Contrary to popular belief, if you want a fast, fun car to drive, you don’t have to pay for your choice at the gas station. Thanks to advancements in car technology, the traditional belief that performance and fuel economy don’t mix is no longer a given. Plenty of sporty sedans and sun-loving convertibles will take you long distances without stopping at every exit. Here are 10 of the best sports cars that also get great gas mileage.
1. 2020 Honda Civic Si
30 mpg combined
The 2020 Civic Si provides great fuel economy numbers at 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. It comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter, 205-horsepower engine paired with a six-speed transmission. These components work together in a perfect marriage to reach 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds.
The good news is you don’t have to fork over extra money for the coupe, nor will you sacrifice fuel mileage. The bad news is you need to know how to drive with a stick; Honda doesn’t offer an automatic gearbox for the Si
.Once known as a compact economy car, the Honda Civic now offers more than practical driving.
2. 2020 Chevrolet Camaro
23 mpg combined
The Chevy Camaro has no shortage of rivals when it comes to powerful performance. Now it can add good fuel mileage to its list of bragging rights. Underneath its hood is a 275-horsepower, four-cylinder turbo engine coupled with a manual transmission. You can upgrade to a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Car and Driver testing, the Camaro reached 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds.
The Camaro sports has a rating of a comfortable 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. With sharp steering and an appetite for corners, this year’s Camaro is an attractive choice for all generations of drivers.
Not only is the 2020 Chevy Camaro burly on the road, but it also lasts longer between trips to the gas pump.
3. 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
29 mpg combined
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a two-passenger convertible with a sporty exterior. The Miata features the bare essentials, stripped of anything beyond the minimal. The fuel economy seems to be all the better for it; the Miata provides 26/34 mpg city/highway.
Mazda gave this year’s MX-5 Miata a four-cylinder engine that transmits 181 horses to its rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Upgrading to the six-speed automatic ekes out a few more miles per gallon, but some drivers will prefer the stick shift’s feedback.
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a reliable choice for those who don’t need the frills that other sports cars offer as standard fare.
4. 2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop Two-Door
31 mpg combined
The Mini Cooper Hardtop comes as a two-, three- or four-door setup, but the coupe has the best combined fuel economy. The Mini gets 28 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. There is a seemingly endless list of options available to add to a Mini, but you might drain the battery more quickly.
Underneath the base Mini Cooper’s hood is a 134-horsepower, three-cylinder engine. Since the base trim offers the best gas mileage, there’s no real reason to upgrade this engine. This engine takes the Cooper to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.
The 2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop two-door zips around like a sporty go-kart, but it has one of the best fuel economies on this list.
5. 2020 Toyota Supra
26 mpg combined
After over 20 years of not being on the market, the Toyota Supra makes a comeback for the 2020 season. Fortunately, it proves to be worth the wait. The vehicle comes with a burly six-cylinder turbo engine, feeding 335 horses to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Shifting gears with the manual mode is a seamless experience, and with a 3.8-second 0-to-60 time, power is always accessible.
The Supra also boasts an excellent fuel economy. It registers 24 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. It also comes with firmer brakes many other Toyota models.
The return of the long-gone Toyota Supra is worth the wait thanks to a strong fuel economy and robust engine.
6. 2020 Lexus LC
19 mpg combined
When you spend nearly six figures on a luxury sports car, fuel economy may not be on your list of priorities. With this year’s Lexus LC, there’s no sacrifice to make. The 19 combined mpg rating doesn’t look like much at first, but it’s miles ahead of its competition. Plus, it still gets 25 miles per gallon on the highway, making it suitable for long-distance stretches.
Underneath the 2020 LC’s hood are twin electric motors and a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Together, this rear-wheel-drive coupe generates 354 horsepower. You can upgrade to the beefier V-8 powerhouse, adding over 100 horses, but you’ll sacrifice the fuel economy for it.
The 2020 Lexus LC is a rare combination of fuel-efficiency and luxury.
7. 2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC
27 mpg combined
It’s already worth celebrating that a Mercedes-Benz convertible exists that even the middle class can afford. The fact that the 2020 SLC’s base engine is the four-cylinder turbo engine good for 241 horses only sweetens the deal. Paired with a nine-speed auto transmission, the Benz can reach 60 mph in just under six seconds.
The cabin doesn’t leave much room for long-legged passengers, but the SLC is still a blast to drive. Car and Driver reported smooth road manners and a sporty oomph in driving tests. Plus, in the summer, you can pull the top down for more headroom.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC offers top-notch fuel efficiency at an affordable price.
8. 2020 Volkswagen GTI
27 mpg combined
This year’s GTI is a sports vehicle that someone could easily mistake as a typical hatchback. Don’t let that boxy frame fool you; the GTI is a quick, efficient, balanced machine with lots of cargo space and passenger legroom. In the city, the 2020 Volkswagen GTI gets 24 miles to the gallon. On the highway, you’ll travel 32 miles per gallon.
Powering the GTI is a 228-horsepower turbo engine that comes with your choice between a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. In both cases, you get the same fuel economy figures.
The fuel-efficient 2020 Volkswagen GTI comes at an affordable entry-level price.
9. 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia
28 mpg combined
The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia rolls off the tongue just as easily as it goes down the street. It’s a head-turning Italian sedan with decadent curves that might say “impulse buy” at first glance. Spend a few minutes with the 280-horsepower, four-cylinder turbo engine, and you can almost feel its energy.
The Giulia’s eight-speed automatic transmission delivers the engine’s power to the rear wheels and returns great fuel economy figures. Rear-wheel drive returns 24/33 mpg city/highway efficiency and roars to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. You can upgrade to all-wheel drive to shave two-tenths of a second off that time, but this change reduces the city/highway numbers to 23/31.
The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia has supermodel good looks, firm steering, and an entry-luxury price.
10. 2020 Ford Mustang
24 mpg combined
The 2020 Ford Mustang looks like a classic muscle car, but it’s also surprisingly fuel-efficient. The four-cylinder engine delivers more than 300 horsepower while returning 21 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway. If you can drive with a manual transmission, the six-speed is a suitable choice, offering similar numbers at 21/30 mpg. If you upgrade to a V-8 engine, however, the numbers drop drastically.
The 2020 Ford Mustang finally has a strong fuel economy, shattering the idea that muscle cars need to be gas guzzlers.
If you’re looking for a sports car but you worry about spending more on gas, fret not. The 2020 year brought plenty of fuel-efficient options no matter what your budget is. From muscle cars to unassuming compact sedans and even Italian automobiles, there are numerous choices for quality sports cars.
