10 Best Used Cars That Get 40 MPG

With gas prices seemingly on an unending rise — much like everything else these days — finding a good used car that gets great gas mileage is a high priority for many households. If you’re in the market for a used car that gets 40 mpg combined or better, you’re in the right place. In fact, more than half of the cars on this list top 50 mpg combined, and all are hybrids.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are great options, too, of course. However, they’re often considerably more expensive. Plus, not everyone has a convenient place to charge — so we’ve kept our focus here on hybrids. With most of these models, searching for cars a year or two older or newer can open up your budget options as well as expand the range of available features. 

Here are 10 of the best used cars that get 40 mpg or more.

1. 2017-2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue — 59 mpg

With lifetime battery coverage, there’s nothing to fear with the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue, at least from a warranty standpoint. As the most efficient but also the base model, the Blue gets a solid feature set. The 2017-2019 models net 58 mpg combined, which increased to 59 mpg for 2020-2022. The newer the model, the more features came standard, including smartphone integration, an 8-inch infotainment display, and the SmartSense safety suite. This adds lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitoring, and more. The Ioniq Hybrid Blue gets its hyper-efficient motivation from a 4-cylinder engine and electric motor hybrid system rated for 139 horsepower. See Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue models for sale

2. 2016-2022 Toyota Prius L Eco — 56 mpg

Again, the most affordable as well as the most efficient, the Toyota Prius L Eco is also well-equipped. It has Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and more. The Prius L Eco uses the same 121-combined-hp hybrid drivetrain as the rest of the Prius range for its impressive 56 mpg combined rating. See Toyota Prius models for sale

3. 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue — 54 mpg

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue gets standard wireless smartphone integration, a hands-free power trunk, an 8-inch infotainment display, and Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite. The Elantra Hybrid Blue uses the same 139-hp hybrid system found in the Ioniq Hybrid Blue to achieve its 54-mpg combined rating. See Hyundai Elantra Hybrid models for sale

4. 2019-2022 Honda Insight — 52 mpg

Although it has been seen as something of an also-ran in the mainstream hybrid space, the Honda Insight remains a great value for dependable, highly efficient, yet stylish transportation. To get the most efficient Insight, you’ll want to pick the EX or LX trims. These score 52 mpg combined thanks to a 151-hp hybrid drive system. See Honda Insight models for sale

5. 2020-2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid — 52 mpg

Despite being smaller and more affordable than some options on this list, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid packs a big 52 mpg combined rating. It also has the Safety Sense 2.0 suite with lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, lane-tracing assist, and more. The Corolla Hybrid’s power and efficiency come from a 121-hp combined output hybrid system. See Toyota Corolla Hybrid models for sale

6. 2018-2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid — 52 mpg

The Toyota Camry Hybrid combines the genes of the long-running Camry nameplate with Toyota’s expertise in hybrid drivetrain technology. That results in a first-class sedan that’s comfortable, practical, spacious, well-equipped, and a strong value. The base LE gets the best mileage, although you can option the Camry Hybrid into nearly fully loaded XLE territory at the expense of six mpg combined. See Toyota Camry Hybrid models for sale

7. 2021-2022 Kia Niro FE — 50 mpg

Even at the bare minimum entry point to the Kia Niro range, you get wireless smartphone integration and a hybrid drivetrain that’s good for 50 mpg combined as well as 139 hp. You’ll want to stick with the base FE trim to get the maximum efficiency. However, opting for more features and greater luxury with the Touring or EX Premium trims only costs one mpg combined. See Kia Niro FE models for sale

8. 2017-2021 Honda Accord Hybrid — 48 mpg

The 2017 Honda Accord is a phenomenal sedan in its non-hybrid form, and the hybrid elevates it to the next level of efficiency, with a 212-hp hybrid system delivering 48 mpg combined (47 mpg in 2018). The Accord Hybrid is a great option for those who aren’t looking to broadcast their eco-conscious choices, as it looks just like an ordinary Accord aside from a few minor details. See Honda Accord Hybrid models for sale

9. 2017-2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid — 46 mpg

If you like to shop American, consider the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, a serious sedan worthy of consideration even beyond its hybrid merits, but also one capable of 46 mpg combined. Spacious and comfortable, the Malibu Hybrid is also well equipped, so long as you skip the base L model and look instead for LS, LT, or Premier trims, with features like adaptive cruise control, advanced safety features, and even automatic parking assist. See Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid models for sale

10. 2019-2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid — 40 mpg

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is perhaps the most versatile vehicle on this list, with more mild off-road ability and somewhat more cargo space than most of the alternatives. Despite its extra size and capability, the RAV4 Hybrid still manages 40 mpg combined, a feat made all the more impressive when you consider it comes standard with all-wheel drive. See Toyota RAV4 Hybrid models for sale

10 Best Used Cars That Get 40 MPG

1. 2017-2022 Hyundai Ioniq Blue
2. 2016-2022 Toyota Prius Eco
3. 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue
4. 2019-2022 Honda Insight
5. 2020-2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
6. 2018-2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid
7. 2021-2022 Kia Niro FE
8. 2017-2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
9. 2017-2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
10. 2019-2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid