Unconventional economy cars

To relieve the pressure of high gasoline prices, Americans are feeling their way from trucks to cars, or from traditional SUVs to smaller crossovers. To help shine some light on that path, The New York Times has compiled a list of fuel-saving models that are compelling for reasons that go beyond fuel economy.

This is more than a roster of the highest-mileage cars, which is populated mainly by subcompacts and small hybrids. While small economy cars certainly have an appeal, not every family is ready to go cold turkey and trade the SUV for a tiny econobox. So the mission here is to present fuel-saving options in a full range of categories.

In that vein, I felt no pressing need to mention the usual fuel-saving suspects such as the Honda Civic and Fit or the Toyota Prius and Corolla (or the tiny Smart, which gets less mileage than meets the eye). Praising those economy-car kings is too easy.

The vehicles that follow are less obvious penny-pinchers, yet each ranks at or near the top of its class in fuel economy. The picks suit a range of budgets and tastes — and even include a surprisingly efficient 430-horsepower sports car.

The figures are from a Web site operated by the Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov. Vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions except as noted. Annual fuel costs are based on 15,000 miles a year at prices of $3.96 a gallon for regular gasoline, $4.21 for premium and $4.60 for diesel.

THE ANTI-MINIVAN: MAZDA 5

Base price: $18,645.

MPG ratings: 21 city, 27 highway, 23 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $17.20 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,584.

While the sporty Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback have received plenty of attention, the 5 is often overlooked. But this compact Euro-style van stretches a gallon further than any sliding-door rival. It's affordable, carries six people in three rows and neatly outhandles a maxi-size minivan.

When the 5 first went on sale, mileage was a bit disappointing. But for 2008 Mazda retuned the engine and added a five-speed automatic, raising fuel economy by 2 mpg — even as the ratings for most '08 models dropped under the EPA's revised test procedures.

SENSIBLY SENSUOUS: HONDA ACCORD COUPE

Base price: $23,330.

MPG ratings: 21 city, 30 highway, 24 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $16.48 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,477.

Of families, it's sometimes said that one sibling got all the looks. The Accord coupe's alluring profile accentuates the warty visage of the Accord sedan.

The two-door Accord with the base 4-cylinder engine (2.4 liters, 190 horsepower) lets a driver present a sporty, devil-may-care face while hiding his inner cheapskate.

UNDERCOVER HYBRID: TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID

Base price: $26,310.

MPG ratings: 33 city, 34 highway, 34 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $11.64 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $1,746.

The Prius may be the mileage champ and a rolling billboard for its owners' green attitude, yet I'd argue that the low-profile gas-electric Camry sedan is the best all-around hybrid for price, roominess, mileage and performance.

It cuts the fuel bill better than any car in this article; at 15,000 miles a year, you'll spend just $35 a week on gas.

With the hybrid system's net horsepower of 187, the Camry goes from a stop to 60 miles an hour in a snappy 7.7 seconds. That's a full second quicker than a 4-cylinder gasoline Camry and nearly three seconds quicker than a Prius.

CONSERVING CROSSOVER:

TOYOTA RAV4 V-6

Base price: $22,245.

MPG ratings: 19 city, 26 highway, 24 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $16.48 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,935.

For SUV owners eager to downsize, but who still want a vehicle with reasonable utility, the RAV4 may be a smart place to land.

Those who recall the original RAV4 as a cute trucklet for college sophomores may not realize how roomy and grown-up the third-generation model has become. The base RAV4 has a 4-cylinder engine, but even the conservation-minded might consider Toyota's 3.5-liter V-6, which produces 269 horsepower yet is one of the most fuel-efficient 6's available. The 19/26 mileage rating for a RAV4 with all-wheel drive virtually matches the 19/27 of the 4-cylinder RAV4, yet the V-6 pumps out 103 more horsepower.

RETRO ROLLER SKATE:

MINI COOPER

Base price: $18,700.

MPG ratings: 26 city, 34 highway, 29 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $14.52 (premium fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,179.

Since its debut in 2001, the BMW-designed Mini Cooper reminded people that small cars don't have to be dull boxes of high-fiber virtue: Its British-retro style is aging well, and its cheeky handling is like a balm of youth.

While a well-optioned Mini can get expensive, keeping it fueled is relatively cheap, especially for the 118-horsepower nonturbo model. (The manufacturer's recommendation of premium-grade gas casts a small shadow, though, over the sunny picture.)

EFFICIENT ATHLETE:

BMW 328i

Base price: $33,175.

MPG ratings: 19 city, 28 highway, 22 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $19.12 (premium fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,873.

As with Honda's legendary command of 4-cylinder engines, BMW is known for its mastery of the in-line 6, from which it extracts maximum performance, smoothness and efficiency.

Offered as a sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon, the 328i can't match the rocket-sled sensations of the twin-turbo 335i. But the 328i feels stronger than its 230 horsepower suggests, and returns 2 mpg more than its brawny brother.

The 328i is a reminder that a great sport sedan doesn't have to swill to thrill.

JOLLY GREEN GIANT:

MERCEDES-BENZ GL320 BLUETEC

Base price: $57,625.

MPG ratings: 17 city, 23 highway, 19 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $24.15 (diesel).

A year of fill-ups: $3,582.

On a recent family trip to North Carolina, a diesel GL delivered a stellar 25 mpg over 500 miles of highway driving — better than its EPA rating, and the best economy of any full-size SUV I've tested.

And the sumptuous diesel Mercedes costs $1,000 less than the gasoline V-8 GL. Now compare that with hybrid SUVs that cost thousands more than their conventional siblings.

SPACE SHUTTLE JR.:

NISSAN VERSA

Base price: $13,990.

MPG ratings: 24 city, 32 highway, 27 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $14.68 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,198.

The Honda Fit may be the subcompact choice for sporty drivers, but the Versa is the pick for those who worry that a pint-size car won't fit their quart-size lifestyle.

this is the clown car of subcompacts — yes, that's a compliment — with the biggest back seat in its class. One letdown: the most frugal version is also the priciest. The 1.8 SL hatchback with a continuously variable transmission (27 city, 33 highway, 29 combined) starts at $16,210.

BOX SEATS: FORD FLEX

Base price: $28,995.d

MPG ratings: 17 city, 24 highway, 19 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $20.84 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $3,124.

In photos, the Ford Flex's mild resemblance to the tiny Mini Cooper can fool the eye: The Flex is a stretch-sized three-row crossover wagon ready to substitute for a minivan or a conventional SUV.

The boxy eye-catching shape hides another attribute: wind-cheating aerodynamics that help to give the Flex the best mileage in its class.

EUROSTYLE SIPPER:

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI

Base price: $23,740.

MPG ratings: 29 city, 40 highway, 33 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $13.92 (diesel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,099.

VW's entry in the new clean-diesel sweepstakes comes as a sedan and SportWagen.

The 2-liter turbodiesel produces 140 horsepower and a hefty 236 pound-feet of torque, at an impressive 40 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg overall. But test firm AMCI found the Jetta actually beat that EPA rating, achieving real-world mileage of 44 mpg.

The TDI gets 11 mpg more than its gas-powered sibling. A typical driver will save $500 a year, even accounting for today's high price of diesel.

HIGH-MILEAGE HAULER:

TOYOTA TACOMA

Base price: $16,815.

MPG rating: 19 city, 25 highway, 21 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $18.84 (regular fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $2,827.

As urban cowboys flee from their demonically thirsty full-size trucks, they may turn to midsize pickups. Already the best in its field, the freshened 2009 Tacoma adds electronic stability control to a standard features list that includes antilock brakes and a full complement of air bags.

LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER: CHEVROLET CORVETTE

Base price: $46,950.

MPG ratings: 16 city, 26 highway, 19 combined.

Cost to drive 100 miles: $22.16 (premium fuel).

A year of fill-ups: $3,322.

In this group, the Corvette stands out like Ted Nugent in a fur loincloth at an animal-rights rally. But for those seeking near-supercar performance, the Corvette can burn rubber without shredding your conscience.

For barely $50,000, 'Vette buyers get a Ferrari-fighter than hits 60 mph in just over four seconds and tops out at a cool 190 mph. Yet burbling along with the manual transmission in sixth gear, the lightweight 'Vette can cover 26 miles on a gallon of gas.

Of course, if you regularly summon the car's 430 horsepower you'll pay for the pleasure.