One New Hybrid (And A Handful of Alternatives)

I know, I know. Now that gas prices have dropped, the pain we were all feeling at the pump just a few short weeks ago has become a distant memory.  But mark my words:  We haven't seen the last of $4-plus gallons of gas.

Which makes the impending arrival of the all-new Honda Insight gasoline-electric hybrid especially welcome news. I was among a select group of journalists who got some early seat time in this new compact four-door hatchback last week and, though I can't give you all the details until Honda introduces the car to the public at next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, I can tell you it's got an awful lot going for it.  In fact, using a few tricks borrowed from hardcore hyper-milers (i.e.: a very light foot on the gas pedal, coasting on long downhills, etc.) I was able to rack up some pretty darn impressive fuel economy numbers.  Add the fact that the Insight is expected to be the least expensive hybrid on the market and I think it's a safe bet the Insight will be a hot commodity when it goes on sale next April (on Earth Day, natch).

If you'd rather not wait that long however, there are a number of new non-hybrid models on the market that offer some pretty impressive fuel economy numbers of their own.  Topping that list in the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel sedan and wagon and the Smart Fortwo two-seater, both of which return EPA fuel economy ratings of 41 miles-per-gallon on the highway.  The Mini Cooper and new Mini Clubman models are no slouches either with EPA estimates of 37 miles-per-gallon highway.

For a complete list of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the market today, check out the EPA's list of most fuel-efficient vehicles here.