The tremendously popular Ford Taurus was first introduced in 1986 and is one of Ford’s best-selling automobiles of all time. While the Taurus took a slight vacation from the Ford line up, it’s back for the 2010 model year with a vengeance. The 2008 Ford Taurus sedan (shown below) is equipped with a 3.5 liter six cylinder engine and achieves acceptable gas mileage for a family-sized sedan. The front wheel drive version delivers 18 city and 28 highway miles per gallon, while the four wheel drive version hauls down 17 city and 24 highway.
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Ford Focus Gas Mileage: 2000 – 2013
The compact Ford Focus was introduced to America in 2001 and underwent a restyling in the 2008 and 2012 model years. The domestic 2013 Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 160 horsepower (a 20 HP bump over the previous model). The Focus SFE is the most fuel-efficient model in the 2013 line up, achieving gas mileage ratings of 28 city and 40 highway miles per gallon, as it benefits from improved aerodynamics and low-rolling-resistance tires. The Focus Electric first appeared in 2012 (albeit in limited quantities) and the performance-oriented Focus ST was added in the 2013 model year.
We spent a week test driving a 2012 Ford Focus and were extremely impressed. Check out our Ford Focus review:
Ford Ranger Gas Mileage: 1986 – 2011
The compact Ford Ranger pickup truck was introduced to America in the midst of the gas crunch, roughly twenty-five years ago. Fuel efficient Mazda and Mitsubushi diesel engines were options in the earliest years of the Ranger. Ford also sold a battery-powered electric version, the Ranger EV, between 1998 and 2000.
The domestic 2011 Ford Ranger is available with either a 2.3 liter four cylinder or 4.0 liter six cylinder engine. The manual transmission-equipped 2.3 liter 2010 Ranger is rated at 22 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. The Ford Ranger sold in Europe is a rebadged Mazda that uses an economical 2.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.
The jury’s out on whether or not America will ever get the well-received redesigned World Ranger. Ford is likely concerned that the new Ranger would cut into sales of the F-150.
Toyota Tundra Gas Mileage
The Toyota Tundra was introduced to America in 2000 as Toyota’s first full-sized pickup truck. It was redesigned for the 2007 model year to be significantly larger, in order to better compete with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram.
The current Tundra is available with 5.7 and 4.7 liter V-8 engines, as well as a 4.0 liter V-6. While all three engines produce a generous amount of horsepower, their gas mileage just might be considerably less that what you might expect from a Toyota. In order to gain market share, Toyota would do well to offer a turbo diesel engine in the Tundra.
Toyota Camry Gas Mileage
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for every year in the last decade, save one (2001). Born in the midst of the early 1980s gas crunch, the first front-wheel drive Camrys were extremely fuel-efficient when configured with the available 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine.
Today’s mid-size Camry produces acceptable gas mileage, with the Camry Hybrid the clear standout at 33 city / 34 highway miles per gallon. While not nearly as economical as Toyota’s Prius Hybrid, the Camry Hybrid offers a considerably higher level of comfort.
We spent a week with the Camry Hybrid and came away quite impressed with the car. Check out our Toyota Camry Hybrid review: