Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Report Shows Top 10 Vehicles With Highest Fuel-Economy Gains Between 2008 and 2012

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.

by Staff
March 15, 2012
1 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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%

More Fuel

a YouTube thumbnail with red and white text on the left and a row of fuel pump handles on the right
Fuel•by Faith Howell•September 30, 2026

Fuel Prices Surge in September | September Fuel Update

September brought major fuel price swings, including diesel crossing $6 a gallon. Here’s how gas and diesel prices changed throughout the month, and where they stood heading into October.

Read More →
title card with Ramel Lindsay, US Bank, and Chris Brown
Sponsored•by Chris Brown•July 22, 2026

Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights

Ramel Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager discusses how fleets can transform payment and transaction data into actionable intelligence to reduce costs, improve oversight, and support executive decision-making.

Read More →
fuel pump and rising price graph
Fuel•by Chris Brown•July 21, 2026

Why the IRS Raised Its Mileage Rate in the Middle of 2026

Fuel-price volatility drove the rare increase to 76 cents per mile, the fifth midyear adjustment since 2000.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing U.S. gasoline prices as of July 27, 2026, with the national average at $4.06 per gallon. Regional prices range from $3.69 on the Gulf Coast to $5.12 on the West Coast.
Fuel•by Faith Howell•July 14, 2026

July Fuel Update: Prices Keep Rising in Light of More Conflict

Gas prices continue to rise as more and more conflicts do, too.

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail on fuel volatility.
Fuel•June 30, 2026

Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: "Don't Panic, Have a Plan."

When it comes to up and down fuel prices, Adamsky has a message for fleets: “Don’t panic.”

Read More →
thumbnail showing title of video, US Bank executive Ramel Lindsay and interviewer Chris Brown
Sponsored•by Chris Brown•June 29, 2026

How Fleets Can Gain Control of Non-Fuel Spend

Fuel often gets the spotlight, but non-fuel expenses can have a major impact on fleet costs. Ramel Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager discusses how fleets can gain better visibility and control over these often-overlooked expenditures.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Map of the Middle East beside fuel pump nozzles illustrating how regional supply disruptions are increasing fuel prices and raising fleet maintenance costs for petroleum-based products.
Fuel•June 25, 2026

Fuel is Just the Start: How Middle East Tensions are Driving Up Fleet Maintenance Costs

The Middle East conflict is doing more than pushing up fuel prices. It’s also raising the cost of key maintenance products your fleet depends on, from motor oil to tires to windshield wipers. Here’s what you need to know about this budget-busting situation.

Read More →
Infographic showing U.S. average gasoline prices through June 2026, with prices falling after a May peak. Regional chart shows the West Coast with the highest fuel prices among major U.S. regions.
Fuel•by Faith Howell•June 23, 2026

June Fuel Update: Prices Fall Below $4

Drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump. The national average gas price has dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months, with prices falling in 47 states as oil markets react to developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Read More →
Row of fuel nozzles at gas station
Fuel•by Chris Brown•May 30, 2026

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types

New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An EIA and Automotive Fleet graphic breaks down fuel prices for the week of 5/28/2026.
Fuel•by Faith Howell•May 5, 2026

May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines

Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.

Read More →