A little off our main topic of better gas mileage for you and yours, we want to take a moment and plug our friends at Donor Snap, leaders in providing great web software for non-profit donor management.   We use them at our church, we like them so much.  If you know of a non profit that has membership lists, donors and needs to be more efficient in managing the donations they receive, recommend that they look at DonorSnap.com!  Thanks for listening, now back to gas-mileage….

Are you in the market for a new car soon? Then you might want to pay particular attention to these small cars and family sedans. According to the EPA, they’re the most fuel-efficient models for 2011 so far. Please note that not all makes and models have been tested, so other contenders may find their way onto the lists.

Small Cars

Family Sedans

* Based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and the price of fuel used by the vehicle.

** Source: The gas mileage figures and fuel cost estimates found on this website are reported by the U.S. Government at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Sure, we might make fun of Minivan Moms, but secretly, we all love the comfort and convenience of these modern vans. Think you might be in the market for one? Here are the top 8 fuel-efficient minivans for 2010:

* Based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and the price of fuel used by the vehicle.

** Source: The gas mileage figures and fuel cost estimates found on this website are reported by the U.S. Government at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Due to hit U.S. showrooms this fall, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL class will have a 15% improvement in fuel economy and a 23% reduction in carbon emissions. It will do all of this with a smaller engine than in the past, yet it will produce more power. Find out how it will accomplish that here.

Think 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway sounds far-fetched for a luxury sedan? Ford doesn’t think so. The company says its new Lincoln MKZ hybrid will reach those numbers, beating out its closest luxury competitors, including the Lexus HS 250h. Read more about it here.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a new top 10 list of cars with the best fuel economy ratings – but the list is a little surprising.  Some of the top vehicles have been around for years, and in some cases, even decades.

Chrysler is set to announce today that it is investing $300 million in a factory at its Kokomo, Ind., complex. This investment is being made to make a new eight-speed transmission developed by German supplier ZF that will help improve fuel efficiency and preserve about 1,200 jobs. Read more details here.

Ford’s once-popular Explorer may not be ready for the automotive graveyard just yet – it’s getting a second life in 2011 as a more fuel-efficient crossover. Read more about how Ford plans to improve the Explorer, starting with better gas mileage.

Continental has developed a new tire that is said to improve fuel economy plus reduce harmful CO2 emissions. And according to Continental, the all season ProContact with EcoPlus Technology provides those benefits without sacrificing performance. Read more here…

Ford’s new entry into the subcompact vehicle market is earning rave reviews for fun, function and fuel economy. What makes the all-new Fiesta so special? Find out here…