Cheap, Efficient, and In Stock: 8 New Cars with Good Gas Mileage to Beat High Gas Prices
With fuel prices high and vehicle inventories low, here's a list of fuel-sipping new cars and SUVs you can actually buy.
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New car and SUV shoppers are currently faced with a difficult conundrum: Automakers offer plenty of fuel-efficient choices, but the ongoing chip shortage and resulting new car shortage mean few are readily available. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Alphabetically, here is a list of cheap and efficient cars with good gas mileage that may be in stock on dealer lots.
Ford
Ford EcoSport
Ford’s subcompact EcoSport is the entry point to the automaker’s SUV lineup. Starting at $23,335, every 2022 EcoSport is equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. While its 23-mpg city and 29-mpg highway estimates are not the highest in its class, EcoSports are plentifully available. Even better: Ford is handing out $3,000 to $4,500 of regional incentives on the EcoSport at a time when some models are commanding more than sticker price. 
Honda
Honda Accord/Accord Hybrid
It’s no secret that trucks and SUVs are all the rage these days, leaving fantastic sedans like the Honda Accord as an afterthought. That’s good news for current shoppers who can obtain a roomy, midsize 2022 Accord starting at $27,615 and arriving with loads of standard driver-assist technologies. Powered by a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Accord can achieve 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Although scarcer on dealer lots than the standard Accord, Honda does offer an Accord Hybrid that sees an impressive 48 mpg city, 47 highway for a starting price of $28,815.
Honda
Honda Civic/Civic Hatchback
Honda’s compact Civic is all-new for 2022 and has traditionally been one of the most beloved new cars with good gas mileage. Like its big brother Accord, the Civic sedan and hatchback land with a host of standard driver-assist features and other convenience technologies. Base price for the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder LX sedan is $23,645 with an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Pony up $26,645 for the EX sedan with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, and mileage improves to 33/42 mpg city/highway. Currently, the Civic hatchback is more sparsely available than the sedan, and buyers should note it suffers about a 1- to 3-mpg drop in efficiency on both city and highway ratings compared with an equivalent Civic sedan.
Honda
Honda HR-V
The subcompact HR-V SUV is the smallest vehicle in the Honda showroom. While it may be compact in size, it packs some big features like the trick, second-row Magic Seat, which folds in multiple ways, allowing for cargo storage that rivals much larger SUVs. The base 2022 HR-V LX trim with front-wheel drive will set you back $23,115 and return 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The HR-V is available with AWD for an additional $1,500 across all trims and only takes a small fuel economy hit with LX AWD seeing 27/31 mpg city/highway. That city number shrinks 1 mpg on higher-trim AWD models as more features weigh it down.
Nissan
Nissan Altima
The midsize Nissan Altima sedan competes in a tough segment against icons like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. While it doesn’t do anything remarkable, the Nissan’s comfortable front seats make it a fine choice for logging miles while sipping fuel. The base 2022 Altima S FWD returns 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway for a starting price of $25,995. Shoppers looking for AWD can select the SV AWD for $28,395 with a nominal efficiency hit at 26/36 mpg city/highway.
Nissan
Nissan Rogue
Compact in size, the 2022 Nissan Rogue SUV offers big power from its tiny, 1.5L, turbocharged, three-cylinder engine, but still maintains good gas mileage. Boasting 201 horsepower from this innovative mill, the base Rogue S FWD manages a noteworthy 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The base Rogue S will set you back at least $28,445 and another $1,500 if you tick the AWD box. Sending power to all four wheels only comes at a 2-mpg toll, with the Rogue S AWD rated at 28/35 mpg city/highway.
Toyota
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry didn’t become the best-selling passenger car in America by coincidence. It offers something every consumer seeks: proven durability. It also presents a plethora of configurations, including eight non-hybrid trim levels for 2022, five of which have AWD available. A spicy V6 engine is on offer, but for keeping your next car as cheap and efficient as possible, stick with the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder rated at 28 mpg in the city and 39 on the highway, starting at $26,870 for the base LE FWD trim.
Toyota
Toyota RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota holds yet another crown with its RAV4, staking claim to the best-selling SUV in America and overall sales king outside of pickup trucks. Its compact size dishes practicality, efficiency, and reliability. You’ll also find a load of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control. The 2022 base LE FWD trim starts at $28,190 and yields 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway from the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. The RAV4 can also be configured with an AWD, hybrid powertrain that returns an economical 41/38 mpg city/highway, starting at $30,790 for the LE Hybrid AWD trim.
