There are multiple ways to counteract the rising cost of gasoline: you can either reduce your driving or make your drives more cost-effective.
However, there’s no need to compromise on the joy of being behind the wheel to achieve better fuel efficiency.
Every vehicle featured on this list delivers at least 30 mpg on the EPA’s highway test cycle while maintaining the engaging driving experience we value. Each entry includes its EPA ratings for combined, city, and highway fuel economy.
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia: 27 mpg combined / 24 city / 33 highway
The Giulia captivates us with its powerful and spirited 280-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, sharp handling, and striking design.
This is a car full of personality so much so that we’re willing to overlook the challenges we faced when servicing our long-term Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The Giulia’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 280 horsepower, producing an exhilarating sound and offering a spirited performance when pushed to its limits.
It accelerates from a standstill with enthusiasm, accompanied by a thrilling Italian-inspired soundtrack.
Every Giulia is equipped with a drive-mode selector featuring three distinct settings—Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency—forming the acronym DNA. Each mode fine-tunes the transmission, engine response, and steering characteristics to enhance the driving experience.
Always agile and engaging, the Giulia is a sports sedan designed for driving enthusiasts. The front tires respond instantly to driver inputs, providing clear feedback through the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Body roll is expertly managed, and the car remains flat and composed during aggressive cornering. Whether driven with intensity or at a more relaxed pace, the Giulia strikes a perfect balance between excitement and comfort.
Starting price: $45,875.
2. Audi S3: 26 mpg combined / 23 city / 32 highway
We’ve described the Audi S3 as “small, sporty, and satisfying.” Now, we can also add “parsimonious” to the list. This compact, all-wheel-drive powerhouse delivers 306 horsepower and polished road manners in a sleek, compact frame.
It rockets to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds while still maintaining impressive fuel efficiency. For a similar performance in a hatchback form, consider the Volkswagen Golf R, which shares its mechanical components with the S3.
Starting price: $47,895.
3. BMW 330i: 29 mpg combined / 25 city / 34 highway
The BMW 330i’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder excels in both fuel efficiency and performance, achieving 0 to 60 mph in well under six seconds.
Opt for a 330i equipped with the Dynamic Handling package, and you’ll have a lively and dynamic sports sedan.
Starting price: $44,795.
Also Read: Top 10 Affordable and Reliable Cars for First-Time Buyers in 2024, Featuring Popular Choices
4. Honda Civic Si: 31 mpg combined / 27 city / 37 highway
The Civic Si is pure driving joy on four wheels. Nimble and lively, its steering and brakes feel almost directly connected to your senses.
It sports a sleek, athletic design while offering a spacious and comfortable cabin. What truly sets it apart is its dedication to driving enthusiasts it’s exclusively available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Starting price: $29,595.
5. Hyundai Elantra N: 25 mpg combined / 22 city / 31 highway
The Elantra N is packed with excitement, featuring a growling 276-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a finely tuned chassis for sharp handling and smooth rides, and the choice of a six-speed manual transmission.
The optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic offers slightly lower fuel economy than the manual version (featured here) but still achieves 30 mpg on the highway.
Starting price: $34,015.
6. Toyota GR86: 25 mpg combined / 21 city / 31 highway
Why choose the Toyota GR86 over its nearly identical twin, the Subaru BRZ? The answer is simple: the Toyota has a slightly lower base price $120 less than the Subaru and achieves one extra mile per gallon on the highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.
(Neither model surpasses 30 mpg on the highway with the optional automatic transmission.)
That said, both of these Japanese sports coupes are incredibly fun to drive, and there’s no shame in picking the BRZ over the GR86. However, if your priority is maximizing efficiency for the price, the Toyota holds a slight edge.
Starting price: $29,495.
7. Mazda MX-5 Miata: 30 mpg combined / 26 city / 35 highway
We can’t think of a more enjoyable way to minimize fuel stops than cruising in a Miata with the top down and the wind in your hair. This playful, lively two-seater is impossible not to love.
The manual transmission variant (featured here) sacrifices just one mile per gallon combined and on the highway compared to the automatic model a minor tradeoff for the joy of rowing through gears with one of the best manual gearboxes on the market.
Starting price: $29,115.
Also Read: Top 10 New Cars Launching in 2025 You Need to Know About
8. Mini Hardtop: 32 mpg combined / 29 city / 38 highway
If you can get past the Mini lineup’s quirky, retro-inspired styling which, admittedly, isn’t for everyone you’ll discover cars that are both engaging to drive and impressively fuel-efficient.
Many models come with a manual transmission, and every variant, including the high-performance John Cooper Works editions, achieves at least 30 mpg or more on the highway. (The EPA ratings listed here apply to the Hardtop with the automatic transmission.)
Starting price: $24,395.
9. Toyota GR Supra: 27 mpg combined / 25 city / 31 highway
Looking for a powerful, precise-handling, 10Best-winning sports car that delivers strong fuel efficiency at a competitive price?
The GR Supra fits the bill. The base four-cylinder model achieves the fuel-economy figures listed here.
Even better, the EPA rates the 382-hp six-cylinder version with the automatic transmission as a highway-friendly 31-mpg cruiser.
Starting price: $45,135.
10. Volkswagen Golf GTI: 28 mpg combined / 24 city / 34 highway
We’re absolutely taken with the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and if you enjoy driving, you will be, too. This spirited 241-hp hatchback combines the heart of a racer with refined road manners all while being surprisingly fuel-efficient.
It’s quick, comfortable, and well-balanced, with the added practicality of hatchback versatility.
The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic achieves the fuel economy figures listed here, while the six-speed manual sacrifices just 1 mpg in city driving and 2 mpg on the highway.
Starting price: $31,625.