I am sure it is fair to say that most people would like an economical and fuel efficient car. The more economical, the less fuel is used, therefore more money is saved.
Did you know that the annual cost of petrol is over £1,000 if you drive for more than 6,600 miles per year? The average annual cost of diesel is £1,200 for 9,400 miles. Both of which do not even include the running costs.
Source: NimbleFins
That’s why when buying a new car, you should consider an economical car with better fuel economy. In today’s article, we will review the top ten most economical cars in the UK.
- Skoda Superb
- BMX X3
- BMW 5 Series
- Volvo V60
- Kia Niro
- Toyota Prius
- Peugeot 208
- VW Golf BlueMotion
- Ford Fiesta
- Hyundai IONIQ
Note: The fuel costs of the below cars have been calculated using Fleet News’ calculator.
1. Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb is a stylish and affordable car equipped with a unique plug-in hybrid system. It is a spacious car with a 188mpg fuel economy, on average.
How much is a Skoda Superb?
The price of a new Skoda Superb in the UK is between £29,450 and £31,120 and Skoda provides 60,000 miles manufacturer’s warranty with a 12 years anti-corrosion guarantee. Depending on the car’s model and condition, the price of a used Skoda Superb is between £5,000 and £20,000.
The average fuel cost of Skoda Superb is between 67.57 pence per mile and 95.26 pence per mile and has an average of 188mpg fuel economy
2. BMW X3
The BMW X3 is a reliable and stylish car with a four-wheel-drive drivetrain, 8-speed automatic transmission, and a petrol engine. It comes with four driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco Pro, and Sport Plus. Not only is the BMW X3 stable, but it also allows for better control on long roads and corners.
How much is a BMW X3?
According to Autoexpress, the average price of a new BMW X3 is between £42,990 and £49,330. You can buy a use BMW X3 for £13,895. However, the price can go up to £40,450 if the car is six months or one year old.
In addition, BMW X3 has a fuel economy of 135mpg, and the minimum fuel cost of this car over three years or 30,000 miles is 87.94 pence per mile, and the maximum is 96.54 pence per mile with P11D value of £42,470 and £50,095, respectively.
3. BMW 5 Series
If you are not a fan of SUVs, you can buy a posh saloon. The BMW 5-series offers excellent cars with a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid system with 100mpg fuel economy.
How much is a BMW 5 Series?
The price of a new BMW 530e is between £47,920 and £49,920. On the other hand, a used BMW 530e is between £21,450 and £42,000. The average fuel cost of BMW 5-series or 530e is £55,040 over four years or 80,000 miles, which is relatively low.
4. Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a stylish, practical, and high-performance car. It is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system, offering more control with 100mpg fuel economy.
How much is a Volvo V60?
A new Volvo V60 is between £31,810 and £40,670. If you are looking for a used car, expect to pay between £4,995 and £30,000, depending on the model and condition.
The average fuel costs of a Volvo 360 is between 95.70 pence per mile and 93.04 pence per mile, with a P11D value of £38,420 and £38,520, respectively.
5. Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is an excellent SUV for smaller families who want an affordable car. Although the Kia Niro is cheap to run, it is not a spacious car.
How much is a Kia Niro?
The starting price of a new Kia Niro hybrid car is £32,195.00. The average price of a used Kia Niro is between £14,998 and £17,343.
The fuel economy of the Kia Niro hybrid car is 50mpg and the average fuel cost is between 55.73 pence per mile and 68.93 pence per mile, with £24,950 and £32,140 P11D values over three years or 30,000 miles.
6. Toyota Prius
You probably guessed that a Toyota Prius would be on this list. It is one of the most efficient hybrid cars on the market, delivering a smooth ride, comfortable seating, and generous cargo space.
How much is a Toyota Prius?
The price of a new Toyota Prius is between £26,959 and £28,609. The average price of a used Toyota Prius, however, can range between £2,995 and £18,999.
The Toyota Prius has a fuel economy of 52mpg and the average cost of fuel is between 41.03 and 56.14 pence per mile. The P11D value for over three years and 30,000 miles is between £24,695 and £34,690.
7. Peugeot 208
The Peugeot 208 is one of the best cars available on the market. Although it is a small car, it offers petrol, diesel, and electric options and it is both stylish and durable. My brother has one and he is always singing its praises.
How much is a Peugeot 208?
The price of a new Peugeot 208 in the UK is £16,250 to £18,850. However, if you can’t afford the 2021 model, you can look for a used car at an affordable price. A used Peugeot 208 comes at different prices, ranging from £4,950 to £16,995.
The fuel costs of this car over five years and 100,000 miles are between 31.38 and 34.46 pence per mile. The P11D values are from £21,975 to £25,575 and the average fuel economy of this car is 56.7mpg.
8. Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion
Undoubtedly, the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is one of the most economical cars on the market. It has 88mpg fuel economy and offers both a comfortable cruiser and a smooth drive.
How much is a Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion?
The price of a new 2021 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion starts from £23,875. You can buy a used Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion for an affordable price, ranging between £2,475 and £6,075, on average. However, if the model is relatively new, it will cost more.
The fuel cost of this car over three years and 30,000 miles is between 56.99 and 69.13 pence per mile, with P11D values ranging between £24,875 and £29,565, on average.
9. Ford Fiesta
A Ford Fiesta is an excellent subcompact car, offering reliable handing and a smooth driving experience. It has excellent speeding performance due to its muscular engine. The well-built cabin, hatchback body design, and safety features make it one of the best cars on the market. Not only that, it has a 31mpg fuel economy.
How much is a Ford Fiesta?
According to Autotrader, the price of a new Ford Fiesta in the UK is between £16,645 and £27,080. Depending on the model, year, and condition of the car, the price of a used Ford Fiesta is between £1,750 and £17,470.
The fuel cost of this car over three years and 30,000 miles is between 44.75 and 48.14 pence per mile. The P11D values are between £16,410 and £18,910. So, it is a reliable, durable, and cost-effective car.
10. Hyundai IONIQ
The Hyundai IONIQ is great for fuel economy. It is a hybrid car with a unique design, stylish interior, and plenty of cargo space.
How much is a Hyundai IONIQ?
The price of a new Hyundai IONIQ in the UK starts from £36,995. If you want to buy a second hand car, expect to pay between £13,000 and £27,000.
The fuel cost over three years and 30,000 miles of this car is between 60.22 pence per mile and 78.40 pence per mile, with P11D values of £23,840 and £32,395. The fuel economy of this is 58mpg.
What next? If you are looking at economical vehicles to save money, you should also read our post on how much a full car service can cost.
James Banerjee is an Account Director who graduated from the University of Kent in 2014. He works in SEO on clients such as HSBC UK and Nestle and he has a keen interest in personal finances and money-saving advice.
