Consumer Reports: Best, worst new cars for fuel economy

David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center comments on the new recommendations and fuel economy in general: "Hybrid and diesel vehicles provide better fuel economy than conventional cars, but they usually cost more to buy, and as gas prices rise, the pay-back time gets shorter. All-wheel drive usually reduces gas mileage by about 2 mpg while a manual transmission can improve fuel economy by 1 to 2 mpg."

Consumer Reports named both the best and worst cars for fuel economy in six different categories:

SUBCOMPACT CAR

- Best: Honda Fit - 30 mpg

- Worst: Chevrolet Aveo LT - 25 mpg

SMALL WAGONS AND HATCHBACKS

- Best: Volkswagen Golf TDI (Diesel, manual) - 38 mpg

- Worst: Scion xB, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport (AWD) - 23 mpg

SMALL SEDAN

- Best: Toyota Corolla LE - 32 mpg

- Worst: Subaru Impreza 2.5i - 24 mpg

FAMILY CAR

- Best: Toyota Prius IV (Hybrid) - 44 mpg

- Worst: Ford Fusion SEL (V6, AWD), Chevrolet Impala LTZ (V6), Mazda V6 - 20 mpg

UPSCALE/SPORTS SEDAN

- Best: Lexus HS 250 h (Hybrid) - 31 mpg

- Worst: Lincoln MKZ - 20 mpg

SMALL SUV

- Best: Ford Escape Hybrid - 26 mpg

- Worst: Dodge Nitro SLT (3.7 liters), Jeep Liberty Sport - 16 mpg

More information: For more information on any of these vehicles or other models tested by staff at the magazine, visit the Consumer Reports New Cars website: http://www.consume … rs/index.htm

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