Our top picks of the most economical diesel cars
Our top picks of the most economical diesel cars
The Volkswagen Polo is one of the most popular superminis you can buy, and for good reason too. Not only is it super efficient, it’s also fun to drive and good to look at, with strong residual values to boot.
The Polo has been around for some time now, but it isn’t losing its touch. Winner of the 2016 Supermini of the Year at the Auto Express Awards, the Polo remains a firm favourite in this segment.
The all-new MINI is the best it’s ever been with an eye-watering amount of personalisation options, smooth and efficient new engines and all of the playful character we’ve come to expect from MINI.
Another winner at this year’s Auto Express Awards, the MINI hatch scooped up Best Premium Small Car of the Year. It certainly deserves this ‘Premium’ tag, with the highest levels of spec a MINI has ever seen and safer, more sophisticated equipment.
With stylish looks, responsive handling and a super economical engine, this Clio is a real winner for anyone wanting to optimise those miles per gallon.
All engines in the Clio line-up are pretty efficient, but this model gets the most economical diesel engine, which manages a staggering 85.6mpg.
The Dynamique Nav is the most popular trim level and it comes with rakes of additional equipment to make your driving experience truly sensational.
Here we have a seriously stylish supermini with defined lines and plush interior. It’s super fun to drive too, with agile handling and a punchy engine.
The newest engine to the Mazda 2’s range is this 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D which places the Mazda 2 firmly among the cleanest cars in its class.
A family hatchback with style, the Renault Mégane is now in its fourth generation, and has been given a new lease of life with its latest update.
One of the biggest gains in this new iteration is the new range of fuel-efficient engines. Our pick of the bunch is the 1.5-litre dCi unit found here, which offers exceptionally good economy.
The latest Ford Mondeo is the most luxurious it has ever been, with more upmarket upholstery and high tech additions.
A practical family car with plenty of room for luggage, the Mondeo will also allow you to keep running costs low with impressive mpg figures.
The most economical engine option is the 1.5-litre TDCi which offers 118bhp.
The Volvo V40 combines comfort, high performance and efficiency beautifully. It has also been voted the safest small family car you can buy when Euro NCAP tested it in 2012, and it has consistently scored a near-perfect result since.
While this D2 is incredibly efficient, there’s no compromising performance. 0–62mph is covered in an easy 10.5 seconds by this 2.0-litre 118bhp engine.
SKÔDAs are always a firm favourite with taxi drivers as the carmaker has become renowned for producing cars with low running costs, and this new Octavia is no different.
While the Octavia might not be the most stylish car on this list, it is incredibly cheap to run for a car of this size. With generous standard equipment and practical interior, this is a great choice for families or business drivers.
This Greenline 1.6 diesel is the one to go for if you want to maximise economy.
Dacia is a no-frills brand, so don’t expect to find bundles of equipment here. That being said, you’ll struggle to find a new estate for a better price, and of course, running costs are low. The Ambiance trim is however better than the entry-level Access model, with a few notable added extras.
Inside, the cabin is spacious and there’s loads of room in the boot, 573 litres to be precise.
This mini crossover is extremely classy, practical and well equipped. The raised ride height makes for an enjoyable drive and the two-toned paintwork gives a trendy touch.
The 1.5-litre dCi 90 is the most efficient of the engine range, and comes in both 88bhp and 108bhp form.
Another Dacia with a low purchase price, the Sandero Stepway is the Sandero hatch’s off-road-ready sibling.
The raised ride height and spacious cabin make this a much more affordable alternative to other crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.
The punchy diesel engine is a real joy to drive, and the jacked-up suspension makes for a comfortable ride.
Again our pick of the lineup is the Ambiance trim, with its extra equipment and economical 1.5-litre dCi engine.
