Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As gas prices fluctuate and drivers look for ways to cut costs, on this week's episode we answer the questions drivers are asking most: Is premium fuel worth the extra cost? Does ethanol save money? Do Eco modes actually improve fuel economy? And should high fuel prices push you toward a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or EV? From choosing the right fuel and finding the best prices at the pump to understanding the long-term costs of different vehicle types, we separate fact from fiction and share practical strategies to help drivers spend less on fuel without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Join CR at CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 Intro
00:15 Gas prices
00:51 Ethanol fuel blends
05:45 Premium vs. regular gas
14:09 Real ways to save at the pump
16:00 Hybrids, EVs, and PHEVs
26:09 Oil shortages, diesel, and alternative fuel
31:41 Eco mode and fuel-saving driving tips
34:03 The future of fuel efficiency and electrification
----------------------------------
Best deals on fuel-efficient cars & SUVs
consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/best-deals-on-fuel-efficient-cars-a4329802409/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Expert fuel-saving tips
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/expert-fuel-saving-tips-how-to-get-more-miles-per-dollar-a1096060259/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 tips to get the most out of a tank of gas
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Most fuel-efficient SUVs
consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/the-most-fuel-efficient-suvs-best-mpg-a5599990140/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Cars with the best gas Mileage
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg-a1198903400
Will a hybrid, PHEV, or EV save me money?
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Top Tier gas is worth the extra price
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Find the best hybrids and EVs
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Most reliable used electric vehicles
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/most-reliable-used-electric-vehicles-a8864540677/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 best deals on electric vehicles
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/best-deals-on-electric-vehicles-a1198228201/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Popular EVs to avoid and what to get instead
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-to-avoid-and-the-evs-to-get-instead-a6654236864/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Should you use synthetic oil in your car?
consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/should-you-use-synthetic-oil-in-your-car-a9220487946/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
CR’s real-world electric car range comparison
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/real-world-ev-range-tests-models-that-beat-epa-estimates-a1103288135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Tested: Does eco mode really save gas?
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/does-eco-mode-really-save-gas-a6653523930/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
As gas prices fluctuate and drivers look for ways to cut costs, on this week's episode we answer the questions drivers are asking most: Is premium fuel worth the extra cost? Does ethanol save money? Do Eco modes actually improve fuel economy? And should high fuel prices push you toward a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or EV? From choosing the right fuel and finding the best prices at the pump to understanding the long-term costs of different vehicle types, we separate fact from fiction and share practical strategies to help drivers spend less on fuel without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Join CR at CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 Intro
00:15 Gas prices
00:51 Ethanol fuel blends
05:45 Premium vs. regular gas
14:09 Real ways to save at the pump
16:00 Hybrids, EVs, and PHEVs
26:09 Oil shortages, diesel, and alternative fuel
31:41 Eco mode and fuel-saving driving tips
34:03 The future of fuel efficiency and electrification
----------------------------------
Best deals on fuel-efficient cars & SUVs
consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/best-deals-on-fuel-efficient-cars-a4329802409/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Expert fuel-saving tips
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/expert-fuel-saving-tips-how-to-get-more-miles-per-dollar-a1096060259/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 tips to get the most out of a tank of gas
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Most fuel-efficient SUVs
consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/the-most-fuel-efficient-suvs-best-mpg-a5599990140/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Cars with the best gas Mileage
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg-a1198903400
Will a hybrid, PHEV, or EV save me money?
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Top Tier gas is worth the extra price
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Find the best hybrids and EVs
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Most reliable used electric vehicles
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/most-reliable-used-electric-vehicles-a8864540677/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 best deals on electric vehicles
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/best-deals-on-electric-vehicles-a1198228201/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Popular EVs to avoid and what to get instead
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-to-avoid-and-the-evs-to-get-instead-a6654236864/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Should you use synthetic oil in your car?
consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/should-you-use-synthetic-oil-in-your-car-a9220487946/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
CR’s real-world electric car range comparison
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/real-world-ev-range-tests-models-that-beat-epa-estimates-a1103288135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Tested: Does eco mode really save gas?
consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/does-eco-mode-really-save-gas-a6653523930/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
