With fuel prices stubbornly high as the conflict in Iran continues to drag on, choosing a new car with low running costs has never been more important.
Various reports suggest more drivers are considering making the leap to an electric vehicle to evade sky-high fuel bills.
With domestic electricity price holding at around 27p per kWh and the average battery car capable of 3.5 miles per kWh, to travel 100 miles in an EV typically costs around £7.70.
For those reliant on the public charging network, which is more expensive than plugging in at home, the cost to cover 100 miles in an EV jumps to around £15.
But electric cars simply aren’t for everyone.
For those reluctant to switch, finding the most frugal option among the petrol, diesel and hybrid new car market is now one of the top priorities for buyers.
These are the models that return the highest miles to the gallon, effectively sipping away at reserves in their fuel tanks to prolong the need to visit a filling station, which in the last few weeks has been an expensive venture.
The average cost of a litre of unleaded is now 157p, some 24p higher than it was before the first attacks on Iran orchestrated by the US and Israel, according to the RAC.
Want a new car that will keep you away from the fuel pumps for the longest time? Choose one of these 16 super-frugal petrol, diesel or hybrid models, which are the most efficient on sale
As for diesel, the cost to fill up is even steeper. At 188.4p, a litre is 46p more expensive than it was at the end of February.
This means filling the average 55-litre fuel tank of a petrol car has risen from £73 to £86, while topping up a diesel costs £25 more than it did less than two months ago, rising to an eye-watering £104.
Experts at motor sales platform CarGurus have reviewed the current market to find the most fuel-efficient vehicles on sale across petrols, diesels and conventional ‘self-charging’ hybrids – and while they’re not quite as cost effective as an EV, they all cover 100 miles for between £9.36 and £14.46.
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Chris Knapman, editorial director at CarGurus UK, says there are lots of highly efficient petrol, hybrid and diesel models to choose from.
He adds: ‘As with any car purchase, the first step should be to find something that’ll fit your needs.
‘But once you’ve done that, it is now more important than ever to also carry out further research to find the version that will be most efficient for your particular lifestyle.
‘Get it right, and it’s possible to make a meaningful difference to your car’s day-to-day running costs.’
Here’s the top five options across the three different fuel types.
We have also quoted how much it will cost to cover a 100-mile journey based on the UK average petrol and diesel prices applicable to Wednesday, April 29.
We have not included plug-in hybrid models. This is because of a significant variance in the cost to cover 100 miles depending on whether the car is running on electric, petrol or a combination of power.
MOST EFFICIENT NEW PETROL CARS
1. Suzuki Swift – £11.12 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 5-speed manual 2WD Motion
Price: from £19,995
Claimed fuel economy: 64.2mpg
The Swift isn’t just frugal, it’s a practical and great-handling supermini that’s suitable for a wide variety of drivers
The Suzuki Swift’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine – which uses mild-hybrid technology that provides a small amount of electrical assistance – returns a staggeringly economical 64.2mpg.
And the Swift is a good option for many different buyers. Despite being a supermini, it’s impressively roomy inside and good fun to drive, with sharp handling and a slick gearbox.
2. Vauxhall Corsa – £11.37 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 Hybrid 110 e-DCT6 auto YES
Price: from £22,090
Fuel economy: 62.8mpg
The 1.2-litre ‘mild-hybrid’ Vauxhall Corsa returns an impressive claimed 62.8mpg. Based on that figure and the average UK price of a litre of petrol, it costs just £11.37 to cover 100 miles
While the variant listed is a ‘hybrid’, the version quoted is a ‘mild-hybrid’, meaning it has a very tiny onboard battery providing electric support to the 1.2-litre petrol engine rather than delivering power directly to the wheels.
And it’s a frugal choice, with its 62.8mpg meaning it costs just £11.37 to cover a 100-mile journey.
3. Peugeot 208 – £11.38 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 Hybrid 110 e-DSC6 auto Allure
Price: from £24,465
Fuel economy: 62.7mpg
The Peugeot 208 is the sister car to the Vauxhall Corsa, hence the similar specifications and fuel economy
The Peugeot 208 shares a platform and engine with the Vauxhall Corsa, hence why the fuel economies are so close. We imagine the 0.1mpg difference is thanks to the Vauxhall’s slightly more aerodynamic body.
Still, 62.7mpg from this decent-sized supermini can’t be sniffed at. The cost to cover 100 miles is £11.38.
=4. Vauxhall Mokka – £12.12 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 Hybrid 145 Automatic Griffin
Price: from £28,165
Fuel economy: 58.9mpg
For a medium size crossover, the Vauxhall Mokka’s 58.9mpg will be difficult for family car buyers to overlook
While the three petrol cars mentioned above are all superminis, the Mokka signals a step up in vehicle size.
Yet despite its family-car dimensions, the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid returns a wallet-friendly 58.9mpg, which translates to just a cost of just £12.12 to cover 100 miles.
=4. Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida – £12.12 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 Hybrid 107kW (145hp) eDCT6 Automatic
Price: from £29,015
Fuel economy: 58.9mpg
The Alfa Romeo Junior is similar in size as the Vauxhall Mokka but infinitely more stylish. While it comes at a slight price premium, it will be just as frugal on petrol
For those considering the Mokka, a more stylish alternative is the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida – the mild-hybrid version of the Italian marque’s smallest car.
While it’s marginally more expensive than the Vauxhall, it uses the same powertrain and returns a like-for-like 58.9mpg.
=4. Fiat 600 – £12.12 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.2 Hybrid 48V 110PS Automatic Pop
Price: from £25,995
Fuel economy: 58.9mpg
The Fiat 600 is a jacked-up version of the iconic 500 with inflated dimensions. With a mild-hybrid petrol engine under the bonnet, it returns an impressive 58.9mpg
Another match for the Vauxhall Mokka and Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is the Fiat 600. While it also has a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine, it has a slightly lower power output.
Yet, it too returns 58.9mpg and, as such, will cost owners £12.12 in fuel bills for a 100-mile journey.
MOST EFFICIENT DIESEL CARS
1. Skoda Octavia – £13.02 to cover 100 miles
Variant: Hatch 2.0 TDI 116 SE Technology
Price: from £31,050
Fuel economy: 65.8mpg
Of the few new diesel cars still on the market, the Skoda Octavia Hatch is the most frugal of all
Given there are very few new diesel cars on the market today, the limited number of options available to drivers still provide incredible fuel economy figures. Most notably, the Skoda Octavia.
As well as being super practical and incredibly spacious, the TDI diesel engine with the lower 116PS output (a 150PS is also available) returns 65.8mpg. At the fuel’s current elevated price, this still returns 100 miles from a £13 spend.
2. Volkswagen Golf – £13.34 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 2.0 TDI 115 Match
Price: from £30,945
Fuel economy: 64.2mpg
Like sister brand Skoda, VW still offers some of its models with a TDI diesel powerplant. One of them is the Golf hatchback, which returns an economical 64.2mpg
For family car buyers looking for a little less space than an Octavia but more badge appeal than a Skoda emblem delivers, the VW Golf is your best option.
The Mk8 hatchback is still sold with a 2.0-litre diesel, which starts from just under £31k. Returning a claimed 64.2mpg, it’s an option that’s as frugal as it is premium.
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class – £13.64 to cover 100 miles
Variant: C220d 2.0 mild hybrid 9AT AMG Line
Price: from £47,590
Fuel economy: 62.8mpg
Many of the new cars still on the market with diesel engines are luxury executive models, like the Mercedes C-Class. The German giant claims it returns 62.8mpg in everyday driving
Unsurprisingly, most of the models still on sale with diesel engines under their bonnets are executive class cars that typically rack up high mileage in the hands of business users. And the Mercedes C-Class saloon is one of them.
While an all-new electric C-Class has been unveiled this month, it’s not the only version with low running costs. The C220d mild-hybrid diesel can cover 100 miles using just £13.64 of fuel.
4. Seat Leon – £13.75 to cover 100 miles
Variant: Hatchback 2.0 TDI 115 SE
Price: from £28,605
Fuel economy: 62.3mpg
Another car from the VW Group with a frugal diesel engine is the Seat Leon hatchback, returning 62.3mpg
Using the same 114bhp engine as the VW Golf, the Seat Leon hatchback is the fourth most economical diesel currently in showrooms today.
It’s not quite as efficient as its sister car, though at £28,605 is quite a bit less expensive. With a claimed 62.3mpg, the cost to cover 100 miles is less than £14.
5. Audi A3 Saloon – £14.46 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 2.0TDI 150 Sport S-tronic auto
Price: from £35,940
Fuel economy: 59.4mpg
The Audi A3’s inclusion means four of the five economical diesels on sale are VW Group sister cars. The A3 saloon only comes with the higher output 148bhp TDI, which returns 59.4mpg
Rounding out the top five diesel for fuel economy is the Audi A3 Saloon. While the hatchback also comes with the same 2.0-litre VW Group powertrain, the saloon’s svelte body is more aerodynamic and therefore helps ease the load on the engine.
As such, the 148bhp TDI engine returns 59.4mpg. To cover 100 miles costs just under £14.50.
MOST EFFICIENT SELF-CHARGING HYBRIDS
1. Mazda 2 Hybrid – £9.35 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.5 Hybrid 2WD 116PS Automatic Centre-Line
Price: from £24,690
Fuel economy: 76.3mpg
Even with fuel prices inflated as high as they are, the Mazda2 hybrid can still cover 100 miles for less than a tenner. That’s outstanding value
The Mazda 2 might look very familiar to some Toyota owners. That’s because it shares a platform, its looks and engines with the current Yaris.
But the Mazda is the more economical of the two with the 1.5-litre hybrid engine. In official tests, it returns 76.3mpg. That means 100 miles for less than a tenner.
2. Toyota Aygo X – £9.86 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.5 Hybrid 2WD 116PS Icon
Price: from £21,645
Fuel economy: 72.4mpg
The Aygo X is Toyota’s smallest car, and it’s also the most efficient with a combustion engine, returning a staggering 72.4mpg
The Aygo X is Toyota’s smallest car, making it ideal for city driving while also coming with the assurance of the Japanese brand’s rock-solid reliability.
The 1.5-litre hybrid engine in such a compact and light model means super-efficient driving. At 72.4mpg, the cost to cover 100 miles in one of these is just under £10.
3. Toyota Yaris – £10.62 to cover 100 miles
Variant: 1.5 Hybrid 2WD 116PS Icon
Price: from £23,995
Fuel economy: 67.2mpg
The Toyota Yaris is a favourite among Britons due to its practical and spacious interior, but also robust reliability. The hybrid engine is also incredibly economical
Given the like-for-like Mazda2 is top of the hybrid economy list, it won’t come as a huge shock to see the Yaris feature too.
But it is quite a lot less efficient. The reason for this is because the Mazda comes with 15-inch wheels, while the Yaris comes with 16s. As such, the fuel economy figure falls to 67.2mpg, which is still just £10.62 for a 100-mile trip.
=4. Renault Clio – £10.86 to cover 100 miles
Variant: E-Tech 1.6 Hybrid 145 Techno+
Price: from £21,795
Fuel economy: 65.7mpg
The new Renault Clio doesn’t land in the UK until the middle of next year, meaning Britons must make do with the older generation car for now. That’s not a hardship when it returns 65mpg
There’s a new Renault Clio coming, though not to the UK yet. French customers can already get one, but UK-spec cars in right-hand-drive won’t be here until 2027.
In the meantime, Britons must make do with the older Clio generation. But with its super-frugal 1.6 hybrid engine, that’s no bad thing. A 65.7mpg official claim means 100 miles for just under £10.90.
=4. Renault Captur – £10.87 to cover 100 miles
Variant: E-Tech 1.8 Hybrid 160 Evolution
Price: from £25,395
Fuel economy: 65.7mpg
Like the Clio, the bigger Captur Hybrid is supremely economical for its segment. Returning 65.7mpg, it can cover 100 miles for less than £11
The biggest hybrid model on the list is the Captur crossover – which is essentially a jacked-up version of the Clio that it matches for fuel economy.
While the E-Tech engine it uses is slightly bigger in capacity – 1.8 litres – it also provides 100 miles of driving for £10.86.
