Over the last six years, manufacturers have made more fuel efficient choices available to consumers in several size classes. For a consumer purchasing a new large car in 2008, the highest combined city/highway fuel economy available was 25 miles per gallon (mpg); for 2013, the top fuel economy of the large car class is 47 mpg. The top fuel economy for midsize station wagons and compact cars also rose by more than 5 mpg in the six-year time period. Standard pickups were the only light truck class to improve top fuel economy. All the other light truck classes had the same top fuel economy in both years, except for sport utility vehicles.
Top Fuel Economy in Class, Model Year 2008 and 2013
Notes: EPA combined city and highway fuel economy estimates are used. Compressed natural gas vehicles, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids are not included in these data.
Supporting Information
Size of Class | Model Year 2008 | Model Year 2013 | Difference in mpg between 2008 and 2013 |
---|---|---|---|
Large Cars | 25 | 47 | 22 |
Midsize Station Wagons | 24 | 42 | 18 |
Compact Cars | 42 | 50 | 8 |
Minicompact Cars | 32 | 37 | 5 |
Midsize Cars | 46 | 50 | 4 |
Standard Pickup Trucks | 18 | 21 | 3 |
Small Station Wagons | 31 | 34 | 3 |
Subcompact Cars | 32 | 34 | 2 |
Passenger Vans | 14 | 14 | 0 |
Cargo Vans | 17 | 17 | 0 |
Small Pickup Trucks | 23 | 23 | 0 |
Minivans | 24 | 24 | 0 |
Two-Seater Cars | 36 | 36 | 0 |
Sport Utility Vehicles | 32 | 30 | -2 |
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Model Year 2008 Fuel Economy Guide. U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Model Year 2013 Fuel Economy Guide. |