Selecting An Energy Efficient Vehicle

Driving a fuel efficient car is not only friendly to the environment, it can increase your miles per gallon (mpg) and shave hundreds off of your annual fuel costs.

Here are the top five fuel efficient cars for 2010. These rankings are based on city mpg followed by highway MPG and MSRP.

2010 Toyota Prius- When it comes to going green these days, the 2010 Toyota Prius is truly unlike any other car. Boasting the best fuel economy of any mass produced car on the market, eco-friendly materials and insanely low emissions, the 2010 Toyota Prius is the smartest green car anywhere. The Prius gets 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. The average cost for the Prius is $21,400 to $28,070. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid- The Fusion Hybrid is the sister car to the Mercury Milan Hybrid and as a midsize sedan has more power than the Prius, Insight and Civic Hybrid. The Fusion Hybrid derives its power from a 2.5-liter, 156-horsepower four-cylinder gas engine, which is paired to a electric motor, combining for 191 net horsepower. Most hybrids can travel up to 25 mph on electricity alone, which is admirable; however, the Fusion Hybrid can travel up to 47 mph on electric power. Not only does the Fusion Hybrid have ample power, but best-in-class fuel economy with 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The average cost of the Fusion Hybrid is $27,625.
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid- The Milan Hybrid is Mercury’s first hybrid passenger car and is the sister car to the Ford Fusion Hybrid and has more power than the Prius, Insight and Civic Hybrid.  The Milan Hybrid derives its power from a 2.5-liter, 156-horsepower four-cylinder gas engine, which is paired to a electric motor combining for 191 net horsepower.   Most hybrids can travel up to 25 mph on electricity alone, which is admirable; however, the Milan Hybrid can travel up to 47 mph on electric power.  Not only does the Milan Hybrid have ample power, but best-in-class fuel economy with 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The average cost for the Mercury Milan Hybrid is $27,855.

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid- If you’re looking for off the charts fuel economy and minimal carbon dioxide emissions at a reasonable price, then you’re going to love the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid. This high-tech power package earned the 2010 Civic Hybrid the Advanced Technology Partial-Zero Emissions Vehicles (AT-PZEV) rating from the EPA. Fuel economy is rated at 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway and your carbon footprint is so low with this car, it should be called a toe print. Highway fuel economy is ahead of the sedan crowd, except the mighty Prius. The 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid gets 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The average cost for the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid is $23,650 to $23,800.

2010 Honda Insight- The all-new Honda Insight features the lowest sticker price of any hybrid on the market as well as several nifty gadgets like the Eco Guide display that lets you earn five digital plants with leaves that grow if you drive green enough. At a time when driving green costs a lot of green, the all-new 2010 Honda Insight is the most affordable and one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the market. Featuring a Prius-like design and outstanding fuel economy, the all-new 2010 Honda Insight is not only the least expensive hybrid on the market, but a fun little car with loads of personality. Go green and save green with the Honda Insight. The Honda Insight is back and better than ever with a remarkable 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. The average cost for the 2010 Honda Insight is $19,800 to $21,300.