The vehicles we spotlight here are the least thirsty in their price categories, based on annual fuel costs. The fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles of combined city and highway driving each year and gasoline prices of $3.40 a gallon for regular, $3.70 for premium and $3.90 for diesel, or for electric cars, 12 cents per kilowatt hour.
Many of the winners sport an alternative powertrain: either gas-electric hybrid or all electric. "Green" is still a red-hot buzzword in the auto industry, with carmakers competing to showcase their commitment to fuel economy. All electric vehicles qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.
To be eligible for the most-fuel-efficient award, each model must have been designated a top 25 pick in its category, and no vehicle can win if another trim level of that model has won in a lower-price category.
Because of the increase in crossover models, this year we split the large and midsize crossovers into separate categories. SOURCES: Kelley Blue Book (new-vehicle data, ownership costs); Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (Top Safety Picks); FuelEconomy.gov (plug-in vehicle annual fuel costs)
Cars Under $20,000: Toyota Prius c One
- MPG: City: 53; Hwy: 46
- Sticker price: $19,890
- Invoice price: $18,937
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: NA
- Resale value: 3-year: 53%; 5-year: 37%
The littlest Prius has a strong family resemblance to the full-size Prius and a name that has earned green cred over the years. Delivering 50 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, the affordable Prius c boasts the best city fuel economy of any vehicle that doesn't plug in. It costs just a grand a year to fuel.
Sponsored Content
Cars $20,000-$25,000: Honda Insight LX
- MPG: City: 41; Hwy: 44
- Sticker price: $21,290
- Invoice price: $20,317
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: NA
- Resale value: 3-year: 45%; 5-year: 33%
Honda’s Insight offers utility and reliability with a low price of entry into the hybrid market (the base model has a sticker price of $19,515). Combined city and highway driving nets 42 miles per gallon and keeps your annual fuel cost to $1,200. An Eco Display and score based on your driving efficiency coach you to save even more fuel.
Sponsored Content
Cars $25,000-$30,000: Chevrolet Spark EV
- MPGe: City: 128; Hwy: 109
- Sticker price: $27,495 (1LT)
- Invoice price: $26,428
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $26,628
- Resale value: 3-year: 42%; 5-year: 26%
The all-electric version of Chevy’s subcompact is wallet-friendly: Charging for a year adds just $500 to your electric bill. It’s a blast to drive, too, with 400 lb-ft of instant torque. Technology includes Chevy MyLink with apps for Pandora and Stitcher radio as well as iPhone functionality with Siri Personal Assistant. The Spark EV features ten airbags and made the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick list. As with all EVs, the Spark qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Sponsored Content
Cars $30,000-$40,000: Honda Fit EV
- MPGe: City: 132; Hwy: 105
- Sticker price: $37,415
- Invoice price: NA
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: NA
- Resale value: 3-year: 38%; 5-year: 25%
Honda's Fit EV costs $500 a year to charge and has a range of 82 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The zippy subcompact is available only for lease in a handful of states (California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island). But it has a new price, lowering the leasing cost to $259 a month.
Sponsored Content
Cars $40,000-$50,000: Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid
- MPG: City: 47; Hwy: 46
- Sticker price: $40,570
- Invoice price: $37,148
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $37,567
- Resale value: 3-year: 51%; 5-year: 39%
The gas-engine Accord is also our Best in Class winner in the $25,000-$30,000 price category. The plug-in model is loaded with standard features, such as dual-zone climate control and heated seats, a rearview camera, a navigation system and safety features such as forward collision and lane departure warning. It was named a Top Safety Pick + by the IIHS.
Sponsored Content
Cars $50,000 and Over: Tesla Model S P85
- MPGe: City: 88; Hwy: 90
- Sticker price: $91,070
- Invoice price: NA
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: NA
- Resale value: 3-year: NA; 5-year: NA
The Tesla’s high price tag is less daunting when you compare the luxury EV’s “fuel economy” with that of the luxury competition. The EPA gives the Model S a 265-mile range and annual charging cost of just $700. And the $7,500 tax credit trims the sticker price. The 60 kWh model, which has a 208-mile range, starts at $71,070.
Sponsored Content
Sports Cars: Scion FR-S (TIE)
- MPG: City: 25; Hwy: 34
- Sticker price: $26,555
- Invoice price: $25,265
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $26,555
- Resale value: 3-year: 56%; 5-year: 39%
Scion entered the enthusiast market last year with its new halo car, the FR-S. The rear-wheel-drive coupe sports a 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower engine that was a joint effort with Subaru. (The FR-S shares the engine and its platform with the Subaru BRZ; see the next slide.)
Sponsored Content
Sports Cars: Subaru BRZ Limited (TIE)
- MPG: City: 25; Hwy: 34
- Sticker price: $29,490
- Invoice price: $28,009
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $28,605
- Resale value: 3-year: 57%; 5-year: 39%
You wouldn't expect it given the brand's largely utilitarian lineup, but Subaru’s BRZ is downright sexy. Its lithe body will surprise those used to Subaru's staid designs; navigation, among other higher-end features, is standard. Because it shares its 200-hp engine and rear-drive platform with the Scion FR-S, it also shares its fuel economy plaudits.
Sponsored Content
Wagons: Ford C-Max SE
- MPG: City: 45; Hwy: 40
- Sticker price: $25,995
- Invoice price: $24,294
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: NA
- Resale value: 3-year: 51%; 5-year: 34%
Ford’s hybrid answer to Toyota’s Prius v wagon provides plenty of value to sway buyers. It has a lower price and more power than the Prius v, and it gets a smidge better fuel economy. Fueling for a year costs $1,200. An innovative hands-free lift gate feature allows you to open the rear hatch with a kick of the foot under the bumper.
Sponsored Content
Minivans: Honda Odyssey LX
- MPG: City: 19; Hwy: 28
- Sticker price: $29,655
- Invoice price: $28,290
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $27,128
- Resale value: 3-year: 55%; 5-year: 39%
The Odyssey is a perennial Kiplinger pick for value. Its blend of reliability and safety—it is the only Top Safety Pick in the minivan space—complements its high resale values and the lowest five-year ownership cost in its category. The cost to fill up: $2,300 a year.
Sponsored Content
Small Crossovers: Nissan Rogue S
- MPG: City: 26; Hwy: 33
- Sticker price: $23,350
- Invoice price: $21,756
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $22,394
- Resale value: 3-year: 50%; 5-year: 36%
Redesigned for 2014, Nissan’s best-selling crossover seats up to seven, has a comfortable and spacious cabin and, with combined city and highway mileage of 28 mpg, keeps the annual fuel cost to just $1,800. Available technology includes Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and makes parking a snap.
Sponsored Content
Midsize Crossovers: Lexus RX 450h
- MPG: City: 32; Hwy: 28
- Sticker price: $47,320
- Invoice price: $44,535
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $45,256
- Resale value: 3-year: 60%; 5-year: 45%
With 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving and an annual fuel cost of $1,850, the Lexus RX hybrid combines luxury with a green powertrain. It’s no slouch on the road, either; it puts out 295 horses, and the all-wheel drive model includes a second electric motor dedicated to the rear wheels for better performance.
Sponsored Content
Large Crossovers: Acura MDX
- MPG: City: 20; Hwy: 28
- Sticker price: $43,185
- Invoice price: $40,081
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $41,297
- Resale value: 3-year: 58%; 5-year: 41%
A new powertrain for 2014 allows Acura’s family-friendly crossover to save on gas. The 290-horsepower V6 features direct injection as well as variable cylinder management, which employs fewer cylinders when conditions allow. Add in a new two-wheel drive base model (the previous generation was all-wheel drive only) and annual fuel costs drop to $2,400.
Sponsored Content
Truck-based SUVs: Toyota 4Runner SR5
- MPG: City: 17; Hwy: 22
- Sticker price: $33,680
- Invoice price: $31,053
- KBB Fair Purchase Price: $31,507
- Resale value: 3-year: 68%; 5-year: 57%
The 2014 4Runner gets new sheet metal and interior refinements such as soft-touch surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an Eco-Driving feedback system. More legroom and reclining seats make the second row more comfortable, and a one-touch walk-in function makes the third row easily accessible.
Sponsored Content
Sponsored Content
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Berkshire Hathaway Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayBerkshire Hathaway is a long-time market beater, but the easy money in BRK.B has already been made.
-
New SALT Cap Deduction: Unlock Massive Tax Savings with Non-Grantor TrustsThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act's increase of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap creates an opportunity to use multiple non-grantor trusts to maximize deductions and enhance estate planning.
-
6 Luxury Cars With Few Recalls This Past DecadeLuxury Cars Recalls help keep drivers safe, but too many can signal reliability problems and cause buyer’s remorse. Here are the most reliable luxury rides.
-
What to Do With Your Tax Refund: 6 Ways to Bring GrowthUse your 2024 tax refund to boost short-term or long-term financial goals by putting it in one of these six places.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowHealthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
15 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in RetirementMaking Your Money Last Here's why you might regret an RV in retirement. RV-savvy retirees talk about the downsides of spending retirement in a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or other recreational vehicle.
-
The Six Best Places to Retire in New Englandplaces to live Thinking about a move to New England for retirement? Here are the best places to land for quality of life, affordability and other criteria.
-
The 10 Cheapest Countries to VisitWe find the 10 cheapest countries to visit around the world. Forget inflation woes, and set your sights on your next vacation.
-
15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winterhome There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
-
Six Steps to Get Lower Car Insurance Ratesinsurance Shopping around for auto insurance may not be your idea of fun, but comparing prices for a new policy every few years — or even more often — can pay off big.
