Average New-Car Fuel Economy at Record High in U.S.

The average fuel economy of new passenger vehicles in the U.S. rose 0.1 mpg to a record-high 24.7 mpg in the 2016 model year, the most recent results available, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The average has been trending upward since 2005, after a 17-year slide that saw figure fall to about 19 mpg. EPA says 26% of 2017 model vehicles already meet or surpass 2020 fuel economy targets.

SUV/crossover vehicles, which achieved a record-high share of the U.S. passenger vehicle market in 2016, also posted record-high fuel economy, according to the agency.

Among carmakers, Mazda achieved the best sales-weighted fuel economy average for the 2016 model year: 29.6 mpg. Other top scorers were by Hyundai (28.8 mpg), Honda (28.2 mpg) and Subaru (28.1 mpg).

Companies with the worst averages in 2016 were Fiat Chrysler (21.5 mpg), General Motors (22.4 mpg), Ford (22.8 mpg) and Daimler (23.7 mpg). EPA points out that companies with sales dominated by big trucks or high-powered luxury vehicles scored lower than economy-car producers.​​​​​