It’s hard to believe, but six of the top ten most fuel efficient cars were built prior to 2000 according to Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website, the authoritative source on fuel efficiency stuff.
While some famous models, such as the 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Honda Insight and the 2006-2010 Honda Civic Hybrid, got a spot on the top ten list, it’s really older lightweight models like the 1986 Chevy Sprint ER or 1990-1994 Geo Metro XFI that make it obvious efficiency hasn’t come as far as we’d like to think.
Honda seems to be the king of this list by having no less than 5 models in the top 10, while Prius made the list twice. All of the vehicles on the list run with either 3- or 4-cylinder engines and five out of the top ten rely on hybrid motivation. The winner, the 2000 Honda Insight, managed to run 53 miles per gallon, a number that exceeds even the modern-day Prius by three mpg.
This list proves most fuel efficient cars were built way back, although we are made to believe each new model is better in this area. Finding a working car of some of these old fuel sippers is not easy, which means they are not too safe to drive.
Top 10 most fuel-efficient cars
1. 2000 Honda Insight (City 49/Hwy 61/Combined 53)
2. 2010 Toyota Prius (City 51/Hwy 48/Combined 50)
3. 1986 Chevrolet Sprint ER (City 44/Hwy 53/Combined 48)
4. 1990-94 Geo Metro XFI (City 43/Hwy 52/Combined 47)
5. 1986 Honda Civic CRX HF (City 42/Hwy 51/Combined 46)
6. 1995 Honda Civic VX Hatchback (City 39/Hwy 50/Combined 43)
7. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid (City 40/Hwy 45/Combined 42)
8. 2010 Honda Insight (City 40/Hwy 43/Combined 41)
9. 2001-03 Toyota Prius (City 42/Hwy 41/Combined 41)
10. 1989 Chevrolet Sprint (City 38/Hwy 45/Combined 41)
10. 1989 Suzuki Swift (City 38/Hwy 45/Combined 41)
