
			Great fuel economy, low retail prices, and dependability are just a few of the reasons the following cars are among the top 10 economy cars.

Top 10 Economy Cars

Five years ago, the most popular cars were SUV’s and the midsize sedan. While these are still popular today, the economy car has become the fastest growing class over the past few years. With the increase in fuel prices remaining consistent, consumers are trading in their SUV’s for more economical cars that will go farther on a tank of gas. Great fuel economy, low retail prices, and dependability are just a few of the reasons the following cars are among the top 10 economy cars.

Honda Accord

The 2008 Honda Accord 2-door coupe is perhaps the most popular of the top 10 economy cars on the market today. The eighth generation of the Accord offers the same great dependability as previous models, but with added style and flair. With a V6 engine that can run on three, four, or all six cylinders depending on the load hauled, the 2-door coupe provides drivers with even more opportunity to save money on fuel. The 18.5 fuel tank is larger than most cars in the economy class, but when you consider that the average driver will get nearly 31mpg while driving on the highway, you can’t find fault in purchasing this top 10 economy car.

Volkswagen Jetta

When most consumers think about the name Volkswagen, images of the small VW Beetle come to mind; however; with the Jetta, this German company has developed a small car that still has style and luxury found in very few economy cars. Priced from under $17,000; this economy car offers drivers a combined fuel economy of approximately 25mpg. Leather seats, in dash GPS, dual climate control, and turn signals built into the rear-view mirrors help solidify the Jetta as one of the top 10 economy cars for 2008.

2008 Ford Mustang

You might be surprised to find the powerful and sleek Ford Mustang on a list of the top 10 economy cars, but this two-door sports car for the average Joe has been satisfying customers for decades. Available in ten exciting colors, including a yellow orange hue called Grabber Orange, the two-door model or the convertible will make anyone feel like a kid again. The powerful 300 horsepower V8 engine makes this member of the top 10 economy cars fun to drive. A price tag of under $20,000 for the basic model won’t empty your wallet like many other “sports” cars.

Toyota Prius

Toyota has been manufacturing some of the most fuel conscious vehicles for years, but with the introduction of the Prius, Toyota can now claim to have the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the market. As more drivers move toward higher fuel economy vehicles and hybrid models, the Prius is becoming more and more popular. Given that it is an economy car, it has a high safety rating and comes equipped with traction control, front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags to keep drivers and passengers safe in the event of an accident.

Kia Rio

With a starting price of lower than $12,000, who wouldn’t love the Kia Rio? Given its “sub-compact” status, it’s hard not to believe that this vehicle with only 93.2 cubic foot of passenger room is one of top 10 economy cars for 2008. Backed up by Kia’s 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, you can rest assured that if this small car does break down, you will be able to afford the repair without having to take out a second loan.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic first appeared on American roadways in the summer of 1972, and since then, this economy car has been providing reliable transportation at an affordable price. With the recent introduction of the hybrid model Honda Civic, consumers can now expect to get upwards of 45mpg on the highway. This impressive fuel economy, coupled with a low price and high dependability rating, make this a great choice for drivers of all ages and financial means.

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris has a minimalist design with a completely centralized dash. Instead of finding the miles per hour readout behind the steering wheel, it is located in the center of the dashboard. While this might not be the ideal placement for some drivers, the basic style and low price of the Yaris demand this placement. While this car is small in comparison to some on this list, the Yaris still has versatility because it is available in a standard sedan or in a hatchback model. This top 10 economy car would make a wonderful first car for someone who does a lot of driving.

Mazda3

The Mazda tagline is Zoom, Zoom, Zoom and if you are driving the Mazda3, you understand the meaning behind this. This four cylinder 5-speed manual transmission has more power than you might expect from a compact model. In fact, the Mazda3 can accelerate from 0-60 in about eight seconds. Not bad for an economy car with a small engine. Leather seating, navigation system, and satellite radio are just a few of the options that make the Mazda3 one of the most popular economy cars for 2008

Honda Fit
It’s impossible to fathom that an economy car could provide 41 cubic feet of cargo room, until you see the innovative Magic Seat® of the Honda Fit. While this economy car can normally seat 5, the back seat can be made completely flat to accommodate large items. Additionally, the Honda Fit offers a driver’s seat that will lie completely flat, so you can get a few minutes of sleep during that road trip. The 10.8-gallon fuel tank is small compared with some other models, but considering that the combined fuel economy is estimated to be nearly 31mpg, you can’t go wrong with the Honda Fit

Mitsubishi Lancer

The body style and engine design of the Mitsubishi Lancer are based on rally cars, but that doesn’t mean the Lancer isn’t a great economy car. Priced from $13,990, this vehicle has front, side, and rear curtain airbags that will keep you safe in the event of an accident.