Auto Week recommends the four cylinder engine
click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman
Does good fuel mileage necessarily equal poor performance? Must low emission regulations put an end to driving enjoyment? No, of course not. The days of fuel-sipping penalty boxes are long gone, as even today's crop of hybrid vehicles can be fun to drive if you just love the act of eking every mile out of each drop of fuel. But, what about real options for the enthusiast who would rather sacrifice a few miles per gallon in the name of driving fun? AutoWeek put together a list of four cylinder vehicles which return decent fuel mileage numbers and can be bought for a reasonable sum.
The top few picks from the weekly mag aren't going to win any mpg awards, but nobody is going to argue with the performance credentials of the Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi Evolution, Mazdaspeed 3 or Caliber SRT-4. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS manages to attain EPA figures of 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Its 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine is a sweetheart, too. Moving down the list, we see the Mini Cooper return even better figures at 28 city and 37 highway. We've driven the Cooper and the Clubman, and you can bet they are fun to drive. Click here to read the full list of fun, frugal four-bangers.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Randy Harris 12:13PM (6/19/2008)
Too many of these smaller cars just don't return the MPG that I would expect. I'm driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante, a large car by fuel efficient standards. But I get 21 in my mixed driving, and 27 - 28mpg on pure highway trips. That's as good as that little Cobalt. I would expect far better mileage from smaller 4 cylinder powered cars.
Reply
Michael 12:17PM (6/19/2008)
It's kind of a silly list, in my opinion. I've got nothing against any of the cars on the list, and in fact I'm considering some of them for my next car, but 'cmon. 16/22 for the Evo X is hardly "frugal".
Also, Lotus Elise.
Reply
Peter 1:11PM (6/19/2008)
EPA numbers for highway are lower than what most people consider highway. You would probably get over 40mpg highway with the Mini Cooper. Besided small cars main benefit is city driving, on the highway, aerodynamic play a bigger part than weight.
Reply
Oliver Sun 1:44PM (6/19/2008)
This is sort of a misleading list. Several cars here return worse mileage than similar-performing cars with V6 engines.
(Of course the Mini is impressive).
Reply
Rick 7:25PM (6/19/2008)
Wow, a car site that talks about 4 bangers and doesn't mention the A4?! I average 27mpg in my A4 and if I chipped it, that milage would improve. I averaged 31mpg in my 07 Civic, so I'm 4mpg less with more than 50 more HP among other luxuries.
4 bangers are better turboed.
Reply
Phil 1:52PM (6/23/2008)
This list is insane. The Evo and STI are amongst the thirstiest cars. One of the main reasons not to buy one of these is their poor fuel economy.
4 cylinders doesn't equal efficiency when coupled with a turbo, 4 wheel drive and putting out 300 horse power.
Try a BMW 123d for economical fun.
Reply
Derek 6:45AM (6/20/2008)
People need to remember that the new EPA MPG ratings are in effect. These ratings are useless for anyone who doesn't peg the right pedal at every chance.
For example, Randy's Diamante is rated at 16/23, 18 combined.
My '92 LeBaron (V6, no less) is rated 18/26, yet I have averaged over 28 in the last year of mixed driving and I can get into the low 30's just by reducing speed on the highway.
Perhaps the new ratings are more accurate for hybrids, but for conventional gas engines they are total bunk.
Reply
Snowdog 7:39AM (6/20/2008)
The problem (as mentioned above) is that EPA highway cycle is more what people consider "mixed", a road trip or highway commute will blow away EPA estimates. It has always been that way and they new rating only make highway worse. Screw the highway numbers, just give me the economy at 50mph/60mph/70mph for each car instead.
City rating are closer to big city rush hour. They still have a use as they reflect the energy lost stopping and starting your vehicle.
Reply
rilam36 9:26AM (6/20/2008)
my stock MS3:
55mph - 35mpg
65mph - 33mpg
75mph - 28mpg
all tested on highway only trips (and yes, 55 mph is borderline dangerous with the way people drive on the freeways these days).
Reply
motorman 11:31AM (6/20/2008)
our 3800 V-6 powered impala get the same mileage,22 and 30 as the cobalt SS with a lot more room and comfort.
Reply
jesda 5:10PM (6/20/2008)
You idiots are missing the point. These are cars with "acceptable" fuel economy that happen to be VERY FUN to drive.
35mpg in a Corolla vs 30 mpg in a turbo Cobalt SS?
Cobalt gets my money. Fastest FWD car at the 'Ring.
Reply