7 Best Fuel-Efficient Cars For Travel This Summer

If you’re looking for ways to save money on driving this summer and your car doesn’t get a lot of miles per gallon, it might be time to change out your vehicle.

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The average national gas price is $3.50 a gallon and gets up to more than $5 a gallon in some states, so it’s important to be driving something that gets good gas mileage. This is especially true if you’re relying on your car to be your main way of traveling this summer.

GOBankingRates reached out to auto experts to see which fuel-efficient vehicles you should be driving and why.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Nigel Tunnacliffe is the CEO and co-founder of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country. He recommended the Toyota Corolla Hybrid because it’s well-built and incredibly fuel-efficient.

“The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is our go-to teaching vehicle at Coastline Academy, and our team has purchased hundreds of these models thanks to their consistently high-quality performance,” said Tunnacliffe.

“The Corolla also offers 50 mpg, which, when combined with its low up-front cost, offers value that is hard for any other midsize sedan in its class to match.”

Aivaras Grigelevičius, an automotive expert at carVertical agreed, saying you’ll go pretty far without having to think about filling up your gas tank.

According to Grigelevičius, “The average distance you can go with a full tank is 500 to 600 miles. And with the help of hypermiling techniques, you can go even further.”

The price for this car is really affordable for a hybrid vehicle: Corolla Hybrids start at $23,500 for a 2024 model.

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Nissan Versa

“For a non-hybrid sedan, the Nissan Versa offers competitive mileage that makes it stand out among other comparable vehicles,” Tunnacliffe said.

The Versa gets a combined 30-35 mpg and starts at just $16,680.

Tunnacliffe added, “It also comes with a wide range of tech and driver assist features at a reasonable price, adding up to impressive value for a smaller car.”

The newest Versa also offers the option for adaptive cruise control and up to an 8in.  touchscreen. Plus, there are great safety features as well. All new Nissan models come with Nissan Safety Shield® 360, which offers monitors on all sides of the car to help prevent crashes.

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Honda Civic Hybrid

“Honda Civic has always been a good all-rounder, but with the introduction of the hybrid powertrain, it has become the best compact car available today,” said Grigelevičius.

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“Unlike other hybrids, which prioritize only fuel efficiency, Honda’s hybrid systems can provide both fun and impressive economy at once. In the real world, it’s not difficult to achieve 45 MPG, which is truly remarkable.”

Car and Driver ranked the 2025 model as their #1 best compact car. The site praised its sleek exterior and roomy interior. Car and Driver also appreciated its low starting price of $25,345.

The average hybrid car costs almost $40,000, so getting a highly-rated hybrid for almost half that price is truly a deal.

Honda Insight

“Fuel economy and style are remarkably combined in the Honda Insight,” said Joe Giranda, the director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic.

“With ratings of 49 mpg on the highway and 55 mpg in the city, Insight distinguishes itself with its elegant cabin and clever architecture. It has Honda’s two-motor hybrid technology, which enhances economy by utilizing smooth acceleration and regenerative braking. Advanced safety technologies like Honda Sensing also equip the Insight, therefore guaranteeing a safe and effective driving experience.”

The latest Honda Insight was made in 2022, and starts at $26,855. The smooth acceleration Giranda highlighted is something a lot of customers love about the Insight, saying it results in a very smooth ride.

The Insight is a great choice if you want to comfortably take a long trip without spending too much on gas.

Chevrolet Bolt

Giranda recommended the Bolt for those who are interested in exploring the capabilities of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

“It’s perfect for regular commutes and quick vacations without using gasoline since it provides a 53-mile all-electric range,” he said.

“Once the battery runs empty, the combined fuel economy is 42 mpg. For people who wish to minimize their environmental impact yet still go greater distances, Volt’s creative twin power system offers flexibility and extended range.”

The plug-in hybrid model of the Chevy Bolt last came out in 2019. Prices for it can range from the low $20,000s to around $26,000.

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Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

The latest Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid was released in 2022, and goes for $24,695 brand new, but since it’s been a few years since its release, you can likely find this model for much cheaper used.

“With an outstanding 57 mpg in the city and 59 mpg on the highway, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is another top contender,” Giranda said. “It’s aerodynamic form and neat design lower drag, therefore improving fuel economy.”

Giranda added that the hybrid model of the Ioniq has a large cabin and an array of tech tools, including smart cruise control. He also praised Hyundai’s wide warranty coverage. Safety features include advanced systems like Blind Spot Collision Warning and Rear Parking Assist so you can parallel park with ease.

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro is a compact crossover, and starts at $28,315 for a new 2024 model. Moreover, it has an impressive warranty that covers you for 10 years/100,000 miles.

It’s also bigger than a lot of other cars on this list and has quite a bit of legroom in comparison to similar sized cars, which all contribute to it being a great choice for larger groups who are planning to travel together this summer.

“For families or those requiring more space, the Niro offers a better driving position and lots of cargo space with fuel economy figures of 52 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway,” Giranda continued.

“Summer adventures will find this practical and fun car with its modern driver assistance technologies, easy-to-use infotainment system and comfy seating.”

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Best Fuel-Efficient Cars For Travel This Summer