Top 10 Fuel Efficient Cars in Canada
Posted on July 13, 2022
Gas prices are through the roof at the moment and we could all use some relief at the pump. Luckily there have been efficiency gains across just about every automotive segment in the past few years to combat rising fuel prices. We've rounded up top ten of the most fuel efficient cars across different segments to show that no matter what you drive there's a fuel-efficient and fun car out there for you.
Le/100 km Explained
Some of the vehicles on this list use hybrid powertrains with batteries and electric motors assisting the traditional internal combustion engine to increase range, efficiency, and allow all-electric driving. Efficiency of these electrical powertrains is measured in Le/100 km, with the "Le" standing for Litre equivalent. Le/100 km puts electric powertrain efficiency into a familiar form.
Natural Resources Canada, the body responsible for certifying fuel efficiency numbers in Canada, says that a litre of gasoline has the same potential energy stored in it as 8.9 kWh of electricity. Multiply a vehicle's Le/100 km number by 8.9 and you get the equivalent energy usage if the motor was using gasoline for fuel. Basically the lower the number the better and more efficient the motor is, just like the trusty L/100 km metric for traditional cars and trucks.
Without further ado and in no particular order here's our list of ten of the most efficient vehicles on sale today.
4.8 Le/100 km Combined, 11.7 L/100 km Combined Gas Only
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a game changer proving that you can have your unstoppable off-road cake and eat it too. The 4xe is the most fuel-efficient Wrangler ever with an all-electric range of 35 km and a total range of up to 592 km. Powered by a 270 horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged gas engine, the Wrangler 4xe also has electric motors on its front and rear axles. The system's total output is a burly 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque; enough to help you clamber over any obstacle you find in your way. An eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to the gas engine, while regenerative braking helps recover energy and keep the 17kWh lithium-ion battery topped up.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintains its legendary off-road prowess with all the go-anywhere parts you'd expect from a Wrangler like high- and low-range gearing and sturdy axles. There are three driving modes: Hybrid which uses electrical power until the battery depletes and then calls on the gas engine, Electric which favours the battery and fires up the four-cylinder when extra power's called for, and eSave which prioritises the gas engine to save the battery for later. Any way you slice it, the Wrangler 4xe is an incredibly efficient Jeep.
8.7 L/100 km City, 6.4 L/100 km Highway
The Mazda3 makes use of Mazda's Skyactiv Technology which combines lightweight, rigid body shells with engines and transmissions tuned for efficiency and low emissions. Packing a 155 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission as standard, the Mazda3 is a good-looking car that's built for the driver inside us all. A range of safety equipment such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert comes standard to keep you safe and ensure your Mazda3 continues to look as good as the day you picked it up.
8.0 L/100 km City, 7.9 L/100 km Highway Gas
2.7 Le/100 km City, 3.1 Le/100 km Highway Electric
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the full package in a family mover. Combining handsome, refined styling, huge cargo space, and a hybrid powertrain with a 16 kWh battery on board the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid can travel 51 kilometres on electric power alone and has a combined range of 835 km. Trim options like available Nappa leather seats give the Pacifica Hybrid a luxurious feel while available all-wheel drive keeps you in control at all times. The Pacifica Hybrid also comes with Pacifica Tools which allows you to plan charging times around your schedule and daily electricity consumption rates. For efficient and luxurious family transport you should seriously consider a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
9.0 L/100 km City, 6.5 L/100 km Highway
The BMW 3 Series has long been a favourite of the luxury compact sedan market and the 330i brings excellent efficiency to the table. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine the BMW 330i makes a healthy 255 horsepower. Add that to a great ride quality and sporty handling and you've got an efficient car with the ability to thrill when the mood takes you. Just as comfortable zipping around a city as it is blasting down the highway, the BMW 330i features an upmarket interior with plenty of space and comfort.
9.1 L/100 km City, 7.0 L/100 km Highway
If you're looking for a vehicle more at home in snow and ice than the rear-wheel drive BMW might we suggest the equally handsome Audi A4? Powered by a 201 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and equipped with Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system, the Audi A4 makes short work of adverse driving conditions. The A4's seven-speed automatic transmission maximises efficiency by keeping the engine in its optimal rev range while the A4's stylish and luxurious interior makes sure you always arrive in comfort.
Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Tradesman HFE
10.4 L/100 km City, 7.1 L/100 km Highway
The Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Tradesman HFE takes the fuel efficiency already present in EcoDiesel-equipped Ram trucks to the next level. Powered by a 3.0-litre diesel V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the HFE boasts 260 horsepower and a mighty 480 lb-ft of torque. Boasting a spacious, well-equipped and hardworking interior the Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Tradesman HFE makes use of aerodynamic styling to maximise efficiency and provide up to a staggering 1600 km of range to a single tank of fuel.
8.5 L/100 km City, 6.8 L/100 km Highway
The Toyota RAV4 is an excellent option if you're in the market for an efficient SUV. Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4 is spacious, comfortable, and efficient. Factor in a wealth of standard safety equipment like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert and the Toyota RAV4 becomes even more attractive.
10.3 L/100 km City, 7.3 L/100 km Highway
Mercedes-Benz's compact GLA SUV provides efficiency, luxury and big capability with a cleverly-packaged footprint. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque the GLA has all the power you need to get around town and hit the open road. With a luxurious interior filled with standard technology and a choice of 18-, 19-, and 20-inch wheels the GLA checks all the right boxes. There's even a start/stop function to save gas when parked at stop lights.
7.7 L/100 km, 6.0 L/100 km Highway
The Honda Civic has always been frugal on gas, and the simple yet capable LX model is no different. With a CVT gearbox mated to its 158 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine the Civic returns some of the best economy numbers in its class. Like the Mercedes it features fuel-saving stop/start technology and goes further with a function called Eco Assist which coaches you to drive more efficiently to get the most out of each tank of gas. The Civic also features ECON Mode which saves even more fuel by relaxing the throttle response and reducing the amount of energy that the climate control uses.
7.6 L/100 km City, 5.6 L/100 km Highway
Hyundai's cars have come on leaps and bounds in the last decade and nowhere is that more apparent than the Hyundai Elantra. With a 147 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine the Elantra has all the power you need while the available start/stop feature helps save on gas like in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Honda Civic. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard with the Elantra while an automatic is an optional extra.
Thankfully automakers have responded to rising gas prices with cars that can go further on less and produce fewer pollutants in the process. At CarHub we've got a wide range of new and used fuel-efficient vehicles to choose from, especially from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram brands. Our trusted Product Advisors would be delighted to help you find your next vehicle in person or you can get the ball rolling by contacting us at carhub.ca/contact. Check out our full inventory here and find your perfect car your way with CarHub.
-Author Bio-
James Walker is a car nut and motoring writer with a love of all cars fast and slow. He drives a lot, and has been writing about cars for over five years.
