T.Vyc/ShutterstockGas prices in the United States are no joke — the average price per gallon was just over $4 in August 2026. Americans don't want to watch their bank accounts plummet at the gas station every week, making fuel efficiency more important to drivers than ever. Consumer Reports recently published a list of the best fuel-efficient mid-size cars, and the Toyota Camry Hybrid has come out on top.Toyota's best-selling vehicle of 2026 (so far) gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 54 mpg on the highway for an overall 48 mpg rating. The average fuel economy for a passenger car is 25.6 mpg, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, making the Camry quite impressive in this category. On top of that, the Camry can hold 13 gallons, giving it a gas range of 620 miles. Consumer Reports gave the same rating and stats to the Toyota Camry, but the U.S. market currently only carries the hybrid. Surprisingly, Toyota has vehicles that are even more fuel efficient than the Camry if you're willing to go smaller — the Prius gets 57 mpg.Read more: 12 High-Mileage Tires With The Best Treadwear RatingsWhat makes hybrids so good on gas?ToyotaBeing a hybrid model plays a part in the Toyota Camry's impressive fuel economy. While all hybrid vehicles have their own powertrain designs, they share an electric motor and battery pack, which allows for more mileage than a gas-powered vehicle. In general, hybrid vehicles have smaller engines that run less often. The electric motor can power the vehicle at lower speeds and start the engine when needed, allowing for maximized fuel efficiency.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis makes hybrids especially fuel efficient in cities, where you are often driving slower and stopping at lights more often. Hybrids have a start-and-stop feature, which means the engine is shut off while idling at a light to conserve energy. Then, when you take off again, the electric motor alone will get you going, so you don't lose as much gas while accelerating. "If you're stuck in heavy traffic and just creeping along, you'll mostly be using the electricity of the hybrid," Kelley Blue Book's Brian Moody added.Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.Read the original article on SlashGear.