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Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2000

The most efficient 2000 car is the Honda Insight (1.0 L · FWD) at 53 MPG combined, 32 MPG above the median car (21 MPG) among the 149 cars ranked. The Honda Insight costs about $1,230 a year to fuel, $2,040 less than the median car ($3,270).

The top 10 run from 53 MPG to 30 MPG. Each model is listed once, with its best qualifying configuration named in the row; models with the same displayed value share a rank.

Best combined

53MPG

Honda Insight

Median model

21MPG

149 models

Top-10 median

35MPG

Models ranked

149

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 149 models. Every column is sortable.

Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2000: top 50 of 149 models
1
Honda Insight
1.0 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Hybrid
534961$1,230+32
2
Volkswagen Beetle
New Beetle · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
383544$2,480+17
2
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
Golf · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
383544$2,480+17
2
Volkswagen Jetta
1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
383544$2,480+17
5
Chevrolet Metro
1.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
363241$1,810+15
6
Suzuki Swift
1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
343138$1,920+13
7
Honda Civic
HX · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
333039$1,980+12
8
Toyota Echo
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
322937$2,040+11
9
Mitsubishi Mirage
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
312836$2,110+10
10
Chevrolet Prizm
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
302734$2,180+9
10
Toyota Corolla
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
302734$2,180+9
12
Saturn SC
1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
292536$2,250+8
12
Saturn SL
1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
292536$2,250+8
12
Suzuki Esteem
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
292633$2,250+8
15
Hyundai Accent/Brio
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
282433$2,330+7
16
Dodge Neon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272431$2,420+6
16
Ford Escort
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272432$2,420+6
16
Ford Focus
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272432$2,420+6
16
Mazda Protege
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272531$2,420+6
16
Plymouth Breeze
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
272334$2,420+6
16
Plymouth Neon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272431$2,420+6
16
Saturn SW
1.9 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
272333$2,420+6
16
Toyota Celica
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
272431$2,420+6
24
Daewoo Lanos
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
262332$2,510+5
24
Nissan Sentra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
262330$2,510+5
26
Ford Contour
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
252131$2,610+4
26
Mazda 626
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
252329$2,610+4
26
Mercury Cougar
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
252131$2,610+4
26
Mercury Mystique
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
252131$2,610+4
30
Acura Integra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242228$2,720+3
30
Chevrolet Cavalier
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242131$2,720+3
30
Honda Accord
2.3 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
242229$2,720+3
30
Hyundai Elantra
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242130$2,720+3
30
Hyundai Tiburon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242129$2,720+3
30
Infiniti G20
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242129$2,720+3
30
Mazda MX-5 Miata
1.8 L · RWD
Two-seaters · Gas
242227$2,720+3
30
Nissan Altima
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242128$2,720+3
30
Pontiac Sunfire
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242131$2,720+3
30
Saturn LS
2.2 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
242130$2,720+3
30
Toyota Camry
Solara · 2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242129$2,720+3
30
Toyota MR2
1.8 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Gas
242227$2,720+3
30
Volkswagen Cabrio
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
242128$2,720+3
30
Audi A4
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas · Premium fuel
242129$3,350+3
30
Volkswagen Passat
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas · Premium fuel
242129$3,350+3
45
Chevrolet Malibu
2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
231928$2,840+2
45
Daewoo Nubira
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
232028$2,840+2
45
Kia Sephia/Spectra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
232029$2,840+2
45
Mitsubishi Eclipse
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
232028$2,840+2
45
Oldsmobile Alero
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
231928$2,840+2
45
Pontiac Grand Am
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
231928$2,840+2

How this list is built

Every line below is read from the list definition that produced the table.

  • Classes: Small cars, Midsize cars, Large cars, Wagons, Two-seaters.
  • Powertrains: Gas, Hybrid, Diesel.
  • Ranked by EPA combined MPG, highest first.
  • One row per model (make and model): the configuration that ranks best in this list is shown, with its trim, engine and drive named in the row.
  • Ties are decided on the displayed value (whole MPG or miles, kWh per 100 miles to one decimal, cost rounded to $10): tied models share a rank, then are ordered by a tie-breaker and by name.
  • Special-purpose vehicles, such as heavy-duty variants, are excluded.
  • Electric vehicles are ranked separately (see the EV rankings): gas, hybrid and diesel MPG is never mixed with MPGe.
  • Annual cost assumes 15,000 miles a year at the EPA rating and the dated national fuel prices stamped below; it is rounded to $10 and all differences use the rounded values.
  • Model years MY2000 to MY2027; a year is listed only when at least 10 models qualify.

Data and period

  • EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026
  • Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh)
  • 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway

Frequently asked questions

Which 2000 car gets the best gas mileage?

The most efficient 2000 car is the Honda Insight (1.0 L · FWD) at 53 MPG combined, 32 MPG above the median car (21 MPG) among the 149 cars ranked. The Honda Insight costs about $1,230 a year to fuel, $2,040 less than the median car ($3,270).

How much does the Honda Insight cost to fuel per year?

About $1,230 a year at 15,000 miles a year, using the prices stamped at the bottom of this page. The median car in this list costs $3,270 a year.

How many cars are ranked for 2000?

149 models qualify, one row each. The median is 21 MPG, and the top 10 run from 53 MPG to 30 MPG.

How are ties, trims and drivetrains handled?

Each model appears once, with the configuration that ranks best in this list; its trim, engine and drive are named in the row. Models with the same displayed value share a rank (1, 2, 2, 4) and are then ordered by a tie-breaker and by name. See the methodology.

Are electric cars and plug-in hybrids included?

Not in this list. MPG rankings cover gas, hybrid and diesel models only. Electric cars are ranked in EV range and EV efficiency, and plug-in hybrids in electric range.

What does combined MPG mean?

EPA's combined rating blends 55% city and 45% highway driving. It comes from standardized laboratory tests, so your results will differ with driving style, weather and load. See the methodology.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway