Top 10 most fuel-efficient cars to buy in 2026

What are the most economical cars?

When it comes to measuring fuel efficiency, we’re talking about the good old miles per gallon (MPG) ratings – how far any car can go on 4.54 litres of fuel.

Diesel has long been known for its long-distance MPG, but with many drivers covering fewer miles and prices at the pump going up, hybrids are now becoming increasingly popular, and you can pick up a used hybrid car for a bargain price.

• Most fuel-efficient diesel cars to buy

Remember, any car’s fuel economy will vary depending on who’s behind the steering wheel, because we all have different driving styles. A racing driver might get poorer fuel economy than your Nan, for example.

However, for fairness, the following cars are listed by their official average fuel economy ratings, provided by the Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Test Procedure (WLTP). The official testing procedure that every car goes through – so you're not just taking the word of the manufacturer.

Here are 10 of the most fuel-efficient cars on sale.

• Toyota C-HR

• Honda Jazz

• Honda Prelude

• BYD DOLPHIN G

• BYD SEAL 6

• OMODA 5

• JAECOO 7

• Chery TIGGO 9

• Nissan Qashqai

• Hyundai Santa Fe

Toyota C-HR

Toyota C-HR 1.8 HEV – 60.1mpg

Ever-so-popular, the Toyota CH-R blends that desirable high-up seating position with coupé-like looks, helping it to stand out against a plethora of other crossovers.

Where this one stands out is in its use of hybrid power – it's been available with 1.8 and 2.0-litre self-charging hybrids, and, for the second generation, a 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid.

Even though it's a pretty big car with a 140hp power output, it can still push 60mpg when driven sensibly, helping families across the UK to cut their fuel bills.

Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz 1.5 e:HEV – 62.8mpg

The Jazz is so much more than an efficient supermini – it's possibly one of the most practical out there.

304 litres of boot space might not be class-leading, but no other rival lets you raise the rear seat bases cinema-style for loading tall items like potted plants or a child's bike.

By keeping all of your luggage inside the car, you maximise aerodynamics and end up with the best MPG you can possibly get.

Being a Honda, it's also known for its reliability, quality and value for money, so take your pick from a selection of well-equipped trim levels or lean into the rugged looks of the Crosstar model for a more SUV-like feel.

Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude 2.0 e:HEV – 54.3mpg

Another Honda, but this time targeting a totally different type of buyer. The Prelude has become something of an icon among enthusiasts, so when it was reborn into a hybrid era, we were naturally dubious.

While it may be pretty similar to a Civic underneath (which is seriously no bad thing), it's an exceptional model in its own right with sharp handling, predictable steering and an iconic roofline.

Honda claims it'll do 54.3mpg, and we even managed to get very near to this after an entire week behind the wheel.

It might 'only' have 184hp and a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds, but that's part of what makes it so enjoyable. You won't risk losing your licence every time you look at the throttle, and you can still get around 50mpg. We think it's a win-win.

BYD DOLPHIN G

BYD DOLPHIN G DM-i Active (7.42kWh) – 65.6mpg

Apart from its eye-catching orange colour option, the BYD DOLPHIN G is worthy of your attention for one other reason – it's the first plug-in hybrid available in a hatchback this small.

No fewer than four trim levels are available, and a choice of two batteries, giving you all-electric ranges of 24 or 55 miles, so you can really maximise on the plug-in hybrid savings.

But the DOLPHIN G DM-i really comes into its own when the battery's flat, because official testing shows you can still get 65.6mpg, which is better than many other self-charging hybrids in this class.

As you climb up the trim levels, you get increasingly more tech and luxury, including built-in Google services like 'Hey Google' and a Google Maps app, plus 360-degree cameras and either a 10.2- or 12.8-inch touchscreen.

BYD SEAL 6

BYD SEAL 6 DM-i Boost (10.08kWh) – 64.2mpg

Another BYD, but much bigger, the SEAL 6 is a plug-in hybrid that's available as a saloon or an estate. It's the saloon that's most aerodynamic, with the highest MPG rating, but both are exceptionally efficient.

The 'DM-i' part of the name means this is another plug-in hybrid, but because BYD uses a specialist DHT (dedicated hybrid transmission), it sips the petrol even when the battery's flat, with the engine acting mostly as an onboard generator to keep the electric motor driving the wheels.

It's the model with the smallest battery that's actually most efficient, rated at up to 64.2mpg on a long trip, while the estate variant gets a lower but still impressive 58.9mpg.

In fact, numbers are definitely the SEAL 6's strong point. BYD claims over 900 miles of combined petrol and electric range, while the estate has up to 1,535 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded.

OMODA 5

OMODA 5 1.5T SHS-H – 52.2mpg

OMODA's already proven to be a big hit in the UK, and the OMODA 5 was its first model, but it was a petrol car that never really impressed in terms of fuel efficiency.

Now, though, it's available with a self-charging hybrid system (badged SHS-H) which can genuinely deliver over 50mpg in real-world driving.

Best still, despite having to find space for the high-voltage hybrid battery, OMODA still managed to get a 370-litre boot out of the hybrid variant. That's just a tiny 10-litre drop compared with the petrol-only model, and a fair price to pay, we think.

Like the BYDs above, it uses a DHT, which means the car will decide what's most efficient at any given moment – that could mean the petrol engine driving the wheels, or the engine generating power for the electric motor to drive the wheels. How hi-tech.

JAECOO 7

JAECOO 7 1.5T SHS-H – 51.8mpg

Another popular SUV from an emerging brand is the JAECOO 7 – it's already affordable for an SUV, which is why it's spent a lot of time in the charts as one of the UK's best-selling cars full stop. But that's even better for the used car market, because there'll be plenty of bargains around.

Its rugged looks are what it's best known for, and the upright grille has become something of an icon on our roads given how popular the J7 is.

But did you know that you can take your pick between petrol, self-charging hybrid (SHS-H) and plug-in hybrid (SHS-P) variants?

51.8mpg is pretty impressive as it is from the SHS-H, but if you have access to a home charger, you could get a similar figure from a flat battery and as many as 56 all-electric miles from a full charge.

OMODA 9

OMODA 9 1.5T SHS-P – 43.6mpg

Hear us out – the OMODA 9 isn't the most economical SUV (though it may be up there). What you do get, though, is exceptional fuel efficiency for the amount of power on offer.

It's a mighty plug-in hybrid (SHS-P) with a massive 449hp on tap and a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds. That's performance territory from an otherwise unassuming family SUV.

Plus, you get a huge 90 miles of all-electric range and over 700 miles of combined motoring.

Because it comes with one trim level option, it gets the whole brochure thrown at it. Heated seats, cooled seats, heated steering wheel, dual displays... You name it, it's got it.

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai 1.5 e-POWER – 65.7mpg

The car that defined the family SUV market, the Qashqai is still an immensely popular car thanks to its value for money, reliability, build quality and, now, fuel efficiency.

It's the e-POWER system that we're talking about here, because it turns the Qashqai into an electric car (of sorts). The electric motor drives the wheels, and the petrol engine keeps that motor spinning.

It means the Qashqai e-POWER gets up to 65.7mpg, making it one of the most efficient hybrid SUVs that you don't have to plug in.

High-spec Tekna and Tekna+ models push the boat out on kit, too, with soft leather upholstery, upgraded Bose sound systems and even massage seats.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 2WD – 42.2mpg

Its MPG might not shine compared to the other options on this list, but the Santa Fe stands out for other reasons – interior space.

You're really spoilt for space, thanks to the boxy looks. It means the third row of seats should be pretty usable (though adults will still be better off in the front two rows).

Take your pick from self-charging and plug-in hybrid models, but as a guide, the one you don't need to plug in gets a measured 42.2mpg in two-wheel-drive format and 39.8mpg for 4x4 models.

Let's not forget how luxurious Hyundais can feel. Top-spec editions get heated and ventilated seats, a digital rear-view mirror, Bose speakers and even a UV-C compartment to sanitise your smartphone. How thoughtful.

How to be more fuel-efficient

When it comes to choosing your next car, it's always good to opt for something that's as fuel-efficient as possible. It puts you in the best position to use less fuel, but there are also some steps you can take to maximise your chances of cutting your running costs.

Newer engines certainly help, because they're built to the latest emissions standards and often contain turbochargers or some form of mild hybrid, self-charging or plug-in hybrid tech to make you go further between visits to the petrol station.

What changes can I make to save fuel consumption?

You can make a few changes to your driving style to improve your fuel efficiency.

1) Turn off your A/C

Turning off your air-conditioning is easy and saves a fair chunk of fuel, because your engine is powering much more than you think behind the scenes.

At lower speeds, it can be cheaper to open the windows, but if you're going faster, air-con might be better than dropping the windows due to a little thing called drag, or aerodynamics.

2) Become a 'Smooth Operator'

Being steady with your right foot is another great way to reduce your fuel consumption.

For example, if you're on the motorway, you want to keep your revs and speed as still as possible to maximise fuel economy.

The same goes for setting off in your car – the smoother you are, the less strain is put on your engine.

3) Avoid short trips

Another way to ensure you're as efficient as possible is to try to avoid shorter trips.

This is because your engine needs time to warm up, so if you're driving five minutes down the road for a loaf of bread, the chances are it'll still be cold when you get back.

This means the fluids haven't had a chance to flow around the engine, leaving it unhappy.

Learn more about hybrid cars:

• Most economical hybrid cars to buy

• Best family hybrid cars

• Best hybrid company cars