Top 10 Cheapest Non-Hybrid Cars That Get 40 MPG Highway

Last week we exposed the cheapest and most fuel minded vehicles on the market. All hybrid vehicles, the list started at the $30,000 mark, with the most affordable being the $19,320 Honda Insight.

If you’re looking for a car that is even more affordable than those hybrids, you’ll have to sacrifice some fuel economy. Here’s a list of cars that net 40 miles per gallon on the highway or better. This segment is quickly growing in popularity, and is soon to be joined by the upcoming 2014 Fiesta with its 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which Ford claims will hit at least 40 mpg on the highway.

Our list starts with the fuel minded trim package of the Civic. No, it’s not the standard Honda Civic, but the less talked about Civic HF. Some aerodynamic add-ons like a decklid spoiler, unique alloy-wheels and underbody panels help the Civic cut through the air easily. Additionally, with low-rolling resistance tires, the Civic easily gets 41 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg in the city. It only costs $20,555 after destination charges, a noticeable increase of $2,390 over the normal Civic sedan which gets 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Check out our comparison of the Honda Civic and the Nissan Sentra to determine which of these compacts are for you.

While the recently introduced Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is getting all the headlines, buyers should recognize that model is a bit on the pricey side, costing $25,695. On the other hand, the more affordable Chevrolet Cruze Eco still manages to get 42 miles per gallon on the highway, and costs $5,205 less at just $20,490. Using a 1.4L turbocharged engine the Cruze also employs several fuel-saving features to reach its lofty fuel mileage goal. Active grille shutters, underbody panels, a lowered front fascia air dam and a decklid spoiler all work together to make the Eco a more green vehicle. Read the review of the pricier Chevrolet Cruze Diesel and see what we thought of the Cruze Eco.

The Dodge Dart Aero uses many of the same techniques that Chevrolet did for its Cruze Eco. Active grille shutters and underbody aerodynamic panels are aided by low rolling resistance tires and lighter weight components, to make this the most fuel efficient Dart in the lineup. Using a 1.4L turbocharged motor, the Dart Aero costs $20,190, a total of $3,300 more than the base Dart, which is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. That price difference allows the manual equipped Dart to hit 41 mpg on the highway, a solid improvement over the 36 mpg highway that the base Dart gets. Learn more about the Dart with our Dodge Dart Review.

Where the standard Focus sedan nets just 36 mpg on the highway, once you add on the SFE (for Super Fuel Efficiency) package, the car is able to hit 40 mpg. This is thanks to the usual suspects of helpers, like a spoiler for aerodynamics and a set of low-rolling resistance tires. Ford also says that the 16-inch wheels have aerodynamic wheel covers, which add to the car’s high-efficiency hi-jinks. The SFE Package costs just $95 dollars on the SE Focus, but also requires a pricier automatic transmission. Check out our new car buying page to learn more about the Ford Focus.

Mazda went all in on fuel efficiency with its Skyactiv technology. Emphasizing light-weight components and more efficient transmissions and engines, the Skyactiv Mazda3 is able to hit 40 mpg when properly equipped. Pay the $20,020 pricetag for the Skyactiv-G 2.0L engine as well as the six-speed automatic, and you’ll see an improvement of up to 12 mpg on the highway over the 2.5L engine option in the Mazda3, or an improvement of 7 mpg over the non Skyactiv 2.0L engine. Check out our review of the Skyactiv Mazda3.

If you want fuel economy and don’t want to crack $20,000 for it, the Nissan Sentra is the most affordable compact that delivers 40 mpg on the highway. The FE+S trim package adds the CVT engine to the 130-hp 1.8L engine, and helps it reach 40 mpg. The FE+S trim package also adds a rear-spoiler, aerodynamic underbody panels and low-rolling resistance tires to help the car reach that 40 mpg benchmark. Fortunately the Sentra features three driving modes, including an Eco mode which will help you get every bit of distance out of your gas tank. If you want to see more of the Sentra, be sure to read our review, and watch the video review.

The Chevrolet Sonic is the first and most expensive subcompact on our list. Equipping a LT hatchback with the 1.4L turbocharged motor and a manual transmission costs $17,750, or about $700 more than a similarly equipped sedan. With fuel-saving tech like variable valve timing, and an electric power steering rack instead of a hydraulic setup, help the Sonic get its impressive fuel economy numbers. Check out the full specs of the Chevrolet Sonic at our new car buying page.

If you opt for the slightly less practical Chevrolet Sonic sedan, you’ll save a whole $700, some cash that doesn’t necessarily have to be at the gas pumps thanks to the subcompact’s 40 mpg highway rating. The pricetag comes with the mid-level LT package, using a 1.4L turbocharged engine and a manual transmission. Check out the full specs of the Chevrolet Sonic at our new car buying page.

With its charming design, it’s hard to believe that the Fiat 500 is both so affordable, and well behaved when it comes to fuel. The Fiat 500 Pop model, when equipped with the 1.4L engine and manual transmission is able to get hit that 40 mpg highway benchmark, and stay very competitively priced at $16,700. See the full specs of the Fiat 500 Pop at our new car buying page.

Coming in under $15,000 is the Nissan Versa S Plus uses a CVT transmission paired with a 109 hp 1.6L engine to hit 40 mpg on the highway. It’s fairly impressive that the affordable Versa manages to get its fuel economy without any aerodynamic add-ons like grille shutters or underbody aerodynamic panels. Nissan keeps its Versa on a diet, and gives it a tiny engine to ensure above average fuel economy. Of course that CVT transmission helps to wring out the very most out of the Versa’s powerplant. Our full review of the Versa tells the full story.