The Honda Insight with manual transmission has an estimated fuel economy of 61 mpg in the city and 68 mpg on the highway, making it the overall winner among new vehicles according to EPA data.
Insight seats two people.
The Toyota Prius , which went on sale in summer 2000, is rated at 52 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Other fuel misers for 2002 use more traditional power plants. The models in third, fourth and fifth place are diesel-powered small cars from Volkswagen. This subcompact coupe is rated at 36 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Other small cars make up the rest of the list.