The EPA, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), recently released its 2008 Fuel Economy Guide with the goal of informing new car shoppers of those cars that give the best -- and worst -- fuel mileage relative to other new cars. To no one's surprise, hybrid vehicles including the Toyota Prius (48/45 highway/city mpg), Honda Civic Hybrid (40/45), and Nissan Altima Hybrid (35/33), reside at the top of the list.

Interestingly, right behind those sedans and sharing fourth sport are front-drive versions of the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. All three hybrid SUVs attained ratings of 34 city/30 highway, the best combined fuel economy of any SUV. While GM recently trumpeted its Saturn Vue Green Line as having the best highway fuel efficiency of any SUV at 32 mpg, the Ford hybrids crush it in the city ratings and overall.

Also interesting is the Volkswagen Group's claim to seven of the nine least fuel efficient vehicles, with Lamborghinis and Bentleys galore -- and a Bugatti Veyron thrown in for good measure. The E-Gear-equipped Lamborghini Murcielago (8/13 city/highway mpg) came in as the top waster both in the two-seater category and overall, with the Bugatti Veyron a close second (8/14) and the manual-equipped Lamborghini Murcielago (9/14) in third spot overall.

For the full list of results, take a glance below where you'll find overall ratings as well as ratings sorted by vehicle class from the EPA. There are some head scratchers on the EPA lists, such as classifying the Bentley Azure as a Compact Car.


2008 Model Year Overall Fuel Economy Leaders

Rank Make/Model City/Highway MPG
1. Toyota Prius 48/45
2. Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid 35/33
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 34/30
MazdaTribute Hybrid FWD
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD
5. Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34
6. Toyota Yaris (manual) 29/36
7. Toyota Yaris (automatic) 29/35
8. Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 29/27
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD
9. Toyota Corolla (manual) 28/37
10. Honda Fit (manual) 28/34


Highest Fuel Economy Models by Vehicle Class
2008 Model Year

Class Make/Model City/Highway MPG
Two Seater Audi TT Roadster (2 liter engine,auto) 22/29
Minicompact Car Mini Cooper Convertible (manual) 23/32
Subcompact Car Toyota Yaris (manual) 29/36
Compact Car Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45
Midsize Car Toyota Prius (hybrid) 48/45
Large Car Honda Accord 4Dr Sedan (manual) 22/31
Small Station Wagon Honda Fit (manual) 28/34
Midsize Station Wagon Passat Wagon (manual) 21/29
Sport Utility Vehicle Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 34/30
Mazda Tribute Hybrid FWD
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD
Minivan Dodge Caravan 2WD 17/24
Chrysler Town & Country 2WD
Pickup Truck Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (manual) 21/26
Mazda B2300 2WD (manual)
Van (Cargo&Passenger)Chevrolet G1500/2500 Van 2WD 15/20
(4.3 liter engine)
GMC G1500/2500 Savana 2WD Cargo
(4.3 liter engine)


Lowest Overall Fuel Economy Models*
2008 Model Year

Rank Make/Model City/Highway MPG
1. Lamborghini Murcielago (automatic) 8/13
2. Bugatti Veyron 8/14
3. Lamborghini Murcielago (manual) 9/14
4. Bently Azure/Arnage RL 9/15
5. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (automatic) 9/16
6. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (manual) 10/15
Ferrari Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (manual)
Bentley Arnage (automatic)
7. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 10/16
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
Aston Martin DB9 Volante
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57S
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62S
8. Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe (manual) 10/17
Bentley Continental GT (automatic)
Bentley Continental GTC (automatic)
Bentley Continental Flying Spur (automatic)
9. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG 11/13
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD 11/14
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are currently exempt from federal fuel economy requirements.



Lowest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class
2008 Model Year

Class Make/Model City/Highway MPG
Two Seater Lamborghini Murcielago (automatic) 8/13
Minicompact Car Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, Volante (manual) 10/16
Subcompact Car Bentley Continental GTC 10/17
Compact Car Bentley Azure 9/15
Midsize Car Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (auto) 9/16
Large Car Bentley Arnage RL 9/15
Small Station Wagon Audi S4 Avant (manual) 13/20
Midsize Station Wagon Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon 12/18
Sport Utility Vehicle* Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG 11/13
Minivan* Toyota Sienna 4WD 16/21
Pickup Truck* Roush Performance Stage3 F-150 11/15
Van (Passenger and Cargo)*
Passenger Chevrolet G1500/2500 EXPRESS 2WD 12/16
Chevrolet H1500 EXPRESS AWD
GMC G1500/2500 SAVANA 2WD
GMC H1500 SAVANA VAN AWD
Cargo Chevrolet G15/25 VAN CONV 2WD
Chevrolet H1500 VAN CONV AWD
GMC G15/25 SAVANA 2WD CONV
GMC H1500 SAVANA AWD CONV


EPA's Top 10 most, least fuel efficient vehicles for 2008 | Car News Blog at Motor Trend


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At the end of the day, all that matters is how much mileage these vehicles do. A typical Bentley or Ferrari or Lamborghini might have the fuel consumption 3 to 4 times greater than those hybrid cars, but I am sure these ultra luxury and supercars travel 3 to 4 times less distance than the average car per year, so it all balances out.