Most Fuel Efficient Cars

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For most car owners, saving money on fuel consumption is an important part of having a car. This concept becomes especially interesting when shopping for a new or used car. When all things are considered, it's not only the purchase price that buyers should keep in mind but also finding the most fuel efficient cars. The fuel consumption costs to be paid for a car are equally significant.

In order to demonstrate this idea, CARFAX Europe has put together an infographic showing some high and low extremes to help explain how buying the right car can help you save cash on fuel consumption and what are some of the most fuel efficient cars.


Average European Fuel Consumption Costs

Before looking into more specific examples, let’s take a look at some general numbers which paint a picture for European fuel consumption costs. The numbers shown are based on a sample of the following ten European countries:


When considering these countries, the average amount car owners spend on fuel consumption per month is €237.91. This amounts to about 1.20% of annual wages, spent on fuel consumption. With this in mind, how can one save money on fuel consumption?

Buying the most fuel efficient cars

In order to demonstrate how your choice of vehicle when shopping for cars has a big effect on your bank account, take a look at the following examples of the most fuel efficient cars. Calculations are made based on an average of 20,000km per year and a fuel price of €1.41 per liter (petrol) and €1.26 per liter (diesel).

Super Mini

Good fuel consumption is one of the hallmarks of the super mini class. But it's not always the case. Take for example a Fiat 500 TwinAir Sport with 4.10 L/100km versus a Renault Grand Modus 1.6 with 7.61 L/100km. The potential yearly savings on fuel consumption come in at €986.80. Having almost an extra €1,000 in your pocket is usually a good thing.


If you put a Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi head to head with a Renault Megane 2.0 dCi, with 3.16 L/100km and 6.60 L/100km respectively, you find similar results. Buying the Ford in this case could save you €864.63 per year in fuel consumption costs.

Full Size

The full size class of vehicles is very popular in the marketplace. And as expected, savings can be found here too. The potentially yearly savings between a BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics (3.41 L/100km) and a Citroen C5 3.0 HDi (7.39 L/100km) is €1,000.36 in fuel consumption costs.

MPV / Van

A very common choice among families is the MPV / Van class. Here an astounding potentially yearly savings can be had, with the right vehicle purchase. A Skoda Roomster 1.2 TSI with 5.70 L/100km versus a Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.8 V6 with 12.28 L/100km could net you around €1,849.89 per year on fuel consumption. Definitely nothing to shake a stick at.

SUV / Crossover

The years of gas guzzling SUVs appear to be behind us. These days, it's possible to find SUVs and crossovers with relatively good fuel consumption numbers. When comparing a Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.33 (4.57 L/100lm) and a Volvo XC60 3.0 T6 (10.70 L/100km), the potential yearly savings come in at €1,723.38.

Saving Money With the Most Fuel Efficient Cars

One thing is clear, the cost of fuel really adds up over the lifetime of a vehicle. Any potential savings when buying a used car can be a major help to your wallet. When shopping for used cars, it's always recommended to do research on a vehicle before you buy and to look for the most fuel efficient cars. The CARFAX Vehicle History Report is a very helpful, independent resource which has helped millions of used car shoppers inform themselves in order to make better purchase decisions.