With the price of gasoline hovering around $4 nationally (and exceeding $5 in many areas), Americans are putting fuel efficiency higher on their lists of priorities when purchasing a new vehicle. In response, automakers have engineered many of their vehicles to achieve never-before-seen levels of fuel economy.

Here are the top eight 2013 model year vehicles ranked by fuel economy in ascending order. The annual gas cost figures assume that owners drive their cars 15,000 miles per year, with 55% of those miles traveled in the city and 45% logged on the highway.

8. Acura ILX Hybrid

MPG highway: 38

MPG city: 39

Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $1,560

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $1,950

MSRP: $28,900

This sedan may be the top choice for people who want strong fuel efficiency without having to sacrifice creature comforts — or break the bank buying it.

7. Lexus CT 200h

MPG highway: 40

MPG city: 43

Fuel tank capacity: 11.9 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $1,444

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $1,805

MSRP: starting at $29,120

With a sporty look and a 134-horsepower engine to go with fuel savings and the Lexus nameplate, this hatchback — at under 30 grand — might be the best value on the list.

6. Honda Insight

MPG highway: 44

MPG city: 41

Fuel tank capacity: 10.6 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $1,424

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $1,780

MSRP: starting at $18,500

That sticker price is the lowest on the market for a hybrid vehicle. No longer are hybrid technology and affordability mutually-exclusive concepts.

5. Ford Fusion Hybrid

MPG highway: 47

MPG city: 47

Fuel tank capacity: 17.5 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $1,280

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $1,600

MSRP: starting at $27,200

You may notice that the data puts the Fusion in a tie with its C-Max brother below, but the sedan is just a few thousand dollars more.

4. Ford C-Max Hybrid

MPG highway: 47

MPG city: 47

Fuel tank capacity: 17.5 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $1,280

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $1,600

MSRP: starting at $25,200

This five-seat hybrid hatchback allows the whole family to travel in comfort and help the environment at the same time.

3. Chevy Volt

MPG highway: 93

MPG city: 101

Fuel tank capacity: 9.3 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $620

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $775

MSRP: $39,145

Chevrolet is hoping that the 2013 model’s gaudy MPG numbers will help overcome some negative press and perceptions about recent Volts.

2. Ford Focus Electric

MPG highway: 99

MPG city: 110

Fuel tank capacity: 12.4 gallons

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $591

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $739

MSRP: $39,200

Yes, three of the top five most fuel-efficient cars for model 2013 are Fords. And the Focus Electric also boasts 184 foot-pounds of torque.

1. Honda Fit EV

MPG highway: 105

MPG city: 132

Fuel tank capacity: N/A

Annual Gas Cost ($4/gallon): $0

Annual Gas Cost ($5/gallon): $0

MSRP: $36,625

Those goose eggs in the gas cost columns are because the Fit EV doesn’t have a gas tank; the MPG ratings are electric equivalents per charge. But this vehicle won’t be on sale in 2013. It will only be offered as a lease in Oregon and California.