Buying a fuel-efficient vehicle doesn’t have to mean settling for a car that’s sluggish, uninteresting and undersized. The 2014 models range from an affordable, fun-to-drive hatchback capable of delivering 45 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway to a luxurious full-size hybrid sedan that can deliver 39 MPG. Even though gas prices have pulled back, a fuel-efficient car can save you a bundle.
Eight fuel-sipping 2014 vehicles that are good cars and good buys…
Mazda3 (sedan and hatchback) is a fun-to-drive car that just happens to be fuel-efficient. A redesign for 2014 lengthened the Mazda3’s wheelbase and stiffened the body, making the car smoother and more confident through corners than others in its price range. The Mazda3’s steering feedback and brake response rival the Ford Focus for best-in-class status. The base 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine produces a very acceptable 155 horsepower (hp). The car’s styling, inside and out, is attractive, too—it looks sporty and refined, not at all bargain-basement, like so many other sub-$20,000 cars. It comes relatively well-equipped for its price.
Price: Starts at $17,740 for the sedan …$19,740 for the hatchback.* MPG: 30 city/41 highway for the sedan, 30/40 for the hatchback.
Ford Fiesta SFE 1.0-liter EcoBoost hatchback doesn’t just offer the best fuel economy available in a 2014 nonhybrid gas-powered car, it also delivers surprising power from its tiny three-cylinder turbocharged engine. Officially it generates only 123 hp, but this subcompact is very light and its power is quite “torquey,” so it’s quick off the line and never seems sluggish on the highway. Add in the Fiesta’s good steering feel and sporty suspension, and it is a joy to drive. The only significant sacrifice that
Fiesta buyers must make is the car’s small size.
Price: The five-door hatchback starts at $18,040 when equipped with the EcoBoost engine. MPG: 32 city/45 highway for a manual transmission.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2.0-liter sedan and wagon both come with a 140-hp turbodiesel engine that delivers excellent fuel efficiency. Like most VWs, these cars also offer precise steering feel, a smooth ride and a relatively spacious, comfortable interior. Unlike the diesels of decades past, this one is quiet and clean. The Jetta TDI SportWagen provides additional cargo space without sacrificing enjoyable driving dynamics or much fuel efficiency.
Price: Sedan starts at $25,115. MPG: 30 city/42 highway. SportWagen, $28,179, MPG: 29/39. (Both require diesel fuel.)
Mazda CX-5 crossover delivers impressive fuel efficiency and affordability for a small SUV-style vehicle. It also is attractively styled, well-equipped and—like most Mazdas—more fun to drive than comparable vehicles in its price range. The CX-5 has very accurate steering feel and very little body roll through the corners by SUV standards.
The Sport model’s two-liter, four-cylinder engine is somewhat underpowered for an SUV at 155 hp, but the new 2.5-liter engine available in the Touring and Grand Touring models generates an ample 184 hp.
Price: Starts at $25,600 for the Touring model. MPG: 25 city/32 highway.
Toyota Prius hybrid hatchback isn’t as fun to drive as the other cars on this list—it’s designed to be practical, not performance-oriented. Still, there’s no denying that the most popular of all hybrids has a certain appeal. It offers stellar fuel efficiency, a quiet ride, a relatively roomy feel and a well-deserved reputation for trouble-free driving, all for a reasonable price.
Price: Starts at $25,010. MPG: 51 city/48 highway.
Nissan Leaf hatchback is a plug-in electric, which isn’t an appropriate choice for all car buyers. Because this compact car runs only on electricity, you have to plug your car in. A complete recharge takes around four hours with a special 240-volt charging dock…or around seven hours when charged from a standard 110-volt household outlet.
Its range is around 84 miles per charge, which is enough for many commutes and for people who use these cars just to run errands. Like most electric cars, it’s very quiet and has plenty of low-end torque, which means it’s peppy when starting from a stop. The Leaf’s price is falling—as of late 2013, its MSRP was a hair under $30,000. Subtract the $7,500 federal tax credit for buying an electric car (and possibly state tax credits) and factor in that you’ll never have to buy a drop of gas, and it’s actually a very affordable option.
2013 price: $29,650 before tax credits. MPG: Runs on electricity, but EPA calculations put its fuel economy at the equivalent of 129 city/102 highway.
Honda Accord Hybrid sedan is comfortable, quiet, pleasant to drive, refined in appearance and roomy by midsize sedan standards—it almost feels like you’re driving a full-size. The Accord Hybrid is more expensive than the Toyota Prius and slightly less fuel-efficient, but its steering feel, styling, power-the Accord has a 195-hp, two-liter engine—and overall level of quality leave the Prius far behind.
Price: Starts at $29,945. MPG: 50 city/45 highway.
Toyota Avalon XLE Premium Hybrid offers the best fuel economy of any large sedan, plus a plush, comfortable, quiet interior that is nearly on par with luxury cars costing much more. Avalons are very reliable, and following a recent redesign, they now are more engaging to drive, with a refined drivetrain and fairly responsive handling. Toyota has been making a concerted effort to overcome its reputation for turning out dull-to-drive cars, and those efforts are paying off.
Price: Starts at $36,365. MPG: 40 city/39 highway.
*Manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (MSRPs) are for 2014 models except for the Nissan Leaf. MPG ratings are for automatic transmissions except for the Ford Fiesta.
