With hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric vehicles topping the fuel/energy efficiency charts, we prepare an inventory of the most productive fossil-fuel powered cars in response to the EPA’s combined rating for 2013 models. Not surprisingly, the list is constituted of equal parts gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Before scrolling right down to the lowest, are you able to guess the number-one most advantageous non-hybrid or electric 2013-model-year car by EPA-rated combined city/highway mileage

Here are the pinnacle EPA-rated non-hybrid vehicles available from lowest to highest (ties broken by the model with the best highway mileage, then city mileage):

10) Nissan Sentra FE+: 1.8-liter I-4, CVT, 34 mpg Combined, 30/39 mpg city/highway

New to the compact segment for the 2013 model year, the Sentra is obtainable in a fuel-economy enhancing package that gets combined mileage to 34 mpg. The auto might not peg 40 mpg highway, but its combined mileage is high for the segment.

9) Volkswagen Passat Dual-Clutch: 34 mpg Combined, 30/40 mpg city/highway

The Volkswagen Passat TDI is the sole midsize car to make the list of most fuel efficient cars. Combine that with a protracted range, roomy interior, large trunk, and sporty chassis and it’s no wonder it became the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

8) Fiat 500 manual: 34 mpg Combined, 31/40 mpg city/highway

While the Fiat 500’s 101-hp 1.4-liter I-4 engine might be short on power, when combined with the five-speed manual transmission the Italian darling returns a welcomed 34 mpg combined. Just don’t be surprised if the transmission ought to be shifted right into a lower gear or two to climb any hills.

5) Volkswagen Jetta TDI/Jetta Sportwagen TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Golf TDI, A3 TDI

For years now, Volkswagen has nearly owned the passenger car diesel market inside the U.S. – at the least among mainstream brands – with its 140-hp, 236 lb-ft of torque turbo diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The compact Jetta sedan with manual or dual-clutch transmission and Jetta Sportwagen wagon with the manual are rated 34 mpg combined. If you would like the Jetta Sportwagen with the twin-clutch, combined mileage slips to 33 mpg.

5) Volkswagen Golf TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Jetta TDI, A3 TDI

The Volkswagen Golf TDI offers 34 mpg combined in a hot hatch bodystyle with two or four doors no matter transmission. Now if only Volkswagen would bring the more powerful European-market Golf GTD (168 hp, 258 lb-ft) to the states.

5) Audi A3 TDI: 34 mpg Combined, 30/42 mpg city/highway – Tie with Golf TDI, Jetta TDI

If you wish something just a little more luxurious than the Volkswagen Golf, you could step as much as the redesigned 2013 Audi A3 TDI with dual-clutch transmission and be rewarded with an analogous 34 mpg combined fuel economy.

4) Nissan Versa sedan CVT 35 mpg Combined, 31/40 mpg city/highway

One of the lowest priced cars inside the U.S. is likewise probably the most fuel efficient. The subcompact 2013 Nissan Versa sedan, with its 109-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder, is third on our list. It also offers more rear-seat leg room than many larger vehicles.

3) Volkswagen Passat manual: 35 mpg Combined, 31/43 mpg city/highway

A midsize family sedan with a six-speed manual transmission and 35 mpg combined What’s to not like After all more power is usually welcome, however the Passat manual supplies all of the control without the guilt.

2) Smart Fortwo coupe and cabriolet: 36 mpg Combined, 34/38 mpg city/highway

As its name suggests, the Smart Fortwo offers seating for just two people, and is the second one most fuel-efficient vehicle at the list with a 36-mpg combined rating. The Smart is the smallest car at the list but additionally the least powerful with a 70-hp I-3 engine and five-speed automated manual transmission.

1) Scion iQ: 37 mpg combined 36/37 mpg city/highway

Although the Scion iQ’s 3+1 seating is most comfortable for just two occupants, the automobile offers the very best combined rating of any non-hybrid 2013-model-year car within the U.S. Town car’s 37 mpg combined rating matches its highway rating due to a 36 mpg city rating.

Honorable Mentions

Chevrolet Spark manual: 34 mpg Combined, 32/38 mpg city/highway

Mazda3: 2.0-liter I-4, six-speed auto, 33 mpg Combined, 28/40 mpg city/highway

Chevrolet Sonic: turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4, six-speed manual, 33 mpg Combined, 29/40 mpg city/highway

Toyota Yaris: 1.5-liter I-4, five-speed manual, 33 mpg Combined, 30/37 mpg city/highway

Ford Fiesta dual-clutch auto, 5M, and SFE 1.6-liter I-4, 33 mpg Combined, 29/39-40 mpg city/highway

Source: EPA