Here are lists of the top 10 new cars and SUVs for fuel economy and the worst 10, with pros and cons for each vehicle:
30 mpg cars
• Want to study those EPA fuel ratings? If so, visit Epa.gov/fueleconomy for the full report. The EPA rates the most fuel-efficient and least fuel-efficient vehicles by class. Drivers can save $200 to $1,500 in fuel costs each year by choosing the most fuel-efficient vehicle in a particular class. Classes include compact cars, minicompacts, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc. Every class of vehicle has a fuel-efficient model. Check them out at Epa.gov/fueleconomy/class-high and Epa.gov/fueleconomy/class-low.
• For those who want to rent, and not buy an SUV, note that if you want a really large vehicle, you'll need to reserve as much as a month ahead of time, according to Hertz and Budget rental car services. The biggests SUVs are usually the first to be rented, especially on weekends.
• Based on the EPA ratings (city mpg/highway mpg)
Least fuel-efficient SUVs
Mercedes Benz G55 AMG (11/13)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (11/14)
Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG (11/14)
Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD (12/16)
Mercedes Benz G500 (12/15)
Most fuel-efficient SUVs
Ford Escape hybrid (34/30)
Mazda Tribute hybrid (34/30)
Mercury Mariner hybrid (34/30)
Jeep Compass (23/28)
Jeep Patriot (23/28)
1. Toyota Prius Hybrid (48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway) -- You'll whiz past most gas stations in this roomy sedan, but acceleration is so-so, and it has a complicated design that requires Toyota mechanics.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid (40/45) -- Lacks Prius' special "hybrid" styling and is a little slow off the line, but more fun to drive than that Toyota.
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid (35/53) -- One of the largest hybrids because it's a mid-size sedan, but rear seat room isn't a strong point for tall passengers. However, with 198 horsepower, it is one of the quickest hybrids.
4. Ford Escape and similar Mazda Tribute / Mercury Mariner hybrids (34/30) -- Roomy but not oversized compact SUV hybrids. Acceleration is leisurely, with only 133 horsepower.
5. Toyota Camry Hybrid (33/34) -- Refined, roomy, but a near-zero on the fun scale.
6. Toyota Yaris manual transmission (29/36) -- One of the fuel-thrifty trio (with the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa) of small Japanese economy cars that arrived about a year ago. Toyota's smallest car, but room for four 6-footers. Has a small, hardworking four-cylinder engine.
7. Toyota Yaris automatic (29/35) -- Same as the manual but with less driving effort -- and a little less performance.
8. Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute hybrids with four-wheel drive (29/27) -- All the benefits and drawbacks of the No. 4 models, but with traction of four-wheel drive.
9. Toyota Corolla-manual transmission (28/37) -- The all-time best-seller, even topping the Ford Model T and original Volkswagen Beetle. Long-lived and a good ride, but just average handling.
10. Honda Fit-manual transmission (28/34) -- Most fun of the Japanese economy-car trio. Honda's smallest model but very space-efficient. Still, even the Honda Civic feels more substantial.
** Smart ForTwo (33/41) -- The 5-speed automated manual transmission has no clutch pedal and can be used in manual or automatic mode. Its tiny size lets it be parked almost anywhere. (Arrived too late to be included in EPA's most recent survey.)
1. Lamborghini Murcielago automatic (8/13) -- Sensational looking sports car -- with sensationally high gas costs.
2. Bugatti Veyron (8/14) -- Very classy, exquisite interior, but you'll pay for gas and insurance. And would you want to leave it with a parking attendant?
3. Lamborghini Murcielago manual (9/14) -- Barely better mileage than the automatic.
4. Bentley Azure/Arnage RL (9/15) -- Azure is a large four-seat convertible; Arnage is big, less sporty but also awesomely fast sedan. If you can afford either, whatever gas costs shouldn't bother you.
5. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti automatic (9/16) -- Fuel economy aside, one of Ferrari's most-practical cars, with seating for four and a decent-size trunk. Less attractive than other Ferraris.
6. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder manual, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti manual, Bentley Arnage automatic (10/15) -- Entering the territory of the fuel economy of the biggest luxury SUVs -- which is all they have in common.
7. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante and Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57, 57S, 62 and 62S (10/16) -- How the "other half" lives -- or drives. Usually the fourth or fifth car in the family.
8. Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe manual, Bentley Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur automatics (10/17) -- All the virtues of the above Lamborghinis --and all the vices.
9. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG (11/13) -- Any model from Mercedes's AMG hot rod division is terribly fast, exclusive and costly. Do you own any oil wells?
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRTS four-wheel drive (with 6.1 liter hemi) and Mercedes-Benz ML 163 AMG (11/14) -- Big power. At least they have SUV utility.
DriveLive around Chicago in a VW Eos
