When it comes to MPG, what’s fine in ’09?

From The Consumerist: The Environmental Protection Agency just released their 2009 EPA Fuel Economy Guide and we’ve pored through the hot-off-the-presses data to pull out this list of the ten most fuel efficient cars for sale in the US next year. Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius once again tops the list with a combined 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway performance. Though hybrids take four of the top five spots, the Volkswagen Jetta/Jetta SportWagen Diesels cracked the top ten with a 30/41 mpg rating. Also showing up in the lineup for the first time is the new Chevy Cobalt XFE with a fuel economy rating of 25/37 mpg. The rest of the list and the top performers in each category below.

The Ten Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles For 2009

We’ve provided you two lists, one of the top ten vehicles ranked by highest fuel economy in city driving, the other, by highest fuel economy on the highway

Make Model: City or Highway

By City:
1.) Toyota Prius: 48
2.) Honda Civic Hybrid: 40
3.) Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35
4.) Ford Escape/Mariner Hybrid 2WD: 34
5.) Smart Fortwo: 33
Toyota Camry Hybrid: 33
7.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 30
8.) Toyota Yaris: 29
9.) Mini Cooper: 28
Honda FIt: 28

By Highway
1.) Toyota Prius: 45
Honda Civic Hybrid: 45
3.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 41
Smart Fortwo: 41
5.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5 XFE: 37
Mini Cooper: 37
7.) Toyota Yaris: 36
Honda Civic/Civic CNG: 36
9.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5: 35
Toyota Corolla/Honda Fit: 35
Ford Focus: 35

The Most Fuel Efficient Cars By Category

This list covers the most fuel efficient cars by EPA category.

Two-Seater Cars
Smart ForTwo: 33/41

Minicompact Cars
Mini Cooper: 28/37

Compact Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45

Midsize Cars
Toyota Prius Hybrid: 48/45

Small Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Diesel: 30/41

Midsize Station Wagons
Kia Rondo: 20/27

Small Pickup Trucks
Ford Ranger 2WD: 21/26

Standard Pickup Trucks
Chevrolet C15 Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid: 21/22

Cargo Vans
Chevrolet/GMC G1500: 15/20

Minivans
Mazda Mazda5: 22/28

Sport Utility Vehicles
Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD: 34/31

[Source: FuelEconomy.gov]

Now an important message from your friends at 1-800 LEMON LAW – We receive calls everyday from distressed drivers who are furious that their car is not living up to the MPG promise on the sticker. Unfortunately, the sticker is just an estimate and manufacturers are not held responsible if the MPG is less, unless there are warrantied repairs done to the vehicle (software upgrade, component replacement, etc). if they actually complete three warrantied repairs to address the problem, then and only then would you have a potential lemon law or breach of warranty claim. Feel free to e-mail us for more info.