I imagine you have probably noticed the significant increase in the price of gasoline over the past few days. This event alone has led many buyers to reconsider their priorities for their next vehicle. Needless to say, many people have written to me asking for advice on the subject. That’s precisely why I decided to talk about today’s topic.
If there is something even better than a car that uses less fuel, it’s a car that doesn’t use any at all. Nevertheless, electric or electrified vehicles are not for everyone. For that reason, I excluded all models equipped with hybrid technology.
The Best-Selling Car of All Time
This isn’t a matter of opinion, but it turns out that the most fuel-efficient compact car at the pump is also one of the most popular cars of all time. It’s the legendary Toyota Corolla—a rather ordinary car, admittedly, but one that shines thanks to its balance and bulletproof reliability.
The Toyota Corolla posts an average combined fuel consumption of 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres according to Transport Canada data. This is also the same figure reported for the Honda Civic. I therefore had to take a closer look to break the tie. Both Japanese cars post an average consumption of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. However, it’s on the highway where the numbers differ, with 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the Honda Civic and 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres for the Corolla.
Other Options?
The Corolla is not only the most fuel-efficient compact car at the pump in 2026. It is also the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid vehicle overall. Despite that, it doesn’t even rank in the top 10—or even the top 30. As such, there are many options available if you are willing to consider hybrid vehicles.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
