Fuel Efficient cars

The improvements in engine construction and hybrid technologies have brought us fuel efficiency that was virtually unheard of just a few decades ago. These new stunningly low numbers mean that come hand in hand with low emissions, meaning that cars are now greener than ever. So, if you are committed to saving the environment, you’ll also be rewarded with cheap running costs that will save you a lot just on annual mileage alone. For obvious reasons, we won’t include electric cars, as their fuel consumption sits at 0 litres per 100 kilometres.

1 BMW i3 – 0.6L/100 km

The fully electric i3 is one of those 0L-100km cars, but BMW offers it as a hybrid as well. With the range extender, the i3 slurps just 0.6L per 100 km, which makes it the most fuel efficient car in Australia. The said range extender is an optional extra which switches on when the battery gets low on energy, and it can provide you with up to 300km. BMW i3 is a chic city commuter, but as it’s coming from a premium brand, it also has a premium price. So, expect to pay over $60,000 for it.

2 Audi A3 e-Tron – 1.6L/100 km

This hybrid hatchback has a more conventional drivetrain consisting of 1.4L TFSI inline four and an electric motor. As the BMW, the A3 e-Tron comes with a rather high price of $67,742, but makes it all up by consuming just 1.6L per 100 km. On electric power alone, the A3 e-Tron can drive up to 50 km, achieving speeds up to 130 km/h, so if your daily commute is short, you can almost drive it as a zero emissions car.

3 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – 1.7L/100 km

By now, you might have concluded that hybrid and electric power comes with a price, but in smaller packages, so our next entry is a bit bigger. It’s Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a family SUV which can return 1.7L/100 km thanks to two electric motors, one at each axle, and a 2.0L inline four petrol engine. The best part about the Outlander PHEV is that it offers plenty of space for the whole family at a bit over $55,000 which makes it both cheaper and considerably more practical than previous two entries.

4 Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine – 2.1L/100 km

You wouldn’t expect a full size premium SUV to consume just over two litres per 100 km, but that’s exactly what Volvo managed to achieve when it presented the XC90 T8 Twin Engine. The Swedish company brags that their signature SUV has a staggeringly low fuel consumption of 2.1L/100 km. This elegant family hauler has a 2.0L four cylinder engine that has been both supercharged and turbocharged to produce 320 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, while the electric engine produces 60kW and a range of up to 40 km. Premium design, technology and quality also comes with a premium price, so the XC90 starts from $129,000.

5 BMW 330e – 2.1L/100 km

The iPerformance BMW 330e is a luxurious sedan that can reward you with 2.1L/100 km thanks to its 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine coming from the regular 320i model combined with electric power. As the i3, the 330e sedan also offers fully electric drives of up to 40 kilometres when the battery is fully charged. This gas saving BMW sports sedan will cost you $73,900 or more, depending on how much are you willing to spend on numerous optional extras.

6 Mercedes-Benz C350e – 2.4L/100 km

To rival the BMW 330e, Mercedes-Benz came up with its own hybrid C-Class sedan. The C350e claims fuel consumption of 2.4L/100 km and comes in a more graceful package that brings out trademark elegance established by Mercedes-Benz rather than sporty pretensions of BMW’s 3 Series. The starting price of the C350e is upwards of $75,000, but as the C-Class is getting a refresh later in 2018, we’re waiting for an update.

7 Porsche Panamera 4 e-Hybrid – 2.5L/100 km

Porsche is very active in preparing its four-door range for going fully electric, and Panamera 4 e-Hybrid comes in as an important step towards battling Tesla. This supersedan has quite a sprinting ability, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.6s, but when you drive it as a regular car, its consumption can fall to as little as 2.5L per 100 kilometres. Having such a potent hybrid from a German premium brand comes with quite a price as the Panamera 4 e-Hybrid starts from $250,000. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the Panamera Turbo e-Hybrid can achieve 2.9L per 100 km and mind bending performance, but at a whooping price of $450,000.

8 BMW 740e – 3.3L/100 km

As another executive saloon, the hybrid BMW 7 Series has a claimed consumption of as low as 3.3L/100 km. The 740e can be had in rear wheel or all-wheel drive, in either standard or long wheelbase, and as such, it can rival the Panamera when it comes to luxury. All that technology, comfort and prestige also comes at a drive away price in excess of $200,000.

9 Toyota Prius – 3.4L/100 km

A familiar entry, the Prius is a car that brought hybrid power to the masses, and in its latest generations, Toyota claims it can consume as little as 3.4L of fuel per 100 kilometres thanks to a combination of 1.8L VVT-i engine and electric power. The Prius is significantly more affordable than the rest of the entries with a $40,417 drive away price.

10 Citroen C4 Cactus Diesel

Finally, there’s the most interesting car on the list, and it’s for at least two reasons. First of all, it features quirky interior and exterior styling trademarked by the French manufacturer. Second, it’s a mere diesel rather than a high-tech hybrid car. Yet, the 1.6 turbodiesel four-banger can get 3.6L per 100km, which makes it a great fuel saver with a price of just $29,990. Sadly, the diesel option isn’t available anymore, but that means you can find them on the second hand market for even less than that!