I drive about 35k highway miles a year for work and it's time to buy a new car. My company pays mileage so it's in my best interest to get the most fuel efficient car. Considering how much time I spend driving, I'm also willing to sacrifice a bit for additional comfort. Hoping to get 200k trouble free miles. Lastly, I need a hatchback for easy loading of my work equipment.

So the criteria is:

Reliability
Good fuel efficiency
Hatchback with space equivalent to a compact suv

So far I'm liking the VW Jetta sportwagen for fuel efficiency, but reliability is questionable. I like the new Honda crv for comfort and reliability, but is not as fuel efficient. Any other recommendations?

Thanks!
Ben

Suzuki SV650 55mpg

For highway cruising you want TDI all day long

You might also check out a Mazda cx5 with sky active.

Originally Posted by DenverJayhawk

For highway cruising you want TDI all day long

can't do 1st gear wheelies in one though ...

Originally Posted by logan5

can't do 1st gear wheelies in one though ...

Haven't kept up with crotch rockets since college. Bit back in the day I was hooked on a gsxr or zx7. Never really like CBRs for some reason

Toyota Prius V

40-44mpg
Reliability can't be beat
67.3 cu ft of cargo space

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.shtml

Originally Posted by Pipemajor

Toyota Prius V

40-44mpg
Reliability can't be beat
67.3 cu ft of cargo space

I was considering the prius, but the VW TDI rides nicer and gets 42mpg highway and is much more fun to drive. The TDI also annihilates the prius in acceleration. After driving both, I pretty much ruled out the prius. I spent a few hours in the TDI forums and a lot of guys getting closer to 50 mpg highway.. I do know the prius has rock solid reliability so maybe I should put it back on my list. Thanks!

Originally Posted by DenverJayhawk

You might also check out a Mazda cx5 with sky active.

Yes! the CX5 is awesome for a compact suv at 35mpg. I just don't trust them like I do the Honda's. It's also very new so there are no long term reliability reports.

Originally Posted by TheTick

I was considering the prius, but the VW TDI rides nicer and gets 42mpg highway and is much more fun to drive. The TDI also annihilates the prius in acceleration. After driving both, I pretty much ruled out the prius. I spent a few hours in the TDI forums and a lot of guys getting closer to 50 mpg highway.. I do know the prius has rock solid reliability so maybe I should put it back on my list. Thanks!

A hybrid doesn't really give you much of an advantage as a highway cruiser. The Atkinson cycle engine is a 'bit' more efficient at the expense of power but the electric assist is supposed to more than make up for it. They do excel in city driving or stop/go situations.

Our Camry Hybrid has better acceleration than the std 4 cyl but it is by no means 'snappy'. When I drive it, I opt for smoothness rather than neck-snapping starts.

Ford Escape, my wife is on her second one and we love it.

Originally Posted by logan5

Suzuki SV650 55mpg

Shoot, before I even opened the thread I planned on the Honda xr650r, 45 mpg, with or without a road.

Originally Posted by Craig Downer

Shoot, before I even opened the thread I planned on the Honda xr650r, 45 mpg, with or without a road.

man ... if you're going to dual sport it, pay the extra bones and get a BMW

Bought a 2012 Golf TDI for my son to take to college. Brilliant car. Fun to drive. Handsome styling. Very solidly-built. Loads of torque just off idle. 47mpg on the highway. If you need something a little bigger, just get the Jetta TDI wagon. My Mom has one and it's just as brilliant as the Golf. Need something bigger yet? Get the Passat TDI which, believe it or not, gets even better fuel economy than the Golf.

Couldn't even get him to test drive the Prius and I don't blame him. I used to rent them all the time at the Dulles Airport Hertz on business trips because they were subsidized and you could rent them for $27/day. Awful to look at. Nasty to drive, with poor handling bordering on outright dangerous. You could use the erosion on a stone to measure 0-60 times. Disgraceful interior. Then of course, there's the message the car sends about you. No thanks.

Originally Posted by TheTick

I was considering the prius, but the VW TDI rides nicer and gets 42mpg highway and is much more fun to drive. The TDI also annihilates the prius in acceleration. After driving both, I pretty much ruled out the prius. I spent a few hours in the TDI forums and a lot of guys getting closer to 50 mpg highway.. I do know the prius has rock solid reliability so maybe I should put it back on my list. Thanks!