30 Cars That Get 30 MPG

With gasoline prices once again speeding toward $4 a gallon, fuel efficiency is becoming more of a priority for drivers.

And, after watching many consumers panic during the 2008 run to $4 a gallon and trade in their gas guzzlers at a hefty loss, car makers are heeding the call and making more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Kelley Blue Book, which compiles vehicle price and value data, was able to come up with a list of 30 cars that get over 30 miles per gallon. Three years ago, such a list didn’t exist: “We had to lower our criteria to 25 miles per gallon,” said Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.

Not surprisingly, most of the vehicles on this 30 for 30 list are either subcompact or hybrids. Still, they were able to find several family vehicles and even a few luxury vehicles that get over 30 miles per gallon.

For those who are in the market to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle right now, Gutierrez suggests holding off a purchase until the latter part of the summer as uncertainty over the earthquake and tsunami in Japan may temporarily drive up prices.

That means right now, it’s time to do your homework. Here are 30 cars that get at least 30 miles per gallon – all are 2011 models.

By Cindy Perman
Posted 1 Apr 2011

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG (city and highway): 30
Suggested Retail Price: $12,010
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $11,650
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $22,368

More drivers are moving toward smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, but “thanks to cars like the 2011 Nissan Versa, consumers don't have to give up comfort, room and technology,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. The Versa, in fact, “leads the small-car pack in spaciousness,” KBB says.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 32
Suggested Retail Price: $13,615
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $13,343
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $23,187

The Yaris, the smallest car in Toyota’s lineup, features a “whimsical design” and is “packed with value,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. It’s not a sporty performer, according to the review, but still fun to drive and great handling, Gutierrez said.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 33
Suggested Retail Price: $13,995
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $13,785
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $24,741

U.S. automakers have been trying to play catch-up with their Japanese counterparts and in the case of the Fiesta, Ford not only catches up, “it’s better,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. It’s got “style, interior quality, driving dynamics” and, of course, fuel efficiency. And with a name like Fiesta, which means “party” in Spanish, you know it’s going to be fun!

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 33
Suggested Retail Price: $14,865
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $14,716
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $25,957

The Elantra is still a subcompact but offers a little more interior room than some of its competitors, Gutierrez said. “It’s a great product overall. Nice interior. Great handling … For just a little bit more money, you’re going to get some added space,” he said.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 29 (35 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $15,850
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $15,612
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $26,802

It’s hard to find a subcompact that can fit four adults comfortably but “the Fit can do just that and more,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. It “mimics the attitude and determination of the first Honda Civic but with modern day comfort and safety features unimaginable in the Civic's early years,” the review says. “Cute, frugal, fun-to-drive and above all else notoriously reliable, the Fit exists to challenge new entries such as Scion, Hyundai and MINI, as well as Toyota's Yaris Sedan.”

It’s priced slightly higher than others in the class, but KBB notes that it has “outstanding resale value.”

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 28 (35 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $19,915
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,915
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $33,710

Hyundai and Kia have made great strides catching up with their Japanese counterparts, Gutierrez said. The Sonata has been a “giant leap forward for Hyundai and kicked off its recent rise to respectability,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. It’s stylish and combines a “well-appointed interior, world-class powertrain and newfound levels of quality … An instant favorite,” the review says.

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 28 (35 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $19,690
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,690
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $34,206

The Optima has great styling, Gutierrez said and is “definitely fun to drive.” Older versions were boring and forgettable but “The Kia Optima is now one of the most stylish, most amenity-laden midsize sedans available, and qualifies as a viable, attractive alternative to the segment's heaviest hitters,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review.

Type: compact crossover
Combined MPG: 29 (32 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $19,760
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,760
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $33,964

The Juke is has “some of the amenities and utility offered in a traditional SUV or crossover but it’s more aggressively styled,” Gutierrez said. “And, it’s a lot of fun to drive! Great little turbo-charged motor. And it handles very well,” he said. “It’s got the utility of a crossover and the handle of a sports car.”

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 32
Suggested Retail Price:$20,100
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $20,100
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $33,524

“This is one of my personal favorites on the list,” Gutierrez said. “As the name implies, it’s a mini. You can fit four adults but two in the back isn’t comfortable.” So why does he like it? It’s fun to drive. “This car is far and away one of the best performers on the list,” he said. Plus, “It speaks to your personality. You can go to the dealership and almost have one custom-built.”

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 50
Suggested Retail Price: $22,410
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $22,186
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $31,009

It was the first mass-produced hybrid and is the best-selling hybrid, but
and the best-selling hybrid on the market but “it no longer carries the original car's quirky, new-age image,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review. It’s gone from “eco-novelty” to the “vehicle of choice for those desiring to spend less on fuel and more on comfort and versatility.” The Prius’s fuel efficiency -- an estimated 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway – is “unmatched in its class,” KBB says.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 41
Suggested Retail Price: $18,950
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $18,666
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $26,129

The Insight is Honda’s answer to the Prius and if you’re buying this car, it’s “purely a financial play,” Gutierrez said. It’s got a cheaper price tag than the Prius, though it’s not quite as fuel efficient – It has a combined 41 mpg versus the Prius’s 50. And, you don’t get a lot of bells and whistles, just a cool $4k off the sticker price compared to the Prius.

Type: luxury
Combined MPG: 35
Suggested Retail Price: $36,475
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $36,475
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $53,301

If the Insight is the financial play on the Prius, then the Lexus HS 250h is the luxury play. “It’s the Toyota Prius turned into a luxury vehicle!” Gutierrez said. “It’s got all of the tech options you could possibly think of.”

Type: luxury
Combined MPG: 30
Suggested Retail Price: $44,100
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $44,110
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $61,107

If you like the Prius, but don’t want to give up the luxury AND have the family needs of an SUV, this is a great vehicle, Gutierrez said. “It’s a great looking car. Great crossover. Lots of cargo room and can comfortably seat 4-5 adults,” he said. “It’s probably one of the most fuel-efficient luxury crossovers on the market.”

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 28 (31 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $13,995
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $13,715
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $26,728

The Kia Soul and the Nissan Cube are similar, Gutierrez said, in that they’re fun to drive, have a cute, boxy design and have a five-year cost-of-ownership that’s similar. The Cube may be a bit fresher, Gutierrez said, but the Soul has broader appeal, according to the Kelley Blue Book review. “It enjoys styling that is neither polarizing nor awkward,” the review said.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 28
Suggested Retail Price: $15,040
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $15,040
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $26,918

The Kia Soul and the Nissan Cube are similar, Gutierrez said, in that they’re fun to drive, have a cute, boxy design and have a five-year cost-of-ownership that’s similar. The Cube may be a bit fresher, Gutierrez said, but the Soul has broader appeal.

The Cube was named the “best value” in the subcompact category from automotive analytics firm Vincentric. In handing out the award, Vincentric credits the Cube with being “best at maintaining its value, the lowest cost to insure, and better than average maintenance and repair costs” and says, “What to do with all the savings? Accessorize!”

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 34
Suggested Retail Price: $23,765
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $23,765
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $38,368

The Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Golf take premium fuel, which is more expensive, but they’re a lot of fun to drive. They market themselves as driver’s cars, similar to BMW, Gutierrez said. “Really fun little engines. They’re fun to toss around!”

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 34
Suggested Retail Price: $24,295
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $24,052
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $38,728

The Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Golf take premium fuel, which is more expensive, but they’re a lot of fun to drive. They market themselves as driver’s cars, similar to BMW, Gutierrez said. “Really fun little engines. They’re fun to toss around!”

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 93
Suggested Retail Price: $41,000
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $41,000
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $46,693

The Chevy Volt is a four seat “extended-range” electric car, which means it has a generator that runs on gas that can extend the range of the car even after the battery dies, which makes it good for long trips. Chevy says the car can go 25 to 50 miles on electric and the generator extends the range for another 300 miles.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: N/A
Suggested Retail Price: $33,630
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $33,630
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $37,294

The Leaf is great for the early adopters who want to have the latest technology. And, it’s also a nice ride, Gutierrez said. “I thought an electric would drive like a golf cart – not at all!” he said. “It’s got some get-up-and-go!”

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 41
Suggested Retail Price: $24,700
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $23,342
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $31,110

The Honda Civic has been a top performer for decades. “You can’t go wrong with a Civic,” Gutierrez said. “You can’t say anything bad about it. … It’s a very competent car. Very well put together. No headaches. No problems. Low maintenance costs.” And now, with the hybrid version, low fuel costs.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 37
Suggested Retail Price: $20,095
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $20,095
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $32,387

“It’s kind of a fun vehicle,” Gutierrez said. “It’s a hybrid … but it’s one of the performance-oriented hybrids.” The downside, is it’s a two-seater. So, not the most practical option for families.

“It's what the CRX might have evolved into had Honda kept it around all these years,” the Kelley Blue Book review said. “Like its predecessor, it's not fast but it is fun to drive and, with a hybrid heart and sport-compact footwork, this new entry brings something different to the table.”

Type: crossover
Combined MPG: 32
Suggested Retail Price: $30,825
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $29,900
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $40,707

The Escape is a compact crossover, which offers plenty of room to seat 4 to 5 adults, and it has a lot more cargo space than a traditional SUV, Gutierrez said. Plus, being a hybrid, it gets great fuel efficiency, which makes it “great for someone with a family who likes to travel a lot,” Gutierrez said.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 33
Suggested Retail Price: $16,995
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $16,485
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $27,616

The Chevy Cruze replaces the outgoing Chevy Cobalt. And, it “makes a pretty clear statement that GM is willing to and able to compete in the compact segment,” Gutierrez said. It’s a “well-executed blend of fuel-efficiency, design, refinement and performance wrapped in an affordable, compact sedan package,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review.

Type: compact
Combined MPG: 29 (35 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $17,365
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $16,931
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $27,857

The Focus is bigger than the Fiesta, with added cargo and legroom – and, it’s fun to drive, Gutierrez said. Though, he recommends waiting for the 2012 Focus which is expected to have even better fuel efficiency.

Type: subcompact
Combined MPG: 29 (33 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $15,765
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $15,765
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $28,964

The Scion is a little more expensive than the Yaris or Versa and that’s because it’s a little more aggressively styled, Gutierrez said – very appealing to the late teens, early 20s crowd. He ads that it’s fun to drive and gets great fuel economy.

Type: luxury
Combined MPG: 42
Suggested Retail Price:$29,995
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $29,995
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $43,915

This is a hatchback hybrid that gets excellent fuel efficiency and is a “pretty sporty drive,” Gutierrez said. If you’re shopping the $40-50k range, the Lexus CT 200h is a great option, he said.

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 28 (35 highway)
Suggested Retail Price: $19,690
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,690
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $34,206

The Optima has great styling, Gutierrez said and is “definitely fun to drive.” Older versions were boring and forgettable but “The Kia Optima is now one of the most stylish, most amenity-laden midsize sedans available, and qualifies as a viable, attractive alternative to the segment's heaviest hitters,” according to the Kelley Blue Book review.

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 33
Suggested Retail Price: $27,435
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $26,612
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $35,187

The Camry, Fusion and Altima are all mid-size hybrids. “These really appeal to someone with a commute,” Gutierrez said. “They comfortably fit adults or adults and kids.” Plus, good cargo space for all those trips to Home Depot and Costco. Gutierrez said he’s not sure they’re worth the premium you’re paying for the hybrid version but “overall great vehicles.”

The Camry hybrid is the “rare hybrid that makes both environmental and financial sense,” Edmunds.com says in its review. “It's quicker than a regular four-cylinder Camry, it's far better on gas and it's only marginally more expensive than a comparable non-hybrid four-cylinder model,” Edmunds says. Plus, it’s got a “spacious interior, cushy ride, energetic acceleration, excellent crash test scores.”

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 39
Suggested Retail Price: $29,100
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $28,518
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $37,685

The Camry, Fusion and Altima are all mid-size hybrids. “These really appeal to someone with a commute,” Gutierrez said. “They comfortably fit adults or adults and kids.” Plus, good cargo space for all those trips to Home Depot and Costco. Gutierrez said he’s not sure they’re worth the premium you’re paying for the hybrid version but “overall great vehicles.”

The Fusion hybrid “is proof that driving enjoyment, supreme fuel-efficiency and affordability in a midsize sedan needn't be mutually exclusive,” Edmunds says in its review. Plus, it’s got “engaging handling for a hybrid; spacious interior; comfortable ride; useful Sync system,” the review says.

Type: mid-size sedan
Combined MPG: 33
Suggested Retail Price: $27,530
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $27,530
Five-year fuel & finance expense: $39,882

The Camry, Fusion and Altima are all mid-size hybrids. “These really appeal to someone with a commute,” Gutierrez said. “They comfortably fit adults or adults and kids.” Plus, good cargo space for all those trips to Home Depot and Costco. Gutierrez said he’s not sure they’re worth the premium you’re paying for the hybrid version but “overall great vehicles.”

It’s a “solid hybrid family sedan that also happens to be relatively sporty to drive,” Edmunds says in its review, with precise steering and high-quality interior. However, the review adds that it’s overshadowed by its competitors.