A stop at the gas station has never been this agonizing. With gasoline prices soaring to more than $4 a gallon, each trip to the pump hurts a little more than the last. To help ease the pain, JEZ set out to find 10 of the latest, most fuel-efficient vehicles that are sure to appeal to both the eco- and money-conscious buyers. From luxury SUVs to a tiny two-seater, and from new clean-diesel engines to the latest in hybrid electric vehicles, JEZ has your ticket to a cleaner, greener ride.

Toyota Prius

Fuel Economy: 45/48 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 143 combined

Torque: 377 lb.-ft. combined

Zero to 60 mph: 10.5 seconds

MSRP: $21,500

When the Toyota Prius landed on our shores in 2001, it was clear that it might take a little time to catch on. Today, the Prius is experiencing a surge in popularity–and for good reason. Running on gas and electric power, the Prius is the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold in the United States for 2008, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Although the Prius’ aerodynamic styling might not appeal to everyone, it was designed to maximize function over form. The Prius can swallow 16.1 cubic feet of organic groceries in the trunk, nearly as capacious as the previous-generation Ford Taurus. The Prius also offers a bevy of technological features, such as a GPS navigation system, keyless access and push-button start. The interior layout, especially its controls and their placement, takes some getting used to. Still, Prius owners can breathe a sigh of relief as gas prices continue to rise.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Fuel Economy: 40/45 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 113 combined

Torque: 165 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 11.7 seconds

MSRP: $22,600

The Honda Civic Hybrid is second only to the Prius when it comes to fuel economy with its combined 42.5 mpg EPA rating. However, the Civic is more expensive and is slower getting from zero to 60 mph. The styling is more conventional, which might make you lean toward the Civic if you’re not a fan of the Prius’ exterior. The latest Civic is also much more versatile than previous generations. A 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback provides a flat floor for all of your cargo. The Civic’s hybrid system is slightly less sophisticated. Unlike the Prius, the Civic can’t move solely on electric power. The gas motor must always be running in conjunction with the electric motor. However, like the Prius, the Civic still shuts down at stoplights or in traffic when the vehicle is stationary. The Civic is a fuel sipper that makes an excellent everyday driver.

smart fortwo

Fuel Economy: 33/40 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 71

Torque: 68 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 12 seconds

MSRP: $11,590 for coupe; $16,590 for cabriolet

Size matters, and the aptly named 2008 smart fortwo (that is, “for two”) proves that, sometimes, smaller is better. At 8.8 feet long, 3 feet shorter than the MINI Cooper, two smart cars easily fit into one Atlanta-size parking space. The 1,808-pound smart car is powered by a 1.0-liter, 71-horsepower engine that propels the featherweight two-seater from zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 12 seconds. With gas prices skyrocketing, that time has become acceptable if not respectable. The smart is available in six body panel covers (think doors, hood, fenders and trunk) and two accent colors (black or silver). The result is a smart fortwo that can be tailored to your color preferences. You’ll love how easy it is to park.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Clean Diesel

Fuel Economy: 30/41 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 140

Torque: 236 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 10.3 seconds

MSRP: Estimated $21,000

Diesel-powered sources are among the most efficient in the world, more so than gasoline engines. However, until now, most diesel engines were smelly, unreliable and noisy. Not the next-generation Jetta diesel. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz BlueTec diesel, the Jetta doesn’t require a urea injection to control the nitrogen oxide emissions of diesels. VW controls the Jetta’s emissions using a NOx-storage catalyst to store the emissions. The engine can periodically change the air-fuel mixture to burn off the stored emissions. On the outside, the TDI looks just like the gasoline-powered Jetta. Expect pricing to stay in line with gasoline versions. With an estimated starting price of $21,000, JEZ expects many hip Atlantans to jump on the diesel bandwagon. After all, the Jetta’s thirst for fuel on the highway is almost the same as the Prius’. It gets just four miles less per gallon than the Prius.

Ford Escape Hybrid

Fuel Economy: 34/30 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 227 combined

Torque: 152 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 10.1 seconds

MSRP: $27,445

The most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle sold in Atlanta is the Ford Escape Hybrid. Stealthily quiet, this versatile, five-passenger SUV is capable of running exclusively on its electric motor at speeds of up to 25 mph. The Escape was updated with a plethora of interior features, such as a standard MP3 and iPod jack, an optional navigation system and soon Ford’s voice-activated SYNC system. The Escape also has a revised exterior. The changes make the Escape look more rugged than the 2007 model, with a chrome grille, aluminum skid plate, rugged plastic under-cladding and squared-off fenders and hood. Unlike most SUVs, the Escape is green–even greener than most sedans. Overall, the Escape is a great urban vehicle. It’s easy to park, gets great fuel economy and is reasonably priced.

BMW 335d

Fuel Economy: 26/35 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 265

Torque: 425 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 seconds

MSRP: Estimated $46,000

Thanks to BMW, going green doesn’t mean you have to skimp on performance and high styling. With its twin-turbocharged, clean-diesel, six-cylinder engine, the 335d gets from zero to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds, yet is more fuel efficient than the 328i sedan, which does the same sprint in 6.9 seconds and averages just 28 mpg on the highway. By comparison, the 335d averages 35 mpg on the highway. Few exterior changes are in store for the 335d, aside from minor diesel badging and slightly different alloy wheels. The same can be said for the interior, which will carry over from the current 3-Series. BMW most likely will offer its iDrive system in the 335d as an option paired with the navigation system. It’s rumored that BMW’s new traffic navigation routing system also will be offered. The intuitive system analyzes traffic conditions and makes adjustments based on the route with the fastest average road speed and the least traffic interruptions–a feature every Atlantan could use. Expect the BMW 335d to arrive in Atlanta dealerships late this year.

Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC

Fuel Economy: 23/32 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 210

Torque: 400 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 6.6 seconds

MSRP: $53,075

If you’re in the market for a midsize luxury sedan, the E320

BlueTEC should be at the top of your list. Although the E320 runs on diesel, it’s remarkably quiet, doesn’t smell and has an advanced urea injection system that helps it meet the EPA’s stringent emissions requirements. Inside, the BlueTEC is unchanged from the E-Class. Mercedes has yet to update the E-Class with its central COMAND control system, which is used on the latest C-Class, CL-Class, S-Class and upcoming GLK small SUV. The only exterior difference to note between the gasoline E-Class and the BlueTEC is a small badge on the trunk. Otherwise, you won’t know it’s a fuel-sipping diesel until you step on the gas pedal and experience the surge of torque that the BlueTEC’s diesel powertrain produces–400 lb.-ft. of torque, good for a sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, one-tenth of a second slower than the gasoline-powered E350. What really makes the BlueTEC compelling is the math. Thanks to a large, 21.1-gallon gas tank and the excellent fuel economy, you’ll make fewer stops at a gas station. Although the E320 BlueTEC is just $1,000 more than the gasoline-powered E350, it has more torque and is nearly as fast as the thirstier E350. And yet, the EPA accorded the E320 a combined 26 mpg EPA rating vs. the E350’s 19 mpg. Sometimes, going green is a no-brainer.

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI V6

Fuel Economy: Estimated 23/26 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 221

Torque: 406 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 8.4 seconds

MSRP: Estimated $49,000

Imagine the ability to travel 600 miles between fill-ups. When the Q7 TDI hits Atlanta, these clean-diesel SUVs will see less time at the pump than the thirstier gasoline-powered versions. Plus, with more than 400 lb.-ft. of torque available between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm, the Q7 is quick off the line. It also offers seating for seven, making it a great family vehicle. The Q7 TDI comes standard with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive and is unchanged on the exterior, except for the TDI badging in the rear. The Q7 offers three rows of seating beneath a panoramic sunroof, making the interior feel bright, airy and spacious. The Q7 also uses Audi’s proprietary MMI controller, which locates music and navigation controls by the gearshift selector on the center console. Its location takes getting used to, but you’ll never look back once you go MMI. Look for the Q7 TDI this fall.

Lexus LS 600h

Fuel Economy: 20/22 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 438

Torque: 385 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: 5.5 seconds

MSRP: $104,000

Poised to do battle with the V12 luxury sedans of the world (the Mercedes-Benz S600, the BMW 760Li and the Audi A8 W12), the Lexus LS 600h is a hybrid V8 engine that’s designed to deliver V8 fuel economy with V12 performance. It goes from zero to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, three-tenths of a second faster than the BMW but one second slower than the Mercedes. Still, the LS 600h delivers a combined EPA rating of 21 miles per gallon, 7 mpg better than the S600 and more than 4 mpg better than the BMW. Slide inside the Lexus LS 600h and you’ll sink into the plush, wide leather chairs. They tie with the Mercedes for comfort. The LS 600h showcases Lexus’ most advanced technologies, such as the world’s first production LED headlamps, reclining rear seats with built-in massagers and an innovative driver-awareness system that ensures you won’t fall asleep at the wheel. The LS 600h is available now at Atlanta dealerships.

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Fuel Economy: Estimated 20/21 mpg city/highway

Horsepower: 332

Torque: 367 lb.-ft.

Zero to 60 mph: Estimated 7.5 seconds

MSRP: Estimated $74,000

The behemoth Cadillac Escalade is not known for being green. Cadillac hopes to change that with its 2009 two-mode Escalade Hybrid, expected to achieve an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. That’s not bad for a vehicle that can carry eight people and tips the scales at more than 5,600 pounds. To improve fuel economy and to differentiate the hybrid version, Cadillac made a variety of discreet tweaks to the Escalade’s exterior. A front spoiler and a more pointed hood reduce the Escalade’s aerodynamic drag, while large “hybrid” lettering further distinguishes the Hybrid Escalade from its gas-guzzling siblings. Inside, the Escalade is mostly unchanged. Expect all of the typical Cadillac luxuries, such as plush heated and cooled seats, a reverse backup camera and a large, touch-screen navigation system. Want to spend less time at the pump? This hybrid hits Atlanta dealerships this month.