If you're interested in a new family car that won't cost a fortune at the gas pump, you've come to the right place. That's because we've rounded up seven of our favorite 2017 model year family cars that offer roomy interiors and excellent fuel efficiency just in time for Earth Day. And while our list mainly includes efficient gas-powered cars, we've also added a couple of cars with electric motors, too -- for the family that wants to be especially earth-friendly. We've also kept things to a reasonable budget of around $40,000 or less so that none of the cars on our list break the bank.
Chevrolet Bolt
The Chevy Bolt isn't just efficient; it's fully electric. And while its starting price of around $37,500 makes it more expensive than the other cars on our list, that figure is eligible for major tax credits, bringing it down to a much more affordable amount. Better yet, the Bolt can travel an amazing 238 miles between charges, which means most people won't have to adjust their lifestyles to fit the electric vehicle. And it offers just about everything a family might want, including a roomy, versatile interior, excellent technology (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and all the latest high-tech in-car safety features.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The Chevy Malibu Hybrid is an excellent midsize sedan that more shoppers should consider. With a base price of just $28,800, it's highly affordable for a hybrid-powered midsize sedan -- and it boasts an excellent 47 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, which places it among the most efficient family cars on the market. It also touts a long list of standard equipment, including Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with a 7-in touchscreen, 17-in alloy wheels and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity. Make no mistake: After lots of investment, Chevrolet has gotten the Malibu just right.
Ford Fusion Energi
There are two different ultra-efficient versions of Ford's popular Fusion midsize sedan. One is simply the Fusion Hybrid, which is an excellent car in its own right: It gets 43 mpg city/41 mpg hwy, and it offers a highly reasonable starting price of just $26,800. But we're especially recommending the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi, which uses a combination of an electric powertrain and an efficient gasoline engine. The Fusion Energi can travel up to 22 miles on electric power alone -- but unlike fully electric cars, it doesn't shut off once it hits that number. Instead, the gasoline engine kicks in, extending the sedan's range. With a base price of $34,100, the Fusion Energi isn't cheap, but it'll save you a lot of money at the pump.
Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid is a truly excellent choice for shoppers interested in combining "family car" and "fuel efficient." The primary reason is its gas mileage numbers, which are amazing: At 49 mpg city/47 mpg hwy, it beats out every other midsize sedan -- and it even approaches the smaller Toyota Prius's fuel economy figures. And while the Accord Hybrid is on the pricey side for a hybrid midsize sedan, with a base price of around $30,500, it has excellent equipment: Even the base model has an infotainment system with a 7.7-in touchscreen, Bluetooth Audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry and an amazing list of safety features that includes forward-collision warning with automatic braking and Honda's LaneWatch blind spot camera.