The new Ford Fiesta equipped with the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will be America’s most fuel-efficient non-hybrid, gasoline-powered car with a certified 45 mpg rating on the highway, topping Honda Fit by 12 mpg and Toyota Yaris by 8 mpg on the highway.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has certified the 2014 EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta, arriving at dealers later this year, at 45 mpg highway.

The fuel economy rating not only establishes the Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost as best-in-class, but it also outperforms some competitors’ diesels and hybrids on the highway driving cycle. The 2014 Honda Insight achieves 44 mpg highway, while the 2014 Volkswagen Golf diesel with a manual transmission delivers 42 mpg highway.

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This also makes the Fiesta the only car in its class that produces more than 120 horsepower and achieves 45 mpg on the highway. Plus, while the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is officially SAE-certified at 123 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque, it features an overboost function that allows it to make more than 145 lb.-ft. for up to 15 seconds.

Fuel economy is often cited as the No. 1 purchase consideration in the subcompact class, according to Ford research. The EPA rating is for both the four- and five-door five-speed manual-equipped 2014 Ford Fiesta with SE Manual EcoBoost Package, which is also certified at 32 mpg city and 37 mpg combined.

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“With the new Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost we’re pushing into fuel economy numbers only seen on hybrids and diesels,” said Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of the Americas for Ford. “Coupled with the new Fiesta ST, Fiesta covers the performance-efficiency continuum in the subcompact segment better than any other nameplate in the market.”