Best Fuel-Efficient Family Cars

With the cost of fuel these days, those fuel savings can really add up to a lot – and the latest crop of efficient sedans has a lot to offer. The GreenCars team outlines their five picks on this page.

What Are Today's Most Fuel-Efficient Family Cars?

Remember sedans? Before the world went SUV-crazy, sedans were the most common vehicles you’d see on the road – four doors, five seats, an engine up front, a trunk in the back, and a smooth shape to pull all those pieces together. American families migrated to SUVs en masse for three reasons. They loved SUVs’ rugged styling, and the associated outdoorsy image; the high seats made getting in and out easier; and their cargo areas are typically larger and more versatile, thanks to their high backs and wide-opening hatches.

Still, sedans have a lot to recommend them. Lower to the ground and lighter, they are more fun to drive than similarly-priced SUVs. Their three-box shape, and separate trunk, make their interiors quieter and more refined. And thanks to their sleeker silhouettes and less weight, they offer substantially better fuel economy than SUVs. Indeed, look at the EPA ratings for compact and midsize sedans compared to similar SUVs, and you generally see at least a 5-MPG improvement both in the city and highway ratings; sometimes that advantage can stretch to 10 MPG or even more!

With the cost of fuel these days, those fuel savings can really add up to a lot – and the latest crop of efficient sedans has a lot to offer. Here are five of the most efficient models.

Honda Accord

First introduced in the late 1970s in the U.S., the Accord has been one of our best-selling, and best-loved, sedans, and it’s not hard to see why. It is stylish to look at, roomy inside, fun to drive, and has excellent durability, quality, and resale value. The latest Accord is almost a full-sized car, with a limousine-like interior and high-end technology and driver assist features. Despite all the tech, the user interface is straightforward, with an easy-to-use touchscreen and plenty of physical controls, and there are great seats and a large trunk. Equipment levels are high, including Honda’s “Sensing” suite of active driver assists, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more. Finally, thanks to its smooth, aerodynamic body and economical drivetrains – a 192-hp four-cylinder is standard, with a 204-hp hybrid version available – it is also exceptionally efficient for a vehicle of its size.

Starting MSRP: $28,295

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 29/37

Honda Civic

Completely redesigned for 2022, the compact Civic has grown in size and stature from its initial subcompact roots, with more than enough room in its five-passenger cabin for your family; you might still think of it as a small car, but it isn’t anymore. The styling inside and out is conservative but timeless, and the interior is superb, with excellent quality, great seats, and intuitive controls. While there’s a large touch screen perched on the dash for infotainment – Apple CarPlay is standard – many functions are still operated with physical knobs and buttons which are very easy to use on the move. We also like the Civic’s driving experience, which has a responsive, sporty edge that is surprising in a vehicle of this size and price. The base 2.0-liter engine produces 158 hp and gives you 41 highway MPG. Standard safety equipment includes blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, automatic pre-collision braking, and more. If you’re looking for economical family driving but want something a little sporty, the Civic is your car. A new hybrid option gives 200 hp, sporty performance, and even better economy.

Starting MSRP: $24,250

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 32/41

Toyota Corolla

The Corolla wasn’t just one of the best-selling cars in America last year, and for many years. It’s actually the best-selling car in the history of the world, ever! Tens of millions of Corollas have been made since the sixties, and many of them are still on the road thanks to their bulletproof reliability. For a compact car, the Corolla’s interior is surprisingly roomy, and unlike previous generations it also offers stylish design inside and out, and a sporty, responsive driving experience. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder produces 139 hp and is paired with an economical CVT transmission, while standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 gives you active cruise control, lane assist, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and more. It’s a proven, faithful companion that will last a long time and treat you well at resale. For more economy and capability, hybrid, all-wheel drive, and even a crossover Corolla Cross hatchback are available. The hybrid option gives you 53 MPG city and 46 MPG highway.

Starting MSRP: $22,325

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 32/41

Hyundai Elantra

Elantra is an appealing, modern, and spacious compact sedan with surprising features and luxury for surprisingly little money. Its upscale interior includes features previously available only on high-end luxury cars. Even the base model comes with a large 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. It also comes with a wide range of safety systems to keep you safe; forward collision assist with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot assist, and more are all standard. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers great highway fuel economy, and starting at just over $20,000, the Elantra is great value. Updates to the styling for 2024 simply make it more appealing.

Starting MSRP: $22,125

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 32/41

Kia K4

Brand-new for 2025, the five-seater K4 has striking looks – some would call them polarizing – and a long list of standard features – along with a huge, versatile interior. The base 2-liter four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive delivers surprising performance and great fuel economy, and there is a more powerful turbocharged version that also improves the MPG figures. Standard safety technology includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic braking assist. But what we really like about the K4 is its design – there is something very futuristic about its interior and exterior styling, with a high-end feel that belies its circa-$20,000 starting price. The seats, interior trim, and controls all feel like they’re from a higher class of car, and the dash-mounted touch screen infotainment system is clear and easy to use, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and available wireless charging. The K4 may be priced affordably, but its roomy interior, great safety features, and high level of equipment make it a great first family car.

Starting MSRP: $21,990

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 30/40

Nissan Versa

The Versa is one of Nissan’s smallest and least expensive models, but it still has more than enough room for a young family, thanks to its tall proportions and long wheelbase. You sit higher and more upright in the Versa than in other, lower, sedans, which makes it comfortable even for tall folks, and the interior is nicely-made and well-equipped. The in-dash infotainment system offers CarPlay and Android Auto, and is very easy to use, with physical controls as well as a touch screen, and there are USB ports for you and your family to charge all your devices. And even for a car priced under $20,000, you get a good suite of safety technology like blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking standard to keep you safe. Versa even has intelligent cruise control for longer trips – something you’ll enjoy along with its excellent fuel economy.

Starting MSRP: $17,190

EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 32/40

Why Sedans Still Make Sense

SUVs have earned their place with rugged styling, extra cargo space, and a commanding driving position that many families love. But for drivers who prioritize fuel efficiency, refined handling, and long-term value, sedans remain a smart and often overlooked option.

From the spacious and tech-savvy Honda Accord, to the sporty and well-balanced Civic, today’s sedans are anything but boring. The Toyota Corolla proves that reliability and fuel savings can go hand-in-hand, especially in its hybrid variant. The Hyundai Elantra and Kia K4 bring high-end features and futuristic design to the affordable compact space, while the Nissan Versa shows that even budget-minded buyers don’t have to compromise on safety or comfort.

These vehicles offer quieter cabins, smoother rides, and significantly better MPG than similarly priced SUVs, sometimes by 10 miles per gallon or more. Over time, that translates to hundreds of dollars in savings at the pump and a smaller environmental footprint.

If you’re looking for a family vehicle that balances practicality, comfort, and efficiency, don’t overlook the modern sedan. It may not tower over traffic, but in all the ways that matter, it still stands tall.