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Mini

The EPA recently released its list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles for 2010. Hybrid cars dominated the list, accounting for nine out of ten of the top slots. That's no surprise of course – fuel efficiency is the major draw of hybrid technology. However, what if you don't want a hybrid?

Not everyone who wants to save at the gas pump adores the look and feel of a hybrid. Add in the premium price tag that typically comes with going green, and it's easy to see why some people would shy away from the technology. Luckily, there are plenty of non-hybrid cars that are nearly as fuel-efficient as their hybrid brethren. The most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars for 2010 are listed below:

2010 Smart fortwo (36 mpg combined) - Okay, chances are if you aren't interested in a hybrid, you may not be interested in the 2010 Smart fortwo. With a diminutive 3-cylinder engine, this quirky little 2-seater isn't for everyone. However, if you're looking for a zippy urban commuter that earns 33 mpg in the city, then this may be the car for you. Just don't expect to take it out on the highway for too long. 2009 model pictured.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (34 mpg combined) - The 2010 VW Jetta is one of the better non-hybrid options for those looking for a little extra room. Though it is considered a compact car, the Jetta still offers more room than most vehicles on this list. The Jetta's diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission musters 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI (34 mpg combined) - The 2010 VW Golf shares the same diesel engine as the Jetta. As such, they post identical fuel ratings. The 2010 Golf hatchback is one of the sportiest and fun to drive non-hybrid gas sippers for the year.

2010 Audi A3 (34 mpg combined) - Outfitted with the same diesel technology as the VW TDIs, the 2010 Audi A3 is the most fuel-efficient upscale non-hybrid for 2010. If you want a premium fit and finish, and don't mind an MSRP that starts around $27,000, then the Audi A3 should be on your short list.

2010 MINI Cooper (32 mpg combined) - The MINI Cooper gives the VW Golf a run for its money in terms of sporty appeal. Nimble, stylish and fairly affordable, the MINI Cooper is a good choice for the eco-friendly driver that wants an extra helping of visual appeal. The 2010 MINI earns 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. For a little more cargo room, check out the 2010 MINI Clubman (31 mpg combined).

2010 Toyota Yaris (32 mpg combined) - The compact 2010 Toyota Yaris is the non-hybrid to beat when it comes to value. With a base MSRP below $13,000, only a handful of vehicles can be had for less coin. Throw in good safety ratings, room for four and a peppy engine and the Yaris is an all-around good value. The 2010 Yaris with manual transmission earns 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

2010 Honda Fit (31 mpg combined) - For those who need a little extra cargo space, the 2010 Honda Fit is a good alternative to the MINI Cooper. The 2010 Fit offers nearly twice as much cargo space, along with a similar sport-inspired appeal. Better yet, the Honda Fit can be had for much cheaper (base MSRP $15,000). The 2010 Honda Fit earns 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

2010 Kia Rio (31 mpg combined) - The 2010 Kia Rio is a vehicle that's all about economy. Beyond the stellar 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway (manual transmission), the 2010 Rio also comes with a base MSRP of about $11,500. If you like the idea of bolstered safety features and don't mind driving around without a lot of bells and whistles, then the Rio is worth a look. 2009 model pictured.

2010 Hyundai Accent Blue (31 mpg combined) - The special edition 2010 Hyundai Accent Blue features a unique 5-speed manual gearbox that improves fuel efficiency on the highway. With an economical MSRP of about $10,000, this little hatchback competes ably against the Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris. Fuel efficiency is 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

2010 Chevrolet Aveo (30 mpg combined) - The Chevrolet Aveo combines 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with an introductory MSRP of $11,965 to deliver one of the best values available today in the small car market. The Aveo is available as either a sedan or hatchback.

Other Non-Hybrids That Feature Great Fuel Economy

Rounding out the list of most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars for 2010 are a handful of vehicles that offer excellent fuel economy. All of these vehicles fall into the compact vehicle segment. They include:

• 2010 Suzuki Swift X (27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway)
• 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE Coupe (25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway)
• 2010 Hyundai Accent (28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway)
• 2010 Nissan Versa (28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway)
• 2010 Toyota Corolla (26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway)
• 2010 Ford Focus (24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway)

As regular readers of this column may know, I've got a bit of a "thing" about weight. Of course, I'm not talking about my ever-expanding waistline here: I'm referring to the way so many of today's OEM's keep ratcheting up the curb weights of so many of their new vehicles.

A few random examples: In the mid 1980s, when the BMW 3 Series began selling sedans, the heaviest car it offered just topped 3,000 lbs. Today, a BMW 335i xDrive sedan crests the 3,800-lb. mark. The Audi 80 of the late 1980s, the predecessor of the modern A4 line, started under 2,600 lbs. A current A4 sedan begins at more than 3,500 lbs. The Honda Civic, making for an even starker contrast, first came to our shores weighing in at just about 1,500 lbs. A 2010 Civic coupe has packed on more than half a ton compared to that, now topping out around 2,600 lbs. The Toyota Corolla also began life in the 1,500-lb. range; a 2010 version, however, is up past 2,800 lbs.

Okay, truth be told, those cars weren't exactly chosen at random. Although each of the OEMs mentioned has had their problems with the poundage, all four also stand out for their recent moves to develop exciting new models that go back to the old-school lightweight, high-fun approach.

BMW, for example, has apparently given the green light to what's currently being called the "0 Series." It would be a range of vehicles built off the same platform as the MINI (owned by BMW) and include a three-door hatchback, a five-door hatchback and a roadster. The Bavarians tried going smaller with the current 1 Series, but the result hasn't really caught on in the U.S., perhaps because it competes too closely with the 3 Series coupes. And the fact that the 1 Series Bimmers only offer six-cylinder engines is the kind of subtle evidence that shows BMW engineers weren't as aggressive with the down-sizing as they could have been. Theoretically, the 0 Series will offer BMW's new three- and four-cylinder powerplants.

Of course, there will undoubtedly be some push-back from U.S. consumers, who haven't been able to wrap their wallets around the idea of a premium hatchback yet. But recall, too, that even Lexus IS toying with a hatch (see the LF-Ch concept shown in Frankfurt), so the timing may be right; and certainly a small BMW roadster wouldn't be carrying the hatchback stigma.

But it might be competing against new coupes from Toyota/Subaru and Honda. With Toyota now owning a significant stake in Subaru, some kind of co-vehicle from the two has long been anticipated, and it's now finally here in the form of the Toyota FT-86 concept (pictured right), which is set to debut at the Tokyo Auto Show later in October. The concept is 164 inches long, putting it between a Toyota Yaris and a Corolla; it will feature a naturally aspirated version of Subaru's traditional four-cylinder boxer engine; and the price target will be about $25,000.

Although it's still a ways out from production, this looks like the FT-86 could be something of a modern Honda CR-X. Well, except for the fact that Honda has its own version of a modern CR-X in the works: The Honda CR-Z. First shown in 2008 at the Detroit auto show, the production version is debuting in Tokyo and will come to the U.S. late next year. I'll let Honda explain the idea behind the CR-Z: "Futuristic styling. Hybrid power. Advanced interior design. And it's all wrapped up in a lightweight, fun-to-drive package."

The CR-Z is my idea of a Honda hybrid, and I imagine a fair number of customers will be thinking the same thing.

Now, looking back at the four OEM's I mentioned originally, we've got an obvious case of "one of these things is not like the others." And that's Audi. Yes, Audi is still doing some work in the premium hatch segment with the A3 and A3 TDI. But what I want to highlight today is the company's A5 Aluminum Prototype (catchy name, huh?). With this car, Audi has essentially built an A5 using the same kind of aluminum space frame technology used to save weight in its big A8 sedan. In this prototype, the net result is a weight drop of some 220-240 pounds as compared to the standard A5. This brings the curb weight down to under 2,900 lbs. — not much more than today's Toyota Corolla. It also will mean Audi can use a smaller engine to deliver high performance and improved fuel efficiency when the next-gen A5 rolls out.

Here's to hoping this kind of news will weigh heavy on the corporate heads of more automakers and convince them to take the same approach in the future.