Thinking of buying an eco-friendly car? Aside from wanting to be kinder to our environment, going green can save you a lot of money when it comes to cars. Essentially, the more fuel efficient your vehicle is, the more you’ll save.
We’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly and fuel efficient cars that cover all the bases, from petrol to diesel to hybrid engines. We look at how many miles per gallon (MPG) these car models can achieve, and what kind of lifestyle they suits.
Eco-friendly and petrol aren’t terms that generally go together, but these hyper efficient car models make use of every drop of petrol. I’s worth nothing that petrol cars are more widespread in the UK, so generally tend to retail lower than diesel cars, and petrol is also the cheaper fuel.
The cute Smart car is an icon of city driving thanks to its tiny frame, and fuel efficiency.
Smart has since moved into the slightly roomier Smart ForFour models, but if you’re after a high MPG, than the Smart ForTwo is the model to beat.
MPG: 68.9
Fuel: Petrol
Toyota is no stranger to eco-friendly, fuel efficient cars, and the new Aygo is compact, zippy, and has a bold front design. Another great car for city living – if the aesthetic of the Aygo, and choice of fun colours doesn’t lure you in, the impressive MPG will.
MPG: 68.9
Fuel: Petrol
Diesel cars haven’t traditionally been known for being eco-friendly, and have a reputation for being expensive, but this is all changing. Diesel engines are more efficient, and you can usually find larger vehicles with the similar fuel efficiency to smaller petrol-powered engines.
Diesel cars are always going to give you more miles per the gallon, but the Kia Rio really pushes that boundary as far as it can go. This car is a great option if you’re looking for a fuel efficient diesel engine, but don’t want to break the bank on purchase.
MPG: 78.5
Fuel: Diesel
Whilst the Nissan’s Qashqai may not immediately strike you as being eco-friendly (it’s MPG isn’t as high as the others on this list), it is one of the most fuel efficient SUVs on the market. If you’re looking for a comfy family car, and still want to be environmentally conscious, the Nissan is a solid choice.
MPG: 51.4
Fuel: Diesel
If you want to move into really eco-friendly territory and still use traditional fuels, then hybrid cars are the ticket. The industry has matured, and prices are coming down for these environmentally (and financially) friendly vehicles.
Toyota has been manufacturing hybrid cars for decades now, and their flagship model, the Prius has become synonymous with the technology. The fuel efficiency is really impressive, but the comfortable interiors, quiet and smooth gearbox are also big selling points. If you’re looking for a classic, this is the one.
MPG: 94.1
Fuel: Hybrid