Five Top Used High Mileage Cars To Help You Survive High Gas Prices

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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2004 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon GL

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Unless you don’t own a car, or happen to drive an all-electric car, the chances are you’ll have noticed that gas prices have risen dramatically over the past few days. 

But as growing uncertainly in the Middle East -- not to mention the knock-on effects of a large gasoline refinery fire in Washington state -- continue to hit car drivers in the wallet every time they fill up, here are five used cars we think will save you money at the pump.

1: 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid

EPA:   48  (city)  45  (highway) 46  (combined)

The most popular hybrid car ever sold in the U.S., the second generation Toyota Prius combines the practicality of a hatchback with extremely high gas mileage. 

If well looked after, the gas-sipping 5-seat hatchback should continue to give impressive gas mileage many years -- and hundreds of thousands of miles -- after it first rolled off the dealer lot. 

As a family car it may not have the same space as a traditional minivan, but it does provide more than adequate space for a small to medium-sized family to use it as a daily driver. 

Better still, the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius is well-supported by the aftermarket community, boasting everything from tow hitch attachments to plug-in hybrid conversion kits and improved handling packages to liven up what is otherwise a rather dull driving experience.

2: 2002-2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon (Manual)

EPA:  21 (city) 29 (highway)  24 (combined)

If you need the space of a small minivan or crossover SUV, but want to switch your current car for something a little more frugal, the 2002-2005 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon could be your answer. 

Powered by diesel rather than gasoline, the 2002-2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon will be better suited to areas of the U.S. known for high number of diesel-friendly gas stations, such as the Pacific Coast.

Admittedly, it doesn’t have quite as much space as a full-blown minivan -- and it only seats 5 passengers -- but this wagon variant will swallow a surprisingly large amount of cargo in its load area.

While the EPA rating only lists the Jetta TDI Wagon with a combined fuel economy of only 24 mpg, many owners report getting a much higher gas mileage in the real world. 

2000 Honda Insight

3: 2000-2006 Honda Insight (Manual)

EPA:  48  (city) 58 (highway) 52 (combined)

Most consumers assume the Toyota Prius was the first hybrid car to be sold in the U.S., but the quirky-shaped 2000-2006 Honda Insight beat it to market by the smallest of margins.

With an extremely aerodynamic design and aluminum body panels, the 2000-2006 Honda Insight is both lightweight and fuel efficient, offering fuel economy that the Prius has struggled to match for years.

The first car to use Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system, the original Insight combines a 67 horsepower 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine with a 10 kilowatt electric motor, giving it a performance nearer to a 1.5 liter engine car than a 1.0 liter car. Originally offered as a manual-only car, it later came with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) option. Easier to drive, the CVT transmission isn't quite as fuel efficient as the manual, but still returns an impressively high gas mileage. 

With seating for two, the Insight isn’t a family car. But if you’re looking for a quirky, fuel-efficient used car for your daily commute, the Honda Insight could be for you.