Skip to main content

If you’re shopping for a used car that gets the best gas mileage, it’s easy to gravitate toward perennial favorites like the Toyota Prius. But there are other cars in the market that can sip fuel even better than that mileage champion. In fact, there’s one used Hyundai model that deserves your attention.

Consumer Reports on how to know if a hybrid is right for you
A photo shows the logo of a Hyundai hybrid SUV | Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Which used car gets the best gas mileage?

2017 Hyundai Ioniq
2017 Hyundai Ioniq | Hyundai

You probably would never think of it, but the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq gets better gas mileage than any other used car. According to data from 24/7 Wall St, the Ioniq beat out 26 finalists on their list of 2017 model-year cars that achieved the highest fuel economy numbers as rated by the EPA. The 2017 Ioniq achieves a combined fuel economy rating of 58 mpg and in case you’re wondering, it is a hybrid car.

In fact, most of the cars on the list were hybrids and some of them were even SUVs. Right behind the Ioniq, in second place, was the Toyota Prius Eco (56 mpg) followed by the Toyota Prius Prime (54 mpg). Unsurprisingly, the Toyota Prius (52 mpg) came in fourth place, and surprisingly, the Kia Niro rounds out the top five (50 mpg).

What’s so great about this used Hyundai?

Aside from its stellar fuel economy ratings, the Hyundai Ioniq has some attractive features. For one, it looks a little more “normal” compared to its Prius counterparts despite having the same wind-cheating drag coefficient of 0.24. The normalcy extends to the interior of the car as the dashboard layout, steering wheel, and even the shifter don’t necessitate a steep learning curve.

As Kelley Blue Book has also pointed out, the 2017 Ioniq offers some minor features that competitors of the same vintage (Prius, Volt, and Insight) lack. Those small features include LED interior lights, a sliding armrest, power-adjustable lumbar support, and Apple Carplay connectivity. Otherwise, the Ioniq’s main draw is its overall ease of use and normal appeal.

The Ioniq is also very practical thanks to its hatchback shape and 25 cubic feet of cargo volume. There’s also plenty of front and rear seat room and according to the editors at KBB, the car has great handling and driving dynamics. Speaking of which, the Ioniq is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s paired to an electric motor for a combined power rating of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. That torque means that it’s no slouch when getting up to speed on the freeway.

How much does a 2017 Ioniq cost?

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Interior
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Interior | Hyundai

Despite the rising cost of used cars on the market today, you can find a pretty good deal on a 2017 Ioniq. A nationwide search on Car Gurus reveals that many of them are selling for around $20,000 to $25,000 depending on the car’s age, condition, and location. But what’s even better is that if you can score a good deal on a car like this, then you’ll realize even more savings at the pump during the time you own it. Considering the fact that the national average price for a gallon of gas is $4.24, buying this obscure Hyundai sounds like a win-win situation.

Related

2020 Hyundai Ioniq vs. Toyota Prius: A Battle of the Fuel Sippers