Most Economical Car

Most Economical Small Cars

Here are the top 10 most economical small cars available in the U.K. based on their combined MPG.

All are diesels apart from the outstanding Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid which registers just 2 MPG less than the winner. If you only drive in cities or towns however the Prius is the clear winner, getting a huge 11 MPG more than the next best car. This is where the hybrid technology comes into its own.

Another car of note is the BMW 320 which still manages an MPG of 69 despite having a significantly larger engine than the other diesels on offer.

Economical Car	Engine	Urban MPG	Extra Urban MPG	Combined
Volvo C30	1.6L diesel	61	86	74
Seat Leon	1.6L diesel	60	83	74
Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion	1.6L diesel	60	83	74
Toyota Prius	1.8L hybrid	72	76	72
Volvo S40	1.6L diesel	58	83	72
Fiat Punto	1.3L diesel	54	81	69
Audi A3	1.6L diesel	57	76	69
BMW 320	2.0L diesel	57	79	69
Skoda Fabia	1.4L diesel	53	83	69
Hyundai i30	1.6L diesel	60	72	67

Volvo C30

The most economical small car is the Volvo C30.

The C30 manages a massive 74 MPG and emits only 99 g/km of CO2 thanks to its DRIVe Start/Stop technology which switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill. In theory the C30 is capable of 857 miles on one tank of fuel! Reviews of the C30's Start/Stop system have been favourable.

Improved aerodynamics have also helped the car's fuel economy, specifically theres now a flat undertray to smooth the airflow beneath the car.

TheGreenCarWebsite awarded the C30 the 'Green Car of the Year' in 2009.