Most Fuel-Efficient Compact Cars in 2026
Updated
In short: 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is ranked #1 of 87 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of 2026 Lexus UX 300h and 2025 Nissan Versa.
For compact gas cars, the order here runs from highest mpg downward, making fuel economy the first point of comparison. These current gasoline entries include multiple model years and configurations, so distinguish the standard, AWD and trim-specific versions as you compare them. Among the first are the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Normal/Eco Modes) and 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD. Other early entries include Corolla Hybrid SE variants. Compare the exact version you’d drive rather than assuming every configuration shares the same efficiency, and use the listed mpg to guide your compact-car shortlist.
87 on record. Ranked by combined MPG; every figure comes from US EPA fueleconomy.gov, with the page it was read from on each entry.
#1 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG50Annual fuel cost$1,350 #2 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Normal/Eco Modes) 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG50Annual fuel cost$1,350 #3 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD 2026 · All-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG48Annual fuel cost$1,400 #4 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD (Normal/Eco Modes) 2027 · All-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG48Annual fuel cost$1,400 #5 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG47Annual fuel cost$1,450 #6 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Sport/Normal/Eco Modes) 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG47Annual fuel cost$1,450 #7 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE AWD 2026 · All-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG44Annual fuel cost$1,500 #8 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD (Sport/Normal/Eco Modes) 2027 · All-Wheel Drive · 1.8 L 4-cyl Combined MPG44Annual fuel cost$1,500 
#9 2026 Lexus UX 300h 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG43Annual fuel cost$1,550 5 of 5 starsNHTSA safety #10 2026 Lexus UX 300h AWD 2026 · All-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG42Annual fuel cost$1,600 5 of 5 starsNHTSA safety
#11 2025 Nissan Versa 2025 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.6 L 4-cyl Combined MPG35Annual fuel cost$1,900 5 of 5 starsNHTSA safety #12 2026 Toyota Corolla (1-mode TM) 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG35Annual fuel cost$1,900 #13 2027 Toyota Corolla (1-mode transmission) 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG35Annual fuel cost$1,900 #14 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG35Annual fuel cost$1,900 #15 2025 Toyota Corolla FX 2025 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG34Annual fuel cost$1,950 5 of 5 starsNHTSA safety #16 2026 Toyota Corolla (3-mode TM) 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG34Annual fuel cost$1,950 
#17 2027 Volkswagen Jetta 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo Combined MPG34Annual fuel cost$1,950 #18 2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback FX 2026 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,050 
#19 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,500 #20 2027 Toyota Corolla 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,050 #21 2027 Toyota Corolla (3-mode transmission) 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,050 #22 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,050 #23 2027 Volkswagen Jetta Sport/SE/SEL 2027 · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo Combined MPG33Annual fuel cost$2,050 MI#24 2025 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door 2025 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo Combined MPG32Annual fuel cost$2,550 MI#25 2025 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door 2025 · Front-Wheel Drive · 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo Combined MPG32Annual fuel cost$2,550 Photo credits (23)
2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Normal/Eco Modes): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD (Normal/Eco Modes): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Sport/Normal/Eco Modes): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE AWD: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD (Sport/Normal/Eco Modes): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Lexus UX 300h: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Lexus UX 300h AWD: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2025 Nissan Versa: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla (1-mode TM): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla (1-mode transmission): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2025 Toyota Corolla FX: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla (3-mode TM): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Volkswagen Jetta: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback FX: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla (3-mode transmission): オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2027 Volkswagen Jetta Sport/SE/SEL: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons; CarCody links each to its file page.
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Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.