What about the Acura TSX? Has good power, luxury, tons of tech features, and best in class Fuel Economy.

I just did some quick research the TSX has an EPA combined rating of 25mpg on automatic models. Thats better than the GS hybrid, and the TSX cost only $28,960.

The new Acura TSX?
Best fuel economy-with the automatic
Slowest in class performance-with the automatic

Wait and see if Nissan puts the 7 speed automatic into the G35 sedan. The gearing of the current 5 speed automatic is profanely short, and that kills the mileage. (but it is WAY fast though)

The Lexus IS250 has direct injection, and a wide ratio spread automatic.
It should be as fast as the TSX-manual transmission, with mileage as good as the TSX automatic.

If rear drive is not in consideration (Minnesota), then the new Audi A4 is coming, direct injection engines, new generation ZF 6 speed automatic.

Maybe in a somewhat penny pinching move in today's changing economic realities, Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 2.4-the new 6 speed automatic returns laudable mileage & is faster than the TSX automatic.

I have a 2007 GS450h and just drove 450 miles roundtrip over the last 3-4 days and averaged 30 mpg for the trip, which is better than the estimated 25 mpg for highway driving.

"The new Acura TSX?
Best fuel economy-with the automatic
Slowest in class performance-with the automatic
Wait and see if Nissan puts the 7 speed automatic into the G35 sedan. The gearing of the current 5 speed automatic is profanely short, and that kills the mileage. (but it is WAY fast though)
The Lexus IS250 has direct injection, and a wide ratio spread automatic.
It should be as fast as the TSX-manual transmission, with mileage as good as the TSX automatic.
If rear drive is not in consideration (Minnesota), then the new Audi A4 is coming, direct injection engines, new generation ZF 6 speed automatic.
Maybe in a somewhat penny pinching move in today's changing economic realities, Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 2.4-the new 6 speed automatic returns laudable mileage & is faster than the TSX automatic.
Posted by: George,"

Jay asked for luxury AND fuel economy not power. The TSX is the best option, and has similar horse power to his ES330. The TSX isn't slow either, Edmunds just did a full test of the TSX and they said it got the same 0-60 time as the Audi A4, and guess what, the TSX also gets better city and highway mileage. Nothing can beat it for fuel efficiency, luxury and power.

Oh and the TSX gets better fuel economy than the Lexus IS even though it has similar HP

The ES330 had 218hp@5600, 236ft-lbs@3600rpm.
The TSX automatic has 201hp@7000, 170ft-lbs@4300
Similar? No.
and the 5 speed automatic of the Lexus had a 20% greater ratio spread.
The TSX will be no where as fast, when need be, unless you operate the engine in the VTEC range (5000rpm+), and then you can kiss the mileage good bye.

The Lexus IS250 was rated 24/32 before the new 'fudge factor' was applied, and is now 21/29 compared against the Acura TSX's 21/30.
The 6th gear of the Lexus is taller than the TSX, so tall that its benefits are not reflected in the fuel economy test [a new test is needed, not just a fudge factor]
2000rpm in top gear of the TSX is 60mph, 2000rpm in the IS250 is 65mph.

You are quoting the manual transmission TSX against the old (non-new A4), look further down where they say it isn't spritely.

The A4 is not "old" because the new one doesn't come out until fall. So I'm still comparing the "current" TSX to the "current" A4. And when Edmunds was referring to it not being as "spritely" they were comparing it to the last gen TSX not the A4. The new one is supposed to be a combination of sporty yet comfortable, unlike the old one which was very sporty,but not so comfortable. Like I said before Jay is not looking for a sports sedan, but a fuel efficient luxury. He could get a BMW 3 if it was about performance. What the heck he's currently driving a LEXUS ES, the least engaging car you could get!

Jay W, I know you were looking at the Saab 9-3, but the Acura TSX has better fuel economy and is way more reliable. According to the EPA, the 9-3 gets 21mpg(worse than your Lexus) and the TSX gets 25mpg( better than your Lexus). Consumer Reports rates the 9-3's reliability only fair vs the TSX rated at excellent. The TSX definitely worth a look! : )

The diesel Merc is a great option. If you are looking in the sub $30k don't forget the Honda Accord. The new model is very nice and gets 22/31mpg.

Just don't get a Camry, they have a serious problem.
Read about it here.
http://www.caroftheday.org/2008/05/20/i-have-a-problem/

I agree with the the "don't get a camry" comment because their interiors scream cheap rental car and the top of the line XLE trim isn't that much better. Not only that but, according to Consumer Reports, their reliability has sunk from excellent to fair. The new Accord is a very nice car with high end styling, powerful V6, great fuel economy, and has very good reliability. BTW Acura has special lease offers on the new TSX as low as $329/mo. : )

I'm confused about camry mileage ratings. the readout on my current tankful is 45.1 mpg. this is higher than usual, but it's always over 40, and averages about 42.

Happy, I'm guessing you have the hybrid model. Don't be surprised by the numbers because I've read that the 4 and 6 cylinder gas models get worse gas mileage than their EPA ratings suggest, and I know some people only getting 30 mpg with their new camry hybrids. To get over 40 you must be hyper-milling or there may be something wrong with you trip computer.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. We added the TSX to the post, but we also noted that it's a smaller car than the cars we already mentioned and the original questioner would be losing some interior room if he goes with the TSX.

I think it's worth mentioning that recent tests show the Mercedes E320 Bluetec (or even a 5-series Diesel in Europe 520d) gets about equal combined mileage versus the Prius. Lets see, overpriced tin-can with anemic power or a mid-size luxury car with torque? I think I'd rather use tried and proven technology that has decades of real-world reliability instead of the whole hybrid gimmick.

Oh no, Diesel costs more! Yes, but the benefit outweighs the cost increase versus gasoline.

What about the Toyota Avalon? It gets 25 mpg combined with more space, is closer to a Lexus ES, and doesn't need the words "diesel, turbo, hybrid" attached to it.

Joe Bruzek, the TSX is bigger than the Saab 9-3.

How about the same intial question limited to American companies; the so called Big Three.

There is no such thing as a fuel efficient luxury car from the Big 3.

Question, Jay (commenter on Avalon) are you Jay W (original questioner)? If so I would like to point out that the Avalon is not in the same class as the Saab 9-3, Acura TSX, and Lexus IS. The Avalon is a full size family sedan(non-premium) and the others are entry level (premium) luxury sedans. So considering you were interested in the 9-3, but at the same time wanted something more fuel efficient the Acura TSX would be your best bet. OTOH if you want a family sedan (non-hybrid) your options broaden. It all depends on what you want, though. Also the Avalon also DOES NOT have a combined EPA rating of 25mpg. ACCORDING TO THE EPA'S NEW RATING SYSTEM THE AVALON'S RATING IS 22MPG. So if you want a family sedan in the 25mpg range you could get an Accord like what "thecaroftheday.org" said, but remember that a mainstream sedan won't have as many features or that "premuim feel" that your looking for. So like I said before (and in previous post) your best option in the premium sedan segment is the Acura TSX.

These are great but really people need to be asking, what do they wnat out of a vehicle? Speed, power, size, mpg, practicality? I think its stupid to say you have great mpg with either car at 20city/24hwy common, this is 2008 we need averages of 30 mpg or better. Maybe you should look at the Tesla Roadster all electric 224 mi per charge lol.