Gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, or battery electricity—whatever fuel or energy source your vehicle runs on, there’s only so much of it stored aboard your ride. Since topping off your fuel tank or batteries can cost a lot, it’s best to invest in a vehicle with good gas mileage to save over the years. Automakers add MPG values to their models, but what do those terms and numbers mean? Furthermore, what is the good gas mileage for your needs?
Gas mileage is the distance measured in miles that a vehicle can cover while running on one gallon of fuel or the electric equivalent. The popular term for it is miles per gallon (MPG), and its electric vehicle counterpart is MPG equivalent or MPGe.
There are two different gas mileage ratings. City MPG is your vehicle’s average in a city environment, where you usually drive at lower speeds and often stop for a bit before accelerating due to stoplights. Meanwhile, highway MPG is the average on an open stretch of road at high speed without stopping or starting.
Combined gas mileage is the weighted average of city and highway MPG values, reflecting the typical driver switching between driving environments. It’s 55% of the city MPG value plus 45% of the highway MPG value.
In general, you should evaluate a vehicle according to its combined gas mileage, which is a more accurate model of realistic driving conditions.
So what is the good mpg for your needs? The answer depends on your driving habits and what you usually do with your ride.
Gas mileage drops as a vehicle gets bigger and heavier. An increase in size and weight requires a more powerful engine that burns more fuel.
But don’t just look at the numbers. Consider what you use your vehicle for. For example, a car usually has a much higher MPG than an SUV or a truck, but it can only seat a few passengers. You cannot fit seven passengers into a typical compact car or tow a trailer with it.
Also, a car can neither go off-road like an SUV nor tow or haul large, heavy loads like a pickup truck. So look for a vehicle category that suits your particular needs. Then choose a make model from that category with a high combined MPG rating.
Hybrid vehicles usually have superior MPG when compared to their pure fossil fuel-burning counterparts. Their downside is a higher initial investment since they cost more than conventional versions.
Several factors work together to determine a car’s gas mileage. Generally, cars are more fuel efficient than other vehicles (like trucks and SUVs) thanks to their smaller size, lighter weight, and adequate engines. However, there are exceptions like muscle cars, which achieve their exceptional acceleration through powerful engines that guzzle gas. So if you want a car with good gas mileage, get one with an efficient engine.
For trucks, aim for a model with a combined MPG of 20-25. Modern SUVs can reach 30 MPG, with some models like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieving 35. Meanwhile, most minivans are in the 20-25 MPG range.
The definition of what good gas mileage is can vary, but here are some estimates you might want to refer to.
Here are some of the most fuel-efficient full-size sedans as of this writing:
Combined mileage: 30-41 mpg
The Toyota Crown has a bit of an advantage when it comes to fuel efficiency, mainly because it’s a hybrid model.
Along with its great gas mileage, the redesigned Toyota Crown gives owners the full sedan experience with its impressive cabin features and space.
The Toyota Crown is offered in two hybrid systems一the standard Toyota hybrid system and the Hybrid Max system.
Combined mileage: 30 mpg
Even with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the S90 recharge can be as competitive as gasoline-powered engines with its 2.0L I4 Turbo engine that’s capable of churning out 455 hp.
The five-seater sedan only takes 4.6 seconds to go 0-60 mph and boasts luxurious interior features like adaptive cruise control, a panoramic moonroof, and front-cooled seats, among others.
Below are the most fuel-efficient full-size SUVs in the market.
Combined mileage: 23-29 mpg
The Lexus TX is available in a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option with the latter providing up to 33 miles of driving range.
The three-row SUV doesn’t disappoint when it comes to specs, displaying high-end features combined with practicality.
The TX is slightly above the RX in terms of seating capacity and cargo space.
Combined mileage: 19-25 mpg
The BMW X5 might lag behind the TX in terms of fuel economy, but its range is still considered impressive for a full-size SUV.
The luxury SUV boasts an inline six-base engine, an upgraded twin-turbo V8, as well as an advanced plug-in hybrid variant.
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