The Honda Civic Sedan is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car, rated 36 MPG combined by the EPA, with the 2027 LX from $24,995. The Hyundai Elantra SE (35 MPG, from $22,825) is #2 and the Toyota Corolla (35 MPG, from $23,325) is #3. Every pick is a gasoline-only trim.
A sharp-driving compact with a 36 MPG highway rating
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2027 Honda Civic Sedan
Best value
2026 Hyundai Elantra SE
Best highway MPG
2027 Toyota Corolla LE
Best warranty
2026 Kia K4 LX
Cheapest crossover
2026 Hyundai Venue SE
The ranking
1
2027 Honda Civic Sedan
Answrs VerdictThe most efficient gas car.
EPA combined MPG: 36 MPG (32 city / 41 hwy), EPA rating for the 2026 Civic sedan with the 2.0 L engine and CVTStarting MSRP: $24,995 (2027 Civic Sedan LX)Honda 2027 rating: 32 city / 41 hwy for the 2027 Civic SedanEngine: 150-hp engine with a continuously variable transmission (LX); the Civic Sedan Hybrid is a separate modelHybrid model (not ranked): Civic Sedan Hybrid starts at $29,695
The Civic Sedan with the 2.0 L engine and CVT is rated 36 MPG combined (32 city / 41 hwy) by the EPA, and Honda lists the 2027 Civic Sedan LX from $24,995 with a 150-hp engine.
Go ifThe highest EPA MPG of any gasoline-only car here
Skip ifYou want the best resale story or a hybrid; this page ranks gas-only trims
Why #1 over #2: Its 36 MPG tops the Elantra SE’s 35, though the Elantra starts at $22,825.
2
2026 Hyundai Elantra SE
Answrs VerdictThe best value.
EPA combined MPG: 35 MPG (31 city / 40 hwy), 2026 Elantra SE with stop-startStarting MSRP: $22,825 (2026 Elantra SE; excludes freight)Engine: 147-hp 2.0 L four-cylinderOther trims: 34 MPG combined on SEL Sport, SEL Sport Plus, SEL Sport Premium and LimitedWarranty: 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
The 2026 Elantra SE is rated 35 MPG combined (31 city / 40 hwy) with a 147-hp 2.0 L engine, from $22,825, and includes a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.
Go ifTop-tier gas MPG at a low starting price with a long warranty
Skip ifYou want a loaded trim: the SEL and Limited trims are rated 34 MPG
Why #2 over #3: It matches the Corolla’s 35 MPG and starts at a lower price than the Corolla’s $23,325.
3
2027 Toyota Corolla LE
Answrs VerdictThe safe compact.
EPA combined MPG: 35 MPG (31 city / 41 hwy), 2027 Corolla sedan with the 2.0 L engine and CVT (1-mode)Starting MSRP: $23,325 (2027 Corolla LE)Engine: 2.0 L four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmissionHybrid trims (not ranked): Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE are separate trims
The 2027 Corolla LE is rated 35 MPG combined (31 city / 41 hwy) with a 2.0 L engine and CVT, from $23,325; Corolla Hybrid trims are separate and not ranked here.
Go ifThe 41 MPG highway rating with Toyota’s long-running compact
Skip ifYou want the lowest sticker; the Elantra SE starts at $22,825
Why #3 over #4: Its 35 MPG and 41 MPG highway rating beat the Jetta’s 34 MPG and 40 MPG highway.
4
2027 Volkswagen Jetta
Answrs VerdictThe turbocharged choice.
EPA combined MPG: 34 MPG (29 city / 40 hwy), 2027 Jetta with the 1.5 L turbo fourStarting MSRP: $23,995 (2027 Jetta)Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, 158 hp / 184 lb-ftOther trims: 33 MPG combined on the Jetta Sport, SE and SEL
The 2027 Jetta is rated 34 MPG combined (29 city / 40 hwy) with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine making 158 hp, from $23,995; the Sport, SE and SEL are rated 33 MPG.
Go ifA turbo four with a 40 MPG highway rating
Skip ifYou want the top trims at 34 MPG; the Sport, SE and SEL are rated 33
Why #4 over #5: Its 34 MPG beats the K4 LX’s 33.
5
2026 Kia K4 LX
Answrs VerdictThe warranty pick.
EPA combined MPG: 33 MPG (29 city / 39 hwy), 2026 K4 LXStarting MSRP: $22,290 (2026 K4 LX; excludes destination)Kia-listed MPG: 29 / 39 / 33 city / hwy / combined on the K4 LXWarranty: 10-year/100,000-mile Limited WarrantyTurbo trim: GT-Line Turbo: 190-hp 1.6 L turbo, rated 28 MPG combined (26 city / 33 hwy)
The 2026 K4 LX is rated 33 MPG combined (29 city / 39 hwy), starts at $22,290 and has a 10-year/100,000-mile Limited Warranty; the 190-hp GT-Line Turbo is rated 28 MPG.
Go ifA low starting price with a long warranty
Skip ifYou want the turbo: the 190-hp engine is rated 28 MPG
Why #5 over #6: It ties the Sentra’s 33 MPG with a lower $22,290 start than the Sentra’s $22,990.
6
2027 Nissan Sentra S
Answrs VerdictThe budget sedan.
EPA combined MPG: 33 MPG (30 city / 38 hwy), 2027 Sentra with Sport/Normal/Eco modesStarting MSRP: $22,990 (2027 Sentra S)Engine: 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torqueSR trim: 32 MPG combined (29 city / 36 hwy)
The 2027 Sentra S is rated 33 MPG combined (30 city / 38 hwy) with 149 hp, from $22,990; the SR trim is rated 32 MPG.
Go ifA low-priced sedan with an Eco mode and 38 MPG highway
Skip ifYou want the SR look; that trim drops to 32 MPG
Why #6 over #7: Its 33 MPG beats the Accord’s 32 at a far lower price.
7
2026 Honda Accord LX
Answrs VerdictThe roomy gas sedan.
EPA combined MPG: 32 MPG (29 city / 37 hwy), 2026 Accord with the 1.5 L turbo and CVTStarting MSRP: $28,395 (2026 Accord Sedan)Engine: 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter engine on the LX and SEHybrid trims (not ranked): Four Accord Hybrid trims use a 204-hp two-motor system
The 2026 Accord LX is rated 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 hwy) with a 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, from $28,395; the hybrid trims are separate.
Go ifMidsize-sedan room at 32 MPG
Skip ifYou want the lowest price; the compacts above start around $22,000
Why #7 over #8: It ties the Integra’s 32 MPG at a lower starting price than the Integra’s $33,400.
8
2026 Acura Integra
Answrs VerdictThe premium pick.
EPA combined MPG: 32 MPG (29 city / 37 hwy), 2026 Integra with the 1.5 L turbo and CVTStarting MSRP: $33,400 (2026 Integra; excludes destination)Engine: 200-hp 1.5 L VTEC TurboFuel: Premium gasoline (EPA listing)
The 2026 Integra is rated 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 hwy) with a 200-hp 1.5 L VTEC Turbo, from $33,400, and EPA lists premium gasoline.
Go ifA premium sport-compact hatch with 32 MPG
Skip ifYou want regular gas or a low price: it takes premium and starts at $33,400
Why #8 over #9: Its 32 MPG beats the Venue’s 31, though it costs far more than the Venue’s $20,550.
9
2026 Hyundai Venue SE
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest crossover.
EPA combined MPG: 31 MPG (29 city / 33 hwy), 2026 VenueStarting MSRP: $20,550 (2026 Venue SE; excludes freight)Engine: 121-hp 1.6 L four-cylinderType: Compact SUV, the only crossover on this list
The 2026 Venue SE is rated 31 MPG combined (29 city / 33 hwy) with a 121-hp 1.6 L engine, from $20,550, and is the only crossover on this list.
Go ifThe lowest starting price here, in a small crossover body
Skip ifYou want sedan MPG: the sedans above rate 33 to 36
Why #9 over #10: Its 31 MPG beats the Mazda3’s 30, and its $20,550 start is the lowest here.
10
2026 Mazda3 Sedan 2.5 S
Answrs VerdictThe driver’s choice.
EPA combined MPG: 30 MPG (27 city / 36 hwy), 2026 Mazda3 4-door front-driveStarting MSRP: $24,650 (2026 Mazda3 Sedan)Mazda-listed MPG: 30 MPG combined for the Mazda3 SedanEngine: SKYACTIV-G 2.5 L engine, up to 186 hp on the 2.5 S
The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan is rated 30 MPG combined (27 city / 36 hwy) by the EPA for the front-drive 4-door, from $24,650, with up to 186 hp on the 2.5 S.
Go ifA sharp-driving compact with a 36 MPG highway rating
Skip ifYou want the best MPG: it ranks last of these ten at 30
How we ranked these
We ranked each car on EPA combined MPG from fueleconomy.gov for its gasoline-only trim at the current model year in the EPA file, then on the maker’s published starting MSRP. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric cars are excluded. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car in 2027?
The Honda Civic Sedan: EPA rates the 2.0 L CVT sedan at 36 MPG combined (32 city / 41 hwy), and Honda lists the 2027 LX from $24,995.
What is the cheapest non-hybrid car on this list?
The 2026 Hyundai Venue SE at $20,550 (excluding freight), rated 31 MPG combined; among sedans, the Elantra SE starts at $22,825.
Which gas car has the best highway MPG here?
The 2027 Honda Civic Sedan and the 2027 Toyota Corolla are both rated 41 MPG highway by the EPA.
Does the Acura Integra need premium gas?
EPA lists the 2026 Integra as using premium gasoline; it is rated 32 MPG combined and starts at $33,400.
EPA combined MPG (as published) at a glance
2026 Mazda3 Sedan 2.5 S30 MPG
2026 Hyundai Venue SE31 MPG
2026 Honda Accord LX32 MPG
2026 Acura Integra32 MPG
2026 Kia K4 LX33 MPG
2027 Nissan Sentra S33 MPG
2027 Volkswagen Jetta34 MPG
2026 Hyundai Elantra SE35 MPG
2027 Toyota Corolla LE35 MPG
2027 Honda Civic Sedan36 MPG
EPA combined MPG (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
