Car Reviews

A few selected cars from the Car Comparison page rated for efficiency

This rating is based on an engineer's point of view. Efficiency is the ratio of energy input to work output.

Work is defined as "mass x acceleration x distance."

Score

Tesla Roadster

This electric car has a magical battery. The battery holds the energy equivelant of 1.6 gallons of gasoline. And the car travels 225 miles on single charge. It's also very very fast.

Nissan Altima Hybrid

This hybrid is more efficient than the Prius and Camry Hybrid. It's faster and costs less than the Prius or Camry Hybrid. It also gets a little better gas mileage than the Camry Hybrid.

Toyota Prius

The icon of efficient hybrids does do well. However, it doesn't live up to the hype. It's not really economical. And the all-motor Nissan GT-R is every bit as efficient as the Prius.

47.2

Nissan GT-R

What this car does is absolutley astounding. Some of the oldest names in racing are trying to keep up with it. And it even beats the $100,000+ sports cars in price too.

47.0

Toyota Camry Hybrid

It does well, but is completely trumped by the Nissan Altima Hybrid in every respect. The Camry Hybrid even costs $4,500 more than the Nisan Altima Hybrid.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The VW Jetta TDI makes excellent use of diesel's best qualities while immitating the good behavior of a gasoline engine. Get an average of 43+mpg and it's not even a hybrid.

Porsche 911 Turbo

The Porsche 911 Turbo is every bit as efficient as a hybrid. The Porsche 911 excels at the acceleration part of the work equation where hybrids excel at distance.

46.4

Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid

A car for rich idiots. The hybrid system behaves like an obese turbocharger. It's basically a parade float for a pompous hybrid badge. Oh, and the car has the lowest emissions of any V8.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Corvette reaches self-actualization. It's the best Corvette ever made. All the years spent racing at LeMans has really paid off. And the new Eaton TVS supercharger sure doesn't hurt either.

Mazda RX-8 R3

A rotory gas engine done well. It took a long time to bring good theory to reality. Aside from great gas mileage and great performance, this car has a potent little engine unlike any other.

Mini

This isn't just a fun little car that gets great gas mileage and performance. The Mini, or perhaps the Mini's advertising campaign, created a paradigm shift in public opinion on small cars. Small cars can be fun and fashionable.

Dodge Viper

While the rest of us work hard for a living, the Viper doesn't. The 8.4L V-10 makes short work of anything without getting off the couch. The engine's great size has a lot to do with it's high efficiency.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Here's proof that small American 2.0L engines can be as efficient as the hybrids and big engine cars. This car offers the greatest value in acceleration, gas mileage, performance, and practicality.

Honda Civic Hybrid Navi

This Civic hybrid offers the best value in high gas mileage for the least amount of money. At $24,000 and 42 mpg, it's the most economical hybrid on the list. Stretch your dollar the furthest with the Civic Hybrid . . literaly.

Worst Cars

These cars rank the lowest on the efficiency rating

Score

Kia Rio

The most offensively inefficient car on list. It averages 30mpg! What gives?! If this car were as efficient as the Corvette, it would be getting 60mpg! Or a better combination of acceleration and gas mileage.

Hyundai Accent

All the inefficiency of the Rio can be had with the Accent. Except you pay more for it.

Chevrolet Aveo

If you're going blow money on a Korean car, lose as little as possible on the Aveo. Expect the same waste of fuel flooring this car around town just to keep up with pedestrians. At least its a half second faster than the Rio and Accent.

Ferrari Enzo

At least its not suffering the same fate as the Ford Edsel! If you can afford this car, then gas mileage never crossed your mind. The heaver Veyron accelerates faster and gets better gas mileage. The Veyron is much more efficient.

Ford Escape

Efficiency doesn't sell. But this car sure does. This may be the right car for some people, but it sure could be doing more work for the energy it consumes. Maybe the drag coefficient rivals that of a house. The braking distance is horrible.

Kia Rhondo

We're still neck deep in Korean cars here at the bottom of the list.

Hyundai Tiburon

I think I see some sunlight.

Ford Expedition

Why not spend all your gas money towing unneccessary tonnes of steel around? This is why I won't waste much time on SUVs.

Scion tC TRD

This engine should be producing a lot more power with that supercharger. Extra fuel is probably pumped in to keep air temperatures down. This results in 19mpg and slow acceleration. Modify it for better efficiency!

Suzuki SX4

It averages about 26mpg? I would expect a lot more from a little, slow, lightweight car. spend your money on a nice used car instead.