Top 10 Fuel Efficient Cars in the UK

If you like the idea of a Volkswagen Golf but want something a bit different, the SEAT Leon is a great option. It shares most of its mechanical parts with the Golf but has a more distinctive and modern design, thanks to its Spanish styling.

In terms of performance, the Leon drives very similarly to the Golf, as they share the same platform and engines. You can expect fuel economy around 60 miles per gallon in everyday driving. The car handles well and offers a comfortable driving experience, although it’s not as sporty as its appearance might suggest.

The Volkswagen Golf has long been a reliable choice for a wide range of drivers, and it continues to be a solid option, especially if you’re looking for an economical diesel car. While many manufacturers are moving away from diesel engines, the Golf is one of the few that still offers a simple, efficient turbo diesel without the added complexity of a hybrid system or the need to charge a battery.

The 2.0-litre TDI engine, which produces 115bhp, isn’t particularly powerful, but it’s well suited for everyday driving, especially if you prioritise fuel efficiency. Official figures suggest it can achieve over 60mpg, though in real-world conditions, you’re more likely to see around 53mpg — still very efficient for a car of this size.

This engine is only available with a manual gearbox, but that can actually be a benefit. The automatic version can feel sluggish in city driving, whereas the manual provides more direct control and a better overall experience in traffic and on open roads.

Inside, the Golf offers a high-quality cabin, which was further improved with the Mk8.5 update in 2024. There’s good interior space, a practical boot, and the overall driving experience is refined, comfortable, and quiet, especially on longer journeys. It’s this all-around capability that keeps the Golf as one of the most recommended cars in its class.

The Suzuki Swift stands out from the rest of this list, mainly because it takes a slightly different approach to fuel efficiency. It’s not a full hybrid — instead, it uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine supported by a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This setup helps improve fuel economy but doesn’t allow the car to drive on electric power alone, even for short distances.

Despite that, the Swift is still very efficient. In real-world driving, it can comfortably return around 60mpg, which makes it one of the most economical options in its class.

The Swift also offers a more engaging driving experience than many small cars, thanks to its light weight and manual gearbox. The steering is responsive, and it feels nimble around town or on country roads.

On the downside, the interior quality is basic, and the infotainment system is limited in terms of features and usability. It’s not the most refined car either, especially at higher speeds. However, its simplicity is part of what makes it so efficient; the Swift focuses on being lightweight and straightforward rather than relying on complex technology.

If you're looking for a practical, affordable, and economical small car, the Suzuki Swift is a strong contender, especially for those who value simplicity and low running costs.

The Kia Niro stands out in the compact SUV segment thanks to its bold and modern design. Features like slim LED daytime running lights and a distinctive rear roof pillar — which can be finished in a contrasting colour — help it look more unique compared to many similar-sized SUVs.

Inside, the Niro offers a spacious and high-quality cabin. Many of the design elements and materials are shared with Kia’s more premium models, such as the EV6 and EV9, giving it a more upmarket feel. The large touchscreen is easy to use, and Kia has included physical buttons for key functions, which makes everyday tasks simpler and more intuitive compared to fully digital systems in some rivals.

Under the bonnet, the Niro uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a hybrid system. It’s very efficient, officially achieving close to 65mpg. That’s especially impressive considering the Niro’s larger size and practicality. The boot is a good size as well, although it does offer slightly less space than the electric version of the Niro.

The only real drawback is that the driving experience is fairly unremarkable. It’s comfortable and easy to drive, but it doesn’t feel particularly engaging or sporty behind the wheel. However, if your main priorities are efficiency, practicality, and a high-quality interior, the Kia Niro is a very solid choice.

The Vauxhall Corsa shares its underlying platform and engine with the Peugeot 208, meaning it uses the same 1.2-litre turbocharged hybrid engine and has an official fuel economy figure of up to 65.9mpg. While you may not always reach that number in everyday driving, careful use can still deliver strong efficiency.

Many of the Corsa’s strengths are similar to those of the 208. It’s enjoyable to drive, though if you want a more comfortable ride, it’s best to avoid models with larger alloy wheels. The rear seats are on the smaller side, but the boot offers a useful amount of space for a car of this size. The interior is well built, though the touchscreen system can be a bit complicated to use. Like the 208, the Corsa also comes with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty.

The Corsa has become more expensive in recent years, but it does come with a good level of standard equipment. Optional features like intelligent LED headlights help add value, especially if you're looking for advanced tech in a small hatchback.

Peugeot’s little 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine has been around for an age now, but the addition of hybrid power has given it something of a new lease on life, and this is a hybrid engine that actually adds a bit of extra punch to the 208’s performance, making it feel more lively and enjoyable to drive.
It’s actually something of a pity that you can’t have a manual gearbox with it. While you’re enjoying the sweet handling and direct steering, the 208 hybrid gets on with being solidly economical, even if it’s half a step behind French and Japanese alternatives in this regard.
The official 65.9mpg figure can be matched in real-world conditions, but you have to be gentle to do that; you’ll probably get closer to 50mpg in real-life driving.
The 208’s cabin looks smart, even if it’s a bit over-done in places, but the touchscreen is fiddly and annoying to use. If you’ve got growing teenagers, they’re not likely to be too happy in the back, where legroom is quite tight, although there’s a very practical boot further back. Avoid the larger alloy wheel options if you want to keep the 208 smooth over bumps.

If you’d have predicted 20 years ago that the Toyota Prius would become one of the more stylish cars on the road, most people probably would have thought you were joking.

But this latest generation of Prius really does stand out. Initially, Toyota wasn’t planning to bring it to the UK, but they changed their minds, and that’s good news. The design is bold and distinctive, with a sharp wedge shape that seems to draw inspiration from the 1970s.

However, the focus on aerodynamics means the roofline is quite low, which limits rear passenger space and results in a smaller boot compared to other cars in its class. On the plus side, the Prius is a plug-in hybrid, allowing you to drive over 40 miles on electric power alone. Its official fuel economy figure is 67.3mpg for longer trips once the battery is depleted.

While matching that number exactly can be challenging, using the plug-in features regularly should help you achieve very impressive overall fuel efficiency. The Prius also handles better than many might expect. The interior, however, feels a bit cheap with hard plastics, which is a downside compared to some rivals.

If you find that the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and Mazda 2 Hybrid come with smaller cabins and a more basic interior feel, plus a relatively plain exterior, the Renault Clio takes a different approach.

The Clio is a stylish car with a distinctive French design and a cabin that feels more inviting compared to the Japanese rivals. While the interior isn’t perfect, there are some cheaper plastics in less obvious places, and the centre console can feel a bit loose, overall, it’s comfortable and feels more upscale than many other small cars.

The rear seats are a bit tight, but the boot is generously sized, making the Clio practical for everyday use.

Under the bonnet, the 1.6-litre petrol engine works with an electric motor and battery to power the front wheels through a complex automatic transmission. This setup helps keep fuel efficiency high but can sometimes cause the engine to rev unexpectedly, which may feel a little strange at times.

Despite that, the Clio is economical, typically achieving between 50 and 60mpg in normal driving. It’s also enjoyable to drive, with responsive steering and a comfortable ride, though it’s not quite as smooth as a VW Polo.

Overall, the Clio offers a well-rounded package; it’s efficient, comfortable for longer trips, and has a mature feel, making it a strong choice if you want a compact car that’s practical without feeling basic.

This is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Mazda basically uses the exact same car, thanks to a technology-sharing deal between the two Japanese companies.

The Yaris Hybrid is actually the original small hybrid hatchback — Toyota launched it years before most other brands even started thinking seriously about hybrid tech.

In this car, the battery can power the vehicle on its own for quite a bit of the time. It’s not a fully electric car, but especially when you’re driving around town, you’ll notice the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine switching off often, letting the Yaris glide along quietly on electric power. This helps save fuel in stop-and-go traffic, where regular petrol cars usually use the most fuel.

Officially, the Yaris scores slightly lower on fuel economy tests than the Mazda 2 Hybrid, even though they’re essentially the same car. The difference is tiny in real life, though — you can expect around 55 to 65mpg on average, with the chance to hit 70mpg or more on long, gentle drives. Just keep in mind that small hybrids like this don’t perform as well on motorways.

One big plus for Toyota is its long warranty. If you service your Yaris at a Toyota dealer, the warranty automatically extends each year, up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, giving extra peace of mind.

The main thing to know about the Mazda 2 Hybrid is that it’s basically a Toyota Yaris with Mazda badges. Outside, the only real differences are small changes around the headlights and grille — otherwise, it looks almost identical to the Yaris.

Inside, it’s the same story. You get the same instruments, the same touchscreen (though Mazda adds its own software design), and generally good-quality plastics, even if some parts still feel a bit cheap. The back seats aren’t very spacious either.

The Mazda 2 Hybrid drives well and is comfortable on motorway journeys. But the real reason to consider it is fuel economy — it’s one of the most efficient petrol cars you can buy right now, with an official WLTP figure of 74.3mpg.

That number is fairly realistic: if you drive gently on a long trip, you might reach it. On regular daily drives, you can expect between 55 and 65mpg as long as you’re not driving aggressively.

The hybrid system uses a small 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which spends a surprising amount of time running on electric power — up to 70% of the time around town. It only produces 115 horsepower, so it’s not very fast, and the CVT automatic gearbox can make the engine sound a bit noisy at times. Still, it’s a well-designed, efficient little car.

One downside is the warranty. Mazda offers only three years, while Toyota’s warranty can last up to ten years if you keep up with servicing.