Finding The Safest And Most Fuel-Efficient Cars And SUVs For 2022

Recent spikes in gasoline prices have again made the term “fuel economy” a key part of a new-vehicle shopper’s lexicon. But in an effort to choose a car or SUV that will save some needed cash at the pump, shoppers run the risk of ignoring other key attributes, especially safety.

Unfortunately, the laws of physics dictate that, all else being equal, a larger and heavier vehicle will inherently protect its occupants better in a crash than will a smaller and lighter car, and it’s those models that often get the best fuel economy among non-electrified rides. That means choosing a more efficient model that not gets top safety ratings and, in turn, maximum crashworthiness for its size and weight class, but comes with a forward auto-braking system that can help drivers avoid getting into crashes in the first place.

To that end we combed the Environmental Protection Agency’s current ratings to identify what are the most fuel-frugal models. With dealers’ supplies already challenged, and hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric models being both less plentiful and more expensive to purchase, we’ve stuck with conventional gas-powered cars and SUV for our purposes here. We then cross-checked that list against the latest crash-test and accident-avoidance ratings posted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to come up with a list of the most-frugal models that have also been named Top Safety Picks+ for 2022. We’re featuring the top 15 below.

To achieve Top Safety Pick+ status, a given model must receive good marks in all of the IIHS’ crashworthiness tests. These include front and side-impact crash tests, and both driver- and passenger-side small overlap frontal crash tests that replicate hitting a tree or light pole.

Each model further earns a “superior” or “advanced” designation for its standard or optional forward emergency automatic braking system. Superior-rated systems can automatically apply the brakes if necessary to avoid a crash or reduce speeds by at least 5 mph in two tests conducted at 12 and 25 mph. An advance-rated model must be able to avoid a collision in one of the two tests. In addition, a vehicle must further offer “good” or “acceptable”-rated headlights as standard equipment.

Also, all of our recommended models are engineered to run on regular-grade gasoline. As we recently reported, a surprising number of vehicles that use higher-compression turbocharged and direct fuel-injected engines are increasingly recommending the use of premium-grade fuel to achieve their maximum performance potential. Unfortunately, with premium currently costing a national average of 70 cents more per gallon than regular, any potential savings realized by choosing a more efficient model that specifies the higher-octane blend would be lost by paying more at the pump.

Mileage ratings and fuel requirements for all new and past model-year vehicles can be found at the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov website.

Here are the cars and SUVs for the 2022 model year the EPA says will get the best city/highway fuel economy, with the most-efficient standard powertrain combinations noted, and have received the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ designation, based on the Institute’s extensive evaluations:

1. Honda Civic Sedan: 33/42 mpg with 1.5-liter engine and CVT automatic transmission.
2. Toyota Corolla Hatchback: 32/41 mpg with 2.0-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.
3. Honda Civic Hatchback: 31/39 mpg with 1.5-liter engine and CVT automatic transmission.
4. Toyota Corolla Sedan: 31/40 mpg with 2.0-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.
5. Honda Accord: 30/38 mpg with 1.5-liter engine and CVT automatic transmission.
6. Nissan Rogue: 30/37 mpg with 1.5-liter engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
7. Kia K5: 29/38 mpg with 1.6-liter engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
8. Nissan Altima: 28/39 mpg with 2.5-liter engine and CVT automatic transmission.
9. Toyota Camry: 28/39 mpg with 2.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
10. Mazda3 Sedan: 28/36 mpg with 2.0-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
11. Chevrolet Trailblazer: 29/33 mpg with 1.3-liter engine and CVT automatic transmission.
12. Subaru Crosstrek AWD: 28/33 mpg with 2.0-liter engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
13. Subaru Legacy AWD: 27/35 mpg with 2.5-liter engine with eight-speed automatic transmission.
14. Subaru Outback AWD: 26/33 mpg with 2.5-liter engine with eight-speed automatic transmission.
15. Mazda3 Hatchback: 26/34 mpg with 2.5-liter engine with six-speed automatic transmission.