Everybody wants power and performance, but nobody wants to pay for it at the pump: A guide to the most fuel-efficient sports cars.
The phrase "most fuel-efficient sports cars" might seem like a contradiction of terms. Sports cars aren't supposed to efficient gas-sippers, they're supposed to deliver top-end performance at all cost, right? Fretting over gas mileage when you've just dropped tens of thousands of dollars on a car that zero to 60 before you can exhale seems like you might be missing the point. But with the price of gas sneaking back up to the $4 mark, fuel economy should be strongly considered no matter the type of car.
This is true for even big, serious cars with big, serious engines. This guide lays out some of the most fuel-efficient sports cars on the market, across all price points. These cars, and a surprising number of other offerings from modern carmakers, can deliver the power of an Italian super car with a lower fuel cost and overall environmental footprint than some economy vehicles. With that in mind, these are the best fuel-efficient sports cars available this year
Porsche 911
Right away, no list of best sports cars is complete without mentioning the Porsche 911 Carrera and Turbo. These little darlings, long the tiny giants of the German import market, run on a flat six 3.8L boxer engine that's been mated to a sophisticated seven-speed transmission.
The Porsche 911 Carrera will deliver a full 400 hp with a meaty 325 lb-ft of torque. And the 911 Turbo is just a monster, dishing out a gaudy 500 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. Sure, everybody already knows the Porsche 911 can burn some serious asphalt. But what may be less known is how efficiently it does it.
The Carrera gets 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. And the 911 Turbo, in all its monstrous glory, attains 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. That's not too far off from more commuter-oriented cars like the Nissan Maxima.
There's a reason why these cars extend into the six-figure price range, because they offer everything you could ever want in a car, including solid fuel economy. Prices start at $82,100 for the coupe Carrera and stretch upward to $172,100 for the S Turbo.
Audi TT
The inside of the Audi TT could be confused with the lounge of an exclusive gentlemen's club. Everything can be had in leather. The Audi TT is a handsome two-seat roadster best known for its extravagant and spacious interior, including heated seats and a host of advanced tech features. What many car buyers may not know is the Audi TT is surprisingly efficient. While its 22 mpg rating in the city is solid, the 31 mpg it gets on the highway is outstanding.
Of course, the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine will only deliver 211 hp, or just about half of what the 911 will get you. But for the price of one 911, you could practically fill your garage with Audis. The Audi TT will cost you between $38,650 and $41,650.
Ford Mustang
That Ford Mustang might be a surprise addition to this list. The Mustang has been in continuous production since 1965, which has given the engineers ample time to work out the many bugs the original design team built into it.
Today, it's both cheaper than the Audi, with an MSRP as low as $22,200, and nearly as powerful as the 911. And the V6 engine is staggeringly efficient, achieving 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg. Tell me again, why you've been eyeing that Toyota Camry?
Sure, the V6 is fine, especially at that entry-level price point, but the real power and fun is in the V8 GT. Of course, you're going to have to sacrifice some fuel economy ratings, but not as much as you think given the 420 horsepower the nasty 5.0L V8 pumps out. The GT gets 15 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. You get the same performance and efficiency as the 911 Carrera at a third of the sticker price. Pretty good deal.
Mazda Mx-5 Miata
The Mazda Miata is the little roadster that can. The Miata is an affordable and fun little sports coupe that's caught the imagination of this country for decades.
Sporting a zippy little 2.0L in-line four-cylinder, the Miata hums with 167 horsepower that gets this little body moving. Best of all, it gets an impressive 22 mpg in the city and a solid 28 mpg on the highway, regardless of whether you opt for the manual or automatic transmission. The Miata is not only one of the most efficient car on the list, it's also one of the most affordable, starting at just $23,720.
Scion FR-S
The Scion FR-S is a no-frills sports car, meant to go fast and that's about it. The bare interior is stripped of virtually every creature comfort to make the FR-S as light as possible. With a curbweight of just 2,758 pounds, The FR-S almost takes flight when you lay into four-cylinder in-line Subaru BOXER engine.
Those looking to get the most performance out of the Scion FR-S will opt for the manual transmission. Starting at $24,700 it gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, and that's fine. But the fuel economy ratings for the automatic transmission are truly astounding. At $25,800, the automatic FR-S gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That fuel efficiency ranks right up there with the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, but the FR-S is way more fun to drive.
Get price quotes on the most fuel-efficient sports cars now!
Bigger, better, stronger and faster have always been the primary motivation behind high-performance sports cars. Price, however, isn't necessarily linked to the end result you'll be getting. The Mustang isn't just neck-and neck-for mileage, it's one of the most powerful cars on this list and one of the cheapest too. But no matter which car you choose, use Buyerlink to connect with local dealers for the lowest prices in your area.