Report Shows Top 10 Vehicles with Highest Fuel-Economy Gains between 2008 and 2012

A new report from Edmunds.com shows the brands and vehicles that achieved the largest fuel-economy gains, on a percentage basis, between 2008 and 2012.

According to Edmunds, the Audi A3 has achieved the greatest increase in fuel economy since 2008, more than any other vehicle on the U.S. market. The A3’s fuel economy increased 38.5%, from 21.0 mpg in its 2008 model-year, to 29.1 mpg in its 2012 model-year.

New car registration data shows that the nationwide market share of four-cylinder vehicles has risen to 44.4% as of December 2011, up from 36.7% in 2008. The overall increase in fuel economy for the auto industry during that period is 16.4%, according to Edmunds.

The chart below shows a list of the brands that have achieved significant fuel-economy gains by make, model and mpg — based on model-year.