Fuel efficient cars are still a concern for many car buyers, even with gas prices lower than during the previous year. Here is a list of the top 10 most fuel efficient cars for 2009. Every car on the list gets at least 29 mpg (city) and many of them are not hybrids.

Toyota's Prius Hybrid maintains the top spot again, proving that fuel efficient cars can be stylish, affordable, and popular. The most fuel efficient cars will only become more sought after if/when the price of oil increases again, similar to 2008. According to the United States government, these are the top 10 most fuel efficient vehicles for American car buyers in 2009.

Rank	Manufacturer/Model	MPG city/highway
1	Toyota Prius (hybrid)	48/45
2	Honda Civic Hybrid	40/45
3	Nissan Altima Hybrid	35/33
4	Ford Escape Hybrid FWD Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD	34/31
5	Smart Fortwo Convertible Smart Fortwo Coupe	33/41
6	Toyota Camry Hybrid	33/34
7	Volkswagon Jetta (manual, diesel) Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagon (manual, diesel)	30/41
8	Volkswagon Jetta (automatic, diesel) Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagon (automatic, diesel)	29/40
9	Toyota Yaris (manual)	29/36
10	Toyota Yaris (automatic)	29/35

Whether you are in the market now or in the future, remember to check with your local credit union for an auto loan before you step on a dealer's lot. Credit Unions, on average, offer better loan rates than for-profit financial institutions.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: EPA's fuel economy estimates are designed to allow consumers to comparison shop. Your fuel economy will almost certainly vary from EPA's fuel economy rating. This is based on a number of factors, such as weather, road conditions, your driving and maintenance habits, and your use of air conditioning.

Beginning with 2008 models, all fuel economy estimates based on new test methods, which EPA finalized in December 2006. The new methods better account for actual driving conditions that can lower fuel economy, such as high speed, aggressive driving, use of air conditioning, and cold temperature operation. The new estimates will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road. Because of the new methods, the estimates for most 2008 models will be lower than their 2007 counterparts. To aid consumers shopping for new cars, EPA has also redesigned the fuel economy window sticker posted on all new cars and light trucks to be easier to read and understand.

EPA has finalized new methods used to determine the City and Highway miles per gallon (MPG) estimates that appear on the window stickers of new cars and trucks. Beginning with 2008 models, all fuel economy estimates are based on these new methods. Although no single test can ever account for the wide variety of driving conditions and styles, the new methods will bring the MPG estimates closer to the fuel economy consumers actually achieve on the road by taking into account conditions such as higher speeds, aggressive driving, cold temperature operation and use of air conditioning. The new estimates will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road. Because of the new methods, the estimates for most 2008 models will be lower than their 2007 counterparts. To aid consumers shopping for new cars, EPA has also redesigned the fuel economy window sticker posted on all new cars and light trucks to be easier to read and understand.