SANTA MONICA, CA – A new report from Edmunds.com shows the brands and vehicles that achieved the largest fuel-economy gains, on a percentage basis, between 2008 and 2012.

According to Edmunds, the Audi A3 has achieved the greatest increase in fuel economy since 2008, more than any other vehicle on the U.S. market. The A3’s fuel economy increased 38.5%, from 21.0 mpg in its 2008 model-year, to 29.1 mpg in its 2012 model-year.

New car registration data shows that the nationwide marketshare of four-cylinder vehicles has risen to 44.4% as of December 2011, up from 36.7% in 2008. The overall increase in fuel economy for the auto industry during that period is 16.4%, according to Edmunds.

The chart below shows a list of the brands that have achieved significant fuel-economy gains by make, model, and mpg, based on model-year.

 

Top 10 Vehicles with Biggest Jumps in Fuel Economy — 2008 to 2012

Rank Make Model 2012 MPG 2008 MPG MPG Improvement
1 Audi A3 29.1 21.0 38.5%
2 Chevrolet Equinox 25.1 19.0 32.0%
3 Kia Sorento 22.2 17.0 30.4%
4 Dodge Challenger 19.5 15.0 30.3%
5 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 23.0 17.9 28.3%
6 Ford Explorer 19.5 15.4 27.0%
7 Hyundai Sonata 27.7 22.0 25.8%
8 Porsche Cayenne 18.3 14.7 24.8%
9 Buick LaCrosse 26.0 20.9 24.1%
10 Volkswagen Passat 27.0 21.8 23.7%
  INDUSTRY   24.5 21.0 16.4%

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