10 Car Brands Known For Prioritizing Fuel Efficiency & 10 That Couldn't Care Less
Fuel-Savers And Gas-Guzzlers
Some automakers obsess over efficiency. Others chase power, no matter the cost. Hybrids, compact engines, and innovative design are the tools of the eco-conscious. Meanwhile, high horsepower and bulkier builds still rule in certain corners of the industry. Here’s a look at who’s saving fuel—and who is unapologetically burning it. Let’s start with the savers.
1. Toyota
Toyota didn’t just pioneer hybrids; it made them mainstream. The Prius kicked off a revolution, and today, nearly every Toyota model has an ultra-efficient counterpart. This isn’t trend-chasing; it’s a long-term strategy. Fuel savings and global sustainability goals intersect in Toyota’s forward-thinking lineup.
2. Honda
Few brands have refined efficient performance like Honda. Even before hybrids, models like the Civic proved you could stretch a gallon without sacrificing spirit. Today’s hybrids build on that legacy, blending clever engineering with smooth drivability. Honda just quietly delivers miles and miles of smart savings.
3. Hyundai
Efficiency isn’t an afterthought at Hyundai—it’s the foundation. The Ioniq, Kona Electric, and hybrid Sonatas show a brand investing deeply in clean mobility. Even their gas models lean on aerodynamics and lean builds. Hyundai is going green and building an ecosystem of fuel-savvy innovation.
4. Kia
Kia has made fuel efficiency cool. The Niro Hybrid delivers 53 mpg combined, and even their crossovers sip fuel with surprising restraint. It’s not just tech, even design and intent. Kia is pushing hard to reduce consumption while maintaining modern styling and real-world practicality.
5. Mazda
Instead of chasing trends with electrification, Mazda perfected combustion. The Skyactiv technology squeezes efficiency from every piston stroke. These engines deliver diesel-like mileage with the responsiveness of a gas car. It’s an artful approach where performance and frugality exist in balance, without digital gimmicks.
6. Ford
Ford surprised many by slipping fuel efficiency into its workhorse DNA. The Maverick Hybrid, giving up to 42 mpg city, proves utility doesn’t have to mean waste. Ford isn’t ditching its trucks but threading economy into them, quietly reshaping expectations in a segment known for guzzling.
7. Subaru
The all-wheel drive usually means lower mpg, but not with Subaru. Through clever engineering and efficient flat-four engines, models like the Impreza and Crosstrek Hybrid keep fuel bills down without sacrificing grip. Subaru’s balancing act: rugged capability meets real-world efficiency that doesn’t require giving up adventure.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
8. Nissan
Nissan upgrades hybrids with its e-Power system. The wheels run on electricity, but there's no plug-in needed. Add high-mpg models like the Versa, and the brand’s fuel focus becomes clear. Nissan isn’t copying others but carving its efficient lane with tech that’s as practical as it is clever.
9. Tesla
Tesla skips fuel altogether. Model 3 earns a stellar 138 MPGe city and 126 MPGe highway, offering up to 358 miles of range. As an all-electric brand, Tesla pushes boundaries in sustainability and innovation, redefining what fuel efficiency means in the modern age.
10. Lexus
The brand blends luxury with impressive fuel economy across many of its models. Its hybrid systems, particularly in models like the RX and ES, show that classy doesn’t have to be careless. As Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus inherits eco-minded engineering and upscale comfort without compromising fuel-conscious performance.
However, not every automaker is chasing mpg trophies. For some brands, prestige or off-road prowess comes first, even if it means burning through fuel like there’s no tomorrow.
1. Bugatti
Every car by Bugatti—be it the Chiron, Mistral, or new hybrid Tourbillon—is made for massive power and exclusivity. With engines like the 8.0L W16 and 8.3L V16 hybrid, these hypercars offer blistering speed but consume fuel rapidly, often under 15 mpg (city and highway).
2. Lamborghini
Lamborghini's lineup is all about speed and spectacle. The Revuelto hybrid supercar, for example, has a real-world figure of around 13 mpg. Even the Urus SE hybrid SUV, which can manage about 18–20 mpg combined, is engineered for performance first.
3. Dodge
Dodge celebrates retro-styled horsepower with little regard for rising fuel prices or emissions. Notably, the brand's muscle series prioritizes raw output. The Hellcat Redeye, for instance, gulps fuel at 12 MPG combined, with a supercharged 6.2L V8 pushing over 797 hp.
4. Ferrari
Ferrari tries to blend high-revving engines with hybrid tech, but primarily to support performance, not efficiency. The SF90 Stradale is rated around 18 mpg combined, and the 296 GTB hybrid is similar. For Ferrari, the focus is always on delivering thrilling performance.
5. GMC
GMC’s trucks and SUVs, like the Sierra and Yukon, are designed for towing and comfort. With V8 engines, these models typically achieve merely 14–17 mpg combined. GMC prioritizes capability and power, with fuel economy often being an afterthought.
6. Rolls-Royce
The brand’s enormous V12 engines power handcrafted luxury vehicles that prioritize silence and indulgence. Features like starlight ceilings and power-closing doors come before anything. Rolls buyers are more interested in which rare wood trim to pair with the lambswool carpet.
JustAnotherCarDesigner on Wikimedia
7. Jeep
Off-road capability means added weight and boxy designs for Jeep. Even the electric Recon keeps its rugged DNA. The Wrangler Rubicon’s design still resists wind tunnels and favors crawl ratios over fuel consumption ratings. Jeep’s priority remains clear: go anywhere, not go far.
8. Maserati
Maserati’s sports cars and SUVs, such as the MC20 and Grecale, offer combined fuel economy in the 16–18 mpg range. Even with hybrid technology, the brand’s focus is on Italian style and performance. They know what their customers are looking for.
9. Bentley
Each Bentley is a high-tech fortress of indulgence. The latest Flying Spur packs everything from massaging seats to active suspension, features that add luxury and pounds. Battery-electric plans exist, but for now, weight and size overshadow any whisper of efficiency.
10. Ram (Trucks)
Ram trucks are built to haul. Even with newer mild hybrid tech, the big V8s consume fuel unapologetically. With coil-spring suspensions and massive towing numbers, everything else is sidelined for durability and payload. Even eco tweaks like eTorque are modest.
