Fuel efficiency: Volkswagen cars with the best MPG
Want a fuel-efficient Volkswagen but don't know where to start? Here are some of the best VW models with strong fuel economy
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Are Volkswagen cars fuel efficient?
Volkswagens are appealing cars, and it helps that the brand name translates to ‘people’s car’ in English.
Not only are they very popular, but many VW models are also very fuel-efficient, which means you can drive for longer between petrol stations and save a pretty penny here and there.
Plus, you can save even more money when you first purchase by opting for a used Volkswagen.
Whether you want a hatchback, small SUV, saloon, or electric car – we’ve got you covered.
Volkswagen Polo
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VW Polo fuel economy:
Petrol: 42.8-54.3mpg
Diesel: 53.3-57.6mpg
The Polo is one of the smallest cars Volkswagen makes, meaning it’s light and therefore can return some strong MPG figures.
Available with either a petrol or diesel engine, the diesel Polo can achieve up to 57.6mpg, which is ideal for those longer motorway drives, while the petrol is perfect for town and city driving.
In its most efficient form, the Polo emits 118g/km of CO2, which is measured by multiplying the weight in grams of exhaust pipe emissions by the distance driven in kilometres.
The Polo is a perfect car for new drivers or for those who need nothing more than a humble hatchback that can do it all.
Volkswagen Arteon
 "Volkswagen Arteon")
VW Arteon fuel economy:
Petrol: 31.7-45.6mpg
Diesel: 36.7-60.1mpg
PHEV: 217.3-256.8mpg
If you like the idea of the BMW 4 Series but don’t want to fork out for one, or just fancy something a little different, the Arteon is for you.
This sleek coupé is a different take on a swanky family car that also happens to be very fuel-efficient, offering up to 256.8mpg with its top-spec plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.
The most efficient Arteon model emits 128g/km of CO2, but this figure will be lower if you opt for the hybrid thanks to its onboard electrical assistance.
The Arteon is suitable for someone who wants to look stylish on a budget. Why would you spend used BMW or used Audi money when you can look just as good – if not better – in a swish Volkswagen that doesn’t look like a traditional VW?
Volkswagen Golf
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VW Golf fuel economy:
Petrol: 47.1-54.3mpg
Diesel: 58.9-67.3mpg
PHEV: 235.4-313.9mpg
Electric e-Golf range: 186 miles
The Golf has been the go-to family car for decades. Not only is it the car that helped VW go mainstream worldwide (with help from the Beetle, of course), but it’s also one of the best-selling cars in the world.
One of the reasons it’s so popular as an everyday car is because of its fuel economy figures. As a plug-in hybrid, the Golf can return up to 313.9mpg, which is truly astonishing for a little petrol car with a small electric motor.
While this is a great option, we’d say the petrol is better for most people and the diesel is best for those who regularly drive long distances on the motorway.
In its best form, the Golf emits 116g/km, but this will vary across models.
There’s also the all-electric e-Golf, which produces no tailpipe emissions and can travel up to 186 miles on a single charge.
Volkswagen Tiguan
 "Volkswagen Tiguan")
VW Tiguan fuel economy:
Petrol: 29.7-46.3mpg
Diesel: 34.9-55.4mpg
PHEV: 148.7-188.3mpg
Like fish and chips, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a staple among Brits, especially if you’re after a family SUV that’s spacious, practical and surprisingly good to drive.
You can have the Tiguan with either a petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid engine, with the hybrid being the most fuel-efficient, offering up to 188.3mpg and emitting 38g/km of CO2, but this will change depending on the model.
We’d recommend the PHEV and petrol for most people because they’re efficient and easy to use around town every day. The diesel, on the other hand, is better for those who regularly drive longer distances.
Volkswagen Up!
 "Volkswagen Up GTI")
VW Up! fuel economy:
Petrol: 48.7-55.4mpg
Electric range: 160 miles
The Up Is the smallest car Volkswagen makes, but it’s also one of the most popular for city dwellers in the UK because of its small proportions and great fuel economy.
The petrol engine offers up to 55.4mpg and emits 116g/km of CO2, which is very impressive for a car with no electrical assistance, but there’s also the electric e-Up that can travel up to 160 miles on a single charge.
We’d recommend this car to anyone who is new to driving, doesn’t want a large car, and likes saving money on fuel.
Volkswagen ID.3
 "Vokswagen ID.3")
VW ID.3 electric range: 260 miles
We may be bending the rules slightly with this one, but it’s worth including the VW ID.3 because it’s an electric car that offers a long range and has some great overall features.
With a range of up to 260 miles in the ID.3 Pro, this is one of the best small EV hatchbacks you can buy if you live in a town or city, but it can also handle longer drives with ease.
There’s plenty of interior space, so the ID.3 is suitable for lots of people and families, and the UK’s charging infrastructure is only improving, so you can get to where you’re going quicker.
Volkswagen Passat
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VW Passat fuel economy:
Petrol: 32.8-45.6mpg
Diesel: 36.2-60.1mpg
PHEV: 217.3-235.4mpg
Available as a saloon or estate, the Volkswagen Passat is favoured among taxi drivers and families alike because of its practicality and excellent fuel economy.
It can be had with either a petrol, diesel or PHEV, with the latter being the most economical, offering 235.4mpg and emitting 29g/km of CO2 – this figure will increase depending on the model.
Being a plug-in hybrid, the Passat can also drive up to 33 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for those short commutes to work or school runs across town.
Volkswagen XL1
 "Volkswagen XL1")
VW XL1 fuel economy: 300mpg
One car that you may have never heard of is the Volkswagen XL1 – a spaceship-looking two-seater car designed to drive 100km on one litre of diesel, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars ever.
Only 250 were ever made, each costing around £119,000 – not exactly affordable, but it is a VW that’s incredibly frugal on fuel that even has a 31-mile all-electric range.
It emits just 24g/km of CO2 too, which is far less than some other cars out there – it’s just a shame only 250 people can enjoy its efficient nature.
Fuel-saving tips
Forward planning is your friend
If you’re going on a road trip, planning is crucial to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.
Not only this, but it also means you can carefully select which routes to take to maximise fuel efficiency. For example, choosing the motorway over twisty country roads may be more boring, but you’re guaranteed to save money on fuel by staying at a constant speed.
It also helps because you won’t go the wrong way – no one likes a 20-mile detour.
Lose some weight
No, we’re not trying to promote some fad diet. Instead, we’re suggesting you remove some unnecessary bulky items from your car.
Taking your smartphone charging cable out won’t make much of a difference, but boxes or equipment that you use once a week could be taken out of the boot to save weight on the days you don’t need them.
There are very few people who need shovels and golf clubs on a daily basis – unless you’re golfing grave-digger.
Check your tyres
One thing you should always do before a long drive is to check your tyres. You don’t want to get halfway down the motorway to find out you have a flat tyre.
Checking your tyres also comes with some fuel economy benefits, as the more deflated they are, the less efficient they are due to the extra surface area on the road.
Instead, you want to have them pumped up to what the specific manufacturer recommends – this info can be found in your car’s manual or on the inside of the driver’s door.
Change gear like a pro
Aggressive shifting and high revs are two things that should be kept to the racetrack. For normal driving, you should be focusing on lower revs and smooth gear changes to help preserve your gearbox’s life and save you money on fuel.
If you can keep the revs as low as possible, you’ll burn through less fuel as the engine isn’t having to work as hard.
Keep a light right foot
Like with sharp shifts, keeping a smooth right foot is essential for keeping fuel economy rating to a minimum.
If you’re too aggressive with your throttle movements then you risk burning through fuel like there’s no tomorrow. Instead, you should aim to keep light feet for both the accelerator and brake pedal.