What Our Ratings Mean
- 0-1.0: This is the rarest group of all because a really bad new car is really, really hard to find these days. We recommend that you pass on any vehicle receiving a rating between 0 and 1.
- 2.0: Cars landing this set are also rare. Only true love and limitless passion should allow you to give in to temptation for one of these vehicles.
- 3.0: Is the vehicle youre looking at in this range? Wed bet that if you look a little harder, youll find a better vehicle at a similar price to fulfill your needs.
- 4.0: This is the area where the rubber meets the recommendations. The 3-4 range is full of good cars and some great ones. Starting here, its OK to listen to your heart.
- 5.0: These scores represent the cream of the crop, with 5.0 representing, well, near perfection. Any car you choose in this group will treat you very well over time.
Shopping For A Used Civic
The Honda Civic has consistently been one of the best small cars sold in the U.S. First introduced in the 1970s, the Civic is Hondas longest-running nameplate in this market.
Despite some frustrations over the outgoing Civics infotainment system, the previous-generation car was still one of the best options in a segment stacked with strong rivals. Some Civic fans lament the loss of the coupe version and sporty Si trim level, both of which disappeared with the 2021 model year.
- Version w/ Best Price & MPG: Base trim
- What We Like: 59 mpg available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid large cargo area
- What We Dont: Interior not as nice as rivals
The Hyundai Ioniq is a slightly more affordable hybrid alternative to the Toyota Prius. It is available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. There was also a full-electric version, which has been discontinued for 2022.
The most efficient version is the Ioniq Blue, which returns 58 mpg city and 60 mpg highway. The plug-in can go up to 29 miles on electric power and returns 52 mpg when that range is depleted. The Ioniq provides a generous 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
The Ioniqs interior is not as nice as the Prius, but the layout is far more conventional. It also comes well equipped with standard features such as an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a long list of standard ADAS features.
Seat Leon 20 Tdi Se Manual 657mpg
It isnt quite as economical as the equivalent Skoda Octavia that uses the same engine, but the 113bhp diesel Seat Leon is nevertheless a very frugal car on paper. According to the claimed WLTP figures, its capable of returning up to an impressive 65.7mpg.
The 2.0-litre diesel in the Seat Leon is also pretty punchy, with its hefty 300Nm of torque meaning the engine pulls strongly and has good in-gear acceleration. A word of warning, though: the 2.0-litre diesel engine is only available on the entry-level SE grades, which means youll be limited to petrol or petrol-electric plug-in hybrid power if you want a new Leon in the FR or Xcellence trim levels.
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Shopping For A Used Insight
2022 marks the final year of the third-generation Insight, which Honda will sunset starting later this year. This third generation of the hybrid was introduced for the 2019 model year. The first generation of the Insight was sold from 2000 to 2006, and the second generation was sold from 2010 to 2014.
Hyundai Ioniq Blue: 59 Mpg
The Hyundai Ioniq tops all other fuel-efficient vehicles when specified in high-efficiency Blue trim level. This is also the least expensive and least luxurious trim level. Moving up the trim level ladder does decrease efficiency somewhat, but for most buyers, the extra creature comforts will be worth the slight dip in MPG.
Overall the Ioniq delivers 58 MPG around town and 60 MPG on the highway, while not drawing attention to its hyper-miler status. The exterior styling is subdued, and the overall package looks and drives like a typical car. Interior space is comfortable for both front and rear-seat passengers, and the hatchback allows for a reasonable amount of car space. The Ioniq is an excellent choice for buyers looking to stretch their dollars at the pump.
Browse Hyundai Ioniq Blue listings here.
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Peugeot 2008 15 Bluehdi Active Premium 657mpg
Stellantis are becoming the masters of platform sharing, so if you want a really economical combustion-engined car, the chances are pretty good it will be fitted with the ubiquitous 1.5-litre BlueHDi engine. It pops up here in the Peugeot 2008, which sacrifices around 8mpg compared with the 208 supermini.
In return you can enjoy the added practicality and size of its crossover body style, along with a taller seating position. Its good to drive, too, with a smooth ride and agile handling, although some may find its small steering wheel takes some time to get used to.
Ford Mustang Gt Premium V8
You know what you are getting when youre shopping for and then driving a Mustang, and fuel efficiency isnt it. That said, 19 mpg is better than you might expect for such a revved-up sports car and because you are likely not taking your GT on long road trips, you may actually not be filling her up too much despite its relative fuel inefficiency.
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Which Vehicle Has The Best Gas Mileage
One of the defining factors when buying a vehicle is fuel economy. Gas prices are constantly on the rise, so its important to choose a vehicle that wont break the bank at the pump. When deciding which car to buy, be sure to do your research on fuel economy.
There are a few different ways to measure fuel economy. The most common is miles per gallon . This measures how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of gasoline. Another way to measure fuel economy is in liters per 100 kilometers . This number tells you how many liters of gasoline a vehicle uses for every 100 kilometers it travels.
Generally speaking, smaller vehicles have better fuel economy than larger ones. This is because they weigh less and have smaller engines. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some large vehicles get great gas mileage, and some small vehicles dont.
Hyundai Tucson: 29 Mpg
The Hyundai Tucson is all-new for the 2016 model year and is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. The Tucson is equipped with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that is standard on all trim levels except for the base model. Buyers looking for the best fuel economy will opt for the Eco trim, which maxes out at 26/33 mpg city/highway with the 1.6-liter engine.
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Citroen C3 15 Bluehdi Shine Plus 706mpg
Its perhaps little surprise the Citroen C3 takes second-place here its engine is almost identical to the one found in its Peugeot 208 sister car above. However, the Citroen is slightly thirstier, most likely as a consequence of its taller bodywork. We doubt most drivers would notice a big difference in day-to-day driving.
Acceleration isnt quite as nippy as the Peugeot , and the C3 places a greater emphasis on comfort. A raised ride height and SUV-style exterior trim makes it ideal for fending off scrapes on the urban commute or school run.
Do You Value Fuel Economy Above Everything Else Heres A Definitive List Of The Most Economical Cars On Sale In The Uk Now
Fuel economy will probably play a large part in deciding what your next new car will be. Its a simple cost-benefit analysis the more frugal the vehicle, the more money youre going to save each time you make a journey.
Below we explore the fuel economy issue in detail looking at the most economical petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in cars on the market right now.
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Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 52 Mpg
- Price:$27,350
- Body Style: Sedan
- What We Like: Cool tech features
- What We Dont: Smaller-than-average rear seat not as fun to drive as Accord Hybrid or Camry Hybrid
The Sonata Hybrid has a unique shape and styling that help it stand out among a crowd of more traditional sedans. It also undercuts the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry Hybrids on price, and gets better mileage than the Accord Hybrid. Its rear seats arent as spacious as rivals, and its not very athletic, though it does deliver a nicely cushioned ride. The Sonata Hybrid comes equipped with an intuitive touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, and a healthy assortment of ADAS features.
The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 52 MPG Combined
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the total package. In fact, according to U.S. News, this new sedan is pretty hard to beat. Aside from achieving an EPA-estimated 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway ratings, this 2022 Toyota Camry model has a comfortable interior and plenty of trunk space. Its also powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine.
Additionally, according to U.S News, the Camry Hybrid was one of the finalists for the 2022 Best Hybrid or Electric Car for the Money award. It was also a finalist for the 2022 Best Hybrid or Electric for Families award for many reasons cargo and passenger space, safety ratings, positive reviews from auto journalists, and family-friendly features.
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Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Se
A car that delivers mid-twenties in miles-per-gallon performance can only be considered poor when lined up against a peer group that likely can double the mpg efficiency. Sure, the VW Golf Alltrack provides just those 25 miles on each gallon but asCar and Driver says, this wagons excellence shines through its SUV-inspired disguise.
The Best Small Hybrid For Gas Mileage
Fuel economy: 58 mpg city, 60 mpg highway, 59 mpg combined
No, this isn’t a typo. This is a hybrid hatchback that earns 60 miles per gallon. If you really want to stretch your hydrocarbons, the Hyundai Ioniq Blue is a heck of a way to do it.
So what’s the trick? It starts with the hybrid-electric powertrain, which includes a 104-hp, 1.6-liter I4 gas engine along with an electric motor for a net 139 hp. The Blue variant also does away with most of the unnecessary creature comforts found in higher trims in order to squeak out every iota of efficiency, and the result is pretty impressive.
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What Is The Source Of These Mpg Figures
MPG figures on the list of Best MPG Cars above are a combination of Official MPG figures and Real MPG figures estimated by Next Green Car.
The official MPG figures come from the New European Directive Cycle . Performed on a rolling road, these official tests are used for emissions certification of light duty vehicles in Europe, and from which fuel economy figures are calculated . The official tests generate the familiar ‘urban’, ‘extra-urban’ and ‘combined’ official figures.
Urban – reflects city driving with lower speeds, frequent breaking, stop-start and higher gears resulting in the lowest MPG figure
Extra-urban – mirrors motorway driving and driving on country routes – higher speeds, infrequent stopping and lower gears. Hence this value is higher than the Urban or Combined
Combined – is an average of the figures from the urban and extra-urban tests weighted to take account of the miles driven in each.
In reality, drivers find it very hard, if not impossible to reach these MPG figures as the NEDC test is conducted in very specific conditions and does not reflect the real-world. Thus it should be seen as a comparative figure, rather than an absolute figure.
To provide a more realistic number, Next Green Car has calculated a Real MPG figure for all 50,000 models in the database. This figure is based on research into actual performance at a model level and involves the use of correction factors based on fuel type and year. See the Real MPG page for more information.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue: 52 Mpg
Hyundais third entry on the list gets an EPA-estimated 50 MPG in the city and 54 on the highway. Aside from excellent MPG, the Sonata includes an impressive suite of safety features, a comfortable interior, and a stylish exterior.
The overall driving experience in the Sonata is acceptable, with decent handling and a stable, comfortable ride. One area where the Sonata falls short is the integration of electric and gasoline power, with a clunky exchange between fuel sources that is less refined than the competition. The Sonata is still a worthy contender on the list of best fuel economy vehicles thanks to its other stellar attributes.
Browse Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue listings here.
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Citroen C4 15 Bluehdi Sense 691mpg
Its a hat trick for the Stellantis 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine, but here in a bigger model. So, if you need some extra passenger space or a larger boot, the Citroen C4 is the most economical family car with a purely combustion engine, managing up to 69.1mpg.
The Citroen C4 has a pretty unique style too with a crossover-style raised ride height contrasting with a curved roofline. Its sure to stand out on your driveway, and another quirk is its clever suspension with hydraulic dampers, designed to soften big bumps from being felt in the cabin.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
No surprise here as far as fuel-efficient luxury cars go, with Tesla taking the top two spots in Consumer Reports survey of mpg performance. The Model 3 Long Range delivers performance fitting of its name, with 325 miles of driving on a single charge available, which translates to 130 MPGe when compared to a non-electric vehicle.
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Shopping For A Used Rio
The Rio is in its fourth generation, which was introduced for 2018. Any older fourth-generation model will be broadly similar to the 2022 model, so you can save money by purchasing one of these used models.
- Version w/ Best Price & MPG:Hatchback in base trim with the automatic transmission
- What We Like: Cheap great mpg relatively spacious great warranty
- What We Dont: Feels cheap weakest engine on the market 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating
The Mirages superb gas mileage makes it a standout its one of the most fuel-efficient picks in its class. It also has an excellent warranty, as do the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. And then theres its pricing: The Mirage is one of the least expensive new cars you can buy. Unfortunately, its also one of the least-refined choices in its segment, with a relatively coarse ride and a downmarket cabin. Its 78-horsepower 3-cylinder is the weakest engine on the market, and sounds like it.
Spend Less Filling Up And Cut Emissions Too: These Are The Best Petrol Diesel And Hybrid Cars For Fuel Economy
There could be any number of reasons why you might want a more economical car. Whether it’s to cut costs on fuel bills, or even just to ensure you can get to work on a tank of fuel before you need to stop and fill up, fuel economy can be a very important aspect when it comes to choosing your perfect car.
A more economical car is also likely to be better for the environment if it’s producing fewer emissions, so if you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint, opting for a car that’s burning less fuel is likely to appeal to you.
Another option is to take a look at zero-emission electric cars. The best way to cut down on your fuel bills is to stop buying fuel, but if you’re not yet ready to make the jump to fully electric motoring, there are some great petrol, diesel and hybrid cars with good fuel economy available right here on BuyaCar.
Exactly which type of car is best for you will depend on how you intend drive it. A plug-in hybrid model could be a great idea if you have the option to charge the battery at home – you can cover around 30 miles in most PHEVs without using any fuel at all if you keep the battery topped up.
The trouble is, hybrid cars tend to be more expensive than petrol or diesel equivalents, so if you don’t have the cash to splash, an efficient petrol hatchback with a great mpg figure might well be the best way to. Read on to find out more.
Used deals from £15,595Monthly finance from £0*
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Peugeot 208 15 Bluehdi Active Manual 736mpg
The second-generation Peugeot 208 has followed in the footsteps of its forebearer, retaining its crown as the most economical car on sale in the UK. Its available with PSAs latest range of frugal combustion engines but the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel is the least thirsty option, with a claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of 73.6mpg.
Such frugality doesnt come at the expense of performance, either. Theres a hefty 250Nm of torque on tap, which provides a respectable 062mph time of 9.6 seconds, a top speed of 117mph and decent in-gear acceleration meaning the diesel unit rarely feels like a hindrance on the open road.
