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Kia Rio Gas Mileage

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The sub-compact Kia Rio is one of the most economical vehicles available in America today. The Rio’s true-entry level price and highway gas mileage figures in the mid-thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range make it the first choice for a growing number of budget-minded motorists.

The 2008 Rio is offered as a four-door sedan and a five door hatchback (known as the Rio5). Fitted with a 1.6 liter DOHC four cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower (HP) and 107 foot pounds of torque, the front-wheel-drive Rio is equipped with either a five-speed manual or an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, each with overdrive.

While the US-spec Rio’s gas mileage ratings are impressive, there’s a whole lot more to come.

Abroad, the Rio can be equipped with a 1.5 liter common rail turbodiesel engine, producing 108.6 HP and 173.3 foot pounds of torque, with a 0-62 mile per hour time of 11.5 seconds. The European turbodiesel hauls down 49.6 urban / 68.9 extra urban miles per British gallon … that equates to roughly 41 city / 57 highway here in the States.

Kia is developing a hybrid version of the Rio, as well. When the rubber finally meets the road, the hybrid Rio just might be the least expensive hybrid available …

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Hyundai Elantra Gas Mileage

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The compact Hyundai Elantra was introduced to America in the 1993 model year. Consistently strong gas mileage figures – with highway gas mileage ratings in the low-thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range – along with reasonable pricing have ensured the Elantra’s long run of success. The Elantra has been redesigned three times over the years, with the most recent redesign taking place in 2007.

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is fitted with a 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder engine. Performance specs differ slightly between the Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) and Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) versions. The ULEV engine is rated at 138 horsepower (HP) and 136 foot pounds of torque, while the PZEV engine is rated at 132 HP and 133 foot pounds of torque. The Elantra is equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

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Nissan Versa Gas Mileage

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The compact Nissan Versa was introduced to America in the 2007 model year as the entry-level car in Nissan’s line up. The Versa delivers highway gas mileage in the low 30 mile per gallon (MPG) range and is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Nissan’s most affordable offering is frequently noted for its abundant and well-designed cabin and cargo space.

The 2008 Nissan Versa is equipped with a 1.8 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower (HP) and 127 foot pounds of torque. The front-wheel drive Versa can be fitted with a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Internationally, the Versa is also known as the Nissan Tiida. A high-MPG 1.5 liter common rail diesel is available in some markets abroad. The Renault-sourced diesel produces 105 HP and 240 Nm of torque, as well as remarkable mileage ratings (by American standards).

Nissan formed an agreement with Chrysler in January 2008 to begin distribution of the Versa in South America. This may open the door for Chrysler to sell a Dodge-branded version of the Versa in the USA.

We recently spent a week with the Versa and found it to be quite comfortable for a compact car. Check out our Nissan Versa review:

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Mazda3 Gas Mileage

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The compact Mazda3 was introduced to America in the 2006 model year, after being available abroad since 2004. The Mazda3’s good gas mileage and sporting character have won it fans the world over. While highway gas mileage rankings in the low thirties for the base model have ensured success with the commuter crowd, it’s the style, handling, and lively nature that play to those looking for a bit of “zoom-zoom” in their day-to-day lives.

The Mazda3 4-door “i” Model is equipped with a 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 148 horsepower (HP), while the “s” Model is fitted with the larger and slightly more powerful 2.3 liter four cylinder engine, producing 156 horsepower and 150 foot pounds of torque. The i Model delivers 24 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG), while the s Model provides 22 city / 29 highway MPG.

The Mazda3 5-door “s” Model is fitted with the same 2.3 liter engine as the 4-door s Model. (Mileage estimates are identical, as well.) The i Models are equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic. The s Models are available with either the 5-speed manual or a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic.

The top-of-the-line MazdaSpeed3 5-door is unquestioningly intended for the enthusiast. The little hot rod wagon’s turbocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition version of the 2.3 liter four cranks out a whopping 263 HP and 280 foot pounds of torque. The MazdaSpeed3 is exclusively equipped with a six speed manual transmission; an automatic is not available. Mileage estimates are 18 city / 26 highway, on premium fuel.

European Mazda3’s can also be fitted with 1.6 or 2.0 liter diesel engines, resulting in a remarkable increase in fuel efficiency over the gas-engined models.

Mazda3 Review:

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Daryl Hannah’s 30+ MPG Biodiesel El Camino Goes Up On eBay

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Here’s your chance to drive a mean, green high-MPG celebrity-owned collectible machine. But you need to act fast. Daryl Hannah’s flat black biodiesel-powered 1983 Chevrolet El Camino just went up for auction on eBay (where you’ll find a healthy assortment of photos).

A stroke of fate allowed us to catch up with Daryl just before her primered pride and joy hit the block.

Bring up the topic of diesel-powered Cowboy Cadillacs with most gearheads and they’ll only tilt their heads and look at you funny. Chevrolet produced diesel El Caminos for two brief years in the early 1980s. Only true aficionados know that a tiny percentage of 1983 and 1984 El Caminos were equipped with Oldsmobile 350 diesel engines. Alas, Chevy’s experiment was not a sales success … largely due to the fact that the Oldsmobile 350 diesel fitted in the El Camino limped by with a rating of just 105 horsepower and 200 foot pounds of torque … rather anemic, when compared to a strong Chevy V-8.

It was the remarkable mile per gallon (MPG) ratings that created the diesel El Camino’s appeal, of course. 22 city / 33 highway MPG was nothing to sneeze at. All you need to do is take a look at the mile per gallon ratings of today’s pickup trucks to realize … it still isn’t.

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