There is a common dilemma many environmentally-conscious drivers face.
They want to find the most fuel efficient car to protect earth’s beautiful nature. However, they also want to have a vehicle that they can use to go out and enjoy that same nature.
To get to many mountain retreats, ski resorts, campgrounds, trailheads, etc. drivers need all wheel drive. Unfortunately, the safety and security of an AWD vehicle carries with it a larger fuel dependency.
Fortunately, the leading automakers have recognized this conundrum and have focused efforts on improving the fuel efficiency of AWD vehicles. In the last few years, the market has been flooded with Crossover SUVs and Hybrid vehicles often as fuel efficient — if not more efficient — than many two wheel drive competitors.
Here are five of the most efficient AWD cars currently available on the market.
#5 Subaru Outback
Power, Cost, Efficiency:
- MSRP: From $24,895
- MPG: 25 city/ 33 highway
- Horsepower: 175
- Engine: 2.5 L
There is a reason that Subarus are a favorite among the “Greener” community.
Not only are they rugged enough to get you to any outdoor destination, they are also especially fuel efficient vehicles.
Part of their impressive fuel economy is the CVT used in most current models. A CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) uses a pulley system to shift in a more efficient way than a traditional gear box.
The Subaru Outback — one of the automakers most popular models — is equipped with CVT and a much smaller 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. This allows it to get 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
A combined 29 mpg is particularly efficient for a vehicle with the AWD performance of a Subaru.
VICKIE COOK-CASEY says
My 2010 Honda Insight delivers 41+mpg overall in hilly Middle Tennessee. In flat Oklahoma my Insight averaged 50+mpg, and once I saw it flash 60mpg during a dashboard computer run. In flat Oklahoma my 2008 Honda Civic averaged only 25mpg overall. So in June 2009 I traded my Civic for the smaller Insight. Recently it passed 100,000 miles with only routine services and replacement tires. I try to drive in the manner of a hypermiler, so the original brakes are still fine. At the third set of tires the mechanic suggested a slightly bigger Porelli tire. It’s a better choice, for handling and longevity, too, but they did drop the mileage about 2mpg, which is not a big deal for me. And now Michelin makes a tire for the Insight – maybe next time, but the Porelli tires are running great. I continue to be very happy with the performance of the Insight.
Dave M says
Infiniti write up has two very different sets of MPG:
“MPG: 19 city/ 27 highway”
“the Infiniti Q50 touts an impressive 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for a combined 30 mpg.”
Me thinks it’s the former!