Few consumers are oblivious to the benefits of good fuel economy figures, which is why the hunt for the sedan with the best mpg is a neverending quest year-on-year. Hybrids have already made things more complex, but the advent of the electric vehicle has really shaken things up. However, there is more to getting great value from your car than just how lightly it sips from the gas tank, which is why the sedan with the best gas mileage might not be the best car for you. This is why we weigh numerous other factors when compiling our rankings of the top sedans with the best mpg of 2022.
Characteristics of Sedans with the Best Gas Mileage
From the cheapest of cars to those with a six-figure price tag, just about any four-door can make it onto a list of sedans with the best fuel economy. This means that it can be difficult to find common ground or many shared traits. However, since shoppers looking at a sedan with good mileage will normally be looking for great value, too, that helps narrow things down a bit.
Affordability: While fuel economy plays a huge part in the cost of ownership in a car’s lifetime, one cannot ignore the initial purchase price. The Porsche Taycan boasts some mighty impressive mpg figures that are rare for a sports car, but nobody looking for a deal is going to dole out more than $80,000. This is why more mainstream brands should be your area of focus. Models from Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia deliver excellent mileage, but they won’t cost you a small fortune. The fact that they are also extremely reliable means that you won’t have to worry too much about maintenance fees.
Size: When it comes to getting the most out of your gas tank, size really does matter. A full-size 4-door sedan like a Mercedes S-Class will naturally be a lot heavier than a midsize or compact model, which means it takes more energy and, therefore, more fuel to move it around. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on luxury or performance, though. The Mercedes CLA and CLS, for example, are surprisingly thrifty for premium cars.
PHEVs: It is common knowledge that hybrids are more frugal than your average sedan in terms of mpg. However, it is important to note that plug-in hybrids have the benefit of all-electric range. This means that you can actually benefit from their highest mpg figures if you only travel short distances between recharging. If that’s the case, you can very easily make back the extra price of purchase and save a lot of money over the total period of ownership.
What to Consider Before Buying a Sedan with the Best MPG
There are great benefits to be had when you buy a sedan with good gas mileage. However, these cars sometimes have to make sacrifices in other areas to achieve this. To make sure you don’t get too distracted by those big numbers and end up buying something you regret, here is a quick breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of the most fuel-efficient sedans:
Pros
Low fuel bills are always a plus, and it means you can sometimes afford a better car
Hybrids and EVs do a good job of mixing performance with efficiency
Good resale value if properly serviced to maintain top gas mileage returns
There is no putting a price on taking some strain off the environment
Cons
Most sedans optimize fuel economy by reducing performance
Lower performance and conservative transmissions lead to boring driving
Hybrids and EVs are a lot more expensive than a gasoline-powered car
Electric and PHEVs can take a long time to charge
FAQs
What is the average mpg of a sedan?
According to the EPA, the average new car in the USA will get around 29.4 mpg in mixed driving conditions. When it comes to more frugal EVs, this figure jumps up to just under 100 mpg.
Which sedan has the best mpg?
The Tesla Model 3 and Lucid Air are neck-and-neck with 132 MPGe and 131 MPGe, respectively. These are both quite expensive vehicles, though. The Toyota Mirai also earns a spot as a sedan with the best mileage, with74 mpg, but it is hindered by the fact that it runs on hydrogen. This actually more efficient and more environmentally friendly than electricity, but there is a very limited refueling network in the USA.
Are hybrid and electric sedans expensive?
While you can generally save money on an electrically assisted car in the long run, the high initial price can be offputting to some buyers. A good way to get around this is to buy a used car. Something like a Hyundai Kona will retain its value quite well, and the industry-leading warranty period doesn’t hurt, either.
Can I improve my car’s mpg?
There are numerous ways to reduce fuel consumption while driving, and even the most efficient sedans can benefit from them. First and foremost, proper maintenance is key to ensuring your engine is running as efficiently as possible. Driving in a responsible and conservative manner also helps to keep consumption down. Avoid idling in traffic when possible and coast when going downhill. Hypermiling is another technique you could employ.