climbing, purchasing an automobile that gets excellent MPG is vital if you don’t want to spend a fortune on gasoline. Even a 5% difference in MPG could equal a decent amount of savings over a year’s time and so, if you’re keen on using as little gas as possible, buying a car with excellent MPG is definitely the best decision that you can make. Just do yourself a favor and don’t believe everything that the EPA sticker tells you.

Will gas prices hovering around $4.00 per gallon nationwide millions of people are looking for ways to cut their gasoline bills. Some of those people actually drive gigantic SUVs which, forgive us, leave us feeling a little bit cold about their complaints that gas prices are so high. Seriously, how can anyone complain about gas prices when they’re driving around an automobile with enough room to fit a family of 10?

But, stepping down off of our high horse for just a moment, there are some people that bought these ginormous vehicles thinking that they had very few choices as far as rear seat passenger legroom and carrying lots of cargo were concerned. There are definitely some alternatives on the road however and today we’ve brought you a blog that will tell you about 5 of them. These 5 vehicles are not only much easier on your wallet at the gas pump but they have plenty of legroom front and back and will handle most decent sized cargo loads with ease.  So if you need a relatively large size vehicle but you don’t want to drive something that gets 2 miles to the gallon you should definitely enjoy this blog.

Starting at just under $28,000 the Toyota Venzais one part station wagon and one part sedan. It has a very low silhouette and roofline and looks more like an overfed passenger car than an SUV. That being said it still provides almost 31 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and a huge 70.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Of course like most vehicles similar to the Venza on the road today it comes loaded with everything that mom and dad could possibly want as far as luxury but, at 21 mpg city and 27 on the highway, it’s not going to make you feel like a tool every time you’re sitting at the gas pumps.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is basically Acura’s wagon version of their midsize sedan and is also the smallest of the 5 vehicles on this list. Still, it has nearly 26 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats still in use, a number that’s only slightly smaller than the gigantic 5 seat Ford Escape SUV. Fold down those rear seats and the cargo capacity shoots up to almost 61 cubic feet, which is still pretty darn good for a car that gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 miles per gallon in the city. Considering that it’s the smallest car on our list the Acura TSX actually costs the most at just over $31,000, something that you should definitely keep in mind if you’re looking for a new vehicle but want to save money too.

One of the top vehicles in the minivan department the Nissan Questoffers nearly 26 cubic feet of storage with all of the seats still in use as well as an extra 11.4 cubic feet of extra storage under the floor (as long as you have the model that does not come with the optional Bose audio system). The Quest also has a roomy 63.6 cubic feet of storage space when the third row of seats is folded flat and an absolutely enormous 108.4 cubic feet when all of the seats are folded flat in the second and third rows. At 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway it’s certainly not the top contender as far as miles per gallon is concerned but it is number 1 in the cargo storage space department.

Probably our favorite on this list just because it gets such great mileage and has such an incredibly low starting price is the Kia Soul. At just under $14,000. but offering almost 54 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded the Soul is seriously impressive, especially when you consider that the Honda Civic is actually 1 foot longer. When you take into consideration the 35 miles that it gets to the gallon on the highway and 27 that it gets in the city, plus the fact that Kia seems to be getting better and better ratings by the likes of Consumer Reports magazine, you’ll see why we think the Soul is not only an excellent car but also an excellent choice for beating the oil companies at their own game.

Rounding out our list is the Mazda 5. It’s a minivan and wagon combination that seats6 but is a little bit smaller than your typical minivan. It only sports a meager 5.58 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row so, if you’re actually going to be seating 6 people in it, you’re probably going to have to load quite a bit of stuff on the roof. With the third row folded down however there is a decent 27.5 cubic feetof cargo space and that jumps up to 44.4 cubic feet when the second row joins it. Starting at just under $20,000 and claiming 21 mpg city wise and 28 mpg on the highway the Mazda 5 is definitely a car that you should consider if you’re looking for plenty of space for the family as well as enough room for all their luggage, at least when the third row of seats is folded down.

And there you have it, 5 vehicles that will take you where you want to go without killing your budget and will have enough roomto get the family (and their stuff) there in style. Good luck with your new car search and keep in mind that most manufacturer’s claimed mpg information is between 10 to 20% inflated. (We think it’s criminal to but there’s not much we can do about it.) Make sure to come back and visit us again soon as  we’re always searching for new and better ways to help you save money at the pump. See you then.

As the price of gas soars ever higher millions of people across the country and around the world are looking for ways to increase their mpg and decrease the amount of gas that their car uses. While there are plenty of tips, tricks and  alternatives that can be used to do this the simple fact is this; the smaller and more efficient that your car is the less gasoline that it will use.

Of course if you’re a family of 7 getting everyone into a Honda Civic might not be the most comfortable idea and so, no matter if you drive a car, truck, sports utility vehicle or minivan, what you’re going to want to do is find the most fuel efficient model that you can based on your needs. With that in mind we put together a blog about some of the best cars on the road today for gas mileage. Keep in mind that while hybrids can certainly be very fuel-efficient they can also, in many cases, just be too darned small for your needs. That’s why you’ll see many cars here on our list that aren’t hybrids but are still quite fuel-efficient. Enjoy.

Speaking of hybrids let’s just agree that for the most part they are the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. The Honda Civic hybrid gets over 45 miles to the gallon and that’s in the city while the Toyota Prius gets even more. Those are great numbers to be sure and will definitely save you lots of cash at the gas pump but, again, if you have 5 kids there’s no way you’re using a Honda Civic to chauffeur them around.

One of the basic tasks that you have before you buy any car is to sit down and really figure out your transportation needs. Do you need a vehicle just for getting back and forth to the office by yourself or for making quick runs into town? If so a smaller, more economical car is definitely going to be on your short list of possibilities as well as most hybrids. On the other hand if your son is on the football team or your daughter plays soccer and you’re a football or soccer mom there will definitely be times when having a larger car or minivan are going to be absolutely necessary. Keeping your needs in mind before you buy will thus steer you towards a better purchase decision.

Looking at another example, let’s say that you work in construction or own your own construction company. If that’s the case, you definitely will need a large, full-size pickup truck, especially if you are going to be towing a trailer with tools and equipment. On the other hand, if you’re a weekend do-it-yourselfer you would probably be better off sticking with a smaller, more economical car and, when the need arises, renting a truck or van for your weekend projects.

Once you’ve taken a good look at your true automobile needs it’s time to start looking at the various makes and models to determine which one is going to the be the best for your needs and also deliver the best mpg. Also please keep in mind that the numbers that were going to be using below have been provided by the EPA and, frankly, most vehicles never actually meet these numbers. At best they are a good way to compare one car to the next and probably should be reduced by about 10% in most cases.

When it comes to two-seater automobiles the best on the market are the Honda Insight with manual transmission that gets 61/66 mpg and the Honda Insight with automatic transmission and 57/56 mpg.

When it comes to mini-compact cars the two choices are the Mini Cooper with manual transmission that gets 28/36 mpg and the same Mini Cooper with automatic transmission that gets 26/34 mpg

Are you looking for a subcompact car? If yes, your choices are the Volkswagen New Beetle with manual transmission and diesel engine at 38/46 mpg and the same Beetle with automatic and 36/42 mpg

The Honda Civic Hybrid with automatic variable transmission gets 48/47 mpg while the same with manual gets 46/51. Both are considered compact cars. Then there are midsize cars like the Toyota Prius Hybrid automatic and 60/51 mpg and the Hyundai Elantra with manual transmission and an mpg of 27/34.

The Volkswagen Jetta Wagon with diesel engine and manual transmission is a great small station wagon and gets 36/47 mpg while the Volkswagen Passat diesel with automatic gets an admirable 27/38 mpg. Ford weighs in with their Focus Station Wagon with manual transmission and an mpg of 26/35.

If you need a minivan to shuttle the family all over town the Honda Odyssey with automatic transmission gets a decent 20/28 mpg and the Dodge Caravan with automatic gets a 20/26 mpg rating. If a sport-utility vehicle is more along the lines of what you need the Ford Escape Hybrid with automatic variable transmission gets a very high 36/31 mpg while the Toyota Rav4 2- wheel drive with manual transmission gets a 24/30 rating.

Finally there’s your pickup trucks, including the Ford Ranger 2 wheel drive pickup with manual transmission that gets a decent 24/29 mpg and the Mazda B2300 2 wheel drive with manual transmission and a 24/29 mpg rating.

Of course there are plenty of other cars to choose from and, frankly, in many ways there is so much selection that it makes the final choice a bit more difficult. Since gas prices aren’t likely to drop anytime soon the more time, energy and research you put into finding the car that best meets your needs the better off your wallet will be when you head to your favorite local gas station. Good luck with whatever make and model you choose and please be sure to come back and visit us sometime soon for even more information on how to beat the high cost of gasoline. See you then.

At water coolers, across grocery store counters and in kitchens everywhere across the country one of the biggest subjects on people’s lips is the price of a gallon of gas. At nearly 4 dollars a gallon on average people everywhere have been forced to make a huge adjustment to their budgets in order to be able to keep up their driving lifestyles. This of course has led many to search for any way possible to save money when filling up and has been the impetus for a number of blogs here on our website.

The way we look at it however is that there can’t be much talk about saving money on gas without talking about the one thing that makes the biggest difference at the pump; the type and size car that you drive. Indeed, it’s kind of hypocritical for anyone to talk about how much gas costs when they’re driving a huge, gas sucking road monster of a car every day. It’s with that in mind that we put together a blog about the Top 5 automobiles, mileage wise, being sold today.  If you happen to already be driving one of them, good for you. You can make a fuss about gas prices while the rest of us keep our mouths closed. Enjoy.

We will admit to a bit of pride that  there’s an American car among the bunch. The Chevrolet Cruz Eco’s  excellent number 42 mpg on the highway puts it right up there at the top of the charts. One of the reasons that it ships so little gas is that, at number 70 mph and in  6^th  gear,  the Cruz’s  engine is only turning at about 2000 RPMs, a recipe for gas saving that suits its owners just fine.

The Hyundai Elantra has been described as ‘aerodynamically slick’ as far as its styling is concerned and, with a 148hp  engine and 6=speed automatic transmission it delivers an excellent 40 mpg on the highway. This car has also been described as ‘conventional done well’ with a comfortable ride and excellent handling. Put all of those together and what you have is an outstanding automobile that sips gas.

 At over 40 mpg on the highway the Honda Insight  is another top gas performer. One of the reasons is the 13hp electric motor that’s sandwiched between a 1.3-liter gas engine and the CVT. The Insight doesn’t do as well as the Toyota Prius  for the simple reason that the Insight  is not made for prolonged electric motor operation, switching on and off when the air-conditioning is running for example.  Still, if this is your ride you’re a happy camper at the gas pumps.

Audi is on our list with their Audi A3 TDI. We will admit to a fondness for this car because it feels so much more luxurious than the rest. Of course the reason for that is that it also runs about $10,000 more than the others. So, while you’ll definitely save money when you fill it up you’re going to spend a bit more to put it in your garage. If that’s a good compromise that allows you to brag a bit at the water cooler then so be it.

The latest  Toyota Prius  has a larger 1.8 L engine that gives it a good bit more horsepower but still is believed to deliver 50 mpg! If giving us a bigger, stronger engine is the way to  decrease fuel consumption we’re very excited! Even if it falls a little bit short of that number we’ll still be fine with driving the epitome of hybrid cars around town or around the country and, with mpg this fantastic, it will be a pleasure to make the occasional stop for gas.

And there you have them. These are the cars to drive if you’re keen on winning each and every argument about gas consumption. Of course, if you’re like us and aren’t big on confrontations, you can just take comfort in the fact that you’re not spending your child’s inheritance on gasoline.  See you back here soon.

Everyone is looking for a car that will help them to save money, and the best way to keep vehicle costs low is to find a car that uses less fuel. There are dozens of great tips on how to save money on your commute, such as by making sure the tires are filled with enough air, using the AC when you’re on the highway, and keeping your car in good condition.

Do you want a good tip on how to save on fuel? Just buy an energy efficient vehicle!

Why Buy a Fuel Efficient Vehicle?

Instead of trying to look for new and creative ways to save money on gas, you would be better served by buying a vehicle that just uses less gasoline. You won’t have to get creative with your gas economy, but your car will use a lot less gas than the average car. You can drive around town without having to worry about conserving gas and being careful with the amount of driving that you do, as the car will use less gas all on its own.

Cost versus Benefit

If you’re going to try and save yourself a fortune on gas, buying a hybrid can be the way to go. With the electric motor in the hybrid cars, you can get up to 100 or 110 miles per gallon of gasoline. You’ll save yourself a small fortune on gasoline, but the truth is that you’ll end up spending that same amount on the car itself. The average small hybrid car will cost you upwards of $20,000, which may be a lot more than you’re willing to spend or can afford for a car.

Often, your best choice will be just to buy a car that uses less gasoline. You’ll end up spending a lot less on the car, which means that you’ll be able to afford to put gas in your car. A fuel efficient vehicle can be very affordable, and they will be very reliable. The benefits of a hybrid are numerous, but the cost may be just too high.

Which Car is Best?

If you want to find the best fuel efficient cars, you may want to consider the following options:

Hyundai Veloster — Hyundai cars may not all be the most attractive vehicles, but they get pretty good mileage. The Veloster gets about 40 miles per gallon on the highway, 28 in the city, and 32 miles per gallon combined. That’s not bad for a small car, which comes with a surprising amount of power for its size.

Ford Fiesta — Ford actually has taken one of the first spots with the Fiesta, as it’s probably the most fuel efficient non-hybrid vehicles around. You get 33 miles per gallon combined, though only 39 on the highway and 29 in the city. It’s a nicely compact and lightweight car, so it’s great for people who want something small.

Nissan Versa — For those looking for a full-sized sedan, the Nissan Versa is the fuel efficient vehicle for you. It gets just 38 miles per gallon on the highway, but 33 miles per gallon combined and 30 in the city. It’s very good for a full-sized car, and it’s a reliable sedan.

Mazda — Mazda may not be at the top of the list, but all of the Mazda vehicles get above 25 miles per gallon. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, check out the cars at Sport Durst Mazda to see which of the cars get the best mileage. The Mazda 2 has 34 mpg combined, while the Mazda 3 actually gets 39 miles per gallon on the highway.

Fuel economy is on everyone’s mind these days because of the ugly state of the economy and the rising (and rising, and rising) cost of gas.  There are plenty of cars on the road that offer excellent gas mileage to be sure but the fact is that many of them are also quite expensive to purchase.

Which begs the question; which cars are not only great on gas and have excellent mileage but also are affordable to begin with?  I mean there’s no sense worrying about buying a gas sipping car if the monthly payments are going to break the bank, am I right?

With that in mind here are the Top 10 Cars that not only have great MPG but also have a sticker price that won’t send your checkbook running for cover. They have the fuel efficiency people want and all the great features they are looking for too.

1. Hyundai Accent – Under $12,500 and 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway with a 6 speed manual transmission the Accent is the best of the bunch.
2. Kia Rio – Affordable to purchase and run the Rio gets 30 mpg combined with an automatic transmission.
3. Smart Fortwo Coupe – Tiny size and tiny price, the Fortwo gets 41 mpg highway and 36 mpg city. Just don’t try to bring a lot of luggage.
4. Toyota Yaris – Toyota reliability, under $14 grand and 31 mpg combined put the Yaris near the top of the list.
5. Ford Fiesta – An affordable compact with great styling and 33 mpg with the automatic transmission make the Fiesta a great buy and great at the pump.
6. Hyundai Elantra – Still affordable even though larger than the Accent and 33 mpg combined the Elantra is affordable and roomy.
7. Kia Forte – 34 mpg highway with a sporty look and feel and a great price tag the Forte is an excellent buy.
8. Honda Fit – Honda’s entry vehicle has all the Honda greatness and 31 mpg combined. One of the best of the bunch.
9. Toyota Corolla – One of the most affordable and reliable compacts on the road with 32 mpg combined.
10. Nissan Sentra – Under $16,500 and up to 30 mpg combined get this great compact on the list.