Fuel efficient cars in every size

Everybody wishes high gas prices would go away, but not everybody can dump their gas guzzler for a camel car. Finding relatively fuel efficient vehicles in a variety of sizes "that are compelling for reasons that go beyond fuel economy" was the goal of a recent NY Times article.

The resulting story has mini-profiles of 12 vehicles that includes each one's base price, MGP rating, cost to drive 100 miles and how much a year of fill-ups will run you.

It's no surprise that the Mini Cooper and Toyota Camry Hybrid made the list. But what about the Toyota Tacoma pick up truck? The Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTec? And, get this, the Chevy Corvette!

Here's what the writer says about that last unexpected "miser in disguise."

LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER - CHEVROLET CORVETTE

BASE PRICE: $46,950
M.P.G. RATING: 16 city, 26 highway, 19 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $22.16 (premium fuel at $4.21/gall)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS (15,000 miles): $3,322

"In this group, the Corvette stands out like Ted Nugent in a fur loincloth at an animal-rights rally. But for those seeking near-supercar performance, the Corvette can burn rubber without shredding your conscience.

"For barely $50,000, 'Vette buyers get a Ferrari-fighter than hits 60 m.p.h. in just over four seconds and tops out at a cool 190 m.p.h. Yet burbling along with the manual transmission in sixth gear, the lightweight 'Vette can genuinely cover 26 miles on a gallon of gas.

"Of course, if you regularly summon the car's 430 horsepower you'll pay for the pleasure. But when the road is long and your credit-card limit is short, it's good to know that a Corvette can serve the cause of conservation."

In addition to the vehicles I mentioned above, the list includes...