20 Luxury Cars With the Best Gas Mileage

Thanks to the drop in gas prices over the past several years, it’s a lot less painful at the pump. In fact, Americans are expected to spend $20 billion less on gas this year than in 2015 as a result of lower prices, according to projections by GasBuddy, a source of real-time gas prices.

But that doesn’t mean it’s cheap to fill up your car, especially if you have a gas-guzzler. That’s why fuel economy is still an important factor to consider when buying a car — especially a luxury car that might require pricier, higher-grade gasoline.

The average fuel economy of new vehicles sold this year is 25.3 mpg, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. If you’re in the market for a luxury car that’s not also a hybrid, GOBankingRates found 20 that get good gas mileage, and 16 of them get more miles per gallon than the average — which translates to savings at the pump that can help offset the higher cost of a premium vehicle.

The cars on this list are among the best-selling luxury vehicles, according to consumer ratings and research company J.D. Power and car-buying resource Car.com. If you want to save money on a luxury car, click through to find out which ones get the best gas mileage.

• City MPG: 21
• Highway MPG: 31
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 24
• Starting MSRP: $35,010

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has a sleek design but is built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion and costs more, according to Car and Driver. It has a 245-horsepower, turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a Lincoln MKZ hybrid that gets 38 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway and starts at $35,010.

• City MPG: 21
• Highway MPG: 31
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 24
• Starting MSRP: $38,100

Considered an entry-level luxury sedan, the Lexus ES 350 prioritizes comfort, according to Edmunds.com. Even with a 268-horsepower V6 engine, Edmunds.com reported that it offers a quiet ride.

Features such as HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an app to remotely start your car are standard. There’s also an ES hybrid with a combined 40 mpg, starting at $41,020.

• City MPG: 20
• Highway MPG: 30
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 24
• Starting MSRP: $68,300

The 2016 Audi A7 combines “style, function, technology and individualism,” according to Kelley Blue Book. However, it comes with a hefty price tag — the highest on this list. But you get a 333-horsepower, six-cylinder engine, an infrared camera for night-vision assistance, a corner view camera to help when parking or pulling out into traffic, LED headlights, navigation with voice control and numerous other features.

At publishing time, pricing info for the 2017 Audi A7 was available and is different than the 2016 model. The MPG, however, was not available.

• City MPG: 21
• Highway MPG: 31
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 25
• Starting MSRP: $45,560

This mid-sized sedan offers performance and luxury, according to Edmunds.com, but its fuel economy isn’t as impressive. However, it does have start/stop technology to automatically turn off the engine when the car comes to a stop. And, it comes with the Cadillac CUE Infotainment System, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, OnStar with 4G data connectivity and wireless phone charging.

• City MPG: 22
• Highway MPG: 32
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 26
• Starting MSRP: $33,215

Edmunds.com called the Cadillac ATS “America’s best answer yet to the BMW 3 Series.” It has a fuel-efficient 2.5-liter engine with 202 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Bluetooth connectivity, a free three-month subscription to Sirius XM Satellite Radio and OnStar with 4G LTE come standard.

• City MPG: 22
• Highway MPG: 32
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 26
• Starting MSRP: $39,995

The fuel economy on the Lexus RC is improved on the 2016 model, according to Edmunds.com. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, an app to remotely start your car, Siri Eyes Free that connects with an iPhone to access email, music and more. It comes with Smart Stop technology, which reduces engine power when the brake and accelerator are pushed at the same time. It has a 241-horsepower engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

• City MPG: 23
• Highway MPG: 31
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 26
• Starting MSRP: $33,950

The Infiniti Q50 has a 208-horsepower turbo engine and offers five driving modes: standard, sport, snow, eco and personal. You have to pay extra for packages to get some of the features that come standard on other cars on this list — such as navigation, collision warning and blind-spot warning. Q50 hybrid models are available, starting at $47,050.

• City MPG: 22
• Highway MPG: 32
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 26
• Starting MSRP: $40,500

Quattro all-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission come standard on the 2016 Audi A5 Coupe. And, the turbocharged, 220-horsepower four-cylinder engine gets respectable gas mileage. Although Bluetooth phone connectivity is a standard feature, Bluetooth audio is an optional feature.

At publishing time, pricing info for the 2017 Audi A5 Coupe was available and is different than 2016. But, the MPG was not available.

• City MPG: 22
• Highway MPG: 33
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 26
• Starting MSRP: $37,325

With a 241-horsepower turbocharged engine, the Lexus IS 200t gets respectable gas mileage. But Car and Driver reported that its performance falls short, ranking it below the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class — all of which are more fuel-efficient. However, its fuel efficiency has improved slightly in this model year from previous model years, according to Car and Driver.

• City MPG: 23
• Highway MPG: 33
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 27
• Starting MSRP: $30,900

The Audi A3 isn’t as luxurious as the A4, according to Autoweek. But the starting MSRP is several thousand dollars lower. It’s slightly less fuel-efficient, but the safety features are top-notch — it’s a 2016 “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes with a side-assist system to warn you when a car is in your blind spot and lane assistance to detect if you’re drifting out of your lane.

• City MPG: 23
• Highway MPG: 34
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 27
• Starting MSRP: $50,200

The emphasis on this BMW is luxury rather than sport, according to Edmunds.com. It’s roomy and has numerous high-tech features, such as an iDrive touchpad controller, navigation system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and blind-spot detection. There’s also a stop-start function that automatically turns off the engine when the car comes to a stop to save fuel.

• City MPG: 23
• Highway MPG: 35
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 27
• Starting MSRP: $32,850

U.S. News & World Report ranked the BMW 228i as one of the top luxury small cars for its powerful engine, respectable fuel economy, good handling and quality interior. It blends luxury and performance, according to Edmunds.com. But what this coupe doesn’t offer is much room in the backseat.

• City MPG: 23
• Highway MPG: 35
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 27
• Starting MSRP: $38,350

With a 240-horsepower turbocharged engine, this fuel-efficient BMW is powerful and smooth-running, according to Edmunds.com. It comes equipped with LED fog lights, power front seats with driver seat-position memory, Bluetooth connection for phone and audio, and the iDrive display system to control entertainment, information, communication and navigation functions.

• City MPG: 25
• Highway MPG: 33
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 28
• Starting MSRP: $37,300

The newest A4 is packed with driver-assistance features, such as a collision-alert system, sensors that alert you when a car is in your blind spot, lane assistance to help you stay on course and traffic jam assistance. It’s more powerful than previous models and has “enough technology to run a home office,” according to Autoweek. Plus, it’s a 2016 “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS.

• City MPG: 24
• Highway MPG: 35
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 28
• Starting MSRP: $31,695

The TLX is pricier than the other Acura on the list, and it’s slightly less fuel-efficient. But Edmunds.com touted its roomy interior, luxury features and sporty handling, and claimed that it has one of the best stereo systems. It’s also priced better than its European rivals, according to Edmunds.com.

• City MPG: 24
• Highway MPG: 35
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 28
• Starting MSRP: $46,200

A favorite of Car and Driver magazine, the Audi A6 has a 252-horsepower four-cylinder engine that gets good gas mileage. Plus, it has a roomy, upscale interior and cutting-edge entertainment and safety technology, according to Edmunds.com. The IIHS named the Audi A6 a 2016 “Top Safety Pick.”

• City MPG: 25
• Highway MPG: 34
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 28
• Starting MSRP: $38,950

Called “one of the best small luxury sedans you can buy” by Edmunds.com, the Mercedes C-Class Sedan has a 241-horsepower, turbo engine that automatically shuts off when the car is idling to save gas. A collision-alert system comes standard on C-Class sedans.

The car’s fuel efficiency helps compensate for its premium gas requirement. There’s also a plug-in hybrid model that has a starting MSRP of $45,490.

• City MPG: 24
• Highway MPG: 36
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 28
• Starting MSRP: $33,150

With a 180-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, the BMW 320i can go from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds. You can go farther on every gallon of gas thanks to the car’s fuel efficiency.

The 2016 model — along with all 3 Series BMWs — got an exterior facelift, interior updates and upgrades under the hood — including chassis improvements, according to Car and Driver magazine.

• City MPG: 25
• Highway MPG: 35
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 29
• Starting MSRP: $27,990

Along with fuel efficiency, the Acura ILX offers value at a more affordable price than other luxury cars on this list. And, it has the industry’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for fast, yet smooth shifting. It also comes with a keyless access, a touch-screen display for audio, climate and navigation, and lane-keeping assistance that keeps the car centered in a detected lane.

• City MPG: 26
• Highway MPG: 38
• Combined City/Highway MPG: 30
• Starting MSRP: $32,050

You don’t have to sacrifice power to get great fuel economy with the Mercedes CLA, according to reviews by Edmunds.com and U.S. News & World Report. It has a 208-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that automatically shuts off at stoplights or while idling to save gas and reduce emissions.

The Mercedes CLA also comes equipped with a hands-free Bluetooth interface to make phone calls and Bluetooth audio streaming. Although it seats five passengers, Edmunds.com reviewers claimed that the rear seat is cramped.

Methodology: GOBankingRates surveyed the best-selling luxury vehicles based on data from consumer ratings and research company J.D. Power and Associates, car-buying resource Car.com and luxury car brand websites. Miles per gallon (mpg) and manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) figures were sourced from car manufacturer’s websites and/or FuelEconomy.gov.