Check Out These Fuel-Efficient Toyota Models!

If only vehicles were a one-time fee. The sad reality is that vehicles cost money, whether when you’re handed the keys for the first time at the dealership or up to several times a week when you need to fill up your gas tank. That’s without even mentioning monthly insurance payments, loans, repair costs––you get the picture. However, there is a way to slow the proverbial bleeding of your wallet and enjoy the wonders of a brand new automobile without regularly sinking exuberant amounts of money into it, and that’s by buying a fuel-efficient model. If you’re looking for that perfect Naperville Toyota dealer to find fuel-efficient Toyota models, then Romeoville Toyota is the right place to work with.

A common misconception is that hybrids have completely taken over the realm of fuel efficiency and that if you want to save the most money possible on fuel consumption, you’ll need a hybrid. This is not as true in this day and age, and Toyota’s lineup, in particular, demonstrates just how fuel-efficient regular gasoline-powered vehicles are nowadays. From the Corolla and Corolla Hatchback to the Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4, and much more, there are plenty of fuel-efficient vehicles that you’ll find in Toyota’s lineup, and sequentially, at Romeoville Toyota. There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s begin.

Toyota Corolla Sedan / Hatchback / Cross

One of the staples of Toyota’s lineup is the Corolla. All of the Corollas on sale aren’t created equal, but they share many similarities, one of which is tremendous fuel efficiency. So, let’s say you live in the greater area of Naperville, such as in Romeoville, then you likely spend many of your days driving up or down route 59, or the one-hour trip East to Chicago might be a regular occurrence for you, whether it’s for business or leisure. A Corolla might be the perfect option for you.

The Corolla family includes the Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, Corolla Cross, and even the Corolla Hybrid, but we’re going to focus on the first three today. The regular Corolla not only has the benefit of being one of Toyota’s most affordable new vehicles, but it’s also one of the most fuel-efficient. This is regardless of whether you stick with the standard 1.8L I-4 engine or switch to the 2.0L I-4 engine that comes standard with the Corolla Hatchback and Cross.

So, even though the Corolla is the only of the three to feature a 1.8L I-4 engine paired with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT,) this sedan will get you 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. More impressively, however, are its EPA-estimated ratings of 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. Many drivers may want to consider the 2.0L I-4 engine if they want their Camry sedan to match the performance of the Hatchback and SUV. This engine produces 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, albeit it’s a slightly lesser 168 hp on the Corolla Hatchback.

As for fuel efficiency, the 2.0L I-4 engine will give you everything that you’re looking for. It’s worth mentioning that the 2.0L I-4 engine comes standard with a CVT on the Corolla Hatchback and Cross, but the Hatchback’s transmission can be swapped with a 6-speed manual transmission if you prefer. This same 6-speed manual transmission will come standard with this engine if you install it into your regular Corolla, but the CVT remains optional for that vehicle, too, for even greater fuel efficiency.

At the lowest bounds, the Corolla Cross receives EPA-estimated ratings of 31 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, which is still highly respectable. And, with the Corolla Cross, you get the added benefit of up to 66.8 cu.ft. of cargo space, thanks to it being an SUV. Next is the regular Corolla, which with the 2.0L I-4 engine, will get 31 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. Lastly, the Corolla Hatchback earns favorable EPA-estimated ratings of 32 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.

This city mileage will help you get through Naperville for a much longer period without stopping for more gas, so driving from the Oakhurst Forest Preserve to the Greene Valley Dog Park can be done over thirty times before you need to fill up at a station. And, with this exceptional highway mileage, taking the trek to Chicago via I-55 N will barely touch your remaining fuel tank, as this trip takes around 35 miles.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is our recommendation to drivers seeking tremendous fuel efficiency coupled with a powerful display of performance, all neatly packaged in a respectably sized sedan. With this sedan, you can have one of two engines: a 2.5L I-4 or 3.5L V6, both of which come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. With the base engine, you can expect between 202 to 206 hp and 182 to 186 lb-ft of torque, depending on which configuration you get. As for the fuel efficiency, the 2.5L I-4 engine exceeds expectations with 28 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway, which is made even more impressive considering the performance improvement over the Corolla.

Stepping up to the 3.5L V6 engine, however, gives you the best of both worlds if you’re seeking both performance and efficiency. With the V6, your Camry will be upgraded to 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque while retaining ample EPA-estimated ratings of 22 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. This is the kind of performance that you bring out for a day of fun, such as taking a trip down to Whalon Lake if you want to stay local, or you can bring that power out to the highway and take a trip to the Navy Pier in Chicago. It’s ratings like this that make the Camry, and the Corolla, by correlation, a commuter’s best friend.

Toyota RAV4

Adventure awaits those who seek the RAV4. Adventure isn’t the only thing waiting for you, however. Along with the RAV4 comes tremendous fuel efficiency, which allows this off-roading-capable SUV to truly shine under the right conditions. The RAV4 is also available in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations, but even sticking with the gasoline-powered RAV4 will net you excellent performance, fantastic fuel efficiency, and the aforementioned off-roading capabilities. So with the 2022 RAV4 comes the standard 2.5L I-4 engine that gets 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to this powertrain, the RAV4 gets 27 MPG in the city and 35 on the highway with FWD, and AWD barely affects it with 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway.

It’s important to stress how fuel efficiency on a vehicle such as the RAV4 is important, and that’s because nature trails aren’t around every corner. So, if you live in the greater area of Naperville, you may find yourself traveling down to the Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park in Marseilles, IL, which is a one-hour drive from Naperville via I-80 W. The fifty miles you’ll travel to get there means you’ll have only used less than two gallons of gas. Or, the Fox Valley Off-Road trail, which is located in Ottowa, IL, and will eat slightly less fuel to get there.

When you get to the trail, you can easily power your way through a wide range of them, especially thanks to the additions of Dynamic AWD and a Multi-Terrain Select. This Multi-Terrain Select allows drivers to select between four modes (Normal, Sand & Mud, Rock & Dirt, or Snow), the latter of which is something that many people in Illinois are familiar with. The RAV4 proves that there’s a fuel-efficient Toyota vehicle for everyone, and you’ll find all of these and more right here at Romeoville Toyota.

Toyota Fuel Efficiency Is Better Than You Think

You don’t necessarily need to dive into the world of electric vehicles or settle for a hybrid to get great fuel efficiency. As you can see, Toyota has plenty of great options that can travel for a long time before needing to refuel. If you need help deciding which model is best for you, just head on over to Romeoville to pay us a visit, and we can help you out.