The 5 most fuel efficient cars

Surprise! Daimler's smart fortwo made the list at a combined 37 mpg - 31mpg (city) / 41mpg (hwy) - the top-ranked non-hybrid. Launched in Europe in 1998 when oil was 30 bucks a barrel, the fortwo was well ahead of the demand curve.

With all of 71hp pumping from smart's 1.0-liter 3-cylinder powerplant, you have to hustle its 1808lbs around town, and aero-backwash from 18-wheelers will keep you alert on the freeways. But the 2-passenger smart will do an electronically limited 91mph - fast enough to keep you from getting run over on most superhighways. And if you do, the fortwo graduated with honors from Crash Test U.