10 Best Fuel Efficient Muscle Cars

2016 Chevrolet Camaro LT rear view on road ・ Photo by General Motors

Muscle cars have gone through plenty of transition periods since they first started burning rubber over 50 years ago. But this may be the most pivotal moment in their history, as the lines that define what a muscle car is look increasingly blurred, and fuel efficient performance has become a major priority in order to adapt to a changing environmental landscape. Muscle cars aren’t necessarily American anymore, they aren’t always 2-doors and, these days, some of them can even go around corners!

In all seriousness, though, automakers are finding innovative ways to mix horsepower and fuel economy. Let’s check out the 10 best fuel efficient muscle cars on the market today, in ascending order of their EPA-approved ratings.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

While its smaller, lighter, less powerful competitors, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, have been soaking up all the attention the last few years, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe brings elements to the table that neither can match. The Genesis coupe packs a walloping 348 horsepower in a 3.6-liter V6 engine that gives it true muscle car credentials. The 6-speed manual is good for 17/24 MPG; the 8-speed automatic for 16/25 MPG. More power than a BRZ, and more efficiency than a Taurus SHO or Cadillac ATS-V. The fuel economy ratings may not be world-shattering, but for thrilling speed mixed with value, the Genesis coupe is a great place to start.

Photo by Hyundai

Mercedes-AMG C63 S

Mercedes offers interesting candidates in this category: the bahn-storming SL400 is capable of 27 MPG while the SLK300 can reach 32 MPG. But if we’re talking muscle cars, the AMG C63 S is unavoidable. In true Mercedes-Benz fashion, this absolute hammer of a motor pounds the pavement with 503 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. Considering all that grunt up front, plus four doors, the fuel economy rating of 18/25 MPG is nothing to smirk at. The $73,000 starting price will certainly sting, but keep in mind that power and efficiency the AMG C63 S offers was simply unthinkable just 10 years ago.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

BMW M4

Just a couple of years old now, the BMW M4 name barely registers against muscle car stalwarts that have been playing this game for nearly half a century. What it lacks in name recognition, though, the M4 replaces with lightning quick acceleration and great driver engagement. A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine provides 425 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft of torque, good for 0-60 times of 4.1 seconds that were once strictly reserved for exotic supercars. Keep that baby purring along gently and it’s even good for fuel efficiency ratings of 17/26 MPG. Though the M4 has only just entered the book of great muscle car history, it debuts with a powerful chapter indeed.

Photo by BMW

Nissan 370Z NISMO

You may not immediately think of the Nissan 370Z NISMO when you think of muscle cars, but take just one look at it, and you cannot deny that this Z means serious business. A recent redressing gives the 370Z NISMO wider hips, a racecar-inspired body kit, and several GT-R influences. They do not disappoint. The 3.7-liter V6 engine simply sings with 350 horsepower to the rear wheels, which, by the way, are wrapped with more grip than a Shaquille O'Neal handshake. Opt for the 7-speed automatic transmission and you get fuel economy ratings of 19/26 MPG, as well as delightful downshift rev matching to accompany those fingertip blips from the paddle shifters.

Photo by Nissan

Audi S5

One of the objectively best-looking cars on this list gets new duds for the 2017 model year, and while the design differences may be sharp but slight, the changes under the skin are rather dramatic. Say goodbye to the supercharger, and hello to the turbocharger in the Audi S5. Despite being a luxury car that weighs more than 3,550 lbs., the S5 lands itself on this list thanks to standard quattro all-wheel drive and that turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 354 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft of torque. The 8-speed S Tronic transmission doesn’t hurt either. The result? An 18/28 MPG rating that places the S5 among the best switch hitters here.

Photo by Audi

Jaguar F-Type

Great looks, big power, on-demand drifting—what’s not to like about the Jaguar F-TYPE? Plus, it’s pretty clearly a muscle car by classic standards. The base F-Type pushes 340 horsepower to the rear wheels, while adding that tiny little “S” badge brings the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 up to a meaty 380. What’s more, the 8-speed automatic transmission delivers phenomenal fuel economy, all things considered, at 19/28 MPG for the base and 19/27 MPG for the F-Type S. Even the ferocious, 0-60 in 4.8 seconds F-Type S AWD reaches 18/26 MPG—and that's with at least an extra 100 lbs. on board. Good kitty.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

We’ve officially arrived in traditional muscle car territory, and who better to start with than the Corvette—basically an American flag with rubber on the corners. And rather ironically, it’s the Americans that seem most willing to take the necessary steps to bring proper efficiency to their muscle cars. The Corvette may be the greatest example: an astonishing 29 MPG highway rating for every Stingray model, even with the ravenous 6.2-liter V8 with 460 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque under that bulging hood. The secret is cylinder deactivation that turns the Corvette into a 4-banger when cruising, both a revelation and, perhaps more important, a prescient sign of the times to come.

Photo by Chevrolet

Dodge Challenger SXT

Now we’re talking. The Challenger is quintessential muscle: big hood, rear-wheel drive, two doors, and zero cares. Well, maybe not quite so much on that last part, anymore. After all, the base 3.6-liter V6 engine is capable of 19/30 MPG, which seems to indicate rather considerate regard for others—even with 305 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft of torque that would once have rattled any drag racer to their core. And it’s not just the V6: the 485-horsepower Scat Pack V8 can hit 25 MPG; the 707-horsepower Hellcat meteor-on-wheels will do 22 MPG. Prius numbers these are not, but it’s a fascinating time to call the Challenger your own.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Chevrolet Camaro LT

The era of turbocharged muscle cars is upon us. No, this isn’t the first time the two worlds have collided, but it is a new dawn in the evolution of power and fuel efficiency. In the redesigned Chevrolet Camaro, that means a turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower, 295 lb.-ft of torque, and fuel economy ratings of 21/30 MPG. While perhaps missing the hair-raising roar of Camaro lore, the turbo-4 has plenty of smooth power available, and new appeal for customers who want striking looks, muscle pedigree and fuel efficient performance. Is the Camaro turning a corner in its long and storied history? We’ve got 30 reasons to say yes.

Photo by General Motors

Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The horse that started it all is still leading the way yet again, now in the form of the Ford Mustang EcoBoost and its turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. This groundbreaking powerplant bests its chief rivals in both of the major departments: 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft of torque provide the motivation; fuel efficiency ratings of 22/31 MPG provide real savings at the pump. Interestingly, the EcoBoost is technically not the base model, and is so well-rounded that it provides a perfect bridge between the V6 and V8 models. As muscle cars continue to grow, the Mustang and its fuel efficient priorities may provide the benchmark. All we can say is, giddy up.

Photo by Ford