TrueCar.com Selects Top Fuel-Efficient Vehicles, More

As oil prices climbed to more than $108 a barrel, a 30-month high, on Monday, TrueCar.com responded by announcing its choices for top fuel-efficient vehicles. The company also analyzed March transactions prices, as well as incentive trends.

Beginning with climbing gas prices, TrueCar.com noted that the current national average is about $3.65 per gallon, which is about 80 cents higher than last year at this time.

In compiling its list, TrueCar.com said it only reviewed models currently available for sale that have a four-person seating capacity or higher and pure electric vehicles were not included because there is no cost associated with filling up a tank.

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo tops a list that represents ten different brands of 2011 and 2012 models currently available on the market.

According to officials, all vehicles listed have a TrueCar.com Average Price between $13,685 and $17,000 and have a combined mpg between 28 and 33, with a resulting fuel cost per year between $1,654 and $1,971.

Moreover, the company said the vehicles listed are the lowest priced configuration with an automatic transmission.

"Now more than ever, consumers are considering the fuel efficiency of a vehicle when making car-buying decisions," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends and insights at TrueCar.com. "With increased fuel prices and no relief in sight during the coming summer months, consumers want to know what vehicle provides the best value."

TrueCar.com’s list of top fuel-efficient vehicles:

*The value ratings for this particular study were devised by dividing the average price paid by the fuel costs per year for each vehicle (as of 4/03/11).The fuel costs per year take into account the type of fuel recommended by each manufacturer.

**Cost of fuel for the number of gallons used per 15,000 miles driven at $3.65 for unleaded fuel; $3.91 for premium unleaded fuel; $3.98 for diesel fuel.

***4dr Sedan LT w/1LT with Automatic Transmission added.

****Pop with Automatic Transmission added, Premium fuel required.

*****TrueCar.com Average Price is the national average transaction price and includes all applicable manufacturer incentives available as of 4/03/11. Local prices may vary.

TrueCar.com Breaks Down Incentives, Transaction Prices

The average transaction price for light vehicles in the U.S. came in at $29,334 in March, down $4, or flat, from March 2010 and up $267, or up 0.9 percent, from February 2011.

"The actual and perceived supply chain problems enabled automakers to lower incentive spending in March with the trend expected to continue into April,” said Toprak. “The Japanese automakers will see a dramatic reduction in incentive spending in the coming months with an increase in transaction price.”

Transaction pricing forecast:

In addition, TrueCar.com estimated that the average incentive for light-vehicles was $2,432 in March, down $366 (or 13.1 percent) from March 2010 and down $145 (or 5.6 percent) from February 2011.

“Hyundai continues to have remarkable improvement, leading the way with the lowest percentage of incentives to average transaction price,” Toprak highlighted. “Overall this month, due to improving consumer demand and lower supply, automakers were less reliant on incentives to move metal –a trend we expect to continue in the coming weeks.”

Ratio of incentives to average transaction price: