Those of you focused more than ever on the fuel economy of your car can take comfort in the fact you're not alone.
"If you don't think gas prices affect what vehicles consumers are buying, then think again," says Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, in a note to clients
"YTD (year to date) sales of the most fuel efficient vehicles actually underperformed the overall market (through the early part of this year), but with gas prices spiraling out of control in April, consumers came back to the small car and light truck market in hordes.
"Sales of subcompact car were up 17.1 per cent, compact cars up 11.3 per cent, compact sport-utility vehicles up 16.6 per cent…. All in an overall market that was up only 6.9 per cent in April."
Since last year, adds DesRosiers, consumers have moved dramatically to smaller vehicles. Unpredictable yet clearly rising pump prices are the reason why.
We Canadians, of course, have long dealt with fuel prices that are higher than what our American friends face to the south. What's interesting now is how much a tough economy and high gas prices are driving American consumers to put fuel economy at the top of their new vehicle shopping list, notes Consumer Reports based on a new survey of potential buyers.
To save at the pump, consumers will accept compromises in purchase price, amenities, and even the size of the vehicle. What's non-negotiable? Safety.
American consumer tastes and trends matter because most of the new vehicles sold in Canada reflect first and foremost the wants and needs of buyers from Buffalo to Bakersfield. If Americans want more fuel efficient vehicles, Canadians will get more of them, too.
And Americans are saying they want small cars (18 per cent) for their next purchase -- or small SUVs (12 per cent), sedans (21 per cent) and midsize SUVs (16 per cent). With Americans clearly pushing for more choice in these four segments, Canadians are sure to benefit from Americans demanding more fuel efficient vehicle choices.
Still, buyers looking for fuel-thrifty rides have plenty of options right now. To help narrow your choices, we turned to a list of 2011 fuel economy winners according to vehicle type. We tapped CR's list of six recommended vehicles for fuel economy, quoting base model prices and with fuel economy expressed in litres/100 km.
- Subcompact car: Honda Fit, $14,480 (7.1 city/5.7 hwy)
- Small wagon/hatchback: Volkswagen Golf TDI (diesel, manual) four-door hatchback, $25,275 (6.7 city/4.6 hwy)
- Small sedan: Hyundai Elantra, $15,849 (6.8 city/4.9 hwy)
- Family car: Toyota Prius (Hybrid), $27,800 (3.7 city/4.0 highway)
- Best upscale/sports sedan: Lexus HS 250h (hybrid), $40,850 (5.6 city/5.9 hwy)
- Small SUV: Ford Escape Hybrid, $38,399 (5.8 city/6.5 hwy)
