When it comes to the top fuel-efficient cars, a solid list is easy to create but a definitive one is not.  Based on a variety of web-sources (all cited) the following seem to rank in the top ten of current vehicles when it comes to fuel efficiency.

1.)    2011 Toyota Prius.  Most sources site this as the most fuel efficient car in the current economy.  Its average miles-per-gallon lists from 49-51, placing it as a solid frontrunner in the industry.  On average, people purchasing this model can expect to save between $200-300 per year on gas (at least).  Its average cost is somewhere around $22,350.

2.)    2011 Lexus CT. This compact luxury sedan averages around 41 miles per gallon, costing just under $30K new and using roughly $1,200 of gas in the average year.

3.)    2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid.  Although this model isn’t just a gas-powered vehicle, it still averages around 41 miles-per-gallon, placing it close to the Lexus CT.  Its annual fuel cost, however, is estimated around $1,371.  With an average fill-up cost of $57 it gets a bit pricey but it also ranks up roughly 600 miles per tank of gas.

4.)    2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid.  This model’s numbers mirror that of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, from the average cost to the average cost on fuel and the average miles per gallon.  For most practical purposes they can be considered almost the same vehicle, at least until new information surfaces after the two have been on the streets for longer.

5.)    2011 Honda Insight. Like the above three, this car also is believed to get an average of 41 miles-per-gallon.  Its average cost hovers around the $23,000 mark, making it virtually in the same price range as the previous cars.  The cost of gas annually is estimated around $1,200, as well.

6.)    2011 Chevy Volt.  This car tops the most-hyped list of recent cars released in the United States.  Well into 2010 ads for this vehicle hit the market, placing it as a forerunner at least when it came to anticipation.  The reality is that it places slightly lower than the above options, which weren’t fortunate enough to have the marketing prowess that the Volt did.  The Volt ranks it at roughly 37 miles-per-gallon, which is still extremely fuel efficient, all things considered.  The car’s average cost is in the low $40,000s which makes it rather pricey in today’s market.  It’s estimated to use up $1,500 worth of gas in a year.

7.)    2011 Lexus HS.  The compact luxury sedan sports a 35 mile-per-gallon highway performance, but also an estimated 34-mile-per-gallon city performance, which is uncanny for most cars.  It’s a little less expensive than the previous models, although it runs a little pricier when it comes to gas used over the course of a year.  However, it’s a practical option for those wanting something fuel efficient, and it prides itself on not sacrificing comfort, luxury, or usefulness.

8.)    2011 Honda CR-Z.  The ever-popular Honda brand always manages to find its way onto a top ten list, this year with the CR-Z.  It costs roughly $19,000 new and gets roughly 33.4 miles per gallon, still making it a highly viable option as a fuel-efficient vehicle.  It’s believed to use just under $1,600 per year on gasoline.

9.)    2011 Hyundai Elantra.  The compact sedan, which gets an average of 33 miles per gallon, comes at a more affordable price, usually clocking in around $15K.  Although its gas mileage is a little lower and its average use of gasoline is around $1,600, its lower price tag is a huge selling point for the popular brand.

10.) 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Similar to the Hyundai Elantra, but in hybrid form, the Camry Hybrid  averages 32.7 miles per gallon.  All across the board it’s virtually the same as the Elantra, the only key difference being that it costs substantially more, usually around $25K.