Full Throttle

We all know that SUVs or the Sport Utility Vehicles are s kind of tough vehicles but they are not good in fuel economy. With the fast increase in gas prices, many people who own SUVs are feeling their budgets shrivel consistently whenever they hit the gas stop. Before, an SUV can be filled up 25 gallons of gas which cost $50. However, nowadays, it’s way different because now the price of gas is much higher. In fact, the price to fill up that same tank can jump to $75 and even higher. This typically computes to $100-$125 per month more in gas expenses. As to this, it seems it’s more practical to start considering vehicles that are capable of attaining best gas mileage rather than impressing you with its specific features and engine performance.

For those of you with large families, life without an SUV is practically impossible. Good thing, these days, you can find SUVs on the market that have better gas mileage than ever before. Great thanks to car manufacturers who listen to the SUV lovers of the world who have been asking for years to have a more fuel efficient SUV. The new SUVs that boast good fuel efficiency are averaging approximately 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

I actually made a sort of list of SUVs that offers better gas mileage which you can choose from.

Ford Escape Hybrid
This SUV actually is one of the best fuel efficient SUVs available on the market. It gets an amazing 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway in the front-wheel-drive model. The four-wheel-drive Ford Escape Hybrid gets 33 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. It has excellent cargo space and drives comfortably.

Mazda Tribute Hybrid
Exceptional mileage makes the Mazda Tribute a king among hybrids. The Escape is a very nice hybrid utility vehicle and is better priced than the Escape. Mazda is known for their sporty handling, which is also blunted in the Tribute. Mpg are a 21 in the city and 31 in the highway. Acceleration is sufficient.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Like its corporate twins, the Tribute Hybrid and Escape Hybrid, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid offers class-leading fuel economy and low tailpipe emissions. Mariner Hybrid combines the spaciousness, style and functionality of the Mercury Mariner with the ultra-clean emissions and impressive fuel economy of a gas-electric vehicle. Mercury Mariner Hybrid delivers an impressive 32 Miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Saturn Vue Hybrid
The Saturn Vue Hybrid’s affordable price makes it one of the true bargains of the hybrid bunch. So far, it is the most affordable hybrid sold on the market today. It gets 32 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Performance and fuel economy achieve harmonious coexistence in this sterling Toyota. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is included in the best fuel-saving SUV available in the market right now. The EPA fuel economy for this SUV hybrid is 27 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Lexus RX 400h
The RX 400h is expensive, but it offers all the quickness and luxury you’d expect from a Lexus. Actually it is a gas-electric hybrid version of the RX 350 crossover vehicle. This handsome SUV gives any greeny with expense taste, or successful executive with green aspirations, something that no other vehicle line offers: a SUV luxury hybrid utility. The all-wheel-drive model rates at 26mpg in the city and 24mpg in the highway.

Nissan Rogue
Turn to the Rogue for a carlike driving experience and a well-crafted cabin. This Nissan Rogue is a very good choice for those who enjoy an elevated driving position and occasionally need the utility and available all-wheel drive of a compact crossover. It boasts good fuel efficiency approximately 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg in the highway (EPA).

One good thing about buying a fuel efficient SUV is that you can be able change the way you drive to improve your fuel mileage.

As oil prices increasingly climbing up, it seems reasonable to start considering a fuel economy vehicle if you are buying your next vehicle. Naturally, this uncomfortable reality has begun shaping our vehicle purchases. Actually, nowadays, most consumers are now eyeing at the most fuel efficient vehicles that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comes up with every year. This list pertains to cars that are capable of attaining the best gas mileage due to their specific features and engine performance.

Here are some of the vehicles I picked which I also think that they are effectively fuel efficient vehicles. These vehicles are greatly available in the market.

Note: They are not arranged in ranking.

Honda Civic
Behold the mighty Civic, titan of the small-car category. Its longstanding popularity comes on the strength of its spacious cabin, poised handling and superb safety ratings.

Honda Civic Hybrid
The Civic Hybrid features electric motors that maximize the potential of its small 1.3-liter engine. It is another one of Toyota Prius’ direct competitors when it comes to rankings for the most fuel efficient cars. With an overall fuel economy rating of 42 mpg, one can easily surmise how it came to figure on the list for most fuel efficient.

Honda Civic GX
One of the main reasons why this particular Honda model has made it to the list of most fuel efficient cars is that it uses compressed natural gas unlike other vehicles. It has a fuel economy rating of 28 miles per gallon (of compressed natural gas). It comes with an at-home pump that you can use to tap into your home gas line to fill it up before you leave your home.

Honda Fit
The Fit’s compact size means that parking in tight urban spaces is never a problem. Its reasonably sporty handling means that driving is never a chore.

Kia Rio
The universally competent Rio has done a lot in terms of upgrading the image of both the Kia brand and economy cars in general. Its fuel-efficiency is icing on the cake.

Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid uses practically the same technology that the Toyota Camry Hybrid has but with a couple of different features. It also has an overall fuel economy rating of 34 mpg making it another one of the most efficient cars among compact sedans. Altima is great to use for city driving.

Nissan Versa
The Versa is one of the more impressive recent entrants in the subcompact category. For a starting price of just over $12K, it offers amenities usually found in luxury cars costing thousands more.

Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Camry Hybrid has a fuel economy rating of 34 mpg which barely made it to the list of most fuel efficient cars today. Its battery pack, while a bit bulky compared with other models, is one of the main features that have made it figure in this roster of the most fuel efficient . It also features a fuel economy gauge that lets the driver know when its average mileage rises.

Toyota Corolla
With over 30 million models sold, the Corolla holds the distinction of being the best-selling car on the planet. It’s also one of the most fuel-efficient.

Toyota Prius
Prius has always made it at the top of the list for the most fuel efficient cars from EPA. It has an overall fuel economy rating of 46 mpg, one of the lowest in the market these days. The mid-sized sedan features a spacious interior which has made it a crowd favorite as well. As one of the most efficient cars in the market, Prius has an estimated annual fuel cost of $1019.

Toyota Yaris
Yaris sedans start at just over $12K, making them bargains both in terms of price and fuel-efficiency. The car’s hallmarks are the versatility of its interior and its amenable handling.

Q: Who should buy this car?

A: A person who wants a safe, convenient around-town car; an affordable entry-level car with great mileage; a roomy 2-person car with funky style.

“How safe is it?” most ask question whenever this vehicle is seen. Though this vehicle is literary small, but when it comes to safety it ranks big. The 2008 Smart Fortwo is actually a micro vehicle and is considered as the smallest car for sale in the U.S. market. Despite to its compactness, this vehicle offers a good level of safety, according to new crash tests conducted by the insurance industry.

Smart Fortwo only measures about 8-foot, 8-inch but it received the highest rating of good in front-end and side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helping address some concerns that consumers may be more vulnerable in the tiny two-seater.

The 2008 Smart Fortwo vehicle is a division of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz brand, has arrived in U.S. showrooms this year as consumers deal with rising fuel prices. The automaker has received more than 30,000 reservations for the vehicle — which has a base price of more than $12,000 with destination charges included and more than $17,000 for a fully loaded Smart passion convertible.

If the idea of buying a Mercedes-Benz for below cost is irresistible, well then the Smart Fortwo is that.  The car, built by Daimler-Benz in France. Depending in the model the price varies. The “coupe” has a base price of $11,590, a well-equipped price of $13,590. And a convertible is available for $16,590.

What’s it like to drive?

First thing that occurs to you when you get in a Smart Fortwo is that it doesn’t seem so small, despite the fact that it’s only 8 feet, 10 inches long, on a 73.5-inch wheelbase, little more than half the length of a full-size car.  And many compact cars have a wheelbase as long as the Smart Fortwo overall length – keep that in mind as we continue.  There’s excellent headroom and the width is enough, so the two occupants, if average size, shouldn’t be the least bit cramped.