Eight Pre-Owned Sedan Options That Have Excellent Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is an important consideration for your wallet and the planet. While many new models are focusing on raising their EPA estimated mileage or switching over to primarily producing electric vehicles, there can still be complications for drivers looking to purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle. The upfront cost for new vehicles is higher, and not all areas have the charging stations in place to make having an EV as a full-time car practical.

If you’re looking at used cars for sale near Columbus, the pre-owned market offers a wide variety of cost-effective, fuel-efficient vehicles for you to choose from. If your main consideration is finding something eco-friendly, sedans make an excellent choice. Here are eight sedans that we recommend for not only their fuel efficiency but also their safety, performance, and features. To keep it simple, we’re highlighting cars from 2019 and 2020. However, many of these cars can be found with fuel efficiency over 30 MPG in multiple model years.

Ford Focus: The Sedan With a Fan Club

If you’ve ever known someone with a Ford Focus, you know they have a fan following. Despite Ford announcing that the sedan would not be produced past 2019, the love is still strong for the compact, and with good reason. Practical, fuel-efficient, enjoyable to drive, and with solid safety and technology features, the 2019 model year offers the same quality that is expected from a Focus. It handles easily, with a smooth ride and just the right amount of pep.

The Focus was redesigned for 2018, creating a silhouette with a longer hood, shorter back, and sporty touches. The interior is comfortable, with an updated climate control system and a narrower center console. It has a 6.5-inch infotainment screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin has also increased the shoulder and legroom to offer more comfort to drivers and passengers alike.

EPA Estimation: 30 MPG City/40 MPG Highway

Honda Civic: Big on Fun, Low on Fuel

The Honda Civic has seen a surge in popularity after appearing in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies, but Civic drivers have known for a long time how fun this compact sedan is to drive. It is highly responsive and has a nice amount of zip while offering a smooth and surprisingly quiet ride. The interior is practical yet comfortable, with a surprisingly roomy backseat. The trunk is a leader in its class for size, and the cabin has multiple storage cubbies tucked away to keep everything secure.

This model year of the Civic has a 7-inch infotainment screen and compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Sirius XM. The Honda Sensing umbrella of safety features includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking. The 2020 Civic received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA for its safety features and performance in crash tests.

EPA Estimation: 32 MPG City/40 MPG Highway (Automatic Transmission)

Hyundai Elantra SE: Elegant and Economical

The Elantra’s elegant body holds an engine that has a subtle kick. It has a smooth ride thanks to finely calibrated suspension tuning that absorbs inconsistencies in the road. With the ability to achieve a complete stop at 168 ft from 70 mph, the Elantra shines when it comes to responsive braking.

The interior is aesthetically pleasing, with comfortable seats and room for five passengers. It has the standard 7-inch infotainment screen, but some trims can increase that size up to 8 inches. It comes standard with forward collision alerts and lane keep assist and has blind-spot monitoring as an available option.

EPA Estimation: 31 MPG City/41 MPG Highway

Kia Rio: Small but Mighty

Small, sleek, and stylish, the Kia Rio has a friendly appearance that makes you smile as you get behind the wheel. The interior is attractive, with comfortable seating. The climate control and stereo controls are very user-friendly. The 7-inch touchscreen has Bluetooth and USB connectivity, along with the infotainment trio of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Sirius XM.

The Rio has easy maneuverability and a no-frills approach to handling, making it an excellent choice for young drivers. It was named a Top Safety Pick for the IIHS (Insurance Institute For Highway Safety) and came with forward collision warning and automated emergency braking, among the many safety features.

EPA Estimation: 33 MPG City/41 MPG Highway

Mitsubishi Mirage: A Solid Car for New Drivers

The Mirage doesn’t have a lot of muscle (78 hp, 74 lb-ft of torque) but makes up for it with excellent fuel economy. The more low-key delivery of speed and power can make it an excellent car for young drivers. The interior is basic but attractive and comfortable. The cargo capability is one area where this subcompact shines, offering 17 cu.ft. of space that can be extended to 47 cu.ft. when the 60/40 rear seats are folded down.

The four-speaker audio system also has an upgrade option for a Rockford Fosgate sound system, a feature well worth seeking out if music is an important part of your driving routine. Bluetooth is standard in this model year, along with a 7-inch infotainment screen. Options for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available.

EPA Estimation: 36 MPG City/43 MPG Highway

Nissan Versa: Style, Style, Style

There’s no reason to sacrifice style for good fuel economy. The Nissan Versa demands everyone take notice with its sleek, stylish body and interior. It drives smoothly, and what it lacks in get up and go, it gives back in easy steering and responsive brakes. It has a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and comes standard with driver assistance technology that includes automated front and rear emergency braking. Rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are some of the available safety options.

The interior continues the stylish theme of the exterior, adding soft-touch surface accents and an upgrade in material quality from previous model years. The various trims offer different amenities, including automatic climate control, heated front seats, and remote start. Three USB ports come standard, but options such as Sirius XM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are restricted to the SV and SR trims.

EPA Estimation: 32 MPG City/40 MPG Highway

Toyota Corolla XSE: Redesigned Style, Same Reliability

The Corolla has been a popular choice of sedan drivers for quite a while, and the 2020 model year continues on the same track. The smooth-riding XSE sedan has great fuel economy and responds nimbly to steering and braking. The NHTSA awarded the 2020 Toyota Corolla a 5-star rating for its performance in safety tests. Unlike many models of that year, adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keep assist are standard.

This model year marked a redesign for the Corolla, upgrading to a gently curved body design that gives a feeling of fluidity. The interior was also part of the redesign, going for a simplistic yet elegant style that emphasizes user-friendliness. The Corolla comes standard with a mobile hotspot and an infotainment touchscreen that has Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa capability. There are options for an upgraded JBL sound system.

EPA Estimation: 31 MPG City/38 MPG Highway (With XSE trim package)

Volkswagen Jetta: Smart and Practical

The Jetta prioritizes functionality yet offers a bit of fun with its simple, eye-pleasing design. It’s a responsive sedan that has a smooth ride, offering competence for a variety of situations. A nice assortment of technology focuses on helping the driver, including the option for the Digital Cockpit, which allows the driver to configure their instrument panel.

Inside, you’ll find a comfortable interior that has many storage cubbies around the cabin. The backseat can hold up to three people and gives them a fair bit of legroom for a compact. Ventilated front seats help you keep cool on hot days, and the capable climate control will keep you comfortable all year round. The cockpit is wonderfully quiet, leaving you to enjoy conversation, music, or just a little peace and quiet while you’re driving from one part of your day to the next.

EPA Estimation: 30 MPG City/40 MPG Highway

Save Money at the Pump With an Efficient Pre-Owned Sedan

While there can still be a stigma attached to buying used cars, there are many reasons that it can be a better choice than buying new ones for some drivers. The costs are generally lower upfront, you’ll pay less for insurance, and you have a great variety of models, trims, and options to choose from. With the rise of Certified Pre-Owned programs, which subject the cars to rigorous quality inspections and vehicle history reporting like CarFax, it’s safer than ever to purchase a used car from a reputable dealership like DriveHubler Certified Pre-Owned.

Fuel efficiency will only continue to grow in importance for drivers in the future. Gas prices are not likely to return to what we saw before, and there are also environmental considerations to consider. Finding a car that is cost-effective and kind to the plant doesn’t have to be hard, especially when there are many great models out there on the second-hand market that offer both.

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