Used Compact Cars with the Best Fuel Economy Says Consumer Reports

It’s All About Savings on Fuel Economy and Depreciated Car Cost

Today, CR analysts report a new ranking of their choice of compact car models that are 5 years old and proven to be reliable and fuel-efficient to let consumers know what models make for the best deals in terms of gas mileage and qualify as a smart consumer buy.

Related article: Consumer Reports Finds the Best Deals on Fuel-Efficient Cars to Buy Today

Related article: Consumer Reports Identifies Compact SUVs That Are Winners and Losers

CARFAX Caveats to Any Used Car Buy

Buying a recommended compact used car based on information from a reliable and trusted source like Consumer Reports can take a lot of the research work off of your hands. However, earlier, we had discussed that regardless of where your recommendation comes from, you still have to have a used car pre-purchasing inspection to ensure that you are not being taken to the cleaners.

But what if you combine CR recommendations with a CARFAX Vehicle History Report?

That is a good second source step towards deciding on a used car that is up for sale. However, even a CARFAX report is not enough.

While useful, a CARFAX Vehicle History Report can provide some very important information that can impact your decision on whether or not to buy a used vehicle from a dealership, a used car lot, an ad in the paper, or even a relative. Information listed in a CARFAX report comes from thousands of sources and can include:

• Vehicle registration
• Title information, including salvaged or junked titles
• Odometer readings
• Lemon history
• Total loss information
• Stolen and recovery information
• Structural damage
• Accident indicators, such as airbag deployment
• Service and repair information
• Vehicle usage (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)
• Recall information

CARFAX is well-known for providing used car shoppers with important and updated information and warnings about vehicles involved in flood damage, reports of odometer fraud, and how buyers can avoid overpaying for a vehicle.

However, a CARFAX Report is not the end-all toward making a good used car buying decision. In fact, the CARFAX website tells users of their services that, “Not all information is reported to CARFAX.” And that, “The CARFAX Vehicle History Report should be used along with a pre-purchase vehicle inspection and thorough test drive.”

And even then, when someone offers to hand you a CARFAX report they gathered for your convenience as proof of the reliability and condition of the car they are selling, you have to be skeptical of what they are really showing you.

In other words, an investment toward hiring a trained and trusted mechanic to evaluate your potential used car purchase is a wise 3rd step to take following the aforementioned used car research resources.

That said, here is the latest listing of recommended used compact cars from CR analyst’s:

Used Compact Cars with the Best Fuel Economy

1. 2018 Toyota Yaris iA
Price Range: $13,850 - $14,700
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 35 mpg

2. 2018 Mazda 3
Price Range: $15,250 - $19,750
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 29 mpg

3. 2018 Honda Fit
Price Range: $14,750 - $18,700
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 35 mpg

4. 2018 Hyundai Elantra
Price Range: $13,450 - $17,125
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 32 mpg

5. 2018 Kia Forte
Price Range: $13,475 - $17,075
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 30 mpg

6. 2018 Toyota Corolla
Price Range: $16,250 - $18,250
OWNER REPORTED MPG: 31 mpg

7. 2018 Toyota Yaris
Price Range: $13,825 - $16,050
OWNER REPORTED MPG: N/A

And finally…

For a more detailed breakdown of the data, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

For additional articles about used car shopping, here is one you will want to read titled “Toyota Dealership Shows What Really Happens When Previously Owned Cars Are Inspected and Certified.”

COMING UP NEXT: Are Toyota Cars Better than Honda? This Mechanic Who Owns Both Answers the Question

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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