Gas Mileage

The Lancer GT's gas mileage maxes out at an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway — a number that was merely average even back when this Lancer generation was introduced. The smaller, more efficient 2.0-liter is rated 34 mpg on the highway, which is still a ways off from the segment's 40 mpg benchmark. The manual-transmission GT rates 22/31 mpg city/highway, and the CVT automatic is rated 23/30 mpg.

A Mazda3 sedan with automatic transmission and the efficient SkyActiv engine option is rated 28/40 mpg. The automatic Focus sedan is 27/38 mpg.