(AOL Autos) -- With fuel prices still high enough to put a hole in your pocket, where does one turn?





BMW's MINI division is the best average fuel-economy automaker.





For some, it's a vehicle that's been engineered to sip, not guzzle. The question then: Which brand is more likely to ease you out of the gas station without feeling you've been turned upside down and shaken?





Perhaps surprisingly, it's not always the Asian-based carmakers that come up on top where fuel economy ratings are concerned.





A look at the U.S. government's official fuel economy ratings (published by the Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and the Environmental Protection Agency) might not be light reading, but it does give a new sense of perspective on what is a very complex issue.





One observation: Carmakers are, on the whole, doing a pretty good job of bringing choice to the market when it comes to fuel economy. AOL Autos: Best-selling fuel-efficient cars





There may, however, be two races to win: the most fuel-efficient car on the road and the automaker that "on average" is most likely to save you money at the pump. AOL Autos: Fuel-efficient used cars for sale





On a single car basis, the Toyota Prius comes out on top, its hybrid technology delivering 48 city miles on a gallon (like other hybrids, its fuel efficiency drops slightly on the highway, to 45).





With fuel prices hitting hard, where are motorists more likely to find relief?





On a fleet basis, the best performing manufacturer is BMW's MINI division, with three models averaging out at just over 27 mpg city/highway.





But fitting a family any bigger than two or three in the MINI isn't possible; Honda might be a more realistic choice, its 27 models average out at almost 24 mpg combined.





Domestically, the winner in average fuel economy is Chevrolet, its 88 models average a combined 23.26 mpg combined city/highway, only slightly lower than Honda's 23.81 mpg average. AOL Autos: Three cheap, fuel-efficient new cars





What's more impressive is that Chevrolet's numbers factor in a full line of trucks, not the case with Honda (its only offering in that category being the Ridgeline).





But as shoppers would be quick to point out, it's not the fleet that we're buying. It's the individual car or truck. AOL Autos: Cars with 30+ MPG for $300 or less per month





By category, the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide singles out the leaders, and there it's more than a little apparent that the traditional Asian and European brands aren't about to give up their leadership position.





For two-seaters, it's Mercedes' Smart brand that delivers 33/41 mpg city/highway, followed by Mazda's MX-5 and its 22/27 mpg rating. AOL Autos: 10 cars with the best gas mileage





MINI stands alone in the next size category (mini-subcompact), with its two variations (manual and automatic) delivering 28/37 combined and 26/34 respectively.





An interesting side note: the traditional argument that manual transmissions deliver higher fuel economy no longer holds true. Several carmakers boast higher fuel economy with the automatic transmission than with a manual (if available).





Toyota's Yaris takes top honors in the subcompact category, posting 29/35 with an automatic transmission (29/36 for the manual).





The compact category has the Honda Civic Hybrid at the top of the ratings, with its 40/45 mpg, followed by Toyota's Corolla and its 28/37 mpg rating.





A little bigger vehicle will still take you further, notably if it's the industry leading Toyota Prius. In second place is the Nissan Versa and its 26/31 mpg rating.





The federal government's "large car" category has the Honda Accord at the top with 21/31 mpg (manual) and 22/31 mpg (automatic).





Honda once again takes top honors in the small station wagon category, the Fit coming in at 27/34 (automatic) and
What is the number one car? what is the no. 1 car? What is the best rated hybrid car? what are the 2 races to win? Which are the top compact cars in the category?
Toyota Prius BMW's MINI Toyota Prius the most fuel-efficient car on the road and the automaker that "on average" is most likely to save you money at the pump. BMW's MINI
question: What is the number one car?, answer: Toyota Prius | question: what is the no. 1 car?, answer: BMW's MINI | question: What is the best rated hybrid car?, answer: Toyota Prius | question: what are the 2 races to win?, answer: the most fuel-efficient car on the road and the automaker that "on average" is most likely to save you money at the pump. | question: Which are the top compact cars in the category?, answer: BMW's MINI