With rising gas prices and the effects of climate change more evident than ever, there's every reason to prioritize fuel efficiency when shopping for your next vehicle. We are witnessing a broad reevaluation of the wanton burning of fossil fuels to power our vehicles, and the automotive industry has slowly but surely introduced options that ease the pain at the pump.
To assist you in your move toward a more eco-conscious ride, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite gas sippers — no guzzlers allowed. We’ve applied our critical eye to a broad range of body styles, from ever-popular SUVs and crossovers to compact sedans. This gives you options, and with limited supplies on dealer lots, options are important these days. We’ve decided to forego pure electric vehicles in this list but have included a range of other powertrains including gasoline, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Though this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, we wanted to provide everyone with something they could connect with.
Our top picks:
To help break things down, we’ve included these vehicles’ base price, EPA Fuel Economy and EPA Range on a full tank/battery. There are great options here across budgets and vehicle types, so if you’re seeking a more fuel-efficient ride, now is a great time to begin the process. Below, are our favorite fuel-efficient vehicles for the family, and if you keep reading you can learn other great ways to save at the pump.
Americans have all but abandoned subcompact cars for tiny SUVs. But Kia hasn’t given up, and its Rio, while basic in price, has sculpted good looks and loads of safety and convenience features. The back seats are small, but they’re good for kids, and the efficiency more than makes up for it. In our test drives, we found that it offered an upscale driving experience, notably for its price.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 33/41/36 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 428 miles |
Hyundai has charted a compellingly original design identity in recent years, full of futuristic creases, sneering headlamps and interesting character lines. But it’s the Elantra’s roominess, smooth driving manners and the variety in its offerings, from unadorned to nearly luxurious, that really delights us. Our engineering pros lauded the vehicle for its practicality and efficiency.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 33/43/37 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 450 miles |
The Accord has been so good for so long, it’s a shoo-in for any best-of list (including many years of winning a coveted spot on Good Housekeeping's Best New Family Car Awards list). But getting behind the wheel reveals its profound refinement. It’s spacious, engaging, safe and so reliable it could run long enough to pass on to the next generation. This hybrid version is also outrageously fuel efficient. Our lead tester, Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman, sums it up as "a practical and modern vehicle for a family looking for comfort and convenience but not willing to sacrifice a fun driving experience."
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 48/47/47 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 602 miles |
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The Civic celebrated its 50th birthday this year, and like many of us, it has improved with age. Now in its 11th generation, it’s better than ever, combining a smooth ride and smoothly operating components with quality materials. We love the hatchback’s looks and versatility for shopping and road trips. With its refined design and comfy interior, our testers didn't mind cruising as the driver or a backseat passenger.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 31/39/35 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 430 miles |
The design of the current Maxima dates from 2016, but its then-futuristic styling still looks muscular and unique today. The interior is elegant beyond its price and hosts easy-to-use features. And with a motor borrowed from the Z sports car, it’s a spirited performer yet also sips gas on the highway. Its attractive cabin and sharp handling, notably for a midsize sedan, left our pros impressed.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 20/30/24 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 360 miles |
Volvo has abandoned its heritage in angular design for a refined Scandinavian modernism inside and out. But the brand retains its well-earned reputation for safety, comfort and reliability. This plug-in hybrid has 41 miles of electric range, so you can zip through errands silently and emission-free. Ultimately, we found this premium compact sedan to strike the perfect balance between style and comfort.
EPA Fuel Economy (MPGe/Gas Only) | 69 mpgE/30 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 530 miles |
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Giving its best-selling SUV an electric injection has proven a hit for Toyota. In our road tests, we found that not only is the Rav4 hybrid far more efficient than its gas-only sibling, but it’s also quicker. And with standard all-wheel-drive, it’s more sure-footed in all weather. A plug-in hybrid “Prime” model has 42 miles of electric range, and though its base price is $11,000 more than the regular hybrid, it may be eligible for significant local, state and federal tax credits to help offset that premium.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 41/38/40 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 580 miles |
If the NX seems like a more upscale and refined version of the Rav4, that’s because it is, sharing much of its underpinnings with its Toyota cousin. But it offers luxurious Lexus hallmark touches like soft leather, open-pore wood, enhanced technology, a sleeker shape and a quieter ride. Our media and tech analysts loved that even the base model comes with a 10" touchscreen (the higher-end trims get a 14").
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 26/33/28 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 550 miles |
The first plug-in version of Jeep’s Grand Cherokee provides traditional brand equities like rugged looks and tenacious four-wheel-drive capability — and atypical ones like a luxurious interior that rivals upmarket Euro competitors. Our engineers appreciated that the model includes ample standard driver safety tech, but its real secret weapon is its 26 miles of electric range.
EPA Fuel Economy (MPGe/Gas Only) | 56 mpgE/23 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 470 miles |
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Lincoln purveys a fresh take on modern American luxury with high-quality materials, a hushed cabin and eminently comfortable seats — three rows of them (the third one is just for kids). Our pros were glad to see that the sleek exterior matched the plush interior. This plug-in hybrid foretells the brand’s electric future, providing 21 miles of range.
EPA Fuel Economy (cMPGe/Gas Only) | 56 mpgE/23 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 460 miles |
GM’s diesel engine offers stellar efficiency and range for a full-size SUV, without the clatter, smoke and scent associated with these motors. Our team was notably impressed by the quiet interior during test drives. The three-row Tahoe offers gobs of passenger and cargo room, a stellar ride and GM’s SuperCruise hands-free highway driving assistance system.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) | 21/28/24 |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 528 Miles |
There’s no better family vehicle than a minivan in terms of usability, capability and features. (Does your SUV have an onboard vacuum, an intercom system or power-sliding doors?) There’s no better minivan than a Pacifica, and there is no better Pacifica than the Hybrid. End of discussion. Rothman has already dubbed 2023 "The Year of the Minivan," so get yours fast.
EPA Fuel Economy (MPGe/Gas Only) | 82 mpgE/30 mpg |
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EPA Range (full tank) | 520 miles |
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How we chose the best fuel-efficient vehicles
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, finding fuel-efficient vehicles that meet a family's needs is something we've refined, having rigorously assessed cross-categories of vehicles for over a decade to find the best family cars. Plus, we're dedicated to helping our readers live more sustainably. To determine the best fuel-efficient vehicles, we took into account dozens of test drives for vehicle performance and convenience, including attributes like noise, acceleration, smoothness, handling and braking, ergonomics, intuitiveness of infotainment systems and more.
Other ways you can save at the pump
Whether you've settled on a solid fuel-efficient vehicle from this list or are just looking to save at the pump, follow these tips for maximizing fuel efficiency on the road to minimize trips to the gas station:
✔️ Do some recon: Prices vary state by state and even within the same town. Use a gas station app like GasBuddy to compare in advance, and think about which credit card will provide the best returns for you.
✔️ Drive smarter: Constant acceleration can negatively impact your fuel economy, so consider reducing your speed to increase your efficiency.
✔️ Check your vehicle: A smoother-running car operates more efficiently, so do simple checks like that on your tire pressure to ensure they are properly inflated and aligned.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Brett Berk is a seasoned automotive lifestyle writer, having test-driven dozens of vehicles for Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics and Road & Track, among others. With a background in child development, he’s a go-to expert for family-friendly auto content.
All of our selections below were road-tested by Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and lead engineer for the Good Housekeeping Institute. With three children younger than 6, she knows about more vehicle vitals beyond her engineering background. Plus, her 6’1” husband knows what a roomy third row feels like. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and has 15 years of experience in the auto industry, test driving cars, presenting at the NY Auto Show, and delivering Good Housekeeping's Best Family Car Awards for the past seven years in conjunction with Car and Driver.
Brett Berk
Contributing Editor
Brett Berk (he/him) is a former preschool teacher and early childhood center director who spent a decade as a youth and family researcher and now covers the topics of kids and the auto industry for publications including CNN, the New York Times, Popular Mechanics and more. He has published a parenting book, The Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting, and since 2008 has driven and reviewed thousands of cars for Car and Driver and Road & Track, where he is contributing editor. He has also written for Architectural Digest, Billboard, ELLE Decor, Esquire, GQ, Travel + Leisure and Vanity Fair.