Perhaps one of the biggest feathers in the cap of Honda’s reputation is that they make reliable vehicles that are built to last. That makes it easy to get a great value at your local used Honda dealer without worrying about getting stuck with a lemon that will fall apart a few miles down the road. It also means that you can widen your search to include older models and save even more money. On top of a lower price tag, older models have benefits like retro styling and options that are no longer available in the current lineup, including discontinued models and features like a CD player or manual transmission.
Since vehicles have been getting more and more fuel efficient in recent years, it might feel like you’re lowering your short-term costs only to counteract that with higher fuel costs down the road. Luckily, there are plenty of Honda models that get great mileage and have done so for a good, long while. Today, we’re going to take a look at six older Honda models that are still considered highly efficient by today’s standards. Though they were produced years ago, they all do better than the average 2023 vehicle, which gets 28 MPG according to the EPA.
2015 Honda Fit
One big advantage of buying a used car is that you have the chance to buy discontinued models that are gone, but not forgotten by those who love them. The Honda Fit is a great example. This hatchback has the same large, open cargo area of an SUV, but the low center of gravity and fuel efficiency of a car. You can go all the way back to the 2007 Fit, its first model year, and still get a solid 30 MPG in combined city/highway driving. But the 2015 model, which kicked off a new generation of the Fit, does even better, with a rating of 36 MPG. That’s exactly the same as the 2020 Fit, the last version before the nameplate was discontinued. Standard features on the 2015 model include automatic headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port.
2011 Honda CR-Z
The short-lived CR-Z was a unique concept at the time, combining sporty driving dynamics with an efficient hybrid powertrain. The CR-Z ran from 2011 to 2016. Whether you get the earliest or the latest version, you’ll be looking at a combined mileage rating of 36 MPG, according to the EPA. If you’re looking for a versatile, practical model, then you might want to stick to other options on the list. Like the classic Honda CRX that inspired it, the CR-Z only seats two people. If you’re a driving enthusiast, you might enjoy its spunky styling and tight handling, also inspired by the classic CRX. It’s available with an automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. While the manual brings its mileage down to 34 MPG, it gives you more precise control behind the wheel and is more fun for an enthusiast to drive.
2016 Honda HR-V
If the Fit is too small for your liking but you still want a fairly compact model, then the HR-V should be on your list. This model has stood the test of time and is still part of Honda’s lineup today. The HR-V first hit the market for the 2016 model year, so even the oldest model comes with an infotainment setup that still works well today. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wouldn’t be added until the 2019 model year, the 2016 version still has a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to hook your smartphone up to the vehicle’s system. With a rating of 31 MPG, the 2016 HR-V is actually more efficient than the 2023 HR-V, which has a more powerful engine but only gets 28 MPG. With over 400 miles of range, the HR-V lets you drive for quite a long time before you have to stop for gas.
2015 Honda CR-V
Larger than the HR-V, the CR-V is naturally not quite as fuel-efficient. But if you need that extra cargo space or back seat leg room, this compact crossover can get the job done without guzzling gas. The 2015 CR-V received a significant refresh and won the Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Award in the category of small SUVs, thanks to its quality and high resale value. It was also named the SUV of the Year by Motor Trend, beating out competitors like the Lexus NX and Chevy Suburban. Along with more modern design elements and tech features like a power liftgate, the new model year saw the introduction of an engine that’s both more powerful and more efficient than the one that came before. While the 2014 CR-V has a rating of 26 MPG, the 2015 model gets 29 MPG, which is only slightly lower than the 30 MPG that the non-hybrid 2023 CR-V gets.
2013 Honda Civic
No discussion of fuel-efficient Honda vehicles would be complete without mentioning the Civic. This compact sedan, also available as a hatchback or a coupe, depending on the model year, is known for being a reliable car that’s great for a daily commute, but also handles well enough to be loved by enthusiasts. The Civic has been around for decades and has long provided excellent fuel economy. You have to go all the way back to the 2000 Civic to find a model that dips below the EPA’s 2023 average of 28 MPG, coming in just short at 27 MPG. Even then, opting for a manual transmission gets that 2000 Civic up to a solid 30 MPG.
If you don’t want to drive a stick shift and aren’t willing to deal with turn-of-the-millenium style and technology, we understand. The 2013 Civic gets 32 MPG combined with an automatic transmission and gets 39 MPG on the highway. It comes standard with a color information display, a rear backup camera with guides, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. It also has a nicely tuned suspension for smooth driving and has a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the organization’s highest honor.
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
If you want even better mileage out of an older Civic, you can turn to the Hybrid version that was offered from the 2003 to 2015 model years. While the regular 2003 Civic gets 29 MPG, the hybrid from that year gets an impressive 41 MPG. By 2015, it was able to deliver 44 MPG combined. Unfortunately, the Civic Hybrid was discontinued after that and wasn’t available for quite some time. Honda has announced that the 2024 Civic will have a hybrid powertrain option, but it will take some time before anything newer than a 2015 Civic Hybrid is available as a used model.
When it comes to older models, the 2009 Civic Hybrid strikes a good balance between modern amenities and affordability. This refresh introduced a USB port for charging and playing audio from mobile devices, as well as electronic stability control for additional safety. The 2009 hybrid has an EPA combined rating of 42 MPG and can get up to 45 MPG on the highway. That gives it a range of over 500 miles, so even those with a fairly long commute won’t have to be too familiar with their local gas station.
