The Volkswagen EOS wins the MPGomatic “Wow, What’s That?” Award for the stealthiest fuel-efficient car on the market. The 2008 VW EOS delivers decent gas mileage, landing a rating of 30 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway. And not only that … its a convertible with a super slick retracting solid roof. You’ll never call the EOS a ragtop. … and your friends might never know it’s a Volkswagen. (Hint: shave those emblems.)
Since its introduction to America in the 1995 model year, the popular Hyundai Accent has consistently delivered a high mile per gallon (MPG) to purchase price ratio. The Accent’s highway gas mileage figures have hovered in the mid-thirties on the highway throughout the sub-compact’s run. Although the Accent’s gas mileage ratings took a bit of a hit with the reworking of the mileage formula for the 2008 model year, the least expensive Accent’s sticker price is still under $11,000.
Both the three-door hatchback and four-door Hyundai Accent sedan are fitted with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, producing 110 horsepower and 106 foot pounds of torque. All models are available with a five-speed manual as standard issue; a four-speed automatic with overdrive is optional.
The SE hatchback, designed for the entry-level boy (and girl) racer at heart, is equipped with a B&M Racing sport shifter, sport tuned suspension, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Does Hyundai fit a common rail turbo-diesel in the Accent abroad? Sure thing, but not here in the States … yet …
Toyota’s Scion packs a whole lot of style into some seriously small packages, with good gas mileage ratings, to boot. Scion’s best gas mileage is produced by the xD, with highway gas mileage estimates in the low thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range.
The snappy Scion xD five-door hatchback is fitted with a 1.8 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 128 horsepower (HP) and 125 foot pounds of torque. The 2008 xD’s gas mileage figures crack the magic 30 MPG highway mark: 27 city / 33 highway MPG when equipped with the five-speed manual and 26 city / 32 highway MPG when fitted with the four-speed automatic transmission.
We spent a week test driving a Scion xD this past summer and walked away with a favorable impression of the little critter. Check out our Scion xD Review:
The mid-size Pontiac G6 comes in a dizzying array of configurations, with the most fuel-efficient combination delivering 30 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway. Pontiac covers all the bases with the 2008 G6: sporty coupe, sleek four-door sedan, and snappy two-door convertible.
The Pontiac G6 Convertible is available with two different V6 engines, each mated to a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission:
The Pontiac G6 Coupe is available with two different V6 engines:
The G6 Coupe can be configured with the four- or six-speed electronically controlled automatic (with overdrive). The six-speed is standard on the GXP model. The G6 Convertible is a good bit heavier than the Coupe, with the GT Coupe weighing in at 3415 lbs., the GXP Coupe weighing in at 3487 lbs., and the Convertible tipping the scales at 3855 lbs.
The Pontiac G6 Sedan is available with three different engines and the choice of a four- or six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, with overdrive:
We recently spent a week test driving a 2009 Pontiac G6 sedan and were impressed with the car’s ride and comfort. We had no problem exceeding the official gas mileage ratings … as long as the G6 was driven with a light foot. Check out our Pontiac G6 review for a pair of tips on how to get the best gas mileage out of the car.
The Kia Optima delivers solid gas mileage ratings for a mid-size sedan. A five-star safety rating, roomy interior, an affordable price, and highway estimates of 31 miles per gallon (MPG) for the four-cylinder version make the Optima an attractive choice for the value-conscious.
The Optima was introduced to America in the 2002 model year and was redesigned for 2006. The 2008 Optima is based on the Hyundai Elantra platform.
The 2008 Kia Optima can be fitted with one of two engines: