Five Fuel-Sipping Cars Perfect for a Long Commute

Five Fuel-Sipping Cars Perfect for a Long Commute

Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Why spend time at the pump when you have to get to work?

When you have to drive to your job, especially a long commute, the gas gauge can become the most important part in your car. Instead of worrying about the tank going dry, commuters should pick up one of these cars that sip daintily instead of guzzling the entire tank.

BMW i3 Giga

BMW isn’t taking the electric car revolution, or the rise of the hybrid, laying down. The company’s response has, by far, taken the crown for many commuters. Available in both completely electric and two-cylinder gas engine models, don’t be fooled by the gas tank: The engine doesn’t drive the car, but rather acts as a generator that lets commuters nearly double the mileage range of their cars. It’s also got BMW’s engineering, but it may not be ideal for supercommuters, with a maximum range of 75 to 130 miles, depending on model.

Tesla Model S

For commuters who enjoy cutting edge cars and luxury styling, and who want to cut the fuel out of the equation altogether, Tesla’s electric sedans are nearly perfect. An attempt to reinvent the luxury vehicle, the Tesla Model S has proven to Detroit and Osaka that electric cars just need a commitment to sell. That said, you’ll need to live in an electric-car friendly area with charging stations handy, which may not describe where you live. Additionally, Tesla is far from the traditional car company, which may not suit your personal style. It also may be difficult to find used, depending on where you live.

Toyota Prius

Toyota’s Prius lines, the original hybrids, are very, very gentle on gas, especially when you spend a lot of time in low speed stop-and-go traffic where your car can charge its batteries and turn off the engine altogether. The one downside for commuters is that the Prius may lack the hauling power they want from a gas engine, and while the cabin is roomy for passengers, you might need to find one with a more spacious trunk if you’re stopping on the grocery store on the way home. When shopping used, look for late model vehicles, which will have better battery life.


Save some oil, the Earth, and some money to boot.

Subaru Impreza

Sometimes the most important factor in a commute is being able to take what nature dishes out as you try to get to your desk, and the Impreza can take nearly any beating the elements can dish out. At 37 mpg on the highway on current models, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient cars for its toughness, and it offers all-wheel drive, the building block of being able to get out of snowdrifts and tackle slick roads. Still, despite the fuel-sipping, it’s not as eco-friendly as some of the electric road warriors on this list, so if greenness is most important to you, it might be a distant second to another.

Honda Fit

Among the small hatchbacks and zippy compacts that are all over the road today, the Honda Fit stands as their king. Honda’s impeccable engineering and the Fit’s light weight means any model will be wallet-friendly, and their popularity means you can find new and used models across America.

Remember, this is just a start. You need to test any car you’re thinking about driving, to see if it fits you, and price what it’ll cost you. To get started, subscribe to get alerts on vehicles in your area.