As the cost of living continues to be uncomfortably high, you may well be looking for a new car that’s one of the most economical cars on the market. That doesn’t necessarily mean switching to electric either, as there are still lots of internal combustion-powered cars that return very high fuel economy.
Here, we’re going to look at the top ten most efficient cars available to buy new in the UK right now. The list is based on the best average miles-per-gallon a car can return, according to the official WLTP figures. We’re using ‘best case’ figures that don’t take account of the effect optional extras like different wheels have on MPG.
The list is dominated by small hybrids. Though there’s a couple of SUVs and even a diesel estate. We haven’t included plug-in hybrids or electric cars because their efficiency is measured differently.
We also have a list of the most economical SUVs you can buy that you may want to check out.
Top 10 most economical cars 2024
Toyota-based self-charging supermini is the efficiency champion
The Mazda 2 Hybrid is basically the same car as the Toyota Yaris that’s in second place on this list. There are only minor differences between the two, yet somehow Mazda has managed to make the 2 Hybrid do 5.4mpg more than the Toyota. Commendably, it’s the only non-plug-in car on sale that achieves more than 70mpg.
The Mazda hasn’t received the engine and interior updates recently rolled out across the Yaris range. But it’s very much like its counterpart – smooth and quiet to drive, well equipped, undemanding to own, spacious up front but not in the back. It’s rather pricey, as well.
To find out more, read our full Mazda 2 review
The Mazda hasn’t received the engine and interior updates recently rolled out across the Yaris range. But it’s very much like its counterpart – smooth and quiet to drive, well equipped, undemanding to own, spacious up front but not in the back. It’s rather pricey, as well.
To find out more, read our full Mazda 2 review
Pros
- It’ll cost very little to run
- Should be as reliable as Toyota counterpart
- And as easy to drive
Cons
- High list price
- Lacks its own identity
The masters of hybrid deliver a very efficient supermini
The efficiency the self-charging hybrid-only Toyota Yaris achieves is a big factor in it being Toyota’s best-selling car in the UK. Its battery-powered range is sufficient to cover a large portion of urban journeys, and it can even stay in EV mode up to motorway speeds. The electric motor can assist the engine when needed, providing usefully nippy acceleration. It’s very easy to drive, too.
The Yaris still looks fresh and funky despite its familiarity. The interior isn’t up to the same mark as some rivals – despite a recent update – but it’s user-friendly, built solidly and you get plenty of tech. Back seat and boot space aren’t especially generous, though.
To find out more, read our full Toyota Yaris review
The Yaris still looks fresh and funky despite its familiarity. The interior isn’t up to the same mark as some rivals – despite a recent update – but it’s user-friendly, built solidly and you get plenty of tech. Back seat and boot space aren’t especially generous, though.
To find out more, read our full Toyota Yaris review
Pros
- Excellent dealer support
- Good to drive
- Industry-leading warranty
Cons
- Uninspiring interior
- Sub-par practicality
Hybrid supermini impresses with interior and performance
We think the Renault Clio is the best small car on sale. In E-Tech form, it’s one of the better self-charging hybrids. Its 145hp translates to zippy acceleration around town and it has a usefully long EV range. You can get close to its advertised MPG in the real world, too.
The Clio’s petrol engine is rough when accelerating but quiet at a cruise. The interior is first-rate, perhaps a little dull looking but logically laid out and very well made from high quality materials. Passenger space is sufficient rather than generous, the batteries eat into boot space but it’s still pretty big for a supermini.
To find out more, read our full Renault Clio review
The Clio’s petrol engine is rough when accelerating but quiet at a cruise. The interior is first-rate, perhaps a little dull looking but logically laid out and very well made from high quality materials. Passenger space is sufficient rather than generous, the batteries eat into boot space but it’s still pretty big for a supermini.
To find out more, read our full Renault Clio review
Pros
- Punchy acceleration
- Refinement
- Great interior
Cons
- Gearbox can be lethargic
- Not the sharpest handler
Brilliant, high-tech interior enhances this wallet-friendly hatchback
The diesel version of the Peugeot 208 has been replaced by this mild-hybrid variant that’s very nearly as economical. Teamed with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a dual-clutch gearbox it provides perfectly adequate performance, though the engine is harsh under hard acceleration.
Elsewhere, the recently facelifted 208 remains as stylish and characterful as ever. It drives neatly and rides smoothly, but it’s the interior that’s the highlight. It’s the technological tour de force of the supermini class with a brilliant 3D digital display that shows vital stats like speed in front of the windscreen. But the split-level dashboard creates a driving position that can be awkward for some drivers.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 208 review
Elsewhere, the recently facelifted 208 remains as stylish and characterful as ever. It drives neatly and rides smoothly, but it’s the interior that’s the highlight. It’s the technological tour de force of the supermini class with a brilliant 3D digital display that shows vital stats like speed in front of the windscreen. But the split-level dashboard creates a driving position that can be awkward for some drivers.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 208 review
Pros
- Stylish and desirable
- Very refined on the motorway
- Good to drive
Cons
- Rear legroom is tight
- Infotainment can be fiddly
Mile-munching family hatchback has very long range
The Skoda Octavia is one of the few midsize family hatchbacks still available with a diesel engine. And it's well suited to the car, which is at it's best chomping through a long motorway journey. It's just so comfortable and stable, and it comes with all the standard features you really need. It's a hugely practical family car, as well, with more back seat and boot space than many much bigger options.
It's worth noting that the 150hp diesel is only 2.5mpg behind and we suspect that, in the real world, it'll be the more efficient of the two. That's because the 116hp version has to work quite hard to maintain high speed and haul along a heavy load of passengers and luggage.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Octavia review
It's worth noting that the 150hp diesel is only 2.5mpg behind and we suspect that, in the real world, it'll be the more efficient of the two. That's because the 116hp version has to work quite hard to maintain high speed and haul along a heavy load of passengers and luggage.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Octavia review
Pros
- So relaxing to drive
- Loads of passenger, boot space
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- 116hp diesel is short on muscle
- And it's rather noisy
There's life yet in small diesel estates
This might just be the most unfashionable car on this list, being a smallish estate with a diesel engine. Most people who used to by such things have moved onto hybrid SUVs, but the VW Golf Estate shows there's plenty of life left in this type of car. It looks good, it's pleasant and undemanding to drive, even the base model is well equipped and, of course, it's packed with passenger and boot space.
It might seem odd that the Golf Estate is more efficient than the smaller hatchback version, but it's longer body is more aerodynamic. The 115hp diesel isn't the smoothest or quietest engine, and it can struggle to haul a heavy load. As such, the more powerful 150hp diesel may prove to be more economical in real world – its WLTP numbers are only a couple of MPG off.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf Estate review
It might seem odd that the Golf Estate is more efficient than the smaller hatchback version, but it's longer body is more aerodynamic. The 115hp diesel isn't the smoothest or quietest engine, and it can struggle to haul a heavy load. As such, the more powerful 150hp diesel may prove to be more economical in real world – its WLTP numbers are only a couple of MPG off.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf Estate review
Pros
- Sharp and satisfying to drive
- Very strong practicality
- User-friendly infotainment
Cons
- It's deeply unfashionable
- Not the smoothest of engines
All-new supermini is fast and frugal
The MG3 Hybrid is the first in a cluster of cars that achieve 64.2mpg – we’ve listed them in no particular order. The all-new 3 Hybrid is a real cat among the pigeons in the supermini class and not just because of its efficiency. It’s a giant leap forward from its predecessor and right up there with the best-in-class.
It’s pretty spacious, very well equipped and comes with a seven-year warranty, it’s quiet on the road and even quite satisfying to drive. The star of the show, though, is the hybrid powertrain. With up to 194hp, it’s not just efficient – it’s nearly hot-hatch-fast, too.
To find out more, read our full MG3 Hybrid review
It’s pretty spacious, very well equipped and comes with a seven-year warranty, it’s quiet on the road and even quite satisfying to drive. The star of the show, though, is the hybrid powertrain. With up to 194hp, it’s not just efficient – it’s nearly hot-hatch-fast, too.
To find out more, read our full MG3 Hybrid review
Pros
- Great value
- Lots of power
- Usefully spacious
Cons
- Interior quality issues
- Wheels look too small
Lots of space and a grown-up interior in a diddy car
A mild-hybrid petrol and manual gearbox combination doesn’t necessarily suggest a super-efficient car, but the Suzuki Swift achieves its MPG through small size and light weight. Small it may be, but the Swift is remarkably spacious, with generous leg and headroom front and back. But that necessitates a compromise in boot space, which is on the small side.
The Swift’s interior is a pleasant place to while away a journey – it’s comfortable and there’s loads of standard equipment. It’s rather amusing to drive, as well, though with only 82hp on tap it’s hardly fast.
To find out more, read out full Suzuki Swift review
The Swift’s interior is a pleasant place to while away a journey – it’s comfortable and there’s loads of standard equipment. It’s rather amusing to drive, as well, though with only 82hp on tap it’s hardly fast.
To find out more, read out full Suzuki Swift review
Pros
- Light and nimble to drive
- Surprisingly spacious
- Well equipped
Cons
- Leisurely performance
- Laggy touchscreen
Family-size SUV with low running costs and a long warranty
The Kia Niro is the most efficient family-friendly, mid-size SUV – it’s also available with plug-in hybrid and electric power if you want to lower running costs even further. Behind its distinctive face there’s plenty of space for a family of four and their stuff in a partly recycled interior. It’s not especially plush, but it does up the car’s eco credentials.
It’s an undemanding car to drive that rides smoothly and handles neatly enough. The engine is vocal under heavy throttle but settles into the background at a cruise. Build quality and reliability are top-notch and you’re backed up by Kia’s seven-year warranty.
To find out more, read our full Kia Niro review
It’s an undemanding car to drive that rides smoothly and handles neatly enough. The engine is vocal under heavy throttle but settles into the background at a cruise. Build quality and reliability are top-notch and you’re backed up by Kia’s seven-year warranty.
To find out more, read our full Kia Niro review
Pros
- Spacious interior and boot
- Feels very robust
- Long warranty
Cons
- Loud engines
- Less than plush interior
An appealing small SUV with capable hybrid tech
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the SUV version of the Yaris supermini. And, like that car, it’s equipped with a clever and efficient hybrid powertrain using a 1.5-litre petrol engine. It’s as quiet and easy to drive as its hatchback brethren, and quite nippy with it. The higher driving position and the feeling of being in more substantial car appeal, as well.
The appeal of the Yaris Cross goes beyond its economy and fine driving manners. It's also very reliable, has a ten-year warranty and plenty of space – though the interior isn’t as imaginative as in some rivals. It costs more, as well.
To find out more, read our Yaris Cross review
The appeal of the Yaris Cross goes beyond its economy and fine driving manners. It's also very reliable, has a ten-year warranty and plenty of space – though the interior isn’t as imaginative as in some rivals. It costs more, as well.
To find out more, read our Yaris Cross review
Pros
- Impressive warranty and reliability
- Excellent hybrid technology
- Drives well
Cons
- Interior isn't interesting
- Not much in the way of charm
Sensible and economical transport
The Toyota Corolla is the last mid-size hatchback standing on this list now that some diesel rivals have been discontinued. Both the 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines, and hatchback and estate versions of the Corolla are capable of the MPG figure given here, giving a usefully large range of options.
The Corolla isn’t the most practical car of its type, but it’s smartly styled, comfortable, quiet and as easy to drive as you’d expect of a Toyota. It’s even pretty adept on a country road. Throw in generous standard equipment and Toyota’s stellar 10-year warranty, and there’s a lot to recommend it.
To find out more, read our full Toyota Corolla review
The Corolla isn’t the most practical car of its type, but it’s smartly styled, comfortable, quiet and as easy to drive as you’d expect of a Toyota. It’s even pretty adept on a country road. Throw in generous standard equipment and Toyota’s stellar 10-year warranty, and there’s a lot to recommend it.
To find out more, read our full Toyota Corolla review
Pros
- Economical in real-world conditions
- Priorities EV mode
- Fuss-free ownership experience
Cons
- Dull to drive
- Limited rear room
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