Honda Ranked Most Gas Friendly Automaker In U.S.

The Environmental Protection Agency has ranked the nine automakers that sell full lineups in the U.S. according to fuel-efficiency.

Honda averaging 23.6 miles per gallon across its 2009 vehicles, closely trailed by Hyundai (23.4 mpg) and Toyota (23.2 mpg). The 2009 average across all vehicles sold is 21.1 mpg.

For the model year that’s just started, Honda launched the 2010 Honda Insight dedicated hybrid in February, which will be followed by the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid two-seat sports coupe and then by a future Honda Fit Hybrid as well.

Honda had a fleetwide 23.6 mpg fuel economy average in the 2009 model year. Hyundai had 23.4 mpg. Toyota Motor Corp., which was tied for first in 2007, slipped to third with 23.2 mpg.

Volkswagen AG was fourth at 22.3 mpg; while Nissan Motor Co. and BMW AG were tied for fifth at 21.6 mpg.

Detroit’s Big Three finished in the last three spots. Ford Motor Co. was in seventh with a 20.5 mpg; General Motors Co. was in eighth at 19.9 mpg; and Chrysler was last at 18.7 mpg. By José Moreno, Newsday