Recent annual sales data from Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle valuation and automotive research provider, shows that this shift away from sedans and toward SUVs continues unabated.
Of course, many Americans would still prefer smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Kelly Blue Book provided 24/7 Wall St. with a list of 25 sedans, hatchbacks, and subcompact vehicles that weigh less than 2,500 pounds. For context, a number of pickup trucks and SUVs on the road today weigh well over 5,000 pounds. One of the vehicles on this list barely weighs over one ton. These are all vehicles for the 2019 model year. To avoid repetition, only the lightest trim for each model is listed.
As a general rule, subcompacts like the Ford Fiesta, compacts like the Honda Civic, and small two-seater sports cars like the Mazda Miata will have the best fuel economy. They might not be the most practical options, but cars like these are so lightweight that they can have well over twice the fuel economy of large SUVs or pickup trucks with less than half the weight, albeit also with less space and utility. These are America’s most eco-friendly vehicles.
In addition to being cheaper because of fuel costs, smaller cars tend to also be relatively inexpensive. This is every auto brand’s cheapest model.
Click here to see the smallest cars on the road
25. Honda HR-V
> Curb weight: 2,906 pounds
> Trim: LX Sport Utility 4D
> Horsepower: 141 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 30 MPG
[in-text-ad]
24. Kia Forte
> Curb weight: 2,903 pounds
> Trim: FE Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 147 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 31 MPG
24/7 Wall St.
23. Nissan Sentra
> Curb weight: 2,889 pounds
> Trim: S Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 130 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 30 MPG
22. Chevrolet Cruze
> Curb weight: 2,870 pounds
> Trim: LS Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 153 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 33 MPG
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Chevrolet Sonic
> Curb weight: 2,857 pounds
> Trim: LS Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 138 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 31 MPG
20. Hyundai Elantra
> Curb weight: 2,844 pounds
> Trim: SE Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 147 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 29 MPG
[in-text-ad]
19. Toyota Corolla
> Curb weight: 2,840 pounds
> Trim: L Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 132 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 32 MPG
18. Toyota 86
> Curb weight: 2,817 pounds
> Trim: Coupe 2D
> Horsepower: 205 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 24 MPG
17. MAZDA CX-3
> Curb weight: 2,809 pounds
> Trim: Sport Utility 4D
> Horsepower: 148 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 31 MPG
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Honda Civic
> Curb weight: 2,771 pounds
> Trim: LX Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 158 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 32 MPG
15. Kia Rio
> Curb weight: 2,714 pounds
> Trim: LX Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 130 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 32 MPG
[in-text-ad]
14. Hyundai Accent
> Curb weight: 2,679 pounds
> Trim: SE Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 130 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 31 MPG
13. Nissan Kicks
> Curb weight: 2,639 pounds
> Trim: S Sport Utility 4D
> Horsepower: 122 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 33 MPG
12. MINI Hardtop 2 Door
> Curb weight: 2,625 pounds
> Trim: Cooper Hatchback 2D
> Horsepower: 134 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 30 MPG
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Ford Fiesta
> Curb weight: 2,578 pounds
> Trim: S Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 120 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 30 MPG
10. Honda Fit
> Curb weight: 2,568 pounds
> Trim: LX Hatchback 4D
> Horsepower: 130 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 31 MPG
[in-text-ad]
9. Toyota Prius c
> Curb weight: 2,530 pounds
> Trim: L Hatchback 4D
> Horsepower: 73 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 46 MPG
24/7 Wall St.
8. FIAT 500
> Curb weight: 2,505 pounds
> Trim: Pop Hatchback 2D
> Horsepower: 135 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 27 MPG
7. Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
> Curb weight: 2,487 pounds
> Trim: Convertible 2D
> Horsepower: 237 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 28 MPG
[in-text-ad-2]
6. FIAT 124 Spider
> Curb weight: 2,436 pounds
> Trim: Classica Convertible 2D
> Horsepower: 160 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 29 MPG
5. Toyota Yaris
> Curb weight: 2,432 pounds
> Trim: L Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 106 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 34 MPG
[in-text-ad]
4. Nissan Versa
> Curb weight: 2,395 pounds
> Trim: S Sedan 4D
> Horsepower: 109 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 30 MPG
3. MAZDA MX-5 Miata
> Curb weight: 2,339 pounds
> Trim: Sport Convertible 2D
> Horsepower: 181 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 29 MPG
2. Chevrolet Spark
> Curb weight: 2,278 pounds
> Trim: LS Hatchback 4D
> Horsepower: 98 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 33 MPG
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Mitsubishi Mirage
> Curb weight: 2,018 pounds
> Trim: ES Hatchback 4D
> Horsepower: 78 HP
> Fuel economy (combined): 36 MPG
Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good
Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
