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The 15 Most Fuel-Efficient Car Brands

2/9/2016

 
By Sean Jackson, AxleGeeks
fuel efficient cars

Brand recognition and fuel efficiency are two major factors people consider when purchasing new vehicles. Regardless of short-term fluctuations in gas prices, a car's fuel economy impacts the day-to-day costs of going with a particular model.

The automakers are incentivized to build efficient cars too. President Barack Obama announced new fuel efficiency standards back in 2012, instating a brand minimum average of 54.5 combined miles per gallon by 2025.

With this in mind, which brands are well on their way toward achieving this goal? AxleGeeks ranked the biggest brands based on average fuel efficiency.

See the Most Efficient Brands

#15. Nissan

Nissan's cars get an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg. When compared to Japanese non-luxury brands, this falls short of the average 27.5 mpg. If you're shopping for an efficient Nissan, your best bet is with a sedan or coupe, which offer better fuel economy relative to competitors.

#14. Acura

Acura is the only luxury brand to make the list, as its vehicle lineup earns on average 25 combined miles per gallon. A big reason for this is the advancements Acura has made, including its intelligent valve control system, which helps its engines operate at high performance standards while keeping efficiency high, as well.

#13. Toyota

Toyota, as a brand, is known for its fuel-efficient vehicles and good reliability. With its lineup averaging 26.5 miles per gallon, it falls low on the list compared to competitors like Honda. However, Toyota does have pick-ups in its lineup, and they've improved their full efficiency to a degree recently.

A good illustration is the Toyota Camry, which went from 22 city miles per gallon with its 2010 model to 25 city mpg in 2016.

#12. Hyundai

Hyundai vehicles average 27 combined miles per gallon, giving the manufacturer an advantage over other brands like Toyota. Hyundai strives to make some of its vehicles more efficient by equipping them with four-cylinder engines and responsive six-speed automatic transmissions.

#11. Mitsubishi

What makes Mitsubishi distinctive is that, though its vehicle lineup is small, all vehicles but its Lancer Evolution model earn at least 30 mpg or more on the highway. With that said, its vehicles haven’t seen a substantial increase in efficiency as of late.

For example, its 2005 Lancer Model earned 34 highway mpg; its 2016 model delivers 35 highway mpg. While both outputs are impressive, it illustrates Mitsubishi has a ways to go to meet coming efficiency mandates.

#10. Kia

Kia’s lineup also earns a combined 27 miles per gallon. What aids Kia’s vehicles in delivering efficiency is its Gasoline Direct Injection engine. This engine works by injecting pressurized fuel into cylinders as the engine goes through its combustion cycle, resulting in increased efficiency and lower emissions.

#9. Scion

Scion embraces efficiency through the design of its vehicles. Its 2016 iA model features an aerodynamic body to reduce wind resistance, resulting in a sedan that averages 37 combined mpg.

#8. Volkswagen

The German manufacturer’s lineup earns a combined 28 miles per gallon, making its offerings more efficient than BMW's.

Helping its average are multiple hybrid models and the e-Golf, an affordable electric car starting under $30,000.

#7. MINI

Its combined fuel efficiency of 28 mpg for its lineup is impressive, considering it makes MINI’s automobiles more efficient than Hyundai and Toyota. MINI continues to tinker with improvements, but hasn't changed much when it comes to its most popular model, the MINI Cooper. The 2005 MINI Cooper earned 36 highway mpg, while its 2016 counterpart earns 39 highway mpg.

#6. Subaru

Subaru continues to be a good brand due to its vehicle reliability. Subaru’s Boxer Engine is a big reason for its improved efficiency, offering a horizontal design. This positioning allows the engine to easily transfer power to the drivetrain, resulting in increased efficiency.

#5. Honda

Honda is a brand that's well-known for its dependability, and its efficiency isn’t too shabby either. With its vehicle lineup earning 29.25 miles per gallon, it makes Honda more efficient than many of its competitors. Moreover, Honda has made rapid gains in improving its models’ efficiency, as the 2008 Honda Civic earned 34 highway miles per gallon and the 2016 Civic delivers 42 highway mpg.

#4. Mazda

Mazda continues to be one of the best car brands due to its exceptional fuel efficiency. As an illustration, it has three models that earn an EPA-estimated 40 mpg or more on the highway, which is remarkable and more in line with the coming mandate standards. It also makes its lineup more efficient than both Toyota and Honda.

#3. FIAT

Known for its distinctive Italian styling, Fiat also delivers efficient vehicles. Its lineup, though small, earns on average 31 combined mpg. Each of its gasoline engine vehicles deliver at least 33 highway mpg or more while its electric offering — the 2015 Fiat 500e — has an exceptional equivalent efficiency of 122 city mpg.

#2. Smart

Don’t let the size of its vehicles fool you, Smart engineered these impressive models with Mercedes Benz. Smart’s models excel in performance and efficiency, delivering a combined 35.5 mpg on average, making them excellent commuter cars.

#1. Tesla

Tesla embodies the future of automobile engineering. While certainly on the more expensive end of the spectrum — its Model S begins at $59,500 after tax savings — Tesla vehicles deliver great performance with their electric motors. This also represents significant fuel savings for you, as according to Tesla, you could save an estimated $8,000 in fuel charges over five years of use. Tesla cars get the equivalent of 94 mpg.

Compare 10K+ Cars on AxleGeeks

Seven Jeep Concepts: A New Way to Celebrate Easter

3/20/2015

 
PictureStaff Car Concept (Photo: FCA)
With Easter on the horizon, most people think of colored eggs, baskets of candy, roast lamb or lilies.  But diehard off-road fans can now add Jeep® to the mix.  The Fiat Chrysler division is introducing seven concept vehicles with a host of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts and they are doing so at the Moab, Utah 49th annual Easter Jeep Safari, taking place March 28-April 5.  The setting contains some of the country's most rugged and recognizable trails, so thousands of off-roaders are expected to attend.

The seven new concept vehicles built for Moab this year were created by a small team of engineers, designers and fabricators that have been customizing production vehicles since 2002, and have introduced more than 50 concept vehicles for the enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.

Here are the seven featured vehicles:


Jeep Chief -- A tribute to the classic 1970s era full-size Jeep Cherokee, this Wrangler-based concept vehicle evokes the West Coast surfer lifestyle of sun and fun with a nod to nostalgic beach rides. Custom exterior design cues include a vintage "Ocean Blue" exterior color scheme with a white, "French Bread" roof; a custom modified razor grille that the original Wagoneer made famous; halogen headlamps; removable sides for an open-air feel and flexible hauling; chrome front and rear bumpers and classic, 17-inch slotted mag wheels for a true '70s vibe.

Jeep Staff Car -- The Jeep Staff Car was built as a salute to legendary Jeep military service vehicles.  The open-air Wrangler four-door-based concept vehicle looks historic and authentic, but is all new.  The function over form of the original Jeep military service vehicles is evident in the Staff Car.  Basic steel wheels, minimalist fender flares, "hungry horse" stretched canvas roof and bench seats all echo the original military Jeep vehicles. 

Jeep Wrangler Africa -- The Africa is the ultimate Jeep Wrangler for back-country and overland expeditions, with room for extra gear and auxiliary fuel tanks.  It sports a Desert Tan exterior paint, a high-clearance steel front bumper with winch, power step rock rails, power dome vented hood and an extended rear body and high-top roof. Powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission, the Wrangler Africa also features fender-mounted auxiliary fuel cans. The Africa sports 17-inch body color steel wheels with 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires. 

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander -- The Overlander concept vehicle represents the rough-and-tumble side of Grand Cherokee, a rugged and dependable vehicle customized for the enthusiast interested in overland expeditions where they travel and camp out of their vehicle. It sports Sage Green exterior paint. Custom features include a one-off front fascia, integrated front winch, tow hooks, larger wheel flares, SRT taillamps and hood, off-road rock rails, front and rear skid plates and 18-inch milled wheels with BF Goodrich All-terrain T/A tires.

Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk -- The newest addition to the Jeep lineup, the Jeep Renegade, is the basis for the Desert Hawk concept vehicle, and is equipped with a selection of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts.  The "Desert Tan" exterior features a Jeep Performance Parts body decal, a topographical hood decal that depicts the "Fins and Things" Moab trail, off-road rock rails and a skid plate kit. Also featured are Mopar's  trailer hitch receiver and roof rack.  

Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail -- The Canyon Trail concept vehicle is developed from the Jeep Cherokee, Four Wheeler Magazine's "2015 Four Wheeler of the Year."  In the spirit of that award, the Canyon Trail ups the Cherokee's capability with specifically designed Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts.  The Canyon Trail's "Desert Tan" exterior paint is accented with a "Satin Black" hood that includes a topographical hood decal showcasing Hell's Revenge, a renowned off-road trail in Moab. The exterior also displays Jeep Performance Parts body decal, "Satin Black" roof accent colors and the 2015 "Four Wheeler of the Year" decal.

Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder -- The Red Rock Responder is a support vehicle purpose-built to traverse the world's harshest terrain with premium off-road equipment to respond to any vehicle emergency, with spare parts and tools stored in the cargo box's built-in drawers and compartments.  With a "Vibrance Responder Red" exterior paint, Jeep Performance Parts body decal, 10th Anniversary hood with hydraulic hood props, high-top fender flares and 17-inch beadlock wheels with body color beadlock ring, the Red Rock Responder stands out. The vehicle also sports LED headlamps and foglamps, LED A-pillar and off-road lamps. (See a photo of this vehicle on our home page.)

"The most enthusiastic off-roaders travel to Moab each year for this premier event, making Easter Jeep Safari the perfect place to showcase Jeep Performance Parts," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO – Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care. "Jeep owners are passionate about their vehicles and Mopar, with Jeep Authentic Accessories and Jeep Performance Parts, offers a full-line of products for them to express this passion through customization, making sure there is no other vehicle like theirs on the road."

MINI Superleggera Vision: The next Miata fighter?

3/2/2015

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Picture
With  the focus on Mazda's Monterey, California debut of the 2016 MX-5 Miata last August, many gearheads may not have noticed MINI's June European promotion of a stunning, Italian-designed electric concept roadster, the Superleggera (TM) Vision.  But you can bet that it raised eyebrows at Mazda headquarters.  And the MINI's classic Milanese coachwork may have even ruffled a few feathers in the halls of Fiat Chrysler, where executives are still noodling whether to launch the Miata's sister Alfa Romeo roadster (possibly as a Fiat) or to simply let next year's more upscale Alfa 4C Spider lead the brand in the ragtop department. 

BMW Group debuted the Vision at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014  in Cernobbio, Italy.  Says the company:  "This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is, on the one hand, a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand, its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera™ has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal."

Much of the press material on the Vision focuses on the various intricate design elements (we especially like the Union Jack taillights), but we believe the photo gallery below, courtesy of BMW Group, gives you a good idea of why such a roadster could give the Miata a run for its money on looks alone.  Couple that with a smooth, powerful electric drivetrain and MINI's always stellar and solid handling, and you have a sweet formula for sales success that could draw MX-5 fans out of the fold (assuming the price is right).

We have asked BMW Group officials for more information on the possible launch of such a roadster, especially in the U.S., and we've also requested the specs on the drivetrain if they are available.  We'll update you when we hear more. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the photo gallery:


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    David Fluhrer has been a classic car columnist for Newsday since 2008, as well as a new car reviewer for the auto section and a feature writer for Newsday's glossy magazines, Luxury Living and Long Island Living. 

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