mpg-o-editor Over the years, the Saturn SC’s excellent gas mileage ratings have made it a popular choice for commuters on a budget looking for a slightly sporty flair. With gas mileage ratings that rivaled some of the best from overseas, Saturn aimed to go toe-to-toe with the competition. Saturn achieved laudable gas mileage results by paying particular attention to vehicle weight, as evidenced by the (don’t call them plastic) “dent-resistant polymer body panels.”
Over its six-year run, the Toyota Echo built a reputation based on strong gas mileage ratings and a low sticker price. With highway gas mileage figures that ranged into the low 40 mile per gallon (MPG) range (when outfitted with the five-speed manual) and a MSRP that started at just $9,995, the draw was clear. Toyota marketed the 2000 Echo as bringing “Roominess, Performance and Youth Appeal to the Entry-Level Segment.” Ah, but the appreciation of the finer points of high-MPGs and low monthly payments knows no age barriers.
The first hybrid car to hit our shores, the Honda Insight set the bar high and put gas mileage front and center. The Insight returned in 2010. The original two-seat Insight’s in-your-face design used the Civic CRX as a starting point, hearkening back to the eighties, when the CRX HF was Honda’s gas mileage champ. While both the Insight and CRX HF were lightweights when it came to the scales, they were true heavyweight contenders when it came to fuel economy.
Over the years, the Volkswagen Golf’s excellent gas mileage ratings have consistently placed it in the short list of many fuel-conscious car shoppers … with a proviso. The highest VW Golf mileage has been historically achieved in the diesel-powered models. While gas-powered Golfs score highway mileage in the 30 mile per gallon (MPG) range, Golf TDI diesels rank into the mid-40 MPG range on the highway. Consequently, used diesel Golf TDIs are much in demand these days and command remarkable resale values … when you can find them.
The Jeep Wrangler is an American icon that delivers all it promises (as long as you don’t expect exceptional gas mileage). Fuel efficiency aside, this four wheeler’s all about getting there and getting back, no matter the conditions. With the 2009 Wrangler’s gas mileage ratings and a 22.5 gallon tank there’s plenty of range to wander from the beaten path.
The 2009 Jeep Wrangler comes with a standard 3.8 liter V6 producing 202 horsepower and 237 foot pounds of torque. The V6 can be fitted with a 6-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Command-Trac Shift-on-the-Fly 4WD is standard on the base and Sahara packages, while the 4:1 Rock-Trac Part-Time 4WD is standard on the Rubicon. A 3.21 axle ratio is standard issue on the base and Sahara, with optional 3.73 gearing. The Sahara is fitted with 4.10 gearing.