Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars, Why Bother With Hybrids When 2011 Elantra Does It For LESS?

Now, I know plenty of you smart asses out there will say something like "Because the annual fuel cost is cheaper," but that doesn't quite add up unless you plan on keeping your vehicle for an extended period of time. Even if you get the most fuel-efficient vehicle you're only saving $500 to $800 bucks annually.

When you consider some vehicles cost more than DOUBLE the price of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, you're not exactly winning, as Charlie Sheen would profess.

Anyhow, make sure to take a look at TrueCar's top 10 most fuel-efficient cars and wonder with us: why bother with the hybrids when the Elantra keeps up for LESS?


**Make sure to check out TrueCar's other findings by clicking "Read Article"


TrueCar.com, the authority on new car pricing, trends and forecasting has compiled a list of the top ten most fuel-efficient cars currently being sold, based on fuel economy and cost of gas, per 15,000 miles driven annually. Of the top ten, nine vehicles were hybrids, with the 2011 Toyota Prius being the most fuel-efficient vehicle and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra making the list as the only non-hybrid. Pure electric vehicles were excluded from the list because there is no cost associated with filling up a tank...

Year/Make/Model (Base)	Segment	Base MSRP	Average Paid	Combined EPA	# US Gallons*	Cost Per Year at $3.52**	Cost Per Year at $5.00**
2011 Toyota Prius	Small Car	$23,810	$22,235	49.6	302	$1,064	$1,512
2011 Lexus CT 200h	Luxury Car	$29,995	$30,013	41.6	361	$1,269	$1,803
2011 Honda Insight	Small Car	$18,950	$17,851	41.3	363	$1,279	$1,816
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid	Small Car	$24,700	$23,290	41.3	363	$1,279	$1,816
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid	Luxury Car	$35,455	$33,478	38.6	389	$1,368	$1,944
2011 Chevrolet Volt	Midsize Car	$41,000	$40,893	37.1	404	$1,424	$2,022
2011 Lexus HS 250h	Luxury Car	$36,475	$34,872	34.5	434	$1,529	$2,171
2011 Honda CR-Z	Midsize Car	$20,095	$19,731	33.4	449	$1,579	$2,243
2011 Hyundai Elantra	Small Car	$15,550	$15,052	33.1	453	$1,595	$2,266
2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid	Midsize Car	$27,435	$25,158	32.7	459	$1,616	$2,295

[Source: TrueCar]


2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Photo Gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Photo Gallery

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe Photo Gallery

2011 Geneva Motor Show Photo Gallery

Lamborghini Showcase Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

800over - 3/23/2011 11:28:49 PM

+12 Boost

Using that argument you should just by a scooter. Doesn't make sense there...why should it when comparing a Lincoln and a Hyundai only on fuel economy?

Agent00R - 3/24/2011 12:11:24 AM

-6 Boost

@800

Even if you got an $18,000 Elantra and compared it to a $23,000 Prius with $4.00 gas prices you'd need more than eight years to break even on your Prius.

geoff448 - 3/24/2011 2:02:15 AM

+4 Boost

id take a hyundai over a lincoln any day haha

Agent00R - 3/24/2011 10:05:38 AM

0 Boost

@nonofyobus

These numbers are estimates that TrueCar based off of 15,000 miles driven annually.

Secondly, see Chark's comment down below.

800over - 3/24/2011 5:48:28 PM

0 Boost

agent 00R....why use the Prius? what about the lincoln? Why not use that as an example? My point is that they are comparing only a very small part of a car ownership. Would you rather have the Elantra than a Ferrari?

Steve - 3/23/2011 11:37:10 PM

-1 Boost

ooR also forgets TCO, or Total Cost of Ownership, which factors in, well, *all* costs. With hybrids, you might save on fuel cost alone, but are we including plug-in electricity costs, maintenance, and the cost of replacing those big, expensive batteries at some undetermined time?

Apples and oranges.

Agent00R - 3/24/2011 12:33:48 AM

+2 Boost

@Steve

TCO is a great point; however, I think it's a bit too early to take into consideration costs like replacement of batteries when it hasn't been done consistently. Have batteries been replaced before in hybrid/EVs, yes, but not on a consistent basis. Also have to keep in mind that battery replacement costs will continue to cheapen over time. So, we can't say how expensive a battery will be eight years from now.

This tech is still nascent compared to ICEs.

Keep in mind the only plug-in vehicle on the list is the Volt.

800over - 3/24/2011 5:49:45 PM

+2 Boost

Costs for hybrid cars that have been on the market for years say 9+ have been lower than any ICE engine vehicle....

yes I know that's only 1.

800over - 3/23/2011 11:40:51 PM

+5 Boost

Or using "True cars" 2 criteria "price and annual cost of fuel" you should just buy a Toyota Yaris instead of the Hyundai....

Agent001 - 3/24/2011 12:59:22 AM

-7 Boost

Have you driven a Yaris?

The Elantra is an amazing piece of work.

Bigger than a Nissan Maxima inside, 40 REAL MPG on the highway, great drive compared to anything under $25k, 10 year warranty, great looking, sat radio, bluetooth, mp3 all in a car that sells for 17 and change street price.

Best car on the market for the money.

Period.

001

800over - 3/24/2011 5:45:02 PM

+2 Boost

Agent 001.....my comment has nothing to do with how great the Elantra is.... The article compared $40k cars to 15k cars and ONLY used cost and fuel as criteria, again if those are the ONLY two criteria then the Yaris costs less than the Elantra. If you agree that the Elantra is "better" than the Yaris, then you also have to agree that using True Cars methods have nothing to do with "better".

geoff448 - 3/24/2011 2:05:07 AM

+1 Boost

The lincoln only gets such good gas mileage because its massive hideous grille channels all the air into a small windmill farm housed under its massive hood which is delivered to the electric motor.

610looper - 3/24/2011 6:35:08 AM

+3 Boost

Why no Ford Fusion Hybrid on the list? Did they stop making those already?

Chark - 3/24/2011 9:24:03 AM

+3 Boost

The $15000 Elantra is a manual without A/C. No one wants that model. $18000 is more realistic for a GLS with auto and A/C. Mileage exceeds the EPA estimates. I've seen close to 50MPG on the freeway and over 30MPG in the city. You do need to try and time the lights some to avoid excessive idling. Not quite as quiet as the Sonata, but a very nice car for the money. The Sonata Hybrid belongs on this list and at $32000 fully loaded and 35/40 EPA ratings is a true value and is stunning in person.

knowitall1985 - 3/24/2011 1:15:42 PM

+1 Boost

I'll take the CT20h and have a real car. The hun-day is a POS. When I see someone in one I just laugh and say what a MORON. I have been selling Luxury cars for 27 years. We owned a Hun-day dealership. The car's will fall apart in 5 years or less.....

jtz7 - 3/24/2011 3:59:21 PM

-1 Boost

Why isn't the Fiesta and Focus on that list?

markanthony0419 - 3/24/2011 10:23:59 PM

+1 Boost

get a diesel and end it. diesel real car beats any hybrid. real power real performance but government motors wants to push electric so they keep the price of diesel fuel high but the gas milage makes up for it. just look on the spies on the last article on the 535 D real car real performance. dont forget the volt is 40k oh wait you get 7k back from taxpayers. whats the break even point for chevy on the volt hahahaha

85bmw745i - 3/27/2011 12:12:33 AM

-1 Boost

Haters are deboosting us lol. The facts are there, the numbers are there, the TDI is better bottom line. I am impressed with Hyundai's accomplishments though. If VW could up the tdi power to about 170 and the torque to about 275 it would be the best in that class of car.

85bmw745i - 3/25/2011 12:03:34 AM

-2 Boost

Where is the VW jetta TDI and Audi A3 tdi, they both average better than all of the non hybrids listed and is way more fun to drive.

Sukhdeep - 8/23/2011 6:43:49 AM

+1 Boost

“Did you know that air conditioning usage can lower the fuel economy of your <a href="http://www.safeauto.com/blog/post/2011/08/16/Is-Your-Air-Conditioning-Sucking-Up-Gas.aspx">car</a> by at least 20%, or in other words, by 62 gallons of gas per year?”