These Toyotas will keep your running costs low
Rising gas prices are forcing many Americans to consider more efficient vehicle choices in 2026, and Toyota is one of the key automakers known for its variety of fuel-sipping models. Although Honda was recently named by the EPA as having the most fuel-efficient lineup in America, Toyota has many more large trucks and SUVs that bring down its average, but its compact models tend to match or surpass Honda equivalents for efficiency. Here are the most efficient Toyotas you can buy new in 2026, based on the type of powertrain.
Most Efficient Gas-Powered Model: Toyota Corolla
2026 Toyota CorollaToyota
(Toyota)
The standard Toyota Corolla is the most efficient non-hybrid vehicle produced by the automaker. It’s not the most exciting vehicle to drive, with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing just 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft, but the CVT and front-wheel-drive system help boost efficiency, with up to 35 mpg combined, just behind the non-hybrid Civic’s 36 mpg.
The EPA puts annual fuel costs at $1,250, based on covering 15,000 miles annually with a mix of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving. Of course, specific fuel costs in your state will also affect your annual fuel costs.
With bigger wheels, even the sportier Corolla Hatchback XSE still gets up to 33 mpg combined.
Most Efficient Hybrid Model: Toyota Prius
2026 Toyota PriusToyota
(Toyota)
The Prius has been Toyota’s economy champion for decades, and even though the new model has undergone a dramatic redesign and gained more power, it remains exceptionally efficient. The standard FWD model achieves up to 57 mpg combined, making it the most efficient conventional hybrid in the country. Honda’s closest hybrid in terms of efficiency is the Civic, which gets up to 49 mpg.
With FWD, the Prius has an outstanding range of 644 miles, and it doesn’t really matter whether you’re in the city or on the highway. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor produce 194 hp combined, so it’s also much quicker than the previous Prius. With AWD, the output rises to 196 hp and efficiency drops slightly to 54 mpg combined.
If you need a hybrid with more passenger space, consider the new Camry, which gets up to 51 mpg combined. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is also worth a look, as it gets up to 42 mpg combined and has standard AWD.
Most Efficient Plug-In Hybrid Model: Toyota Prius PHEV
2026 Toyota Prius PHEVToyota
(Toyota)
Like the standard Prius, the more powerful Prius plug-in hybrid is also highly efficient. In SE guise, it gets up to 127 MPGe combined, despite producing a solid 220 hp. This Prius can be driven at speeds of up to 84 mph on electric power alone, and for distances of up to 45 miles.
We found the Prius PHEV to be surprisingly enjoyable to drive, thanks to a mid-six-second sprint time from 0 to 60 mph. It also feels a lot nimbler than older Prius generations, and the overall look is of a more premium hatchback than before. When we lived with a Prius PHEV recently, replenishing the battery to 80% with a Level 2 charger took roughly two hours. If your commute isn’t a long one and you have home charging, the Prius PHEV can be treated much like an EV, but there’s always the extra punch and range from the four-pot when you need it.
Related: Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Cars That Deliver Over 50 MPG in 2026
Most Efficient EV: Toyota bZ
2026 Toyota bZToyota
(Toyota)
EPA ratings for the new C-HR and bZ Woodland EVs have yet to be published, so the bZ is the most efficient Toyota EV by default. In its optimal guise, it gets up to 131 MPGe combined, which isn’t too far off the 138 MPGe rating of the Tesla Model Y.
The bZ has a much better range now than when the original bZ4X was launched, at up to 314 miles. It’s also more powerful, with between 168 and 338 hp, depending on the variant. The FWD Plus with the highest efficiency rating produces 221 hp. Overall, this is a much more polished EV in 2026 than it was when launched.
Related: These Are the Most Efficient Electric Cars on Sale Today
Special Mention: Toyota Mirai
2026 Toyota MiraiToyota
(Toyota)
Toyota only has one hydrogen fuel-cell model on sale, and that’s the Mirai sedan. Available primarily in California, it has an EPA rating of 76/71/74 MPGe city/highway/combined, so is also one of the more efficient new Toyotas you can buy. Producing just 182 hp from its single electric motor, acceleration is slow, but it does have a 402-mile range, and filling the tanks with compressed hydrogen gas takes as little time as filling a normal car with gas. The issue lies in the limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure, which is why owning a Mirai isn’t a possibility for the majority of Americans.
Final Thoughts
2025 Toyota PriusToyota
(Toyota)
From non-hybrids to EVs, Toyota’s lineup has plenty of options for anyone looking to keep fuel and/or charging costs low. The standard hybrids represent the sweet spot, as they lack the complexity of plug-ins but are typically more potent than non-hybrid Toyotas. Buyers in the U.S. have noticed, as electrified Toyota and Lexus models nearly surpassed non-electrified models in sales in 2025. With a fresh EV lineup and some model lines switching over to hybrids exclusively—including the RAV4 and Camry—sales of these efficient Toyotas are expected to continue increasing.
This story was originally published by Autoblog on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
