In an age where “going green” is not just a trend but a necessary shift towards sustainable living, electric vehicles and hybrids often steal the limelight. However, these aren’t the only players in the game when it comes to environmentally-friendly transportation.
In this article, we shine the spotlight on a fleet of non-electric, non-hybrid vehicles that are making substantial strides in eco-friendliness through innovative engineering, impressive fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions.
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Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars, achieving up to 43 mpg on the highway. It features a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine and a lightweight frame, reducing the energy required to propel the car forward.
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio, with its 1.6L I-4 engine, achieves up to 41 mpg on the highway. It features a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic, which offers drivers the choice of an automatic or manually-shifted drive, promoting fuel efficiency.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa boasts up to 40 mpg on the highway, courtesy of its 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. Its Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) delivers seamless acceleration while enhancing fuel efficiency.
Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra’s 2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine allows fuel efficiency figures of up to 41 mpg on the highway. It uses a Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), which helps to improve fuel economy by using a chain belt instead of a traditional gear system.
Subaru Impreza
Despite being an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the Impreza achieves up to 36 mpg on the highway. It uses Subaru’s Boxer engine and Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) to optimize power and fuel efficiency.
Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta’s 1.6L Ti-VCT I-4 engine allows it to achieve up to 35 mpg on the highway. It also features Ford’s AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, which helps to reduce skidding and maintain fuel efficiency.
Mini Cooper
With its 1.5L 3-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine, the Mini Cooper offers impressive fuel efficiency, achieving up to 37 mpg on the highway. Its smaller size also means it requires less energy to move, reducing its overall environmental impact.
Volkswagen Golf TDI
The Golf TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection), part of VW’s diesel lineup, boasts a highway mpg of up to 43. TDI technology ensures efficient combustion and improved fuel economy without sacrificing power.
Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
The Cruze Diesel provides an impressive 48 mpg on the highway. Its 1.6L turbo diesel engine is built to maximize fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, and the use of diesel provides a more energy-rich fuel source.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 comes with SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, a suite of performance-oriented, fuel-saving technologies. This includes a high-compression engine and an advanced transmission design, enabling the Mazda3 to achieve up to 36 mpg on the highway.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
