U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #242: November 11, 2002
Fuel Economy Leaders for 2003 Model Year Cars

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy announced the 28th annual fuel economy estimates for 2003 passenger vehicles. The "Best in Class" for cars are shown in the table. (Source: EPA/DOE Fuel Economy Web site).

Most Fuel Efficient Cars (by EPA Size Class) MPG
City Hwy
Most Efficient Two Seaters
Honda Insight 3 cyl, 1 L, Manual 61 68
Honda Insight 3 cyl, 1 L, Automatic 57 56
Most Efficient Minicompact Cars
BMW Mini Cooper 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual (5), Premium 28 37
BMW Mini Cooper 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Auto (variable), Premium 25 32
Most Efficient Subcompact Cars
VW New Beetle (Diesel) 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Manual (5) 42 49
VW New Beetle (Diesel) 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Automatic (5) 34 44
Most Efficient Compact Cars
Toyota Prius 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (Variable), Regular 52 45
Honda Civic Hybrid 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Manual (5), Regular 46 51
Most Efficient Midsize Cars
Honda Accord 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual (5), Regular 26 34
Honda Accord 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (5), Regular 24 33
Most Efficient Large Car
Chevrolet Impala 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Automatic (4), Regular 21 32
Most Efficient Small Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (Diesel) 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Manual 42 50
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (Diesel) 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Automatic 34 45
Most Efficient Midsize Station Wagons
Ford Focus Station Wagon 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual (5), Regular 27 36
Ford Focus Station Wagon 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (4), Regular 27 33

Return to Favorite Facts of the Week