- The cars
- Honda Fit Hybrid – 3.7l/100km
- Fiat 500 – 4.0l/100km
- Suzuki Celerio – 4.4l/100km
- VW Polo Vivo GT – 4.6l/100km
- BMW 1 Series diesel – 4.7l/100km
- Audi A1 – 4.8l/100km
- Toyota Agya – 4.8l/100km
- Renault Kwid – 4.9l/100km
- Suzuki S-Presso – 4.9l/100km
- Suzuki Swift – 4.9l/100km
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch – 5.6l/100km
- Hyundai Atos – 5.7l/100km
- Peugeot 208 – 5.8l/100km
- Hyundai Grand i10 – 5.4l/100km
- Suzuki Baleno – 5.4l/100km
- Toyota Starlet – 5.4l/100km
With record-high petrol prices making headline news in South Africa multiple times this year, economical cars are a more appealing option than ever.
Hatchbacks are one of the smallest and most affordable vehicle classes on the market, and are typically associated with smaller engines that shouldn’t leave a massive hole in your wallet with each trip to the pump.
The most fuel-efficient hatchback you can currently buy in South Africa is the Honda Fit Hybrid, which manages to consume just 3.7 litres of petrol for every 100km travelled, according to its brochure.
This is followed up by the stylish Italian hatch, the Fiat 500, with its frugal consumption figure of 4.0l/100km.
Also in the top five most efficient small cars in South Africa are the Suzuki Celerio at 4.4l/100km, the VW Polo Vivo GT with its small turbocharged engine netting returns of 4.6l/100km, and the diesel BMW 1 Series, which will drink 4.7 litres of fuel for every 100km.
Economical hatches from other manufacturers include the Audi A1, the Peugeot 208, the recently launched Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet, and even an entry from Mercedes-Benz in the form of the A-Class hatch.
The cars
Below are the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks you can currently buy in South Africa.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Honda Fit Hybrid – 3.7l/100km
- Starting price – R498,600
- Power – 80kW/253Nm
Fiat 500 – 4.0l/100km
- Starting price – R223,900
- Power – 63kW/145Nm
Suzuki Celerio – 4.4l/100km
- Starting price – R174,900
- Power – 49kW/89Nm
VW Polo Vivo GT – 4.6l/100km
- Starting price – R319,000
- Power – 81kW/200Nm
BMW 1 Series diesel – 4.7l/100km
- Starting price – R669,250
- Power – 110kW/350Nm
Audi A1 – 4.8l/100km
- Starting price – R467,300
- Power – 85kW/200Nm
Toyota Agya – 4.8l/100km
- Starting price – R192,300
- Power – 49kW/89Nm
Renault Kwid – 4.9l/100km
- Starting price – R174,400
- Power – 50kW/91Nm
Suzuki S-Presso – 4.9l/100km
- Starting price – R156,900
- Power – 50kW/90Nm
Suzuki Swift – 4.9l/100km
- Starting price – R189,900
- Power – 61kW/113Nm
Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch – 5.6l/100km
- Starting price – R696,509
- Power – 120kW/250Nm
Hyundai Atos – 5.7l/100km
- Starting price – R190,900
- Power – 50kW/99Nm
Peugeot 208 – 5.8l/100km
- Starting price – R324,900
- Power – 55kW/118Nm
Hyundai Grand i10 – 5.4l/100km
- Starting price –R204,900
- Power – 49kW/94Nm
Suzuki Baleno – 5.4l/100km
- Starting price – R225,900
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
Toyota Starlet – 5.4l/100km
- Starting price – R226,200
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
Keyword: Most fuel-efficient hatchbacks in South Africa