Best and Worst Gas Mileage

In an age when compensating for the price of gas on a family vacation requires forgoing a night at the Marriott for Daisy's Wagon Wheel Motor Court, gas mileage has emerged as a predominant factor in selecting a new vehicle to buy.

Just when you thought you had it all figured out, it's all going to change. In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will modify how it rates gas mileage. Of course, gas mileage has always been affected by your own odd driving habits, like running the air-conditioning with the windows down. Now the EPA will consider a few of those things: colder outside temperatures, air-conditioning use, and frequent stops and starts all figure into the equation.

What does all this mean? Lower numbers, mostly. Check out Fueleconomy.gov to see how your car will be affected.

This new list reflects the change for 2008; not all new models or rankings are available yet.

Best Overall Mileage

Toyota Prius (hybrid): 48 mpg city; 45 mpg highway

Best and Worst by Category

Best Mileage by Vehicle Type

• Two-seater: Audi TT Roadster: 22 mpg city; 29 mpg highway

• Subcompact car: Toyota Yaris (manual): 29 mpg city; 36 mpg highway

• Minicompact car: Mini Cooper (manual): 23 mpg city; 32 mpg highway

• Compact car: Honda Civic Hybrid: 40 mpg city; 45 mpg highway

• Midsize car: Toyota Prius Hybrid: 48 mpg city; 45 mpg highway

• Large cars: Honda Accord (manual): 22 mpg city; 31 mpg highway

• Small station wagon: Honda Fit (manual): 28 mpg city; 34 mpg highway

• Midsize station wagon: Volkswagon Passat Wagon (manual): 21 mpg city; 29 mpg highway

Worst Mileage by Vehicle Type

• Two-seater: Lamborghini Murcielago (manual): 8 mpg city; 13 mpg highway

• Subcompact car: Bentley Continental GTC (manual): 10 mpg city; 17 mpg highway

• Minicompact car: Aston Martin DB9 Coupe (manual) and Volante (manual): 10 mpg city; 16 mpg highway

• Compact car: Bentley Azure: 9 mpg city; 15 mpg highway

• Midsize car: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: 9 mpg city; 16 mpg highway

• Large car: Bentley Arnage RL: 9 mpg city; 15 mpg highway

• Small station wagon: Audi S4 Avant (manual): 13 mpg city; 20 mpg highway

• Midsize station wagon : Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon: 12 mpg city; 18 mpg highway