The selection of domestically produced diesel vehicles shrank through the late eighties and into the nineties. Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen were the only automakers to sell diesel-powered passenger cars in America during this period, with the Jetta, Golf and Passat delivering chart-topping mileage. While American automakers continued to build a range of light diesel pickup trucks, diesel vans, and a smattering of diesel SUVs, the writing was clearly on the wall.
Diesel Mileage: 1989 – 1997
The 1985 through 1987 model years are packed with diesel-engine cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. A number of these vehicles provide excellent mileage results. If you can find an old oil burner that’s stood up to the years, it could be your low budget ticket into the world of biodiesel and straight vegetable oil (SVO) conversions. But make no mistake about it, these are loud and smelly old school diesels. While there may be gems to find, rust aside, you’ll do well to avoid many of the diesel-powered vehicles of this vintage, regardless of their mileage ratings.
Diesel Mileage: 1985 – 1987
Although the gleam is long off the apple, America hasn’t given up on the sport utility vehicle (SUV) just yet. While sales of conventional SUVs have dropped dramatically, hybrid SUV models are selling quite well … and for good reason. Hybrid SUV mileage ratings are substantially higher than their conventional counterparts. With that in mind, we spent a good part of this past year testing SUV mileage, with a big focus on the most fuel-efficient hybrid SUVs.
Although some of the choices can be quite pricey, there’s little question that the best SUV mileage results are found in the hybrid models. This has lead to remarkable bursts of popularity within more affluent and progressive segments of the car-buying public.
Here’s a case in point …
If you’re out shopping for fuel efficient cars, you might be feeling just a little bit squeezed right about now. Too many auto dealers are doing what too many dealers do … charging what the market may bear by adding thousands of dollars to the sticker price of the most economical models. It might not be fair, but it’s a reality. Fuel efficient cars are flying off the lots and until the factories catch up with the change, price gouging can be expected.
The good news is that we have three decades of used fuel efficient vehicles to fall back on.
When looking back at the list of the most economical vehicles of the last 25 years, you’ll see three marquees show up with the greatest consistency: Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen. While General Motors put in a fair showing in the past, it’s been more than five years since the demise of the Saturn SL and SC dropped GM out of the top ranks of cars rated at 40 miles per gallon (MPG) or higher.
Since its introduction in the 2001 model year, the Toyota Prius’ gas mileage ratings have consistently placed it among the most fuel-efficient vehicles sold in America. Although the Prius was not the first, nor most thrifty hybrid – that honor having been held by the (gone but not forgotten) Honda Insight – the Prius has endeared itself to over a million owners. As of this writing, the Prius holds the US gas mileage crown.
But for many, it’s more than just the great gas mileage. The green aura surrounding the Prius is unequaled.