Top 10: Efficient petrol cars

The one pence reduction in fuel duty announced in today’s UK Budget won’t be enough to stop lots of car buyers searching out the most fuel efficient offerings.

For many, that will automatically mean a diesel or a hybrid, simply because those technologies deliver the best miles per gallon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that those types of car will appeal to everyone.

For starters, they tend to cost more, which is enough to put off some. Combine that with the higher price of diesel, and it often means that mega miles have to be driven before the extra initial outlay is offset by better fuel economy.

So, for some drivers it will still make financial sense to go for a petrol-powered car. According to the Vehicle Certification Agency, these are the ten models currently on sale that use the least petrol (based on the combined cycle measure).

Fiat 500 & 500C TwinAir (2011)
Most fuel efficient petrol-powered car: The Fiat 500 / 500C TwinAir with Dualogic transmission.

The good news is that all will better 60 mpg (4.7 l/100km), and all except the Suzuki and Nissan emit 100 g/km or less of CO2, qualifying them for zero road tax and exemption from the London Congestion Charge.

However, as would be expected, every one is a small city car which somewhat limits their practicality.

Rank Manufacturer Model Transmission CO2 mpg (l/100km)
1 Fiat 500 / 500C TwinAir Dualogic SAT5 92 70.6 (4.0)
2 Fiat 500 / 500C TwinAir M5 95 68.9 (4.1)
3= Smart fortwo coupé (MY 2011) 71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels 5 AMT 97 67.3 (4.2)
3= Hyundai I10 Blue 1.0 litre SOHC M5 99 67.3 (4.2)
5= Smart fortwo cabrio (MY 2011) 71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels 5 AMT 99 65.7 (4.3)
5= Smart fortwo coupé (MY 2011) 71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels 5 AMT 98 65.7 (4.3)
7= Suzuki Alto 1.0 SZ-L / SZ-2 / SZ-3 / SZ-4 M5 103 64.2 (4.4)
7= Toyota iQ (MY 2011) 1.0 VVT-i 5 speed manual M5 99 64.2 (4.4)
7= Smart fortwo cabrio (MY 2011) 71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels 5 AMT 100 64.2 (4.4)
7= Nissan Pixo 1.0 M5 103 64.2 (4.4)

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