Getting a highly fuel-efficient vehicle used to mean you couldn't enjoy cushy interiors or luxury amenities. But that's changed in a big way over the past few years. Here are the 10 most fuel-efficient luxury vehicles on the market today, based on the EPA's city/highway combined fuel economy rating.
2014 BMW i3
BMW's forward-looking, electric 4-door has earned its place at the top of the class. It's not just more energy-efficient than all other luxury cars, the i3 is the most efficient car you can buy. And an optional gas-powered Range Extender stretches range from about 110 all-electric miles to 185 total miles per tank.
City/highway/combined mpge: 138/111/124
All-electric range: 70-110 miles
Range and mpge figures are preliminary BMW estimates.
2014 Tesla Model S
The all-electric Model S is the poster child for the new era of luxury vehicles, and it has every reason to be: it shows you can have luxury and practicality in the same vehicle. A true head-turner on the road, the Model S combines a cutting-edge high-tech interior with a massive 17-inch touchscreen, very quick acceleration and range starting at more than 200 miles.
City/highway/combined mpge: 94/97/95
Range: 208 miles
2014 Cadillac ELR
The sharp-looking ELR is Cadillac's entry into the world of fuel-efficient luxury. This coupe is a plug-in hybrid that uses the same architecture as the Chevy Volt, but adds a posh cabin and standalone styling to the mix. The ELR can run on pure electric power alone for 37 miles and has a total range of 340 miles.
First 37 miles: 82 mpge combined
Next 303 miles: 33 mpg combined
2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Lincoln's MKZ has the best EPA fuel economy ratings of any luxury non-plug-in hybrid and is also the only hybrid on the market that costs the same as the gas-powered model. It's always nice when you can find a real value, and the MKZ Hybrid, with its impressive fuel economy, spacious leather-lined cabin and elegant style, is just that.
City/highway/combined mpg: 45/45/45
2014 Lexus CT 200h
If you want your hybrid hatchback to pair distinctive Lexus looks with proven, reliable Prius hardware, the CT 200h may be the perfect vehicle. The CT 200h, Lexus' least expensive model, brings a rare burst of youthful attitude and sporty suspension to the luxury hybrid world. It's not particularly fast, but the Lexus CT 200h is indeed fun.
City/highway/combined mpg: 43/40/42
2014 Lexus ES 300h
The Lexus ES lineup has a reputation for comfort, reliability and high resale value. The hybrid version of the highly popular sedan adds combined fuel economy of 40 mpg. It isn't a canyon-carver, but with this car you can enjoy a pleasant leisurely drive plus a range of nearly 700 miles. That's enough to get you from Maine to Virginia on a single tank of gas.
City/highway/combined mpg: 40/39/40
2014 Acura ILX Hybrid
The ILX Hybrid offers youthful, sporty appeal in an entertaining entry-level luxury car that has a starting price under $30,000. This small sedan is available with the high-tech features buyers have come to expect from Acura, such as real-time traffic and GPS-linked climate control, and it comes with paddle shifters for the transmission. Its 111 horsepower won't blow you away, but the 39 mpg around town will.
City/highway/combined mpg: 39/38/38
2014 BMW 328d
For 2014, BMW introduced a smaller diesel engine to the 3 Series line, a move that improved fuel economy by 9 mpg in the city and on the highway. And wrapped around this clean-diesel car is everything that people love about the iconic BMW 3 Series: excellent driving dynamics and precision engineering in a really good-looking sedan.
City/highway/combined mpg: 32/45/37
2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC
Understated elegance and diesel power don't often hang out in the same parking space, but Mercedes-Benz is a master of both and the E250 BlueTEC proves it. A whopping 369 lb-ft of torque provides effortless, luxurious acceleration, while 42 highway mpg delivers an added measure of good-natured smugness.
City/highway/combined mpg: 28/42/33
2014 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
With its V6 engine and electric motor generating a combined 360 horsepower, the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid is the most powerful hybrid on this list. A bona fide performance sedan with economy-car fuel economy, the gas-electric version of the Infiniti Q50 is a hybrid vehicle on a couple levels.
City/highway/combined mpg: 29/36/31
This article may be found on KBB.com, www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/most-fuel-efficient-luxury-cars-2014/2000010781/© 2014, Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved. Republished under license
