Why Are Gas Prices So High?

Which 4 cylinder car gets the best gas mileage?

I've made my mind up in that I will never buy a vehicle with anything other than a 4 cyl engine as gas prices are just way too harsh. So my question is which automatic 4 cylinder car is known for getting the absolute best gas mileage? I once owned a Chevy Metro that got 32-35 mpg, but their has to be vehicles out there that can do even better.

Public Comments

1. VW Golf diesel. I've heard reports of about 50 mpg, and still with pretty good performance and reliability. Good luck!
2. I have a '93 civic with 220k that will get 49mpg highway still. It has the 1.5L 16v sohc 4 cyl.
3. If you are looking for a gasoline-powered car currently in production with the best mileage, then no doubt it's the Toyota Prius. EPA estimate 46mpg, though it's not hard to get 50mpg if you try. It runs on a 4-cylinder 1.5L engine. It has up-to-date safety options like electronic stability control, side-curtain airbags, antilock brakes, etc. Right now, you will not find another 4-door available in the U.S. packed with all these things and still get 46mpg. I own an '07 and I love it. It's big and roomy for such a fuel-efficient car-- As much interior space as a Camry, quiet and smooth, and very low-maintenance. I can get 500 miles on one 11.2-gallon tank, cost me $32 to fill up on last week's gas prices.
4. The one that gets driven a mile a day........I can tell you with all confidence that a 1998-2003 Ford XZ2 will get you at least 35mpg, and still sufficient power to break the tires loose when necessary. Only tradeoff is it's small and not many creature comforts. But my '98 5 speed NEVER got less than 38mpg, even in traffic. And the 2003 is pretty decent looking. But neons are decent too, and pretty much any car less than 2600lbs will get exceptional mpg. My current Mitsu Galant gets between 25 and 32 mpg.
5. http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Advsearch.do The US EPA has revised their Green Vehicle Guide, with more search options. The above link is to their advanced search, where you can limit the search to only 4 cylinders, only automatics, and can enter a threshold MPG... Best 4cyl car? 2004-current Toyota Prius, with a 1.5L 4cyl engine and CVT, 48MPG city/45MPG highway. If you were willing to get a 3cyl car, I'd say the 2001-2006 CVT version of the Honda Insight, 45MPG city/49MPG highway. Next the Honda Civic Hybrid CVT (4cyl 1.3L) at 40MPG city/45MPG highway (or 39-40 city/42-43 highway), the 2001-2003 Toyota Prius at 42MPG city/41MPG highway, and then the 2000-2003 Jetta/Golf TDI 1.9L 4cyl automatic diesels at 29MPG city/40MPG highway...