2011 Kia Optima
The Optima delivers an outstanding fuel efficiency and a good driving experience better on both fronts than the Sonata. The smaller Chevrolet Cruze was the strongest runner up in our voting on this award, but the Cruze's impressive gas mileage comes with only one of its five trim levels. The fact is, the Optima's mass market drivetrain a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic renders 27 mpg in combined EPA city/highway ratings, and you can get that in the mainline LX and EX trims. That matches the most efficient four-cylinder competitors; you'd have to get a hybrid family sedan to beat it.
