Quick Summary
Hybrid compacts like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid return roughly 50 mpg or better in EPA testing, which makes them the strongest fuel savers on the used market. Gas-only picks such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte FE and Nissan Sentra still land in the low-to-mid 30s combined while costing less up front. How many miles you drive decides which makes more sense, and tire pressure, a healthy A/C and regular oil changes keep any small car near its rated mileage in the Arizona heat.
So a lot of the people who come see us about gas are driving something big, a midsize SUV or a truck, and filling it up twice a week to get from Marana down to work on the south side, and the gas is honestly costing them about as much as a car payment, which is usually when a compact used car starts sounding pretty good.
Small sedans are lighter and they don’t push as much air at freeway speed, and most of them have a small engine or a hybrid system, so a gallon goes farther, and in the 40-some years we’ve been doing this at Car Time Supercenter, these six are the ones people ask us about the most when saving on gas is the whole point.
What Makes A Small Car Good On Gas
Mostly it’s weight and how big the front of the car is, but the transmission is a bigger deal than people think, since a lot of these use a continuously variable transmission that keeps the engine where it’s most efficient, and the hybrids have an electric motor that does most of the work pulling away from a stop.
All the mileage numbers here are EPA combined ratings for the 2021 model year from fueleconomy.gov, so yours will be a little different depending on the year, the trim and how you drive, and funny enough the EPA sizes cars by interior volume, so a couple of these roomier compacts are listed as midsize.
6 Fuel-Efficient Compact Cars Worth Buying Used
1. Toyota Corolla Hybrid (2020 And Newer)
The Corolla Hybrid is rated at 52 mpg combined, and it actually gets better mileage in the city than on the highway, because the electric motor does a lot of the work in stop-and-go traffic on roads like Speedway and Grant, so it’s a really good match for city commuters and rideshare drivers.
You don’t plug it in, it just drives like a regular Corolla, and starting with the 2020 model year Toyota covers the hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles, which is nice to have when you’re buying one used.
2. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (2021 And Newer)
Hyundai used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic in the Elantra Hybrid instead of a CVT, so when you step on it, it feels more like a normal car, and the Blue trim got a 54 mpg combined rating while the other trims got 50 mpg.
It’s got a sharp look and a big back seat for the class, so it works for small families who want hybrid savings without an SUV.
3. Honda Civic (2016 To 2021)
You see the tenth-generation Civic everywhere in Tucson, and there’s a reason for that, since the sedan with the 1.5-liter turbo and CVT is rated at 36 mpg combined, and even the base 2.0-liter gets 33 mpg combined in 2021 form.
It rides nice, handles well and has a big trunk for its size, and since Honda sold so many, parts are easy to find and every mechanic in town knows them.
4. Toyota Corolla (2020 And Newer)
The regular gas Corolla is rated at 33 mpg combined with the 1.8-liter and 34 mpg with the 2.0-liter and CVT, and it’s not an exciting car, but it’s not really trying to be one either.
What you get with it is a long reputation for reliability, standard driver-assist tech in these years and low running costs pretty much every year you own it, so for a first car or a student’s commuter, not a lot is easier to live with.
5. Kia Forte FE (2019 And Newer)
The FE is the Forte trim built for mileage, and it’s rated at 35 mpg combined in 2021, and it usually costs less than a lot of the others while still giving you a touchscreen with smartphone integration and a roomy cabin.
Kia did a good job on the basic stuff too, like comfortable front seats and a big trunk, so on a tight budget with a newer model year in mind, it’s one we’d have you look at.
6. Nissan Sentra (2020 And Newer)
The Sentra was redesigned for 2020 and got a nicer cabin, a smoother ride and a 33 mpg combined rating, and the zero-gravity front seats are kind of a nice surprise on a long drive up to Phoenix or down to Sierra Vista.
It’s a good one for people who care about comfort as much as mileage and don’t want to pay for a luxury badge.
How To Get The Best Mileage From Your Small Car
Tire pressure is a big one, and the right number is on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb, because low tires waste gas and wear out faster in the heat, and smoother driving at a steady highway speed helps more than most people expect.
Arizona summers are really hard on A/C systems and batteries, so before buying we like to see the A/C blowing cold and the 12-volt battery testing good, and on a hybrid we’d want the high-voltage battery’s history and remaining warranty.
Shop Fuel-Saving Cars At Car Time Supercenter
We inspect every car on our lot, and every one is guaranteed to meet Arizona emissions standards, so you can start with our used cars for sale in Tucson, AZ, or go right to our used sedans in Tucson and cars under $10,000.
Ask us about $499 down financing with no payments for up to 120 days, and come by 3170 N Oracle Rd. to drive one.
Frequently Asked Questions
It really depends on how much you drive, because a hybrid usually costs more up front, so the savings add up fastest for people doing a lot of city miles every week, and for a shorter or mostly highway commute a good gas car like the Civic or Corolla might end up being the better deal.
A lot of hybrid batteries last well over 100,000 miles, and Toyota covers 2020 and newer hybrid batteries for 10 years or 150,000 miles, but heat can shorten battery life, so parking in the shade and keeping up with service both help.
We’d look at condition and maintenance more than the number, since a well-kept compact with 80,000 miles and regular oil changes can easily outlast a lower-mileage car that got neglected.
Modern compacts have multiple airbags and stability control, and a lot of recent model years have automatic emergency braking too, and the IIHS and NHTSA crash ratings for the specific year are a good way to compare.
There are good reasons people will buy their next used car in Tucson from Car Time Supercenter. But I think we are one of the most trusted used car dealerships mainly because we treat everyone like family. My family has provided quality, dependable local used cars to Tucson customers since 1984, and I’m proud to be a part of our continued success.
Like many family-owned businesses, I grew up going to work with my dad. Falling in love with cars was natural because of my father’s passion, and eventually, I came to love the car business just like him. I officially joined the Car Time Supercenter team in 2012, starting in the finance department. Over the past decade, I’ve learned the used car business and how to treat customers from my family and industry resources.
Today, I oversee marketing, social media, inventory, and reconditioning, so I play an essential role in delivering local Tucson used car buyers the best experience possible. I also help our family business keep up with the times while providing old-fashioned customer service. From attending NADA classes to becoming Allstate certified for back-end products, I continue to learn and add skills to serve our customers better.
