10 Non-Hybrid Cars That Get 30 MPG

2017 Honda Civic Sedan Front Profile ・ Photo by Honda

You don’t need to drive a hybrid car to get exceptional fuel economy! Our list of 10 non-hybrid cars that get 30 miles per gallon runs the gamut from penny-pinching hatchbacks to luxury sedans. It includes an affordable all-wheel-drive model that holds its value remarkably well and a drop-top roadster that delivers spirited driving along with excellent mileage. The list is packed with fun-to-drive turbocharged vehicles and a trio of turbodiesels that provide oodles of torque and eye-popping efficiency on the highway, plus a generous amount of driving range. The fewer times you stop for fuel, the faster you’ll get where you’re going.

2017 Chevrolet Cruze Turbodiesel Sedan

The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Turbodiesel sedan tops the charts for non-hybrid highway fuel economy with official EPA ratings of 30 city / 52 highway / 37 combined mpg when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission. With 137 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque on tap from the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the manual Cruze Turbodiesel is a joy to drive for those that like to row their own gears. Equipped with the optional nine-speed automatic, the Cruze Turbodiesel is rated significantly lower on the highway, at 47 mpg, but a 31 mpg city rating keeps the combined rating at 37 mpg. A 13.7-gallon fuel tank provides an exceptional amount of highway range. Not ready for diesel? The Cruze's standard 1.4-liter engine delivers 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg on regular gasoline with the six-speed automatic transmission. The Cruze diesel starts at $23,795.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Jaguar XE 20d Turbodiesel Sedan

If you think of diesel as slow and pokey, think again. The stunning 2017 Jaguar XE just might be the most surprising entry on our list of cars that get at least 30 mpg combined. The XE 20d’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine produces 180 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque. The rear-wheel-drive XE 20d covers the 0-60-mph sprint in a very respectable 7.4 seconds, with an official EPA fuel economy rating of 32 city / 42 highway / 36 combined mpg. Opt for all-wheel-drive, and you’ll lose a wee bit of efficiency, with an EPA rating of 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg. A 14.8-gallon fuel tank delivers a superior amount of range. Prices start at $36,400.

Photo by Jaguar

2017 BMW 328d

Whether you’re looking for a luxurious four-door sedan or a five-door sport wagon, the BMW 328d -- priced from $40,250 -- is one of the most compelling vehicles on our list of cars that get 30 miles per gallon mpg combined. The 328d’s remarkable 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission for optimal efficiency. With rear-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic, the 328d is rated at 31 city / 43 highway / 36 combined mpg. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive xDrive version comes in at 30 city/40 highway/34 combined mpg -- which ties it with the Jaguar XE diesel as the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered AWD vehicle on the market today.

Photo by BMW

2017 Honda Civic

The 2017 Honda Civic is one of most popular non-hybrid cars that gets more than 30 miles per gallon mpg combined, for all the right reasons. With four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and coupe body styles offered in a slew of trim levels, the Civic aims to please the widest possible audience. You’ll need to opt for one of the higher trim levels -- $21,500 or higher -- to get the new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which provides excellent fuel economy with 174 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual Civic EX-T sedan is rated at 31 city/42 highway/35 combined mpg, while the CVT automatic version is rated at 32 city/42 highway/36 combined mpg. Coupe and hatchback models are slightly less efficient, as are the Civic's other available engines.

Photo by Honda

2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco

The 2017 Elantra Eco just might be the best-kept secret in the Hyundai lineup. It delivers splendid efficiency and is surprisingly fun to drive. The Eco’s 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected four-cylinder engine produces 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, while the seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic delivers quick and efficient gear changes. The EPA estimates 32 city/40 highway/35 combined mpg, and a 14-gallon fuel tank provides a generous amount of range. If you’re looking for more scoot, you might opt for the 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter Elantra Sport; it’s rated at 26 city/33 highway/29 combined mpg, just a mile per gallon under our 30 mpg threshold.

Photo by Hyundai

2017 Toyota Yaris iA

With a low starting MSRP of just $15,950 for the six-speed manual, the 2017 Yaris iA sedan delivers maximum bang for the buck. While it’s no speed demon, the iA handles well and is fun to hustle down winding roads. The 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine produces a modest 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual is rated at 30 city/39 highway/34 combined mpg, while the six-speed automatic climbs to 32 city/40highway/35 combined mpg. The Yaris iA is nicely equipped, but it's “monospec” -- there is only one trim level and no option packages are offered. The iA sedan is based on the Mazda2, which is no longer available in America and is unrelated to the Yaris hatchback.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Ford Fiesta SFE

The 2017 Ford Fiesta SFE’s 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is the smallest power plant on our list of non-hybrid cars that get 30 miles per gallon, but it’s not the least powerful. The tiny engine is “small but mighty,” with an engine block that’s so compact that it fits in a suitcase while delivering a respectable rating of 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Offered only with a five-speed manual, the Fiesta SFE is EPA rated at 31 city/41 highway/35 combined mpg. The SE EcoBoost Fuel Economy Package adds $995 to the bottom line on the Fiesta SE sedan ($14,890) or hatchback ($15,190).

Photo by Ford

2017 Subaru Impreza

The 2017 Subaru Impreza delivers the highest combined fuel economy rating for a non-diesel, non-hybrid vehicle with all-wheel-drive. The Impreza’s 2.0-liter naturally aspirated horizontally-opposed “Boxer” engine delivers 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. It’s exceptionally efficient when paired with the CVT automatic transmission, earning an official EPA rating of 28 city/38 highway/32 combined MPG. (A five-speed manual transmission is standard but is less economical, with a combined rating of 27 MPG.) The Impreza hatchback is rated at 28 city/37 highway/31 combined with the CVT. A 13.2-gallon fuel tank provides a good amount of highway range. A starting MSRP of $18,395 and strong resale value make the Impreza a solid choice.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

The 2017 FIAT 124 Spider is the most fuel-efficient gasoline powered roadster available today. Iconic styling and a spunky 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine infuse Fiat's Mazda Miata-based drop top with a healthy dose of Italian heritage. Fun to drive and 30 mpg? Oh yeah! The 124 Spider is a joy to flick through the corners and the tiny turbo four's exhaust note is delightful. The six-speed manual 124 Spider is rated at 26 city/35 highway/30 combined miles per gallon. A starting MSRP of $24,995 and aggressive lease deals make the 124 Spider an affordable treat. (An optional six-speed automatic is offered at an additional $1,350 and is rated for 29 mpg combined.) Worth noting: While the 124 delivers great mileage, it requires pricey premium fuel.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage five-door hatchback isn’t just the most fuel-efficient entry on our list of 10 non-hybrid cars that get 30 miles per gallon -- it’s also the least expensive, with a starting MSRP of just $12,995. The five-speed manual Mirage is EPA rated at 33 city/41 highway/36 combined MPG, while the CVT automatic Mirage climbs to 37 city/43 highway/39 combined MPG. Although it's inexpensive and efficient, the Mirage’s lack of power looms large, with a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a mere 78 horsepower. While Mitsubishi bills the Mirage as the most efficient non-hybrid sold in the U.S., much depends on your daily driving cycles. A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty brings peace of mind.