So it appears that the lofty fuel prices we are currently experiencing aren’t likely to be going anywhere. If anything, they could increase further through 2022. This is bad news for all of us motorists, but to avoid getting into politics we’re focussing on the good news. Today we’re listing 10 of the most fuel-efficient petrol and diesel cars available in 2022. We’ve excluded electric cars - obviously - and we’ve only included cars that are somewhat reasonably priced. So, have a scroll and if you’re looking to reduce your fuel bill this year, why not launch an enquiry at your local dealership?
BMW 330e
Right we’ll start with the latest BMW 330e. This really is the complete package. The 330e is arguably the best-balanced version of the seemingly ever-popular 3 series saloon. The 330e combines a 2litre engine with an electric motor to deliver a claimed combined efficiency of 148.7 mpg when driven to meticulous standards. This is quite a stretch for realistic driving conditions but it is a testament to what the 330e is capable of, and because it is a hybrid, BIK rates start from just £76 per month for the SE Pro Sport-Auto model.
Click here to get your Brochure
Ford Kuga PHEV
The Kuga has sold well for a number of years now, and this latest iteration builds on the solid reputation the Kuga has earned as a pleasing family SUV/ crossover. The PHEV model starts from £33,085 for the Titanium model and is capable of returning a theoretical 201.8 mpg as quoted by the manufacturer. This claim has been backed up by WLTP testing, so any buyer should be able to get to this glorious level of efficiency however it will demand a very specific driving style and a flattering testing environment.
Toyota Prius PHEV
Another top-scorer in terms of fuel efficiency is the car that is almost synonymous with high mpg’s - and that is of course the Toyota Prius. The Prius is now exclusively available as a Plug-In hybrid, whereas it has previously been available as a self-charging hybrid. That’s fine though, as the plug-in model was always the one worth buying. The Prius PHEV starts from £33,915 - reflecting pretty good value for a car of this size and with this much technology packed on board. The tried and tested powertrain in the Prius is now capable of returning up to 235.4 mpg when tested to WLTP standards. For the majority of us driving cars that get less than 50mpg - that means considerably fewer trips to the fuel pumps.
Vauxhall Corsa
The Corsa is now available as a fully electric ‘Corsa-E’ which is certainly a car we could recommend to EV buyers, but the 1.5 turbo-diesel model is also a car that deserves attention as it is similarly impressive. Of course, it is clear that petrol and diesel cars are on their way out, but in the meantime, a Corsa that can comfortably clear 70 mpg is always welcome. This car is also available for as little as £17,380 too, making it one of the cheapest cars to buy and run on the market in 2022.
Volkswagen T-Roc
For buyers looking for a small SUV in the current market, you are almost spoilt for choice. Every manufacturer seems to have at least none ‘B segment’ crossover to offer and they all come with their own perks and pitfalls. The T-Roc from Volkswagen is definitely a model that deserves some attention. It’s a smart, sophisticated car that is reliable, practical and - most importantly - economical. For buyers that don’t want a diesel in the current climate, but are not quite ready for a plug-in hybrid or electric car, the 1.0-litre petrol TSI engine in the T-Roc is a perfect fit. This unit returns a solid 47 mpg on the combined cycle, which is pleasing. If you did want to go for the more expensive 1.6 TDI engine then that figure climbs even higher to 60mpg - so buyers have a couple of options.
Peugeot 208
The Peugeot 208 is an exceptional new city car that actually comes best-served as a full electric. The e-208 is capable of returning up to 217 miles of electric range while still offering all the charming charisma of the regular 208 models. If your budget can stretch to almost £30,000 and you can support charging the vehicle, go for this one. If you’re not keen on an electric model, then there are two exceptional fossil-powered models to choose from. The 1.2-litre Puretech Petrol engine is playful and capable of a stellar 55.6 mpg on the combined cycle, meanwhile, the 1.5-litre BlueHDI diesel can return up to 73mpg - this is the same engine that features in the Corsa model we mentioned earlier.
Hyundai IONIQ
The IONIQ has drawn a lot of comparisons to the incredibly popular Toyota Prius, and for good reason. This is the Korean alternative to the fantastic Prius Hybrid, and while they are similar offerings, the IONIQ has its own quirks to attract buyers. A sleek aesthetic, high-end technology and a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty to name a few. The IONIQ Hybrid starts from £24,395 for a self-contained model and £30,800 for a Plug-In model. The former is capable of 62.8mpg on the combined cycle whereas the latter boasts a headline figure of 260 mpg. Once again, it’s worth reiterating that the conditions required to achieve such a lofty figure are few and far between, to say the least…
Ford Fiesta
No surprises here, the Fiesta is still one of the most affordable hatchbacks to buy, maintain and run on the market - don’t hold the front page. Ford recently canned the 1.5 litre Diesel engine from the Fiesta range, so now the 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine rules the roost. This engine uses mild-hybrid technology to help with the more fuel-demanding elements of driving, such as negotiating stop-start traffic, and owners are rewarded for this with a lovely 56mpg. The Fiesta is on sale now and we’re sure there’ll be a spec and engine that ticks all the right boxes for you, with prices starting from just £17,070.
KIA Niro
Next up is the KIA Niro. Another small crossover with a hybrid powertrain, bags of standard technology and an attractive price tag to boot. Better still, it’s a KIA so you’ll get a 7 year/100,000-mile warranty and a combined fuel consumption figure of 58.9 mpg. The Niro Hybrid starts from £26,295 for the ‘Connect’ model which comes with Android Auto, Apple Car Play, a nice big 10.25” Touch-Screen and loads of safety tech, so you won’t need to be splashing too much cash on the optional extras. A solid hybrid car at a good price point.
Skoda Octavia
And last but not least is the Skoda Octavia. There’s a reason that almost every single Uber driver outside of London seems to drive a diesel Octavia. They’re wonderfully comfortable to spend hours and hours behind the wheel of, and the famously bulletproof 2.0-litre TDi diesel engine is still returning 65+mpg in 2022. These cars are best served with the similarly famous DSG automatic transmission which helps contribute to a beautifully silky-smooth driving experience. If you did want to go for a petrol model, the 1.0 litre and 1.5-litre options will both still return over 50mpg, but you could go one step further and get the new PHEV model - which returns up to a claimed 283 mpg. Once again, we must make it clear that the headline figure of 283 mpg does require some extremely specific driving conditions, but it’s interesting to see what the Octavia Hybrid is capable of nonetheless!
So, there you have it! Those are 10 of the best fuel-efficient cars for 2022. Which models take your fancy? Also, let us know in the comments section which vehicle you’re driving at the moment and what miles-per-gallon are you able to average? And finally, have the increased prices of petrol and diesel changed your driving habits? We look forward to hearing your thoughts…