1. Toyota Prius
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The Toyota Prius is still the reigning mileage champ in the U.S., earning an
EPA rating of 45 mpg highway, 48 mpg city for 2009.
The Toyota Prius is the reigning champion for fuel efficiency in the U.S.,
and has been since 2007, when the Honda Insight hybrid was put to sleep. The
Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2009 model at 45 mpg highway, 48
mpg city. This kind of efficiency is achieved by pairing up a gasoline
engine with an electric motor and a large storage battery. In addition to
saving you lots of dough at the pumps, the Prius ranks as one of Consumer
Reports' most reliable cars. In fact, three of the six most reliable family
cars are hybrids (the Prius, Camry and Nissan Altima).
Can Americans buy it? Yes.