The Hatchback:
Mazda 3, Honda Fit, Subaru Impreza, and the Toyota Matrix (gas powered)
At first glance, you might think that the car with the lowest emissions and highest MPG is the Honda Fit. Surprisingly, the Fit doesn’t win this competition. The Mazda 3 (which is my favorite) is the winner with best MPG and the lowest emissions out of all four of these vehicles. The Subaru Impreza is actually right there with the Honda Fit with a combined MPG of 30. The more affordable choice is, of course, the Honda Fit, but the overall best bang for your buck is the Mazda 3. Each vehicle has fold down seats and a hatchback that makes carrying your board around easy. You can adjust the seating to fit three boards and a couple of friends. Yew!
Fuel Economy:
Mazda 3: MPG 28/city, 39/highway and a combined of 32 for a 4 cylinder automatic transmission.
Honda Fit: MPG 27/city, 33/highway and a combined of 30 for a 4 cylinder automatic transmission.
Subaru Impreza: MPG 27/city, 36/highway and a combined of 30 for a 4 cylinder automatic transmission.
Toyota Matrix: MPG 25/city, 32/highway and a combined of 28 for a 4 cylinder automatic transmission.
Read more to compare these makes and models.
The Mazda 3 hatchback is a nice pick for a gas powered vehicle with plenty of cargo room, good MPGs, and lower emissions.
The Hybrid Hatchback:
Toyota Prius, Lexus CT 200, and the Ford Cmax (hybrid)
When talking about a hybrid fuel efficient car, people’s first thought is generally the Prius, but what you might not think about are the other hybrid options out there. The Lexus CT 200 is my personal #1 pick out of all these cars, but it’s priced pretty high. All three of these cars are U.S. EPA certified and have comparable MPGs. They’re all hatchbacks with plenty of cargo room for your surfboards and wetsuits, as well as luggage for taking those long road trips in search of new surf spots and different waves. You could probably chase a hurricane swell up the coast on one tank of gas! Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Fuel Economy:
Toyota Prius: MPG 44/city, 40/highway and a combined MPG of 42
Lexus CT 200: MPG 43/city, 40/highway, and a combined of 42 for a 4 cylinder automatic.
Ford Cmax: 45/city, 40/highway and a combined of 43 for a 4 cylinder automatic.
Read more here to compare these makes and models.
The Toyota Prius may not be the sexiest looking car, but it has plenty of room on the inside and very sexy MPGs. If you were in a car bar scoping out MPGs, this would be the hottest one in the room. Yeow!
Most surfers are pretty active and partake in multiple sports and activities, so having the right car to get you from one element to the next with all of your gear can be a challenge. If you want to make sure that you have plenty of room for all your needs and make those road trips up the coast more affordable and better for the environment, then consider some of these options. Get the most out of your car with regular maintenance and make sure your hybrid car is being worked on by certified hybrid vehicle repair technicians. If you can’t afford to buy a new car, you can get better gas mileage out of your current vehicle by making sure your car’s engine is properly tuned, you’re using the manufacturer’s recommended motor oil, and your tires are properly inflated. Every little bit helps so let’s all pitch in and do our part to cut down on air pollution.
