Toyota Highlander

Fuel-saving feature: Six-speed automatic transmission
Savings: 4% to 6% gain in fuel economy (estimated)

The 2009 Toyota Highlander gets a base four-cylinder engine variant and a six-speed automatic transmission when it arrives in U.S. showrooms in January. Between those two features, the new model should post a big mileage improvement over the 2008 model. The 2008 Highlander is a redesigned model that debuted last year. It comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 and a five-speed automatic only. The 2008 model gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway. EPA estimates for the 2009 model have not been announced. A six-speed transmission saves gas by allowing the engine to run at lower rpms on the highway.