Comparing MPG When Buying a Car

While you want any car you're interested in potentially owning to run great and have all the features you desire, it's also important to consider fuel economy when comparing vehicles. A car's MPG or miles per gallon can give you an accurate idea of how much you'll spend keeping your car in working order each month. And this can weigh heavily on what car you actually decide to purchase. 

So, how do you go about finding this information? There are actually a number of ways you can find out the MPG for cars you're interested in. The obvious place to start is the sticker in the window of the car. This only applies if you're at a car dealer's, but still, it's a valid way to find out the MPG info at just a glance. Fuel economy should be listed under the EPA part of the sticker, which includes mileage info for city, highway, and a combined average. Just for your reference, the number listed under combined is likely to be more accurate than highway, since the highway number is based off of perfect driving conditions. 

Another reliable place you can find MPG information is on FuelEconomy.gov. This site is run by the U.S. Department of Energy and allows you to look up the MPG for specific makes and models of cars and compare the numbers to other vehicles. The listings date back to 1984, so it's useful even if you're purchasing a used car. And not to worry, the MPGs for older cars have been recalculated to reflect the newer EPA standards. You can even customize the search for how much you drive. Input how many miles you drive per year, average cost of fuel in your neighborhood, and where you drive (highway or city) and you can get a good estimate for how many miles per gallon you'll receive for a particular vehicle. 

While you can get fuel economy information on each car manufacturer's website, don't let it be the sole determining factor in your decision. Manufacturers tend to exaggerate fuel efficiency claims, so take any numbers you see in these places with a grain of salt. 

Some car review sites also include MPG information. Your best bet is to collect the data from a variety of different sources and compare it all. The average of all of these numbers is likely the more accurate number. Take the time to do the research and compare fuel economy before purchasing a vehicle. You'll thank yourself when you see all the money you save on gas at the end of each month.