In my previous post, I promoted the idea that using an app like GasBuddy can save money on fuel. However, if you really want to get better mileage, I suggest that the best way to do that is through purchasing a fuel efficient car.

Today’s post is therefore all about choosing the best and most fuel efficient vehicles. There are a few comparable full size vehicles that offer some excellent fuel savings, like the Ford C-Max Hybrid, and the smaller Honda Fit station wagon. And, if you want something just to putter around the city, then check out the Fiat 500 Hatchback and the Ford Fiesta SFE. All provide decent options, and are highly rated.

To give you an idea of the cost savings, a vehicle like the Toyota Prius, gets 4.5L/100km on average, so it can  be driven for roughly 950 km on a full 42.77 liter tank of gas. Compare that to my current four-door 2002 Honda Civic that gets an average of only 8.03L/100km, or roughly 622 km per full 49.96 liter tank of gas. This means that at current gas prices of roughly $1.25/liter, I’m actually paying roughly $550 more a year in gas (assuming 10,000 km/year driving). Those extra costs, along with the average of 6 extra visits to gas up, means that over the lifespan of the vehicle (Which can be upwards of 350,000km), I could end up saving over $20,000 in gas alone if I went with the Toyota Prius. Now that’s definitely something to think about when making a purchasing decision.

Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for Honda because of their reputation for producing vehicles meant to last. However, if you’re going to stick with buying gas, then I have to say that my top pick in terms of affordability and savings is the full line of Toyota vehicles. First up is the compact 4 cylinder hybrid four-seater 2016 Toyota Prius, which boasts an incredibly insane low mileage of 4.6L/100km in the city and 4.4L/100km on the highway.

Now, if you want a little less room and slightly less powerful engine, then go for the Toyota Prius C, which has an outstanding 5.1L/100km in the city and 4.5L/100km on highways. If you have a family and need that extra room for groceries, then I suggest bumping up to the 2016 mid-size station wagon 4 cylinder Toyota Prius V. Not only is it a hatchback, but it boasts an impressive 5.8L/100km in the city and 5.4L/100km on highways.

And finally, if you’re in the market to purchase a brand new fuel efficient vehicle right off the drawing boards, and want an al’round efficient hybrid, then I strongly recommend you watch and wait for the 2017 Prius V Hybrid Crossover. In case you were wondering, I don’t represent Toyota, but I’m definitely keeping an eye on this car in case we end up winning some money, as at only $28,875, it’s definitely a great vehicle to consider buying. According to European ratings, it provides an amazing 4.1 L/100 km in combined cycle and an incredible 3.8 L/100 km in city driving. According to Toyota Canada, the Prius V delivers fuel economy of 4.3 litres/100 km in the city, 4.8 litres/100 on the highway and 4.6 litres/100 km combined.

Whichever way you look at it, the fuel economy along with roomy hatchback is ideal for a small family like mine. If you’re serious about purchasing the Prius V, check out the unhaggle.com 2016 Prius V FWD Hatchback report I generated by clicking here: unhaggle-2016-toyota-prius-v-fwd-hatchback-20160731233546. If you want a few common tips on purchasing a new car click here. For an outline of pricing, check out the tables below:

In conclusion, my current 2002 Honda Civic with 100,000 km will probably only last for another 10 years (Given roughly 10,000 km/year). It’s currently valued at $4000 (Canadian Black Book), and won’t provide much trade-in-value by the time I purchase a new vehicle. A used 2015 Prius V is listed at roughly $22,000-$24,000 right now, with a  depreciation of roughly $1,500-$2,500 per year. So, my plan is to purchase a relatively low mileage Prius V in roughly 10 years for between $8,000-$10,000.