The most fuel efficient small and light cars in Australia

If you’re looking to save money on small circuits, you’re probably also hoping to save on fuel.

In the small car and light car category, where electric and hybrid vehicle options are few, there are plenty of gasoline models to choose from.

We compared cars at the micro level, light under $30,000 and light above $30,000 on the VFACTS sales rankings to see which performed best in terms of claimed fuel economy. dad.

For each model, we only select the best performing variant within the respective range, as some trim level, powertrain or transmission options may produce figures that differ from those quoted below.

Electric products in this segment are limited to the Fiat 500e, Abarth 500e and MINI Cooper SE, which will be covered in a separate article.

Toyota Yaris

As the only hybrid model in this segment, the Toyota Yaris dominates the fuel economy rankings with only 3.3 liters/100 km on the combined cycle.

With a 36L fuel tank, the Yaris can also provide reasonable range for a small car.

Since it’s not a plug-in hybrid, the Yaris doesn’t have a single battery range. The electric motor operates at low speeds and can also assist the engine if you need more performance at higher speeds.

One downside, however, is that the two Yaris variants are relatively expensive, with the lower-end SX starting at $30,190 before on-road costs and the ZR at $33,260 before on-road costs.

BUY: Contact Toyota Yaris dealer
THAN: Everything Toyota Yaris

Suzuki Swift

The Swift is the most efficient petrol-only option on this list, consuming a paltry 4.8L/100km.

Specifically, the GL Auto variant is the most efficient Swift, equipped with a 1.2L 4-cylinder engine and a 37L fuel tank.

The GL Navi posts similar figures and is available for $23,490 before on-roads in Queensland, while the GL Auto can be purchased across Australia for $24,490 before on-roads.

The city-focused hatchback comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

BUY: Contact dealer about Suzuki Swift
THAN: Everything Suzuki Swift

Fiat 500

Leading the way in the micro car category is the Fiat 500, with the automatic Dolcevita variant recording a combined fuel consumption of 4.8 liters/100 km.

Although you don’t get a wireless phone connection or a large trunk, you do get a 35L fuel tank that’s on par with most rivals.

Despite its efficiency, the 500 is the first car on this list to require the more expensive 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

BUY: Contact dealer about Fiat 500
THAN: Everything Fiat 500

Skoda Fabia

The Skoda Fabia leads the way in terms of fuel economy among the more expensive light cars on this list.

Achieving a consumption of 4.9L/100km from a 40L fuel tank, Fabia supports its economical engine with the largest trunk size in the segment.

Like the Fiat, the Fabia also requires premium unleaded gasoline but still maintains some amenities like wireless Apple CarPlay.

Fabia has a long-term warranty of 7 years, unlimited km.

BUY: Contact your dealer about the Skoda Fabia
THAN: Everything Skoda Fabia

Little Cooper

The refreshed Cooper is the most expensive car on this list and will be available in Australia later this year. Mini claims fuel economy of 5.2L/100km for the base Cooper C.

Starting at $41,990 before on-road costs for the Cooper C Core and topping out at Popular at $47,326 before on-road costs, the Cooper C is the cheapest and most efficient petrol Cooper.

While the Cooper S is only marginally less efficient at 5.3L/100km, its range starts at $49,990 before on-road costs and tops out at $54,990 before on-road costs. road for the flagship JCW Sport.

BUY: Contact dealer about Mini Cooper
THAN: Everything Mini Cooper

Citroen C3

The C3 is on the cheaper end of the VFACTS segment, but is still very competitive in terms of fuel efficiency.

Another car requiring 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, the Citroen C3 consumes 5.2L/100km on the combined cycle.

Citroen offers a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty and includes features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane departure warning, brake assist and blind spot monitoring.

BUY: Contact dealer about Citroen C3
THAN: Everything Citroen C3

Audi A1

Keeping up with the trend of premium unleaded gasoline, the Audi A1 has a combined fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km.

Specifically, the A1 35 TFSI is the most efficient, with the 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine consuming less fuel than the 1.0L A1 30 engine.

The 35 TFSI adds 17-inch alloy wheels to the standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment screen, but wireless Apple CarPlay is only available on the A1 40.

The Audi A1 series has a 5-year, unlimited km warranty.

BUY: Contact dealer about Audi A1 car
THAN: Everything Audi A1

Mazda2

The Mazda 2 matches the A1 with a combined consumption of 5.3L/100km, but only needs cheaper 91 RON unleaded gasoline.

Of the four Mazda 2 variants, the three automatic options are the most efficient.

These offer a combined 5.3L/100km and start with the G15 Pure SP, which is priced at $25,670 before on-road costs.

The Mazda 2 also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, and comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

BUY: Contact a Mazda 2 dealer
THAN: Everything Mazda2

Volkswagen Polo

The two Polo variants claim fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km, however both require 95 RON premium unleaded petrol and are the most expensive in their VFACTS segment.

At $29,490 excluding on-road costs, the Polo Life barely makes it into the sub-$30,000 price bracket.

The Life also shares its 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder engine with the Polo Style, priced at $32,540 before on-roads.

The Polo also has the second-best boot in its class, however it lacks wireless smartphone mirroring unless you choose a car with built-in satellite navigation.

Volkswagen offers a 5-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for the Polo model.

BUY: Contact a dealer about Volkswagen Polo cars
THAN: Everything Volkswagen Polo

Kia Picanto

The little Picanto matches the larger Polo’s combined consumption of 5.4 litres/100km – and its ‘micro car’ chassis still fits five doors.

The Picanto Sport is the most efficient in the segment and starts at $17,890 before on-road costs, with the top GT-Line variant raising fuel consumption to 6.0L/100km and the price to $21,290 before when running on the road.

Kia Australia also offers a seven-year, unlimited kilometer warranty and the Picanto also has wireless phone connectivity for both Apple and Android devices.

BUY: Contact the dealer about Kia Picanto cars
THAN: Everything Kia Picanto

Abarth 695

The 695 is expensive and aspirational for its size, with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.8 liters/100km on mixed roads.

With a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the automatic variant offers better efficiency numbers than the manual version but commands a heftier price tag of $2000.

Priced at $39,990 before running costs, the 695 also uses 95 RON premium unleaded gasoline.

The Abarth only offers a three-year, 150,000km warranty along with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

BUY: Contact your dealer about the Abarth 695
THAN: Everything Abarth 695

MG 3

The MG 3 is the cheapest new car on sale in Australia, but its claimed fuel economy of 6.7 litres/100km means it may not be the cheapest car to run.

That’s a high figure for such a cheap car and is more expensive to run due to the requirement to use premium unleaded petrol and a 45L fuel tank.

Like the Kia Picanto, the MG 3 has a 7-year, unlimited km warranty.

BUY: Contact dealer about MG 3
THAN: Everything MG 3

Hyundai i20N

One of the few performance-oriented cars on this list, the i20 N has the worst fuel efficiency with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.

The hot i20 N comes with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which hurts fuel economy… but makes it the fastest car on this list.

The I20 N starts at $34,990 before on-road costs but lacks wireless phone connectivity, although Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty.

BUY: Contact dealer about Hyundai i20 N car
THAN: Everything Hyundai i20 N