You want a fuel-efficient car because it just makes sense. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re tired of filling up the tank of the SUV, or it’s just that you want to do your part to fight foreign oil...but whatever the reason, you’re ready to go small, but not ready to go green. Here’s a list of 2007 automobile models to consider based on a combined average of city and highway fuel mileage.

• Toyota Yaris: 37 mpg

  Classified as a subcompact, the new Yaris is offered in sedan and liftback form to compete against the also small Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. The lightweight Yaris is sold with a sensible 106 horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional, while a more fuel thrifty five-speed manual gearbox is standard.

• Toyota Corolla: 36 mpg

  If you’ve noticed the relationship between engine size and fuel economy, the Corolla is no exception. While still getting respectable mileage, the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gas engine hits 126 horsepower with nearly as much torque. The combined mileage is based on the Corolla’s manual transmission, but the five-speed automatic isn’t far behind. All Toyota Corolla models are delivered with the same 1.8-liter engine.

• Honda Fit: 35 mpg

  The subcompact Honda Fit competes with the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. The standard 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine delivers 109 horsepower. Combined mileage is based on the Fit’s standard five-speed automatic transmission, although the optional automatic produces results that are nearly as impressive. The available Honda Fit Sport, tuned to offer a bit more oomph for sport driving enthusiasts, offers a bit more power and a bit less fuel efficiency.

• MINI Cooper: 35 mpg

  The MINI Cooper’s standard 120 horsepower 1.6-liter engine with manual transmission offers an enticing blend of useable power and fuel efficiency. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for other, more decked out MINIs. MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper Convertible, and any possible combination of the two, while not exactly gas guzzlers, are unfortunately, not nearly as sensible with their consumption as their base model ancestor. Unfortunately cuteness points are not awarded.

• Kia Rio: 33 mpg

  The Kia Rio, available as a four-door subcompact sedan or as a five-door hatchback under the name Rio5, comes standard with a 110 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission, and offers an optional four-speed automatic. When driven with a manual transmission, the Kia Rio offers identical fuel efficiency satisfaction as the more popular Hyundai Accent.

• Hyundai Accent: 33 mpg

  The Hyundai Accent, sold standard with a five-speed manual transmission, and available with a four-speed automatic is powered by a 110-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Although the Accent, when equipped with a manual transmission, offers the same fuel efficiency as a comparably equipped Kia Rio, the Rio beats the Accent by one mile per gallon when each are equipped with an automatic transmission. Hyundai Accent offers greater horsepower and better fuel mileage than some of its well-known competitors like the Chevrolet Aveo and Scion xA.

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