The tremendously popular Ford Taurus was first introduced in 1986 and is one of Ford’s best-selling automobiles of all time. While the Taurus took a slight vacation from the Ford line up, it’s back for the 2010 model year with a vengeance. The 2008 Ford Taurus sedan (shown below) is equipped with a 3.5 liter six cylinder engine and achieves acceptable gas mileage for a family-sized sedan. The front wheel drive version delivers 18 city and 28 highway miles per gallon, while the four wheel drive version hauls down 17 city and 24 highway.
gas mileage
Ford Focus Gas Mileage: 2000 – 2013
The compact Ford Focus was introduced to America in 2001 and underwent a restyling in the 2008 and 2012 model years. The domestic 2013 Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 160 horsepower (a 20 HP bump over the previous model). The Focus SFE is the most fuel-efficient model in the 2013 line up, achieving gas mileage ratings of 28 city and 40 highway miles per gallon, as it benefits from improved aerodynamics and low-rolling-resistance tires. The Focus Electric first appeared in 2012 (albeit in limited quantities) and the performance-oriented Focus ST was added in the 2013 model year.
We spent a week test driving a 2012 Ford Focus and were extremely impressed. Check out our Ford Focus review:
Ford Ranger Gas Mileage: 1986 – 2011
The compact Ford Ranger pickup truck was introduced to America in the midst of the gas crunch, roughly twenty-five years ago. Fuel efficient Mazda and Mitsubushi diesel engines were options in the earliest years of the Ranger. Ford also sold a battery-powered electric version, the Ranger EV, between 1998 and 2000.
The domestic 2011 Ford Ranger is available with either a 2.3 liter four cylinder or 4.0 liter six cylinder engine. The manual transmission-equipped 2.3 liter 2010 Ranger is rated at 22 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. The Ford Ranger sold in Europe is a rebadged Mazda that uses an economical 2.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.
The jury’s out on whether or not America will ever get the well-received redesigned World Ranger. Ford is likely concerned that the new Ranger would cut into sales of the F-150.
Toyota Tundra Gas Mileage
The Toyota Tundra was introduced to America in 2000 as Toyota’s first full-sized pickup truck. It was redesigned for the 2007 model year to be significantly larger, in order to better compete with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram.
The current Tundra is available with 5.7 and 4.7 liter V-8 engines, as well as a 4.0 liter V-6. While all three engines produce a generous amount of horsepower, their gas mileage just might be considerably less that what you might expect from a Toyota. In order to gain market share, Toyota would do well to offer a turbo diesel engine in the Tundra.
Toyota Camry Gas Mileage
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for every year in the last decade, save one (2001). Born in the midst of the early 1980s gas crunch, the first front-wheel drive Camrys were extremely fuel-efficient when configured with the available 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine.
Today’s mid-size Camry produces acceptable gas mileage, with the Camry Hybrid the clear standout at 33 city / 34 highway miles per gallon. While not nearly as economical as Toyota’s Prius Hybrid, the Camry Hybrid offers a considerably higher level of comfort.
We spent a week with the Camry Hybrid and came away quite impressed with the car. Check out our Toyota Camry Hybrid review: