LISBON, Portugal — In this scary spring of $4/gallon gas back home, we really wish that the handful of tiny, oddball econoboxes we just spent two days driving here would make it to dealers in the United States. Sadly, they probably won’t see American soil—at least for a while. Why not? Well, as efficient as some of these smaller Nissans may be, they don’t meet our exacting crash-test safety standards.

But that may change when these vehicles, depending on each model’s life cycle, get a fresh redesign. With ballooning prices at the pump leading to a 40-percent-plus sales increase last month for cars like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, every manufacturer is rushing to get more fuel sippers into its lineup. And while it appears that for every breakthrough Nissan Cube, there’s too many mpg-friendly subcompacts not making it to the States, here’s some good news: Motohiro Matsumura, president of Nissan’s North American Technical Center, told us that Nissan (in a co-venture with NEC) will produce its first all-electric vehicle for U.S. buyers by 2010.

Until we see the EV—and we’re still waiting on a lot of plug-in car tech—here are a few examples of how Nissan tackles rising fuel prices with global design sensibility and new internal-combustion technology. —Basem Wasef

Nissan Micra /// 50 mpg

Nissan moved 85,642 units of its European best seller last year, and for good reason: The Micra’s bubbly styling, compact proportions and spacious interior make it a likable workhorse. Not only is its B-platform the first to be shared across vehicles under the Renault-Nissan banner, its success has spawned iterations like the 110-hp 160 SR and the C+C convertible.

For the ultimate in fuel economy, look no further than the Micra’s diesel iteration. Powered by a turbocharged 1.5 liter 2-cylinder that features direct injection and an intercooler, this pint-sized engine produces 86 hp and an impressive 148 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1900 rpm. Though its powerband is narrow and acceleration is nothing to write home about, our time with this stick shift-only diesel shed some light on why the Micra’s package is so appealing—its well-sorted chassis belies its approachable appearance. And besides, all those Europeans can’t be wrong, can they?

Nissan Otti /// 44.7 mpg

It looks like a one-third-scale minivan and drives like a pedal car, but the Otti won us over with its surprisingly roomy interior, well-designed dashboard and endearing personality. Forget about those stereotypically under-equipped econoboxes—this mini minivan features a four-speed automatic transmission, power windows and a power sliding rear cargo door. Though the cabin is narrow enough for you to easily stretch both hands out each front window, the rear seats fold flat for impressive cargo space. No wonder over 39,000 of these were sold in Japan last year.

Driving the 1873-pound Otti will take some getting used to if you like any reasonable amount of oomph; its engine displaces a mere 0.66 liters and produce only 50 hp at 6500 rpm. Hold the pedal to the floor, and this tiny three-cylinder will wheeze itself to frustration before the tranny upshifts. But if you can live with that relatively anemic performance, it’s hard not to enjoy its strangely tall and narrow proportions with all that Lilliputian charm.

Nissan Pino /// 44.7 mpg

Powered by the same 0.66 liter 3-cylinder as the Otti, this little guy has slightly more conventional proportions, thanks to its shorter overall height. Versa-esque headlamps and an egg crate-style grille give the front end some distinction, and its interior is clad with soft-touch upholstery that vaguely resembles certain Louis Vuitton patterns. Who says you can’t have a hint of fashion with your minicar?

The Pino tips the scales at a puny 1697 pounds, making it a tad more exciting in the acceleration department—and the motorcycle-like exhaust note doesn’t hurt, either. While it lacks the Otti’s functionality, the Pino’s more luxurious interior makes it a plusher ride for low-consumption commuting.

Nissan Mocco /// 49.4 mpg

Based on the same Suzuki-sourced platform used in the Otti and Pino, the Bug-eyed Moco dwarfs its tiny wheels with sheetmetal that looks either stylish or wonky, depending on your sensibilities.

Its 54-hp 3-cylinder might make you miss the days of cheap fuel and thirsty V8s, but features like underseat storage, folding seats and an airy cabin give the Moco plenty of personality.

Nissan Note /// 33.6 mpg (petrol), 46 mpg (diesel)

Nissan sold 91,547 Notes in Europe last year, and that sales success can be attributed to its well-finished interior, respectable fuel economy and clever cargo storage compartments. The Note’s 1.5 liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel produces 103 hp at 4000 rpm, with 177 lb.-ft. of torque at only 2000 rpm, all while hitting nearly 50 mpg.

Our time behind the Note’s thick-rimmed wheel passed quickly: Its sporty cabin and top-stitched leather could have easily been confused with a Honda or Toyota, and beefy low-end torque made off-the-line launches entertaining. Because of (or in spite of) its more conventional styling, we could easily see the Note making friends with our oil-starved American roads.