The 2027 EPA ratings are now posted, and a handful of gasoline-only cars stand out for thrifty running. These models skip hybrid hardware yet still reach impressive combined mileage figures on the agency list. Here are ten of them, ranked from the best combined rating down to the last.
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1. Toyota Corolla: Best Of The Group
The Corolla tops the list of non-hybrid cars with a 2027 EPA combined rating of 35 mpg combined, the figure that earns it the lead spot in this gallery. That rating applies to the 1-mode transmission version, which is the specific configuration the data lists.
Because the rating belongs to one transmission configuration, buyers comparing trims should check which version a dealer actually has on the lot. For a driver who wants a conventional gasoline sedan with no hybrid system, this is the highest combined number on the 2027 list, and every other car here sits below it.
2. Volkswagen Jetta: Efficient Sedan Runner-Up
Volkswagen’s compact sedan lands one mpg behind the leader, with a combined rating of 34 mpg in the 2027 Jetta EPA listing. That puts the Jetta second overall among gas-only cars on this list.
The narrow gap to the Corolla means the choice between the two is unlikely to turn on fuel economy alone. Shoppers weighing the Jetta against its rivals can treat 34 mpg as a strong result for a car without any electrified assistance, and as a useful benchmark when pricing out a year of commuting.
3. Kia K4: Tied For Third
The Kia K4 earns 33 mpg combined according to its EPA mpg entry, a rating tied to the 4-door variant with the DMS designation. It shares that figure with the Nissan Sentra just below it.
The variant detail matters, since the number applies to the 4-door DMS configuration rather than to every K4 sold. Buyers cross-shopping compact sedans can read the rating as a direct match for the Sentra on efficiency, at least in this particular trim, and a useful point of comparison for similar compacts.
4. Nissan Sentra: Eco Mode Pays Off
Nissan’s compact sedan matches the K4 at 33 mpg combined, with the 2027 Sentra rating specifying the version that offers Normal and Eco driving modes. The pairing places the Sentra in a tie for third on the list.
The mode-specific wording shows that the rating reflects a particular drivetrain setup, so owners of other configurations may see different figures. For a commuter, a 33 mpg combined result in a gasoline-only sedan is a solid showing, and it comes without a hybrid premium on the sticker.
5. Hyundai Sonata: Midsize Contender
The Sonata arrives fifth on the list, rated at 31 mpg combined in its EPA combined listing. The number applies to the front-wheel-drive version equipped with stop-start technology.
Buyers who want a larger sedan than a Corolla or Jetta give up a few mpg against the leaders, yet 31 combined remains competitive. The stop-start qualifier signals that the rating is tied to a specific equipment choice, so buyers should confirm it on the exact car they are considering before comparing it with other sedans.
6. MINI Cooper: Small Car, Same Rating
The MINI Cooper reaches 31 mpg combined in the Cooper C 2-door form, according to its 2027 Cooper C entry. That ties it with the Hyundai Sonata in the middle of the ranking.
A two-door hatchback and a midsize sedan landing on the same figure shows how little body size alone decides these results. Anyone attracted to the Cooper for its character can note that the rating comes from the Cooper C 2-door only, so other MINI trims may report different combined numbers.
7. Kia K5: Stop-Start Helps
The Kia K5 posts 30 mpg combined, as shown in the K5 EPA listing. The rating is for the version equipped with stop-start, which pauses the engine at idle.
At 30 mpg the K5 sits just under the Sonata, and the two sedans finish close together on the list. Shoppers can treat this as a reminder to confirm the stop-start equipment before relying on the figure, since the rating names that feature specifically. Within this gallery, the K5 and the Sonata make the case that larger sedans can still deliver respectable mileage.
8. Subaru Impreza: Respectable Mid-Pack Mark
Subaru’s compact reaches 29 mpg combined in the 2027 Impreza rating, with no extra configuration noted in the row. It is the eighth car on the list.
The Impreza ranks below the seven cars above it, but a 29 mpg combined result is still respectable for a gas-only car. Buyers who care most about economy will find several alternatives ahead of it, while those weighing other priorities can use the number as a baseline for expected fuel costs over a typical year of driving.
9. Volkswagen Golf GTI: Performance Hatch Efficiency
The Golf GTI manages 28 mpg combined, according to its 2027 GTI EPA entry. That is the lowest figure of the ten and places the hot hatch in a tie with the Audi A3 for the last position.
A performance-oriented car appearing on an efficiency list at all is notable, and 28 mpg combined is a respectable result for the segment. Enthusiasts can take it as evidence that choosing a sporty gasoline hatchback does not require abandoning reasonable fuel economy, even if it trails the economy-focused sedans here.
10. Audi A3: Luxury Compact Closes Out
Audi’s entry-level model rounds out the gallery with 28 mpg combined in the quattro configuration, as listed in the Audi A3 quattro rating. It shares the final spot with the Golf GTI.
The quattro designation is the key qualifier, since the rating applies to that specific setup. Buyers who want a premium badge in a compact package can see that the price of entry into the luxury segment, at least for this version, is a few mpg compared with the leaders of the list.
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