Looking for the most economical car? Here’s our top picks! – Automotive Blog

Looking for your next new car? There are a number of important things to consider before wading in online (or in store) and making a financial commitment.

But first you should look at a car valuation, to figure out how much your old motor is worth. Ultimately you’ve gotta know how much money you have to play with before doing much more research.

Done that? Well now you’ve gotta make sure a car has enough room for you and your activities. Three kids and a dog? You won’t want a city car. Equally, it’s got to have an interior you understand and like. After all, you’ll be in it most days. Oh and then there’s the way it drives, the way it looks and how jealous you want to make your neighbours. A lot to be getting on with in other words.

One thing that’s often overlooked is the economy. This isn’t exactly a sexy consideration, but is one that can save you hundreds of pounds a year. Plus you’ll need to do fewer stops at your local filling station.

Instead of just reeling off the most economical cars currently on sale, below you’ll find that  we’ve detailed our top five picks separated into categories. There’s the best supermini, best family hatchback, best SUV, best estate and best saloon.

And it’s worth noting our list is based on official WLTP testing figures, and doesn’t include plug-in hybrid cars. This list is for petrol and diesel cars with or without hybridisation.

Best supermini

Peugeot 208 – 71.4mpg

The 1.5-litre diesel engine in this Pug will officially do more than 70mpg. That’s pretty impressive. Sure, the 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds won’t get the heart racing, but it’s a muscular engine and is great for motorway work.

The cockpit is impressive too. It has Peugeot’s clever 3D digital display that projects important info (like MPG) onto the windscreen in front. It works really well and is super easy to read.

Best family hatchback

VW Golf – 68.9mpg

Another diesel on the list, this time a 2.0-litre courtesy of VW. Officially it’ll do close to 70mpg plus it’s punchy. Overtaking on a b-road doesn’t require minutes of careful planning.

The sharply styled Golf is a bit bland inside, but it has all the connectivity tech you could want. Plus the fit and finish is good.

Best SUV

Toyota Yaris Cross – 68.8mpg

The best SUV was always going to be a little one rather than a massive one. But the Yaris Cross is practical enough, plus it has a revvy little 1.5-litre hybrid petrol engine.

It might look like ‘just’ a Yaris on stilts. But the Yaris Cross has more head room, a better infotainment system, plus a bigger boot than the regular Yaris. And it’s not a whole lot more money.

Best estate

Peugeot 308 SW – 65.6mpg 

Don’t be fooled by the SW badge. This is a good old fashioned estate with a 608-litre boot and room for five.

Looks good though, doesn’t it? Very unlike the boxy estates of the eighties. MPG is strong too, with more than 65 mpg on offer from its diesel engine.

Best saloon

Skoda Octavia – 65.7mpg

Okay we’re cheating here slightly. The Octavia is technically a hatchback, but it looks like a saloon with its sloping rear.

There’s loads of rear space, plus a huge boot. The interior is posh, and with big wheels, it looks great too. The 2.0-litre diesel is the one to go for here.