Small car buyers want to save money not only on the initial purchase but also on future running costs.
So what kind of fuel economy can you expect from these small cars without spending too much money?
We pulled the models featured in the small cars under $40,000 category in the VFACTS sales chart to see which are the most economical, saving you money in the long run.
We’ve only included the most fuel-efficient variant of each model, as some trim levels, body types, powertrains and powertrain options can cause the numbers to vary.
The BYD Dolphin was left out of this list because it is the only fully electric vehicle in its segment.
Click on the links below to jump to your chosen vehicle or check out the story.
Toyota Corolla
Leading the way is Toyota’s Corolla sedan hybrid model with a published fuel consumption of 3.9 liters/100km on mixed roads.
Opting for the hybrid model increases that figure to 4.0L/100km, with range starting from $32,110 before on-road costs for the Ascent Sport.
Corolla petrol sedans, which start at $29,270 before on-roads, drink 5.9L/100km, while hatchbacks increase that figure to 6.0L/100km.
Fuel economy is prioritized in the powerful GR Corolla, with fuel consumption of 8.4 liters/100 km with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
The GR costs $62,300 before on-roads and requires more expensive RON 98 gasoline.
| Toyota Corolla | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 3.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 43L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact a Toyota Corolla dealer
THAN: Everything Toyota Corolla
Hyundai i30
Another car with a fuel-efficient hybrid option is the i30 hybrid sedan which also has a combined consumption of 3.9 liters/100 km.
At $33,000 before running costs, the hybrid sedan is $4,000 more expensive than the cheapest gasoline model.
The i30 sedan with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) has the best non-hybrid fuel economy in the segment at 6.1L/100km, with the cheapest price of the three. Options start at $29,900 before on-roads.
The I30 also comes in an N performance variant and its automatic sedan is the most fuel-efficient version at 8.3 liters per 100 km.
The manual N sedan and all N hatches return 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle and start at $46,200 before on-roads.
| Hyundai i30 | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 3.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 42L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact dealer about Hyundai i30 car
THAN: Everything Hyundai i30
Skoda Scala
The only European car and the first petrol-only car on this list claims 5.3 liters/100km on the combined cycle.
Of the two Scala variants, the cheaper Ambition 85TSI is the most capable, starting at $33,590 before on-road costs.
At $42,090 before on-roads, the higher-spec Signature 110TSI is only slightly less efficient with a claimed 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
With a fuel tank larger than 50L, Scala is also the first car on this list to use RON 95 gasoline within its operating range.
| Skoda Scala | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 5.3L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel type | 95 RON |
BUY: Contact your dealer about the Skoda Scala
THAN: Everything Skoda Scala
MG 5
The MG 5 is Australia’s cheapest sedan, with a claimed combined fuel economy of 5.7 liters/100km in Vibe form.
The MG 5 range comes with two different 1.5L engines, with the Vibe variant starting at $24,990 drive-away and the Essence priced at $28,990 drive-away.
The more powerful Essence has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic compared to the less powerful Vibe’s CVT, and both variants come with a standard seven-year, unlimited kilometer warranty.
| MG 5 | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 5.7L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact dealer about MG 5
THAN: Everything MG 5
Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 uses a fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle with the G20 version being the least powerful.
Specifically, the G20 sedan is the most efficient Mazda 3 model, priced at $30,470 before operating costs for the base Pure version, $32,020 for the Evolve version and $34,670 for the Touring version.
All hatchback versions of the Mazda 3 are priced the same as their sedan siblings, but are slightly less efficient with a combined consumption figure of 5.9L/100km.
The range is covered by Mazda’s five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, but you only get features like wireless charging and wireless phone mirroring in the more expensive Touring variant.
| Mazda 3 | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 5.8L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 51L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact a Mazda 3 dealer
THAN: Everything Mazda3
Kia Cerato
Only one model in the Kia Cerato line is announced to have a fuel economy of 6.8 liters/100 km in the combined cycle.
Specifically, the GT hatchback and range-topping sedan are the most efficient, both starting at $36,860 before on-road costs.
The GT sedan is slightly worse on fuel at 6.9L/100km, however it is still significantly more efficient than the rest of the Cerato range which has a fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km on combined cycle.
Kia backs its Cerato with a seven-year, unlimited kilometer warranty.
| Kia Cerato | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 6.8L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact the dealer about Kia Cerato cars
THAN: Everything Kia Cerato
Subaru Impreza
The least efficient car on this list is the Subaru Impreza, with a claimed fuel consumption of 7.5 liters/100 km on mixed roads.
All three Impreza variants have similar fuel economy and are more efficient than only the performance GR Corolla and Hyundai N models on this list.
The range starts from $31,490 before on-road costs.
| Subaru Impreza | |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (confirmed) | 7.5L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON |
BUY: Contact a Subaru Impreza dealer
THAN: Everything Subaru Impreza
