With gas prices soaring, 2010 is shaping up to be a tough year for many families. For this reason, it’s not surprising that more and more new car buyers are focusing heavily on good gas mileage. After all, few things surrounding a car’s regular use make a bigger budget impact than the cost of fuel. What cars are available this season that truly excel in this area?

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid

Few cars can boast the fuel-efficiency range that is offered by the 2010 Toyota Hybrid Prius. As a leader in the field of hybrid vehicles, Toyota continues to outdo themselves with this line of cars. The Prius is also the only vehicle that actually performs better in the stop-and-go traffic of urban and suburban driving than it does on the steady flow of a highway. The Prius has a published fuel efficiency rating of 51 mpg for city driving and 48 mpg on the highway. The car starts at just under $23,000, making it economical to buy as well. This car is truly a win/win scenario for budget-minded buyers.

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda is another hybrid that gets high marks for fuel efficiency. Unlike the Prius, however, the Civic has better mileage on the highway than in city driving. While still very good compared to the competition, it doesn’t quite make the efficiency standards created by the Prius. Instead, you can expect to get about 40 mpg for city driving and 45 for highway settings. The Honda Civic hybrid is also slightly more expensive than the basic Toyota model, adding about $1,000 to the initial cost for this model.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon

Not all the stars in fuel efficiency are hybrid vehicles. In fact, there are plenty of choices that take advantage of more conventional types of fuel. The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, for example, uses super-efficent diesel fuel to create its 42 mpg highway and 30 mpg city rating. While not quite as efficient as the hybrids listed, the Jetta is roomier, featuring a very large back cargo area. It is also much more affordable, with basic models starting at under $20,000; even the nicest models bank at well under $25,000. For those that want to couple fuel efficiency with more versatility, the Jetta is the top pick.

Of course, there are other stars in fuel efficiency cars for 2010, including models such as the Audi A3 and the new SmartforTwo convertible and coupe.