Top 5 Best Fuel-Efficient Used Cars

Consumers looking for the most fuel-efficient used cars should keep several things in mind. First, try to find the newest model possible that still gets the best fuel economy, and meets other criteria: all the latest safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), side airbags (if available), stability and traction control. All things being equal, if the used car has the same fuel economy as new, but you can buy it for thousands less, as long as it’s in excellent condition and runs well, consider it your best used-car buy.

Here are the top 5 best fuel-efficient used cars, using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Vehicle Guide for the most fuel-efficient and cleanest vehicles since 2001. The models listed here meet the EPA’s toughest requirements and are all labeled SmartWay Elite cars.

Toyota Prius (2004-2009)

Leading the pack with 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway, is the Toyota Prius, with its 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with electric motor, auto variable transmission, good interior space, although cramped for 6-footers, easy maneuverability and lots of available options. Check out 2002 and 2003 models (with 42 mpg city/41 mpg highway) for deals, since that’s when Toyota began offering optional navigation system, side airbags and cruise control. Edmunds calls Prius a “strong candidate” for shoppers interested in used hybrids but warns that the car is complex and “future repairs and part replacements could be quite expensive.” Both Consumer Reports and Kelley Blue Book list Prius models in their best cars for fuel economy roundup
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