In the current year (2021), with fuel prices rising and growing, pandemic induced economic uncertainty, a fuel efficient car is more necessary than ever. However, despite this, large, fuel inefficient cars remain commonplace on American roads, and common knowledge as to which cars are the most fuel efficient ever made are hilariously out-of-date in the context of the rest of the world due to American car culture remaining heavily influenced by the 1950s. So step aside, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Geo Metro. These are the most fuel efficient cars ever made anywhere in the world.
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Most Fuel Efficient Hybrid – 2003-2005 Suzuki Twin
The first entry on this list, the 2003-2005 Suzuki Twin Hybrid, is a natural choice since when “most fuel efficient car” comes to your mind, it’s usually a hybrid.
However, this was no ordinary hybrid. Originally marketed as a commuter car for women in Japan, the two seat, kei-class Suzuki Twin was a bigger sales flop than New Coke and the Microsoft Zune, with only 10000 units of all trims sold in its two years of production.
Despite the cartoonish looks and small size (some Americans would call it a clown car), what Suzuki did was create the most fuel efficient car that Japan had ever produced with an overall fuel economy figure of 81.1 MPG (or 2.9 Liters/100 km); impressive considering that hybrid technology was much less developed and optimized for the systems in the early 2000s than now. It even had one of the earliest implementations of an auto start/stop system to help the fuel economy get up there! Even today, it is the second most fuel efficient Japanese car ever made, only beaten by the next entry on this list.
However, the Suzuki Twin is likely to lose its place on the podium of most efficient hybrid soon, since Japanese automakers just recently started announcing they will make hybrid versions of their already small and fuel-efficient kei cars. None of them can claim to be first though, because 18 years ago, Suzuki quietly beat them all to the punch, and nobody noticed.
2003-2005 Suzuki Twin Specifications
- Engine: 43 hp 658 cc 3 cylinder with 5 kW electric motor assist.
- Transmission: 4 speed automatic
- Approximate Maximum Fuel Economy: 2.9 liters per 100 km (81.1 mpg)
- Cargo Capacity: approximately 252 liters, and approximately 532 liters with passenger seat folded down (8.89 ft³, 18.7874 ft³ with passenger seat folded down)
Most Fuel Efficient Gasoline Car: 2017-present Daihatsu Mira eS (aka Subaru Pleo Plus/Toyota Pixis Epoch)
Fuel economy expectations in the U.S. may have remained stagnant for the last three decades, but that has not remained the case throughout the rest of the world. Continuous improvements in engine efficiency and manufacturing technology have meant that the most fuel efficient conventional gasoline car ever made is available for purchase, brand new, right now. That car would be the Daihatsu Mira eS, a Japanese market Kei Car that achieves up to 2.84 liters/100 km of fuel efficiency according to Daihatsu’s press release (35.2 km per liter, or 82 mpg US), which is quite impressive.
Relatively speaking, this means the fuel consumption of a Toyota Prius is nearly twice as much as the Mira eS! Furthermore, it is also incredibly cheap, with prices for the Mira eS starting at ¥842,000 JPY (or just under $7,400 USD), as the fuel efficiency of the Mira eS is due to its bare-bones construction and light weight, 660 kg (less than 1,500 lbs) on average, more or less depending on trim level. However, that does not mean the Mira eS skimps on safety tech, as it has all the crash avoidance systems that are expected of a car produced in 2021. Interestingly enough, it is also available with all-wheel-drive, though that does increase weight and decrease fuel economy.
Despite being a Japan-only model, it has become incredibly popular in Pakistan, and it is not uncommon to find Miras exported to Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Russia. If the Mira eS were ever available for sale in the U.S (thanks DOT/EPA), it would completely shake up the entire automotive marketplace with this very appealing combination of fuel efficiency, price, and optional four-wheel drive.
2017-present Daihatsu Mira eS Specifications
- Engine: 51 hp 658 cc 3 cylinder
- Transmission: CVT (Automatic)
- Approximate Maximum Fuel Economy: 82 mpg (2.84 liters per 100 km)
- Cargo Capacity: 160 liters, 414 liters with front seat folded down (5.65 ft³, 14.6203 ft³ with seat area)
Most Fuel Efficient Diesel Car – 1999-2005 Volkswagen Lupo 3L 1.2 TDI
Diesel’s reputation may have taken a hit in recent year, but traditionally, diesel vs. gasoline in the same make/model of car, diesel has held the edge.
Nowhere has this been more on display than in Europe, where diesel, up until 5 years ago, had more than 50% market share of new cars sold in most European countries, before the sharp drop-off in the aftermath of the VW emissions scandal. Among these pre-scandal vehicles is the VW Lupo 3L 1.2 TDI.
That’s a mouthful of a name, but the 3L is a description of its fuel economy, 3 liters per 100 km of fuel (or, 78 mpg US). Among cars sold in Europe, this one was the most fuel efficient ever on offer, and more modern diesels don’t even come close! When it was new, it was the most fuel efficient car of its time, and even 20 years on, it is still among the most efficient cars you can buy, and good ones often sell for less than $5,000 USD on the used market. It achieved high safety ratings in its day, and interior build quality was praised.
The good news is, they are all eligible for import into Canada due to their age, so if you want to save on fuel and have a good urban runabout for Montréal, Toronto, or Vancouver, this isn’t a bad way to do it!
1999-2005 Volkswagen Lupo 3L 1.2 TDI Specifications
- Engine: 103 hp 1.2 liter 3 cylinder diesel
- Transmission: 5 speed automatic (Automatic)
- Approximate Maximum Fuel Economy: 78 mpg (3 liters per 100 km)
- Cargo Capacity: 130 liters, 833 liters with front seat folded down (4.59 ft³, 29.4171 ft³ with seat area)
Most Energy Efficient Electric Car – 2013-Present Volkswagen e-Up!
Not all electric cars are created equal, and none of them can escape the laws of physics. Even with “clean” electric cars, that electricity has to come from somewhere, and that is dependent on the power generation mix of your area (and in most areas, electricity is generated using fossil fuels), so efficiency is still relevant. While the most efficient electric vehicle (measured in kilometers per kilowatt-hour) is the Renault Twizy at 9.76 km per kwh (6.1 mi per kWh), the Twizy is regulated as a quadricycle within Europe, and not as a car, so it does not qualify for our list of most fuel efficient CARS.
That leaves us, interestingly, with another Volkswagen, the e-Up! At 8.48 km per kWh (5.3 mi per kWh) it is currently the most efficient electric car you can buy. It is quite practical too, with one of the largest cargo capacities in its class. Interior quality is also a strong point, as it is strictly utilitarian, no bells and whistles. There are no optional trims available, and the strength of the eUp! is that it is an electric vehicle that is efficient and unpretentious.
Production looks to wind down soon, so if you want one new, best get it while you can. Otherwise the used market is the place to look. New in Germany, prices start at around $24,000 USD before government rebates, which, in the home market, bring the price down to $14,000 USD, making it an exceptional deal of an electric car.
2013-present Volkswagen eUp! Specifications
- Drive Unit: 61 kilowatt (83 Horsepower) Electric Motor with 374 V battery
- Transmission: Single Speed Automatic
- Maximum Possible Range: 320 km (200 mi)
- Energy Efficiency: 8.48 km per kWh
- Cargo Capacity: 250 liters, 923 liters with front seat folded down (8.82867 ft³, 32.5954 ft³ with seat area)
Summary
With this list of the best gas mileage cars to ever be made, hopefully, you will be able to make a smart buying decision that you will not regret. What is your favorite fuel efficient car? Let me know down in the comments below.
