7 High-Tech Cars that will Save You Gas Money [PHOTOS]
By Alex Fitzpatrick on Mashable
With the price of gas topping $4 a gallon in many parts of the U.S., drivers are once again ditching their gas guzzlers in favor of fuel-efficient electrics and hybrids.
Car manufacturing technology has been improving dramatically over the last few years, meaning there’s plenty of options for the efficient-savvy car buyer.
With so many options available, the amount of choices can be dizzying. But never fear — Mashable is here to help!
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite fuel-efficient cars, from the all-electric Nissan Leaf to the super-cool Tesla Roadster. Check them out in our gallery below.
1. Chevy Volt
It's an electric car you can plug into a garage outlet to charge overnight. You get 35 miles of driving on a full charge, then you're screwed.
Wait, no you're not! Once it's out of juice, the Volt switches to a conventional gas engine for a total 375 miles of range.
94 MPGe / 37 MPG
375 Mile Range
2. Scion IQ
This little guy is super-cool looking and you could probably park it inside an original Xbox if you wanted to.
With a 1.3L engine turning out 94 horsepower, it's not winning any drag races - but its good looks are winning the checkered flags of our hearts.
37 MPG
306 Mile Range
3. Nissan Leaf
She's all-electric and super eco-friendly with no tailpipe pollution - weirdly, though, you can't buy one in green.
If Captain Planet drove a car, it would be the Nissan Leaf.
99 MPGe
~70 Mile Range
4. Toyota Prius C
It's the Delta Flyer to the original Prius' Enterprise - a smaller, leaner version based on Toyota's Yaris subcompact.
It's cheaper than the original and more economical when driving in the city - hence the "c" designation.
~50 MPG
475 Mile Range
6. Volkswagen Up!
A great city car with the Top Gear seal of approval - even though it doesn't have all that much POWER!!
~60 MPG
Range depends on model
5. Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
If you're looking for a classically cool car with great milage, you've found it.
It does 0-60 in under six seconds - we're not even sure if the Scion iQ even knows what 60mph is.
30 MPG
500 Mile Range
7. Tesla Roadster
It's an electric supercar! 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, putting even the Porsche hybrid to shame.
Nikola would be proud.
120 MPGe
244 Mile Range
8. Terrafugia
Or, you can forget about all that fuel economy nonsense and go all-in on one of the world's first FAA-approved flying cars.
It's more a plane that drives than a car that flies - but we still love it!
425 Nautical Mile Range
Which one do you want to take for an eco-friendly spin? Sound off in the comments below.
Car fans should also be on the lookout for Mashable‘s coverage of the New York International Auto Show, which starts Thursday, April 5.
