Toyota dominates gas mileage ranks

WASHINGTON -- The hybrid-electric Toyota Prius leads the US government's annual top 10 fuel economy list of vehicles that can make living with high gas prices a little more tolerable.

The 2007 Prius ranked first while the Honda Civic Hybrid was second the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy said yesterday.

Toyota, with five, and Honda, with two, make seven of the vehicles listed in the top 10. The new Toyota Camry Hybrid made its debut at number three.

Ford Motor Co. had the most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle, the Escape Hybrid front-wheel drive, which was fourth. The four-wheel drive version of the Escape Hybrid, along with the Mercury Mariner Hybrid four-wheel drive, were tied for 10th.

Six gas-only vehicles made the top 10: manual and automatic versions of the Toyota Yaris, the manual version of the Honda Fit, the manual Toyota Corolla, and manual versions of the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

The government compiles the list based on information from manufacturers. Fuel economy estimates are determined by averaging numbers from a specific set of tests.

Luxury cars were among the least fuel-efficient in the survey. The Lamborghini Murcielago topped the list of worst performers with 9 miles per gallon city and 14 highway.