If you like road trips to rural areas, there's no need to worry about closed gas stations if you are driving many new Volkswagen models. VW is now staking claim to the best highway efficiency as a brand, with seven models that get more than 40 highway mpg.

The claim comes as the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid goes on sale later this month. It is powered by a 1.4L, turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that produces 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque total. It gets an EPA-estimated 42 city/48 highway 45 combined mpg.

Starting at $24,995, standard features on all models of the 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Bluetooth hands-free technology, Climatronic temperature control and a six-speaker sound system. The Jetta Hybrid SEL, which starts at $29,325, also has a power moonroof, touchscreen audio system with navigation, heated seats and a six-way driver's seat. The top-of-the-line Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium, which starts at $31,180, also comes with Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and adaptive front lighting, front foglights with cornering, a rearview camera and the Feder Premium Audio System.

The other models that boast more than 40 highway mpg are all clean diesels: the manual transmission versions of the Beetle TDI (below) and Beetle Convertible TDI, as well as the Golf TDI, Jetta TDI, Jetta Sportwagen TDI (manual) and the Passat TDI.