Used Cars With the Best MPG

December 18th, 2023 by

The number of miles per gallon determines a vehicle’s fuel economy. This much-touted figure tells you how many miles your vehicle can travel on one gallon of gas. You can use this number to determine how far the vehicle can go on a full gas tank by multiplying the fuel tank capacity by the miles per gallon.

A vehicle that gets more miles per gallon will require less fuel to get you where you’re going, which can result in significant fuel savings, especially when gas prices are high. Using less fuel is also a boon for the environment. When you get great miles per gallon on your vehicle, you can stretch out your gas station stops and eliminate a few of these errands. If you’re looking for the best used car for mileage, we have several options for you to consider at Volkswagen of Marion.

2022 Volkswagen Taos

White Volkswagen Taos parked on a city street in Marion, IL.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is ideal if you need something more spacious than a compact car. This compact SUV neatly fits into the segment between a car and a full SUV, providing plenty of space for families without getting so big that you’ll lose significant fuel efficiency toting its weight on the road. You’ll enjoy 99.5 cubic feet of passenger space and 28.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row. If you fold the second row down, this increases to 66.3 cubic feet.

Under the hood, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Four-wheel-drive models pair with an eight-speed transmission, while the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive option has a seven-speed DSG transmission. You can expect to get an impressive 28 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined when driving the Taos, saving you $750 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average 2024 model.

Every Taos comes with IQ.DRIVE driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning with autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, travel assist, emergency assist, active blind-spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. JD Power gave the 2022 Volkswagen Taos an 83 for driving experience, 75 for quality and reliability, and 78 for resale value. The original MSRP was $24,790 for the Taos S, $29,190 for the SE, and $33,385 for the SEL.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is an outstanding pick for fuel efficiency. This compact car covers all the bases with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, a mobile hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Driver-assistance features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. You can opt for a wealth of additional perks at higher trims, including wireless device charging, ambient interior lighting, and ventilated front seats. A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine providing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque powers the Jetta.

Used Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offers impressive fuel efficiency with 29 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined, saving you $1,750 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average 2024 model. The 2022 Jetta has a starting MSRP of $20,195. U.S. News gave it a quality and reliability rating of 76, making it a solid pick for a used car that’ll keep doing its job for years. Many appreciate the Jetta’s comfortable interior, spacious seating, and relaxed feel, making it a great daily driver that won’t stress you out on your Marion commute.

2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte took stylistic hints from the Stinger with its sleek creased hood and eye-catching grille that pulls forward and separates from the headlights. Inside the Kia Forte, a standard 8-inch touch screen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard driver-assistance features include driver attention monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Dual-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable. The Forte comes standard with a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. In the top trim, this upgrades to a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with heated and ventilated front seats.

Under the hood, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The 2019 Kia Forte gets 30 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this efficiency will save you $1,500 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average 2024 vehicle, which gets just 28 mpg. J.D. Power gives the 2019 Forte an 83 for quality and reliability and an 81 for resale value. Depending on the trim level, the original MSRP for the 2019 Kia Forte was $19,615 to $22,915.

2019 Hyundai Elantra Eco

Hyundai first introduced the Elantra in 2016, but 2019 marked a major upgrade for the model. Triangular shapes dominate the design and create a sharp look with a sporty edge. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering 128 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. You’ll get 32 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. The U.S. Department of Energy reports this can save you $1,750 in gas expenses over five years compared to the average 2024 vehicle’s 28 mpg.

The spacious interior includes 95.8 cubic feet of passenger space with 14.4 cubic feet of trunk volume. Dual-zone air conditioning and heated front seats offer added comfort. Notable technological features include the available lane-keep assist, driver attention alert system, and pedestrian detection system. You can enjoy enhanced safety with a forward collision-avoidance system. J.D. Power gives the 2019 Hyundai Elantra an impressive 86 for quality and reliability and a 76 for resale value. The Elantra Eco had a starting MSRP of $20,950.

Find a Fuel-Efficient Used Car

If you’re looking for the best used car for mileage, check out our selection at Volkswagen of Marion. We have a wide variety of used vehicles from Volkswagen and other manufacturers. Our certified pre-owned vehicles go through a detailed inspection process to ensure they’re of great quality. Explore your options today.

Volkswagen Taos 250 TSi Comfortline 2022 by RL GNZLZ is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED