Got a teenager getting ready to drive? Or are you looking for a more fuel-efficient car but just can't afford to buy a new one? With gas prices, the lowest they've been in five years, now is the time to find a used car that is in great shape with all the technological upgrades of a brand-new car. Here we discuss five of the best fuel cars future drivers will enjoy and won't break the bank.
Mitsubishi Mirage
We'll start the best fuel cars future drivers list with the Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage is a reliable car and one of the smallest that is sold in the United States. It's also the most fuel-efficient. It has a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine but it gets 39-mpg combined. It comes in a hatchback or a sedan, and for a small car, it's actually pretty roomy inside. Plus, the base model comes equipped better than most cars of the same price range and size.
Toyota Prius Prime
No, this car isn't a Transformer even if the name makes you think it is. But it is a standard hybrid that hits 50- to 56-mpg in mixed driving situations. It has a roomy interior, and if you are looking at a 2019 version, you have optional all-wheel-drive available. The Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid, giving you up to 25 miles of electric, gas-free driving before switching over to fuel, which is probably enough juice to make your work commute every day.
Nissan Leaf
While this one isn't a fuel-based car, it's still one of the most fuel-efficient used cars on the market...as long as that fuel is electricity. The Nissan Lead is an all-electric car, and while you no longer get the tax credit for it, it's still worth considering. The 2018 Leaf can travel about 149 miles per charge while the Leaf Plus can get up to 200 miles. They are comfortable, and inexpensive to run. Older versions are just a reliable but have a shorter range of travel between charges and aren't quite as punchy on the acceleration.
Honda Clarity PHEV
The Honda Clarity PHEV is a plug-in hybrid that can get up to 47 miles per charge before switching over to gas. It's a midsize sedan that is pretty roomy inside, and it can get almost twice as many miles on a single charge than the Prius Prime. If you have a longer commute, this might be the used car for you, especially if you are trying to remain mostly gas-free. One thing to keep in mind is that you will not find the Honda Clarity PHEV in model years before 2018. That was the year it was introduced.
Lexus ES 300h
The one luxury car on this list, The Lexus ES 300h is a mid-size luxury sedan that is a gas/electric hybrid. It comes with plenty of amenities and gets 44-mpg in mixed driving if you're driving a 2019 model. Older models still get a respectable 40-mpg rating. With a superior ride and handling, better gas mileage that most gas-only cars, and a decent infotainment system, this car will please anyone, used or new.