Which Toyota has the Best Gas Mileage?

Toyota has long been a leader in bringing fuel-efficient vehicles to the automotive market. The company is also well known for outdoing most other manufacturers in terms of gas mileage. Its reputation was confirmed with the introduction of the Prius to the Japanese market in 1997 and the U.S. market in 2001. Over the last 20-plus years, Toyota has been investing in hybrid cars and is introducing an increasing number of these models across its range of vehicles.

Many of Toyota’s hybrids are incredibly fuel-efficient, and all of them regularly reach mpg numbers that fuel engines have yet to attain. It’s clear that Toyota has managed to design and build hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) that look fantastic, are fuel-efficient, and deliver on its legendary promise of reliability.

Fuel-Efficient Cars

Toyota has been consistently developing fuel-efficient cars and has often been the market leader when it comes to getting the best mileage out of traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs). The Prius’s success has encouraged Toyota to use its expertise to develop other models. You can now find a hybrid in almost all its models, which allows you to enjoy the reliable, economical, and smooth operation of a vehicle that uses this proven technology.

As a manufacturer, Toyota has put itself solidly behind the hybrid model of propulsion. For a long time, the company resisted fully electrifying its vehicles, but this has changed with the introduction of the 2023 bZ4X, a pure battery EV. Toyota is also working on perfecting the hydrogen fuel cell engine and has managed to launch the production of the Mirai, a fully hydrogen-powered vehicle.

It’s a challenge to decide which Toyota car or SUV is the most fuel-efficient, as all the hybrids achieve excellent fuel economy whether they’re new, used, or certified pre-owned. It all comes down to which model years reached the highest level of fuel economy and the improvements that are sure to come as EV technology advances.

Most Fuel-Efficient Toyota Cars

The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the most fuel-efficient Toyota vehicle to date, offering an EPA-estimated 133 MPGe combined. That 133 MPGe is when it’s operating in electric-only mode, but even when it’s only using gas, it still achieves an impressive 54 mpg combined. If you want to achieve the maximum MPGe, you must ensure the Prius Prime is fully charged before starting it up. A reduced level of charge results in a lower MPGe.

The 2022 Toyota Prius achieves 56 mpg combined. As it’s a hybrid, it requires both a gas and an electric motor to function and is, thus, unable to achieve the Prius Prime’s excellent MPGe.

Both these Prius 2024 models feature similar gas mileage numbers and are available at our Classic Toyota dealership.

Most Fuel-Efficient Toyota SUVs

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime hybrid closely follows the Prius Prime with an estimated 94 MPGe. The combined mileage when operating on gas alone is 38 mpg. These numbers are impressive considering the RAV4 is an SUV that provides seating for five and a sizeable cargo space. The 2022 RAV4 Hybrid follows in the footsteps of the Prime with a rating of 40 mpg combined.

The RAV4’s exterior changes little when it comes to the different trim packages, and the difference between the Prime and hybrid versions is minimal, but it’s an attractive SUV that clearly shows its Toyota DNA.

The bZ4X is Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle. It’s a midsize SUV that arrived on the scene in 2023 and delivers on the benefits of owning and operating an EV. It achieves an 119 MPGe, giving it enough range to get you through your daily drives and a little more. The bZ4X’s exterior design somewhat resembles the Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division brand name, but features Toyota badges inside and out. This vehicle provides you with the opportunity to buy an affordable and stylish EV.

Getting the Most Out of a Toyota

Toyota’s hybrid models look fantastic, deliver an uncompromising performance for the driver, ensure comfort for the passengers, and are truly fuel-efficient. If you decide to buy a hybrid or fully electric Toyota, it’s essential you consider the factors that can affect its fuel efficiency. An ICE engine’s fuel economy varies according to how it’s driven, the weather conditions, and whether it undergoes regular maintenance. The same is true of hybrids and EVs.

Hybrids charge their batteries through the energy generated by the brakes and engine. This means that the batteries are being charged when the engine is in use. These vehicles automatically switch from battery power to the ICE engine when necessary. This minimizes but doesn’t eliminate the fact that issues such as air temperature and rapid acceleration can also deplete the batteries.

If you drive a hybrid, you’ll notice that the battery charge level varies from day to day. You may also experience large swings in the battery’s charging capacity in cold weather or when you’re on the road for a long while. Keep track of your driving habits, avoid driving aggressively, and try to keep your hybrid or plug-in hybrid’s battery well charged.

Discover Great Gas Mileage at Classic Toyota

All Toyotas are fuel-efficient, so you just have to find the one that appeals to you most and meets your requirements. If you’re looking to buy a hybrid, Toyota is a great option, as they’re available across its entire range of vehicles from sedans and SUVs to trucks and more. Come and visit our Classic Toyota dealership in Tyler, Texas, today, and let us show you what we have available. Our staff will be happy to take you out for a test drive, explain the importance of regular maintenance, and show you what to expect from a new Toyota.

2023 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid by Rutger van der Maar is licensed with CC BY 2.0 DEED