Hyundai Tucson

Although EPA gas-mileage ratings may or may not be achievable in real-world driving conditions, they're a good relative benchmark. They're also a very public encouragement to carmakers to make more fuel-efficient cars. Hyundai, whose new 2011 Elantra compact model is rated at 40 mpg highway for all sedan models (the Touring is a carryover from the previous generation), has now stepped up its challenge to other makers. Two months ago, the company began breaking out sales totals for every car it sold that got 40 mpg or better, starting with November sales figures. And it all but dared other...