Drivers with a need for speed often assume that they’ll be sacrificing fuel economy in order to get the performance they desire. Yet while Ferraris and Lamborghinis may still have EPA ratings in the low teens, many performance cars from major automakers are able to boast impressive horsepower numbers without causing their owners to empty their wallet every time they go to the pump.

While miles per gallon (mpg) ratings in the low twenties may not be as impressive with models regularly eclipsing 40, bundling hundreds of horsepower with decent fuel economy was unheard of a few years ago. Now, there’s a whole range of vehicles that’ll impress on the racetrack while also not draining a bank account.

MSN Autos recently looked at 10 performance-oriented models that still look and run great while offering some great mpg ratings. Although prices on these vehicles may be high when bought new, drivers can save by shopping on the used car market and taking advantage of the increased fuel economy.

Sometimes the aerodynamics and sheer power of an engine means that a vehicle can do more with less – in this case put out more performance while guzzling less gas. That’s the case with the Dodge Viper, the first car mentioned by the news source. The Viper boasts 600 horsepower with it’s V10 engine, yet still manages to post a 22 miles per gallon EPA rating on the highway. That’s because when driving at highway speeds, the V10 is powerful enough to maintain a comfortable clip while not draining the tank all at once.

Another option from GM is the iconic Corvette line. The base model gets 435 horsepower – which might seem like a downgrade compared to some of the higher numbers boasted by the other cars on the list. But for most drivers, 435 will be more than enough to get them from A to B, and they’ll get 26 miles per gallon as compensation. Of course, true speed demons might upgrade to the supercharged ZR-1 which skyrockets the horsepower to 638 while losing just 6 miles per gallon.

Finally, the latest line to make waves in both performance and fuel economy is the new 2011 Ford Mustang. The V6 model offers a very impressive 305 horsepower while still clocking 31 miles per gallon on the highway – and its lighter V6 engine means that power goes further. Drivers can still upgrade to a Mustang GT at 412 horsepower and 26 mpg or the Shelby GT with 540 hp and 22 mpg.

Car buyers have options when they want to get some bang for their buck. Those interested in fuel economy and breakneck speeds may want to look at a used Ford, Chevy or Dodge today.