Fuel prices have spiked alarmingly for the second time in four years, so it's no wonder buyers are prioritising fuel efficiency when choosing their next car, whether new or used.Regardless of budget, it is still possible to buy an economy champion on the used market. We have selected eight of the most fuel-efficient, starting from only £2,000 and rising to £30,000-plus.How we ranked themWe based the list on each car's official economy figures. As we often point out, these are rarely accurate and often can't be attained in real-world driving. But they are the best yardstick for comparing cars of the same era, having all been obtained under the same (albeit unrealistic) laboratory conditions. The alternative would be to use anecdotal evidence from drivers' own experiences, which is subject to different roads, weather conditions and driving styles – making meaningful comparison tricky.AdvertisementAdvertisementPlug-in hybrids have not been included. This is because their fuel economy is affected to a large degree by how much they are plugged in (or not), so different owners' experiences will vary depending on their circumstances.However, a plug-in hybrid is worth considering if you can charge it using a cheap domestic electricity tariff; but if you will rarely, if ever, charge the battery, they don't make sense.Below £2,000Ford Fiesta (2008-2017)A 2013 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Econetic Titanium is great to driveA diesel-engined Fiesta is becoming quite a savvy buy. You avoid the issues of the "wet belt" 1.0-litre petrol cars, get better fuel economy into the bargain while enjoying all the elements that make the Mk7 Fiesta special: excellent ride comfort, lively handling and big-car motorway manners.Official fuel consumption under the old, unrealistic NEDC testing regime suggested the Fiesta could manage 85.6mpg on average; expect 50-55mpg and you won't be disappointed.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Great to drive, good-looking, loads to choose fromCons: Plasticky interior, not as roomy as some small carsWe found: 2013 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Econetic Titanium, 114,000 miles, full service history, £1,995£2,000-£5,000Renault Clio (2012-2019)The 2015 Clio 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav is roomy, but has some reliability concernsThe fourth-generation Clio was one of the most fuel-efficient cars of its time, in diesel form at least. But that wasn't its only benefit; equipment levels were pretty decent, while the Clio also rode and handled nicely.Take time to find a good one, though, because many were abused and neglected, while the electrics can be fragile. Like the Fiesta, this car was tested under the old NEDC regime and achieved 85.6mpg, although 55mpg is probably more realistic.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Comfortable, surprisingly roomy, well-equippedCons: Reliability concerns, some cheap plastics insideWe found: 2015 Clio 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 82,000 miles, full service history, £4,690£5,000-£10,000Peugeot 208 (2012-2019)The 2019 208 1.5 BlueHDi GT Line looks smart – but beware the glitchy electricsBy the time the super-frugal BlueHDi versions of the Peugeot 208 came out, the more realistic WLTP fuel-testing regime was being used. So while the first-generation 208's 67.7mpg average looks worse than the Clio and Fiesta, it's closer to what you will realistically achieve, in the high-50s mpg.Like the Clio, the 208 suffered with some reliability glitches and its "i-Cockpit" interior with its small steering wheel won't be to everyone's taste. But it is a smart-looking, well-finished small car that won lots of fans – fuel efficiency wasn't the only reason.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Smart looks, fun to driveCons: Glitchy electrics, cramped rear seats, fiddly infotainmentWe found: 2019 208 1.5 BlueHDi GT Line, 37,000 miles, full service history, £8,495£10,000-£15,000Peugeot 208 (2019-present)A 2019 208 1.5 BlueHDi GT Line looks smart and handsome on the roadWith the first-generation 208's fuel-sipping 1.5-litre engine in a lighter bodyshell, the second-generation model managed a few more miles per gallon. The official figure is 73.6mpg but you can easily eke out 60mpg during gentle day-to-day driving, which is pretty impressive.The upgraded interior means this 208 feels surprisingly upmarket, too, while it's as good to drive as the earlier version – although it's also just as cramped.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Smart interior, handsome styling, good to driveCons: Tight on space in the back and boot, fiddly infotainment (again)We found: 2023 208 1.5 BlueHDi GT, 16,000 miles, full service history, £14,795£15,000-£20,000Toyota Yaris (2020-present)The 2025 Yaris 1.5 VVT-h Design is nippy and nimbleThe Yaris's 68.9mpg economy figure might not sound as impressive as the 208's, but keep in mind that it burns petrol, not diesel. With the huge gap in prices between the two fuels, this fourth-generation Yaris will be cheaper to run than the Peugeot.Being a Toyota, reliability should be a given, while most of these fourth-generation examples are still protected by Toyota's 10-year service-activated warranty, which is why it's still one of our favourite small cars.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Super-reliable, long warranty, nippy and nimbleCons: Dour interior, expensive for what it isWe found: 2025 Yaris 1.5 VVT-h Design, 5,000 miles, full service history, £19,995£20,000-£25,000Toyota Aygo X (2026-present)The 2026 Aygo X 1.5h Design is astonisingly efficient – but expensiveToyota's smallest car has finally gained a hybrid powertrain so it's astonishingly frugal when driven lightly. It's also one of few cars in which the official average of 74.3mpg is surprisingly attainable – based on our and other journalists' experiences on a mixed test route.That's despite a surfeit of power compared with other small cars, which is a boon for nipping into gaps around town. Don't expect to carry adults in the back seats regularly, but otherwise the Aygo X is a brilliant all-rounder.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Quick and nippy, comfortable, well built, astonishingly efficientCons: Tiny boot and rear seats, expensiveWe found: 2026 Aygo X 1.5h Design, 5,000 miles, £23,490£25,000-£30,000Volkswagen Golf (2019-present)The 2026 Golf 2.0 TDI Match is comfortably and roomy, but features some cheap-feeling interior plasticsIf you need a larger, more family-friendly car, the latest Golf is a sure bet. VW still sells it with a frugal diesel engine that can achieve 64.6mpg in the official tests, so expect it to average 50-55mpg in the real world.It will take a while to get up to speed and isn't quite as sturdy inside as previous generations of Golf, but it is just as roomy and exudes the same reassuring competence that has always made VW's family hatchback such a brilliant all-rounder.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Comfortable, decent to drive, plenty of room for the whole familyCons: Some cheap-feeling interior plastics, sluggish accelerationWe found: 2026 Golf 2.0 TDI Match, 4,380 miles, full service history, £28,684Above £30,000Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2022-presentThe 2025 C220dh AMG Line is smooth and effortless to driveAt this price point you'll probably be after a premium marque. And, put simply, the most fuel-efficient premium car at the moment is the C220dh.Its mild-hybrid diesel powertrain achieves an official fuel economy of 62.8mpg; experience tells us it's feasible to get close to that figure during day-to-day driving.What's more, the C-Class is comfortable, refined and quiet, as you'd expect from a Mercedes – offering all the benefits of a plush executive saloon while providing huge savings at the pumps.AdvertisementAdvertisementPros: Smooth, quiet, effortlessCons: Interior can feel a bit chintzyWe found: 2025 C220dh AMG Line, 9,000 miles, £34,991Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
