Research indicates that around 8.9 percent of Americans endure a long-distance commute, spending 60 minutes or more on the road each way.
Still, a significantly larger number of people regularly travel even greater distances for vacations, work-related road trips, or simply for leisure—situations where a fuel-efficient commuter car becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. The challenge, however, is that the current new car market is dominated by SUVs and trucks.
That said, not all hope is lost. There are still some commuter cars available that can make those extended drives far more manageable for long-distance travelers.
Unsurprisingly, a good number of these options are hybrids. But for those who prefer to steer clear of the electronics and complexity that come with hybrid technology, there are still internal combustion engine cars out there.
Here are 10 commuter cars with great fuel economy that are well-suited for long-distance commutes.
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10. 2025 Subaru Impreza
Combined Fuel Economy: 30 MPG
The Subaru Impreza is one of those “go anywhere, do anything” types of commuter cars. Under its hood is a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter Boxer engine that garners up to 34 MPG on the highway, so you won’t need to stop at the pump too often during a road trip.
But, more importantly, it also comes standard with a Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This system sends power to the front or rear wheels, depending on which ones need more grip, which provides plenty of traction on all kinds of surfaces.
That means you can drive the Impreza all year round, without having to worry about hitting inclement weather during a long road trip. Performance-wise, the 2.0-liter flat-four engine is paired with a CVT transmission and delivers 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque.
It features an all-wheel-drive driveline, accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 7.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 125 mph. Some of its advantages include a low entry price, a practical interior, and good fuel economy.
On the downside, the design may be too utilitarian for some, there’s no manual transmission option, and it could use more power.
9. 2025 Honda Accord
Combined Fuel Economy: 32 MPG
For the 2025 model year, only the bottom two Honda Accord trim levels come equipped with an internal combustion engine and the upper four trims are hybrids. However, that doesn’t take away from the Accord’s vast array of standard features and safety aids, which makes it a safe and smart choice.
But let’s not forget about its fuel efficiency. The Accord LX can get up to 37 MPG on the highway, according to the EPA. That’s no slouch, considering the Honda Accord is a rather large sedan, and it can get that number without the aid of an electric motor.
Of course, if you need more fuel efficiency, the Accord Hybrid is a better option with its 51 MPG combined rating. The 2025 Accord is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine mated to a CVT transmission.
It produces 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 MPH time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph. The driveline is listed as AWD, although the model does not currently offer an all-wheel-drive variant.
Among its pros are excellent fuel efficiency, a strong internal combustion engine, and a spacious, comfortable cabin. The cons include the lack of an all-wheel-drive option, no manual transmission, and a base model that doesn’t offer a particularly rich feature list.
8. 2025 Hyundai Sonata
Combined Fuel Economy: 32 MPG
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata features a futuristic design that helps it stand out from every other vehicle in its class. But there’s more to the Sonata than just its looks. It offers a choice of three powertrains, including a 192-horsepower 2.5-liter engine, a 290-horsepower turbocharged engine, and a hybrid option.
The standard engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, with power sent to the front wheels. The car accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph.
Obviously, opting for the hybrid variant is the best choice for the most fuel economy, but the base engine can hold its own. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder can achieve up to 38 MPG on the highway, which is among the highest in its class.
Considering its stellar fuel efficiency, the 2025 Sonata is a strong contender for long-distance drivers seeking performance and fuel economy. Some of its strengths include competitive pricing within the segment, good fuel efficiency, and the availability of a hybrid version for even better economy.
On the flip side, its styling may be too bold for some, the ride and handling may not appeal to driving enthusiasts, and all-wheel-drive is not available on every trim.
7. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta
Combined Fuel Economy: 33 MPG
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta makes a solid case for itself as a long-distance commuter car—not just for its impressive fuel economy, but also for its overall driving experience.
In addition to achieving up to 42 MPG on the highway, the Jetta’s interior offers a comfortable and refined space, whether you’re crawling through traffic or cruising along an open stretch of road. Under the hood, it features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine that delivers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and operates with a front-wheel-drive setup. The Jetta can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 126 mph. That cabin is also filled with plenty of tech-savvy features, like a user-friendly infotainment system, a digital cockpit, and standard driver-assist features.
With its impressive fuel economy, comfortable ride, and a healthy list of standard features, the Volkswagen Jetta is a compelling choice for commuters who don’t want to skimp on quality.
Among its key advantages are a roomy cabin, a supple ride, and a fuel-efficient engine. However, the removal of the manual transmission, its aging platform, and the absence of an all-wheel-drive option may be downsides for some buyers.
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6. 2024 Nissan Sentra
Combined Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
Commuters looking for the best value in the compact class should look no further than the 2025 Nissan Sentra. The Sentra is a comfortable sedan with its supportive and plush Zero Gravity front seats and spacious rear-seat area. It also has a fairly large trunk.
The car is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four engine paired with a CVT transmission. This setup delivers 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, all sent to the front wheels. In terms of performance, the Sentra accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 100 mph.
As you can guess, the 2025 Sentra is also very fuel-efficient, as its naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine can achieve up to 37 MPG on the highway, which equates to 496 miles on a single tank. That means that road trips should go a little quicker with the Nissan Sentra since you won’t be making frequent stops at the pump.
On the plus side, it comes with plenty of standard safety features, offers comfortable seating, and delivers strong fuel efficiency. On the downside, it could use more power, it’s not as fun to drive as some of its competitors, and the drivetrain can be noisy.
5. 2025 Kia K4
Combined Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
The 2025 Kia K4 is the new kid on the compact car block, but it may seem familiar to some. That’s because it effectively replaced the Kia Forte as the brand’s smallest sedan offering, but it is an improvement in almost every way.
The all-new K4 has a bold new fastback look that’s reminiscent of the Kia Stinger, in addition to a fuel-efficient powertrain. The base model is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, connected to a CVT transmission and driving the front wheels.
It accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 8.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph. The base engine can obtain up to 36 MPG on the highway. However, for speedy commuters, a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces 190 horsepower is also available in the GT-Line Turbo trim.
That trim level also comes equipped with a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension for better handling and ride comfort. Among its strengths are its fuel-efficient powertrains, the availability of a strong turbocharged engine option, and an interesting design both inside and out.
However, the base engine could use more power, there’s no hybrid variant available, and no all-wheel-drive option is offered.
4. 2025 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Combined Fuel Economy: 35 MPG
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hatchback offers everything that the popular Corolla sedan does but adds the bonus of a practical hatchback design. That means the Corolla Hatchback is just as comfortable, retains the same features, and uses the same powertrain without compromising on fuel efficiency.
It comes equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine paired with a CVT transmission. This combination delivers 168 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. The Corolla Hatchback can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 114 mph.
As such, the Corolla Hatchback can achieve up to 42 MPG on the highway, and it doesn’t skimp on power either. The naturally aspirated engine generates 169 horsepower to the front wheels through a CVT engine, which is enough for getting around town and onto the highway.
Once on the highway, the Corolla Hatchback can easily take you far without too many stops. Pros of the Corolla Hatchback include excellent fuel efficiency, a good amount of standard features, and added practicality from the hatchback layout.
On the downside, the engine can feel a bit sluggish during acceleration, the performance is underwhelming for enthusiasts, and its styling may not appeal to everyone.
3. 2025 Nissan Versa
Fuel Economy Rating: 35 MPG
Believe it or not, you can still buy a new car for less than $20,000. That car is none other than the 2025 Nissan Versa, which is also one of the last subcompact cars on the market. The Versa provides a perfectly good means of transportation with its spacious cabin and fuel-efficient engine.
Powering the Versa is a 1.6-liter inline-four engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a CVT transmission and sends power to the front wheels. The car reaches 0-60 MPH in 9.5 seconds and has a top speed of 115 mph.
Under its hood is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces only 122 horsepower, but what it lacks in power, it makes up for in fuel efficiency. As such, the road-worthy Versa can achieve up to 40 MPG on the highway, and an average of 35 MPG in mixed driving situations.
Some of the Versa’s standout qualities include its affordable entry price, comfortable ride, and impressive fuel economy. However, it does have its drawbacks, such as weak acceleration, a somewhat cramped interior space, and a base trim level that feels too barebones.
2. 2025 Honda Civic
Fuel Economy Rating: 36 mpg
Much like the Accord, the 2025 Honda Civic lineup is primarily hybrid-based, although a few entry-level trims still feature a traditional internal combustion engine. That engine is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit paired with a CVT, delivering 150 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque.
Power is directed to the front wheels, allowing the Civic to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph.
In addition to that power, the Honda Civic provides plenty of standard features, including Apple CarPlay compatibility, LED headlights, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies.
Of course, the base Civic can also achieve good fuel efficiency, which equates to 36 MPG in combined driving. Overall, the Civic presents a solid value with its attractive exterior styling, competitive pricing, and spacious interior.
However, some drawbacks exist, such as the need for more power from the base engine, a relatively small standard infotainment display, and the fact that many of the best features are only available on the hybrid variants.
1. 2025 Hyundai Elantra
Combined Fuel Economy: 36 mpg
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra stands out as a solid competitor in the compact car segment, offering a refreshing alternative to stalwarts like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
With its bold exterior styling and uniquely designed interior, the Elantra also impresses with a suite of standard features. These include a 10.3-inch infotainment screen, a matching digital instrument cluster, integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, and smartphone integration.
More importantly, the Elantra comes equipped with a standard 2.0-liter engine that produces 147 horsepower and can achieve up to 41 MPG on the highway. The engine is mated to a CVT and delivers 132 lb-ft of torque through a front-wheel-drive system.
This setup allows the Elantra to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Considering everything it has to offer, which includes a good amount of practicality and efficiency, the Hyundai Elantra is an excellent choice for those who want something different from a Civic or Corolla.
Its pros include eye-catching design, a feature-rich cabin, and the availability of a hybrid powertrain. That said, it isn’t without flaws, such as the lack of a manual transmission, underwhelming driving dynamics, and a base engine that could benefit from additional power.