Most Efficient Compacts
Below are the top 10 most efficient compacts according to their city
fuel economy.
There's a mixture of hybrid, clean diesel and gasoline engines in this group. For city driving the hybrids are the outright winners, but for highway driving the diesels win the battle. They offer around the same fuel efficiency as the hybrids but have the advantage of larger engines with far greater torque.
Although not as efficient as the others, the gasoline cars offer good all round performance with a budget price tag.
| Efficient Car |
Engine |
City L/100km |
Hwy L/100km |
| LEXUS CT 200h |
1.8L hybrid |
4.5 |
4.8 |
| HONDA CIVIC HYBRID |
1.3L hybrid |
4.7 |
4.3 |
| HONDA INSIGHT |
1.3L hybrid |
4.8 |
4.6 |
| LEXUS HS 250h |
2.4L hybrid |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI |
2.0L diesel |
6.7 |
4.6 |
| VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI |
2.0L diesel |
6.7 |
4.6 |
| MAZDA2 |
1.5L gasoline |
6.8 |
5.6 |
| KIA RIO |
1.6L gasoline |
7.1 |
5.8 |
| CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO |
1.4L gasoline |
7.2 |
4.6 |
| MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN |
1.6L gasoline |
7.3 |
5.6 |
LEXUS CT 200h
The most efficient compact car is the Lexus CT 200h, a luxury hybrid car.
It shares its hybrid engine with Toyota's Prius but gains unique control module programming. There's three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Eco mode relaxes the throttle response so the engine doesn't rev as eagerly, thus saving fuel. When you require more rapid acceleration, Sport mode tightens the accelerator pedal response and increases the voltage available to the electric motor.
The CT 200h is rated highly by most reviewers, boasting great handling, features and quality.