To rate cars' mix of performance and fuel economy (the muscle per gallon index), we multiplied the horsepower rating by the city MPG number, then divided by 100.
| Rank | Make | Model | Base MSRP | Engine Type | Horsepower | City MPG | Muscle per gallon index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi | A3 | $34,915 | Gas V6 | 250 | 18 | 45.0 |
| 2 | Honda | Civic Hybrid | $22,600 | Gas/electric I4 | 110 | 40 | 44.0 |
| 3 | Nissan | Sentra | $19,760 | Gas I4 | 177 | 24 | 42.5 |
| 4 | Audi | A3 | $25,930 | Gas I4 | 200 | 21 | 42.0 |
| 4 | Nissan | Sentra | $20,260 | Gas I4 | 200 | 21 | 42.0 |
| 4 | Volkswagen | GTI | $23,300 | Gas turbocharged I4 | 200 | 21 | 42.0 |
| 7 | Honda | Civic Coupe | $22,860 | Gas I4 | 197 | 21 | 41.4 |
| 8 | Acura | TSX | $28,190 | Gas I4 | 205 | 20 | 41.0 |
| 9 | Volvo | S40 | $30,365 | Turbo gas I5 | 227 | 18 | 40.9 |
| 10 | Saab | 9-3 | $28,080 | Gas I4 | 210 | 19 | 39.9 |
| 11 | Saab | 9-3 | $35,215 | Gas V6 | 255 | 15 | 38.3 |
| 12 | Chevrolet | Cobalt | $19,210 | Gas 4-cyl | 171 | 22 | 37.6 |
| 12 | Pontiac | G5 | $19,350 | Gas 4-cyl | 171 | 22 | 37.6 |
| 14 | Honda | Civic | $21,660 | Gas I4 | 140 | 26 | 36.4 |
| 15 | Volkswagen | Jetta | $22,900 | Gas I5 | 170 | 21 | 35.7 |
| 15 | Volkswagen | Rabbit | $18,650 | Gas I5 | 170 | 21 | 35.7 |
| 17 | Pontiac | G5 | $15,175 | Gas 4-cyl | 148 | 24 | 35.5 |
| 18 | Toyota | Corolla | $15,450 | Gas I4 | 126 | 28 | 35.3 |
| 19 | Nissan | Sentra | $16,860 | Gas I4 | 140 | 25 | 35.0 |
| 20 | Scion | xD | $14,550 | Gas I4 | 128 | 27 | 34.6 |
| 21 | Mazda | Mazda3 | $17,435 | Gas I4 | 156 | 22 | 34.3 |
| 22 | Mazda | Mazda3 | $17,155 | Gas I4 | 148 | 23 | 34.0 |
| 22 | Subaru | Impreza | $20,495 | Gas flat 4-cyl | 170 | 20 | 34.0 |
| 24 | Ford | Focus | $14,660 | Gas I4 | 140 | 24 | 33.6 |
| 24 | Ford | Focus Coupe | $14,300 | Gas I4 | 140 | 24 | 33.6 |
| 24 | Volvo | S40 | $24,365 | Gas I5 | 168 | 20 | 33.6 |
| 27 | Mitsubishi | Lancer | $14,890 | Gas I4 | 152 | 22 | 33.4 |
| 28 | Hyundai | Elantra | $13,625 | Gas I4 | 138 | 24 | 33.1 |
| 28 | Kia | Spectra | $16,995 | Gas I4 | 138 | 24 | 33.1 |
| 28 | Saturn | Astra | $16,925 | Gas I4 | 138 | 24 | 33.1 |
| 31 | Hyundai | Elantra | $14,625 | Gas I4 | 132 | 25 | 33.0 |
| 32 | Chevrolet | Cobalt | $14,635 | Gas 4-cyl | 148 | 22 | 32.6 |
| 33 | Scion | tC | $17,000 | Gas I4 | 161 | 20 | 32.2 |
| 34 | Kia | Rio | $14,465 | Gas I4 | 110 | 29 | 31.9 |
| 35 | Nissan | Versa | $14,810 | Gas 4-cyl | 122 | 26 | 31.7 |
| 35 | Ford | Focus Coupe | $15,130 | Gas I4 | 132 | 24 | 31.7 |
| 37 | Toyota | Yaris | $12,225 | Gas I4 | 106 | 29 | 30.7 |
| 38 | Honda | Fit | $15,270 | Gas I4 | 109 | 28 | 30.5 |
| 39 | Volkswagen | New Beetle | $20,525 | Gas I5 | 150 | 20 | 30.0 |
| 40 | Hyundai | Accent | $13,925 | Gas I4 | 110 | 24 | 26.4 |
| 41 | Chevrolet | Aveo | $12,020 | Gas 4-cyl | 103 | 24 | 24.7 |
| 42 | Suzuki | Forenza | $14,649 | Gas I4 | 126 | 19 | 23.9 |
| 42 | Suzuki | Reno | $15,099 | Gas I4 | 126 | 19 | 23.9 |
| 44 | Smart | ForTwo | $11,590 | Gas I3 | 70 | 33 | 23.1 |
