A new survey reveals just how important fuel economy has become for drivers. Maritz Research recently found that across the board, fuel efficiency has grown inimportance, whether consumers want to buy SUVs, sedans or subcompact cars.

For drivers seeking midsize sedans, such as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, fuel efficiency is the most important factor, whereas is was the fourth most important consideration, according to a similar survey from 2001. It also ranks in the top five concerns for car buyers across other sectors such as crossovers and SUVs. Even sports car drivers are feeling the crunch of high gas prices, as fuel efficiency falls in the top ten list of considerations for this group.

Drivers who are not considering buying new cars at the moment do not have to fall behind in the race to better fuel economy. There are plenty of ways to improve a car's mileage, such as driving more cautiously and turning the car off if it is going to idle for more than 30 seconds. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that every hour of idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of gasoline.

You can also get regular maintenance and oil changes to make sure that the car is in good shape, and a car warranty can also cover the cost so you can save even more.