The Toyota Prius hybrid leads the 2010 model cars in fuel efficiency with 51 miles per gallon on the highway and 48 mpg in city driving conditions, according to the latest federal government ratings for fuel efficiency.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy Thursday unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles.

The Prius is a full 10 mpg ahead of the two models that share second place – Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD and the Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD, which both get 41 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg in the city.

“Every year, consumers use the Fuel Economy Guide to find clean, efficient, cost-effective vehicles that meet their needs and their budgets,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “It’s an easy, accessible resource for everyone, and helps us cut harmful pollution from the air, and save money for American drivers.”

The most fuel efficient type of car is the two seater such as the Smart for two Cabriolet and the Mazda MX-5. The next most efficient type is the Mini compact Car such as the Mini Cooper manual. The least efficient is the traditional passenger van.

“Fuel economy is about both saving energy and saving money,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Buying fuel efficient vehicles – like the many hybrid technologies featured in this year’s Fuel Economy Guide – helps limit carbon pollution, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce driving costs for American families.”

Fuel-efficient models come in all types and sizes, so consumers can save thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s lifetime without sacrificing performance, say Jackson and Chu.

Model year 2010 fuel economy leaders include a wide range of hybrid models, from compact cars to sport-utility vehicles.

The most wasteful of fuel are the so-called luxury cars – the Lamborghini Murcielago with 11 mpg on the highway and eight mpg in the city, and the Bugatti, Bentley, and the Ferrari, which all do just a little better.

Each vehicle listing in the Fuel Economy Guide provides an estimated annual fuel cost. The estimate is calculated based on the vehicle’s miles per gallon (mpg) rating and national estimates for annual mileage and fuel prices.

Visit Toyota of Tampa Bay today to test drive the ultra fuel-efficient Toyota Prius.

Source: [Eco Factory]