[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/the-10-most-economical-cars-of-the-last-5-years\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/the-10-most-economical-cars-of-the-last-5-years\/","headline":"The 10 Most Economical Cars of The Last 5 Years","name":"The 10 Most Economical Cars of The Last 5 Years","description":"Low MPG heroes, perfect for pottering around in! If you\u2019re wondering which new(ish) cars have the best economy and don\u2019t need plugging in to charge, look no further. This shortlist will help you find the cars you\u2019re looking for – the ones that could drive from London to Liverpool and back on a full tank, with plenty left to spare. They may not be cool or particularly luxurious but at the end of the day, you can spend all the […]","datePublished":"2020-10-06","dateModified":"2020-10-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/The-10-Most-Economical-Cars-of-The-Last-5-Years-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/The-10-Most-Economical-Cars-of-The-Last-5-Years-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/the-10-most-economical-cars-of-the-last-5-years\/","about":["BLOG","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":762,"keywords":["economical","Economical cars","Top 10"],"articleBody":"Low MPG heroes, perfect for pottering around in!If you\u2019re wondering which new(ish) cars have the best economy and don\u2019t need plugging in to charge, look no further. This shortlist will help you find the cars you\u2019re looking for – the ones that could drive from London to Liverpool and back on a full tank, with plenty left to spare.They may not be cool or particularly luxurious but at the end of the day, you can spend all the money you save on fuel buying cooler and more luxurious things than a car.There\u2019s a good range of cars here and different styles, sizes and manufacturers although you won\u2019t find many sports cars or SUVs! In no particular order:The new Peugeot 208 1.5L BlueHDi Active 100If you\u2019re willing to spend a bit more for a newer car, we couldn\u2019t recommend the new  208 enough. It\u2019s possibly the coolest hatch available at the moment for the money, treating drivers to a very modern and sophisticated interior, as well as a very frugal engine.The 1.5-litre BlueHDi Active 100 sips diesel like no other and claims to achieve around 88 MPG.Peugeot 208 1.5L BlueHDi Active 100Although the new and incredibly fresh 208 has been released, the old-shape 208 still has a lot to offer, including a ridiculously efficient model.The 1.5-litre BlueHDi Active 100 offers 77 MPG with its diesel engine(NEDC rated) and used examples are in more plentiful supply, saving you thousands of pounds! Still super stylish, compact and has a nice interior, it\u2019s a great small modern runaround.Suzuki Celerio 1.0Another great tiny hatchback offering reliability, frugality and well…not much else. It\u2019s a no-frills experience that will get you from a to b for very little. The car costs very little to buy and costs very little to run.Boasting a real-life MPG of around 61.9 according to Honest John, that kind of efficiency is nothing to shake a stick at.Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 901.5 seems to be the magic number when it comes to efficiency and the Clio is no exception. This particular model claims to achieve 85.6mpg thanks to a 1,461cc diesel engine producing a meagre 89hp, resulting in a sleepy 0-62mph time of 12 seconds.Citroen C4 Cactus 1.6 BlueHDi 100Yet another frugal French hatchback, although a little bigger this time. The C4 Cactus is known for its air bubble that decorate the sides of the car, giving it a unique look and style and also protecting the paintwork from inconsiderate car park neighbours.Honest John reports an average real-life MPG of 61.7 MPG.Toyota Prius 1.8 VVTi Active hatchbackOf course, you can\u2019t talk about efficient cars without mentioning the Prius. The 1.8 VVTi Active doesn\u2019t need to be plugged in and still achieves 67.3 MPG!The iconic Prius style may be polarising but if you like it, you like it. Some say it\u2019s hideous, others say it\u2019s geek chic!Skoda Citigo 1.0 60 GreentechIf you\u2019re not bothered about going fast, or having space, or having much else in terms of features, a car like the Skoda Citigo could be a perfect match. Cheap to buy thanks to a wide range of used examples available and cheap to own, the Citigo 60 Greentech is nippy, agile and can fit in pretty much any challenging parking space!Achieving a real-life MPG rating of 60.3mpg is no easy task either.Ford Fiesta 1.5-litre dieselThe Fiesta is a safe bet in the motoring world. It\u2019s respectable, popular, reliable and now as efficient as the top performers. The 84hp 1.5-litre diesel has a claimed fuel economy of over 65 MPG, performing best on long motorway journeys as expected for a diesel engine.Ford Focus 1.5 litre TDCiAlthough claiming to have around 85 MPG, real-life reports confirm it achieving around 60 MPG. Still very respectable, especially for a car as in-demand as the Ford Focus – an excellent family hatchback. Starting at just \u00a320,345 from new, you can save even more when buying used making this quality car a great bargain considering how new it is.Peugeot 508 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130If you\u2019re looking for a saloon that\u2019s no thirstier than a desert camel, look no further than the Peugeot 508. Other than perhaps a Skoda Octavia, the Peugeot 508 offers a range of ultra-efficient drivetrains that don\u2019t require plugging in.The 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 can achieve 62 MPG whilst offering the luxuries and jaw-dropping style of a mid-sized saloon. With darkened rear lights and the new and instantly recognisable \u2018fang-like\u2019 front LEDs, the 508 can turn heads like its German rivals, whilst consuming half the fuel."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The 10 Most Economical Cars of The Last 5 Years","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/the-10-most-economical-cars-of-the-last-5-years\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]