Most economical cars – Top 10 cars with the lowest consumption at the moment
Are you looking for the most economical car ? Or are you looking for an economical car that also runs nicely and comfortably, meets the highest safety standards and is also economical for your wallet when you purchase it? We have listed for you the top ten most fuel-efficient cars of today with petrol and diesel engines.
We also looked at the actual fuel consumption, and not just what the manufacturers say. Comfort, safety, style and purchase price also played a role in determining this list, because economy is not everything.
Why buy an economical car? – Economical for your wallet!
You are not the only one who is interested in buying a fuel-efficient car. That makes sense, because the more economical a car drives, the cheaper it will be to get from A to B. In addition, an economical car is better for the environment, because you emit fewer exhaust gases per kilometer if you burn less fuel.
In addition, with a lighter car (fuel-efficient cars are often lighter) you pay less road tax, which gives you an additional benefit of several hundred euros per year.
What is the financial benefit of an economical car compared to an average second-hand car? That depends in particular on how much you drive and how economical your new car will be.
Many new fuel-efficient cars use around five liters per hundred kilometers. An average car uses nine liters per hundred kilometers. Then that means that you save four liters per hundred kilometers with a new fuel-efficient car compared to an average second-hand car.
Based on an average fuel price of € 1.75 per liter, you therefore save 4 x 1.75 = € 7 per hundred kilometers. On average you drive around 100,000 kilometers with a car, so on average you will save € 7,000 on fuel with an efficient car. That is quite worthwhile!
About this list fuel-efficient cars with petrol and diesel
When you make a list, it is always nice to be able to number it. However, that is very difficult in this case. Because how do you determine exactly which car is really the most economical? In addition to gasoline cars, we also have diesel, electric and hybrid cars.
So that is not only comparing apples with pears, but also with oranges and bananas. That is why we have made a selection and our list is not numbered. It consists of a subjective selection of fuel-efficient diesel and petrol cars that also score high on:
- Safety – How does the car score in safety tests?
- Comfort – Does the car drive fine and is it equipped with extras that increase comfort?
- Price – A car must also be affordable. The big advantage of an economical car is that it costs less to use. The more expensive it is to purchase, the smaller this benefit becomes.
Looking purely at fuel consumption, purely electric cars are always the most economical, because they simply do not use any fuel. But the electricity from such a car really needs to be generated, which is still largely done in power stations. However, it is very difficult to figure out what this means for the final consumption, so that is why we have left out these cars today, together with the hybrid cars.
Furthermore, the most fuel-efficient diesel cars are more fuel-efficient than the most fuel-efficient petrol cars. However, diesel is less good for the environment, due to the high emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and soot. That is why our list consists of a mix of petrol and diesel cars.
Our list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars
| Brand and model | Diesel or gasoline? | Consumption (in liter/100 km) | Why on the top? | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | Gasoline | 4.7 | The most economical gasoline car | € 12,899 |
| Fiat 500 | Diesel | 4.8 | Compact, elegant and economical | € 17,290 |
| Citroen C1 | Gasoline | 5.2 | Nice city car | € 11,710 |
| Citroën C4 Cactus | Diesel | 4.7 | Particularly economical appearance | € 21,990 |
| SEAT Mii | Gasoline | 5.2 | Practical, elegant and economical! | € 13,250 |
| Renault Twingo | Diesel | 4.7 | Cheerful and sporty | € 12,490 |
| Skoda Citigo | Gasoline | 5.3 | Ideal city car | € 11,960 |
| Kia Picanto | Diesel | 4.9 | Young but still mature | € 13,495 |
| Peugeot 108 | Gasoline | 5.5 | Like a fish in the water in the city | € 11,195 |
| Ford Ka+ | Diesel | 4.9 | Economical yet sporty | € 14,940 |
The most fuel-efficient car at the moment – Suzuki Celerio
The most fuel-efficient petrol car you can buy at the moment is Suzuki Celerio. This model, launched in 2015, is probably the ultimate cheap car. It costs less than 13,000 euros and in practice it drives a whopping 1 in 20.8 (or 4.7 liter/100 km)! With that, it even beats expensive hybrid models. Those looking for the cheapest car to buy and use need look no further. However, if you also value safety, comfort and style, this Japanese city car is less ideal. It only scores three stars in the EuroNCAP for safety and is stripped of any kind of comfort.
Fiat 500
Fiat 500 is a moving legend. The Italian model has been driving the roads full of style since 1958. The newest model can also be there. With a new cheeky front with three-dimensional grille, new profiles and challenging headlights and a very stylish interior, you don’t have to drive this car just because you don’t want to spend a lot on diesel. With a starting price of € 17,290, Fiat 500 is certainly not the cheapest in our list. However, it will pay for itself, because you only have to throw in 4.8 liters of diesel per 100 km.
Citroen C1
Just like Fiat 500, the C1 from Citroën is a stylish guarantee in all lists of fuel-efficient cars. The city car par excellence has a strong personality, an optimistic style and dynamic lines. It is as compact as it is manoeuvrable and inside everything is ergonomically designed for optimum comfort. In addition, the C1 is very safe, because it is equipped with the latest gadgets such as a reversing camera and is equipped with ESP, tire pressure control and six airbags as standard. For just € 11,710 you can drive a brand new C1, whereby you can assume a consumption of 5.2 liters per 100 km.
Citroën C4 cactus
The striking and remarkably spacious C4 Cactus is the new compact hatchback from Citroën. Although not cheap to purchase, the consumption of 4.7 liters of diesel per 100 km will guarantee that you will have very low operating costs. The C4 Cactus is equipped with modern technologies such as Advanced Comfort Seats and the unique Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC), making it feel like you are floating on the road. Together with the beautiful and ergonomic design, these systems guarantee great comfort and therefore great value for money.
SEAT Mii
The SEAT Mii can also be there. The car is very compact, but thanks to the five doors it still offers you sufficient comfort of use. The Mii is the result of a collaboration between the Spanish SEAT, Volkswagen and Skoda. These three brands used the same design for their latest city cars.
The Mii looks a lot like the Volkswagen Up! and the Skoda Citigo (later in this list). The car is also very safe, thanks to the many standard passive safety features and ‘City Emergency Braking’, which means that the car can brake completely independently. Very handy in the city! The car consumes 5.2 liters per 100 km and with a purchase price of € 13,250, – it is also not expensive in the purchase.
Renault Twingo
The new Renault Twingo cannot be missing from our list. This city car on diesel is very economical at 4.7 liters per 100 km and with a new price of € 12,490 it is also affordable. The Twingo is further as we know it: compact and sporty. The front has been updated, making the car look a bit more frivolous than before. Thanks to the new LED lighting and the new wheels, it is very expressive. Everything has been thought of: there is a folding rear seat for when you want to transport more and your laptop and water bottles get their own place.
Skoda Citigo
The Citigo is the brother of the SEAT Mii and looks a lot like it. The consumption of the 1.0 three-cylinder petrol engine is slightly higher at 5.3 liter/100 km, but the new price of € 11,960 is slightly lower.
The Citigo is also nice and compact and has a modern design. The LED headlights give the car a unique look. The extensive infotainment system with smartphone integration guarantees great comfort and ease of use.
Kia Picanto
The South Korean contribution to this list comes from Kia with the new Picanto. The Picanto surprises with its 255 liters of luggage space, which is very much. With 4.9 liters of diesel you can drive 100 km in it and for € 13,495 this technological feat is already yours. It is equipped with numerous smart features as standard, such as a Smart Key, start/stop button, LED daytime running lights and exterior mirrors with built-in indicators. The interior is fun and stylishly designed and offers all occupants a striking amount of space.
Peugeot 108
The Peugeot 108 is the successor to the 107 and the French’s response to the frugal city car violence of competitors. With € 11,195 for the purchase and a consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 km, this could be the most budget-friendly car of the moment. For that money you get a modern and stylishly designed car that is equipped with a beautiful ergonomic interior. The 108 is also equipped with LED headlights and the Active City Break ensures that you will never accidentally hit a pedestrian again.
Ford Ka+
The Ford Ka+ with 4.9 liters of diesel consumption per 100 kilometers and a purchase price of € 14,940 is not the cheapest. With all the extras, this compact American car is probably the most complete on the list. What about Electric Power-Assisted Steering and standard cruise control? Moreover, the Ka+ is actually very sporty for a city car, with its more than 70 hp.
This is mainly due to the many details that have been given attention: aerodynamics, engine oil with extra low friction and tires with extra low resistance. Also in terms of safety you have nothing to fear in the Ka+: this car gives you a signal if extra air is needed in tires and the Traction Control system guarantees optimum roadholding, even if you slip.