Gas prices jumped right past $3 last year without warning and could do so again anytime. With so many great fuel-stingy cars out there, why take a chance? Below are the ten 2006 cars whose mileage numbers will best protect you from a pinch. Note that this is EPAs estimated mileage, which comes with the fine print of results may vary thanks to its archaic testing procedures. Still, the tests are consistent from car to car, so the finishing order of the cars can be expected to hold up in the real world, even if the exact numbers dont.
CityFreewayAverage
1.Honda Insight606663
2.Toyota Priusautomatic605155.5
3.Honda Civic Hybrid495150
4.Volkswagen Beetle TDI374440.5
5.Volkswagen Golf TDI374440.5
6.Volkswagen Jetta TDI364138.5
7.Toyota Corolla324136.5
8.Scion xA323734.5
9.Honda Civic automatic304035
10.Kia Rio / Hyundai Accent323533.5
(The Rio and Accent are the same car.) Except for the Prius and two Civics, all figures are for cars with manual transmissions, which by nature of their more efficient design tend to squeeze out 1-2 extra MPG. But even with an automatics-only rule, the same ten models still...