While mass-market sedans seem to be facing extinction, their luxurious counterparts belonging to the compact executive class are doing quite well for themselves. Sales seem to be relatively steady for the segment, and it's not hard to see why.
One shining aspect of compact executive cars is their ability to give a good dose of luxury without costing an arm and/or a leg. Not to mention, because they are, in fact, compact executive sedans, they're able to be quite frugal with their fuel consumption. CarBuzz has been pondering exactly why the compact executive class has seemingly remained so steadfast, and we've come to the conclusion that fuel economy can play a heavy hand in it. So, we've curated a list of 10 compact executives ranked by their combined miles-per-gallon rating.
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Sedans With the Best MPG of 2024
The following list of vehicles has been ranked by their combined fuel economy rating. All models are equipped with an entry-level engine, and no hybrid models are included. Vehicles with identical combined MPG ratings have been ranked by their respective city/highway estimations. In instances where all three fuel economy ratings are identical, vehicles will be ranked by power output. All fuel economy ratings were sourced from FuelEconomy.gov.
10 Genesis G70
24 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 311 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $42,000 |
City / Highway MPG | 21 / 29 |
Next, we have the Genesis G70. The 2024 model year G70 was unveiled at the end of last year, and while it gains some new things, it lost the fuel-sipping 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. However, the new 2.5-liter does make up for its lack of frugality with a penchant for power, but that's not the point of this article, hence why it's the second-worst on our list. Genesis has always been praised for its futuristic design language, and we have to agree with the kudos the company receives on that front. For just $42 grand, you can have a car that looks like it costs well over $100k.
9 Lexus IS 250
25 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.5-Liter V6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 204 hp |
Torque | 185 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $36,550 |
City / Highway MPG | 21 / 31 |
The Lexus IS 250 is the Japanese luxury marque's entry level model in the US. For a couple of decades now, the Lexus IS has been one of the more popular compact executive sedans on the market, as the model has always sported an agreeable price. However, these days, that small price comes with a caveat. Its 2.5-liter V6 is woefully underpowered, with barely more than 200 horses on tap. Couple that with an underwhelming 25 mpg combined, the IS 250 doesn't make a great case for itself should you be in the market for a compact executive sedan.
8 Acura TLX
25 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 272 hp |
Torque | 280 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $38,950 |
City / Highway MPG | 22 / 31 |
Next up is the Acura TLX. At base level, buyers will receive a Honda-bred 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine which makes 272 horses on the dot. The TLX is one of the cheapest sedans on our list, meaning good fuel economy isn't necessarily out of reach if you've got your eye on a compact executive sedan. Also, let's not forget Acura's ownership by Honda, meaning your Acura has a great chance of outlasting many of the other cars we've discussed in this list.
7 Cadillac CT4
26 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 237 hp |
Torque | 258 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $36,390 |
City / Highway MPG | 22 / 32 |
The Cadillac CT4 is the famous American luxury marque's compact luxury sedan. It's one of the cheapest ones on the market today, but it isn't without its share of luxurious amenities, like a standard eight-speaker sound system and dual-zone climate control. You also receive a 2.0-liter four-pot as standard. While it competes in the compact executive section, the CT4 is actually a bit bigger than you'd expect, which might be the main reason why it's not particularly frugal.
6 Alfa Romeo Giulia
27 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 280 hp |
Torque | 306 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $43,285 |
City / Highway MPG | 24 / 33 |
At the base level, the Giulia offers the usual options you'd expect to come standard in a compact executive sedan, such as a full complement of driver assistance features, a wicked four-banger, and a healthy dose of Italian curves. The V6 models may have been discontinued, but the good news is that you can still get the four-cylinder. It might not sound that impressive, but even with the smaller engine, this car is an absolute riot. If you're looking to save fuel, this is not the car for you.
5 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
28 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 255 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $50,375 |
City / Highway MPG | 25 / 34 |
The 4 Series Gran Coupe is built on the same platform as the BMW 3 Series and is roughly the same size. So, why does it exist, too? Well, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is the sedan version of the two-door 4 Series Coupe which is based on the 3 Series sedan. So, in essence, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a sedan version of a coupe version of a sedan version. It seems BMW saw a spot in the market for another sedan and took full advantage of it. To be fair, the 4 Series Grand Coupe does look a bit more special than the regular 3, especially after its most recent facelift.
4 BMW 3 Series
29 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 255 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $45,500 |
City / Highway MPG | 25 / 34 |
Speaking of BMW, our next entrant is the 3 Series, arguably the most well-known compact executive sedan of the past few decades. Its popularity is no accident, either, as the 3 Series has always been good at combining driveability, fun, and practicality into a well-wrapped package. At base level, you'll receive the same 2.0-liter engine found in the 4 Series Gran Coupe we discussed just a moment ago. However, the 3 Series is about $5,000 cheaper than the 4 Series Gran Coupe, making it the one we'd choose if you're set on a compact executive Bimmer.
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3 Audi A4
30 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 201 hp |
Torque | 236 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $43,295 |
City / Highway MPG | 26 / 35 |
Much like the previous models discussed, the A4 comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. However, the 4 takes advantage of a 12-volt mild hybrid system to help it get just a touch more miles per gallon, pushing its combined MPG up to 30. It's also the cheaper alternative compared to the 3 Series at just over $2,000. We wouldn't spend our money on a new Audi A4, however.
Audi recently unveiled the all-new A5 sedan, which replaces the A4. If you're wondering why the name changed, all ICE-powered Audis now use odd numbers.
2 Volvo S60
30 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 252 hp |
Torque | 258 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $42,600 |
City / Highway Mpg | 26 / 35 |
Next, we have the Volvo S60, which shares identical fuel economy figures with the A4. However, it is more powerful, so it gets a higher spot on our list. Speaking of power, the S60 packs a good-sized punch from its 2.0-liter engine, pushing out just over 250 horsepower and a similar amount of torque. Like the Audi, the S60 takes advantage of a mild-hybrid system, helping to churn out both better power and fuel mileage. As for styling, the Volvo is perfect for those who prefer to remain as anonymous as possible on the roads, because saying the S60's styling is understated is, well, an understatement.
1 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
30 MPG Combined
Engine | 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 255 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Starting Price | $48,100 |
City / Highway MPG | 26 / 36 |
The most fuel-efficient compact executive on our list is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In typical BMW-Audi-Mercedes competitive nature, the Mercedes also boasts a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that has similar power to the other two. It also features a mild-hybrid system. However, the Mercedes does differ in one significant category. It's the most expensive of the three popular German choices, but it is the most comfortable out of the three. Mercedes-Benz basically built a mini S-Class and didn't bother setting the chassis up for sporty handling, and the C-Class is all the better for it.
