Toyota to Up Prius Production by 50-Percent to Meet Demand

Which vehicles do best? The EPA ranks a total of eight Toyota and U.S.-only Scion vehicles in the top 20 most fuel-efficient

Toyota is by far the leader in the industry when it comes to fuel economy and emission levels. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

gasoline-powered light-duty vehicles in the U.S. That's more than any other automaker. Altogether, Toyota sells nine vehicles with a combined city and highway rating of at least 30 mpg, including the Echo, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, Solara, Scion xA, and Scion xB, as well as the outgoing MR2 and Celica - both to be discontinued in North America. The upcoming Scion tC will most likely also be included on this list when it becomes available this fall.

What's more, all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in North America comply with CARB (California Air Resources Board) certification as Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), with 75 percent achieving Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) status. Also impressive, the 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan and Lexus RX 330 SUV get ULEV II ratings, which is an emission standard that's 50 percent more rigorous to achieve than regular ULEV ratings.

Also, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rated 23 Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans as the "Best of 2004," which again was more than any other manufacturer.