Dec 20, 2022
Cars with the best fuel efficiency in 2022/2023
Do you have a fuel-efficient car? Feel like you’re spending more than most drivers on your weekly fill-up?
According to the 2021 Fuel Consumption Guide, Canadians' annual fuel cost is 1,962 every 20,000 kilometres. Don’t forget to include the 11.8% annual increase in average gasoline prices.
Here’s what you need to know about choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle and the best ones to choose in Canada.
What is considered a fuel efficient vehicle?
Fuel efficiency, or fuel economy, refers to the length of distance a vehicle can travel on an amount of fuel. Vehicles that are listed as less than 6L/100 km are considered fuel-efficient.
The 100 km is how many litres of fuel the car needs to travel 100 km. The lower the number of litres stated, the better the vehicle’s fuel economy is. Depending on how many kilometres you drive per year, purchasing a car with low fuel economy can be top of mind.
Best fuel efficient cars in Canada
In the city, most vehicles have a fuel economy of 10.7 while highway driving is 7.4L. Here are the best vehicles to invest in if you want a fuel-efficient car in Canada.
| Car Make & Model | Fuel Economy (City/Highway Combined) |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark LS CVT | 7.0 L/100 km |
| Honda Civic LX CVT | 6.9 L/100 km |
| Toyota Corolla CVT hatchback | 6.8 L/100 km |
| Nissan Versa S CVT | 6.7 L/100 km |
| Kia Rio LX+ CVT | 6.7 L/100 km | Hyundai Elantra Essential ISG CVT | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Mitsubishi Mirage ES CVT | 6.2 L/100 km |
| Kia Niro Touring | 5.3 L/100 km |
| Lexus ES 300h | 5.3 L/100 km |
| Toyota Prius | 4.5 L/100 km |
Best fuel efficient trucks
On average, truck models made with diesel or electric trucks are the best option for lowering fuel related costs. Here are the top choices if you’re looking for a fuel-conscious truck.
| Truck Make & Model | Fuel Economy (City/Highway Combined) |
|---|---|
| 2022 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost | 11.7 L/100 km |
| 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2022 | 11.6 L/100 km |
| GMC Sierra 1500 2.7L Turbo High-Output | 11.6 L/100 km |
| 2022 Ford F-150 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 | 11.1 L/100 km |
| 2022 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost | 10.9 L/100 km |
| 2022 Ram 1500 eTorque V6 | 10.8 L/100 km |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel | 9.1 L/100 km |
| 2022 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel | 9.0 L/100 km |
| 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel | 8.9 L/100 km |
Best Fuel Efficient SUVs
Recent studies show that around 47% of all new vehicles in 2020 were SUVs/crossovers. Drivers are leaning towards these vehicles because of the extra space and the valuable fuel economy. Here| SUV Make & Model | Fuel Economy (City/Highway Combined) |
|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla Cross AWD | 7.8 L/100 km |
| 22021 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 7.6 L/100 km |
| Nissan Rogue 1.5L AWD | 7.6 L/100 km |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | 7.4 L/100 km |
| 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel | 7.4 L/100 km |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel | 9.1 L/100 km |
| Toyota Venza | 6.1 L/100 kmm |
| Lexus NX 350h | 6.0 L/100 km |
If you’re in the market for a new SUV, you’ll benefit from this list of the best SUVs in Canada.
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How to improve fuel efficiency
You may have a vehicle with a low usage per kilometre, but you should drive in fuel-efficient ways and maintain your vehicle to achieve the best efficiency.
With the vehicle you have now, you can drive more fuel-efficient with these techniques :
- Accelerate gently : When you accelerate hard, you use more fuel. Ease onto the accelerator pedal gently when you are changing lanes or speed.
- Avoid high speeds and maintain speed : Studies show that you can increase fuel usage by 20% when your speed increases and lowers.
- Anticipate traffic : Keep a safe distance between the vehicle in front of you and be mindful of pedestrians so you can slow down and keep a steady speed.
- Coast before braking : Observe how traffic is behaving in front of you and if there are any lights. Cruising before braking conserves fuel because it allows you to slow down instead of using your brakes right away, which takes away from your forward momentum.
When you are not driving, there are tips you can follow to improve the fuel economy, such as :
- Check tire pressure monthly : You can find your vehicle’s correct tire pressure on the tire place card located on the driver’s door or the doorpost.
- Avoid idling your vehicle : On average, vehicles waste over one cup of fuel every ten minutes.
- Extra weight : Remove unnecessary weight such as sports equipment, salt or sand, and take roof or bike rakes off. Aerodynamic drag can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20% when driving.
- Use air conditioning in moderation : It can increase fuel consumption by 20%. Open the windows when possible, use the flow-through or re-circulate ventilation system.
- Fuel display : Drivers consume 15% less fuel by seeing the feedback from a fuel consumption display – if your vehicle has one, use it.
5 Tips for buying a fuel efficient vehicle
Shopping smart can help you save money on fuel. If you’re buying a new or used car or looking for a hybrid car. Here are five tips for buying a fuel-efficient vehicle.
- Buy less horsepower : The bigger the engine, the greater the horsepower, and the more fuel it will consume. The smaller the engine, the more cost affordable.
- Choose a small vehicle : Generally speaking, the smaller a vehicle, the less fuel it will consume. Narrowing down the smallest version of the vehicle will help you save money in the showroom and on the road.
- Simplify drivetrain : Front-wheel drive is often more fuel-efficient compared to all-wheel and four-wheel drive.
- Avoid unnecessary add ons : Turbocharged engines, permanent roof racks, and remote starters are a few of the ways fuel may be wasted from aerodynamic drag or idling your vehicle.
- Ask for fuel-efficient features : Aluminum wheels, removable roof racks, cruise control, trip computer and tachometers are some great options to track fuel usage or limit the use.
Why is my car losing fuel efficiency?
- Tire pressure : Whether you have all seasons or winter tires, having properly inflated tires will make your drive safer and improve fuel economy.
- Fuel system : If you have a dirty or old fuel filter or injector it can impact the flow of fuel to the engine.
- Exhaust system : The oxygen sensor, the catalytic converter, an exhaust pipe leak, muffler or some other emissions issue, all play a crucial role in fuel economy.
- Spark plugs : If spark plugs are not working properly it can lower fuel efficiency.
- Oil : The type of motor oil you use can impact mileage. Make sure you have regular oil changes and use a high-grade option that is the correct type for your vehicle.
- Driving habits : Idling, fast acceleration, and aggressive driving can all increase how much fuel you use per drive.
Are motorcycles more fuel efficient than cars?
Motorcycles can be more fuel efficient compared to vehicles. An experiment by MythBusters found that models made in the 2000s used 28% less fuel than cars. If you’re making the switch over to two wheels, don’t forget to update your motorcycle insurance!
How to calculate fuel efficiency
The best way to determine if your vehicle is fuel-efficient is to compare the fuel economy number versus the car and gas cost. Here is an example :
| Yearly Driving Average | Fuel Economy | Litres Required | Fuel Cost For Year ($1.15 per litre) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car A | 15,000 km | 4L/100km | 590L | $678.50 |
| Car B | 15,000 km | 5L/100km | 737L | $847.55 |
We can see that Car A is equipped to use 4L/100km and will help you save almost $200 monthly on fuel expenses. Over a few years, fuel expenses will be over a few thousand dollars. When you calculate how much it will cost to own and drive a car, this data can help you budget.
Fuel Efficient Cars FAQs
Although you can save money on your fuel expenses, purchasing a fuel-efficient car will not impact your car insurance quotes. Insurance costs are reflected in various aspects including your driving habits and vehicle safety features.
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has been titled the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Canada. Its fuel economy is as low as 4.1L/ 100 km. Find ways to lower your hybrid car insurance to save more. Other options include the Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and Kia Niro.
The most fuel-efficient non-hybrid in Canada is the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage (CVT). The 6.2L/100 km paired with the automatic continuously variable transmission makes this the top choice. Runners up include the Honda Fit, Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris.
Diesel vehicles can be more efficient compared to gas. Studies show that they deliver up to 30% better fuel economy on highway driving. But, driving with diesel and trying to be fuel-efficient will depend on what type of vehicle you drive. A Jetta will use less fuel than a truck, for example.
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport comes in with a 26.1L/100km. It can cost upwards of $7,000 a year for gas.
Considerations for your next fuel efficient vehicle
If you’re looking to limit fuel costs, you may want to consider looking at our list of the best electric vehicles in Canada. If you are choosing to stick with a gas powered car, consider ones that have smaller horsepower and more gears to limit fuel consumption.
