Most fuel-efficient cars in Ireland in 2022

Rising fuel prices have brought into focus motor fuel efficiency. If you are thinking of buying a new car, it is worth researching which cars are the most fuel efficient before making your purchase. Thankfully there are more and more fuel efficient and low emission cars available on the market.

Finding the most fuel-efficient car to suit your needs might depend on the type of driving you do. If you do regular shorter journeys, you should consider going fully electric or plug-in hybrid, but there are petrol engine cars that are efficient too, and if you do a lot of milage then diesel options are worth considering also.

Electric cars are considered the most fuel efficient and low emission cars, and there are many good reasons to consider buying an electric car, not only from an environmental perspective but it could also save you money in the long run. Read our article on why you should consider buying an electric car. 

You can still find low emission and fuel-efficient cars that aren’t electric or hybrid. Which? is an independent UK consumer watchdog that that promotes informed consumer choice in the purchase of goods and services. They have a useful car emissions checker that lists cars by make and model that they have tested, which could be useful when doing your research into fuel-efficient cars.

When it comes to searching for economical cars, it’s a good idea look for the miles per gallon (mpg) the vehicle drives at as this is an indication of how efficient the car is. The mpg is a measure of how far a car can travel with one gallon of diesel or petrol in the tank. 

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have a handy car comparison tool on their website they can help you compare new electric, petrol and diesel vehicles in Ireland to see where you can save on emissions and costs.

The 10 most fuel-efficient cars

Below is a selection of fuel-efficient cars on the market:

Fiat 500

Engine: Mild hybrid petrol – 56.5mpg

The Fiat 500 hybrid uses a three-cylinder, 1.0 litre petrol engine boosted with electrical assistance. This nippy car is well suited to city driving and its size makes it very easy to park.

Ford Fiesta EcoBoost

Engine:  1.0 – 55.4mpg

With 125 horsepower, the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost has a powerful engine, but it is also impressive when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Honda Jazz

Engine: 1.3 hybrid – 62.8mpg

Through its innovative hybrid technology, the Honda Jazz provides a dynamic driving experience, high performance and economy with low emissions.

Hyundai i20

Engine: 1.2 – 84g/km, 88.3mpg

Hyundai has undergone a facelift; the result is that the i20 comes with top-of-the-line features combined with rivalled fuel efficiency and performance. It’s also a great value regular-engine car with impressive green credentials.

Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X

Engine:  2.0 – 53.3mpg

The Mazda Skyactiv X combines the best of diesel and petrol technology in one. This makes for more power while producing fewer emissions and using less fuel than a regular petrol engine.

Peugeot 208

Engine 1.5/1.0 diesel/petrol –73.6mpg/58.9mpg

The Peugeot 208 diesel engine runs on 73.6mpg, while the petrol engine version uses 58.9mpg. Both models are nice compact cars that will perform well for short, regular driving.

Renault Clio E-Tech

Engine: 1.6 hybrid – 64.2mpg

The Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid combines a 1.6l petrol engine, with two electric motors, working together through an automatic multi-mode gearbox. The result is improved fuel economy and a dynamic driving experience.

Suzuki Ignis

Engine: 1.2 hybrid – 59.9mpg

The Suzuki Ignis SUV is a mild hybrid, which means it has a small electric motor that works in combination with a petrol engine. It’s small SUV design makes it a practical car to drive.

Toyota Yaris

Engine: 1.5 plug-in hybrid – 79g/km, 80.7mpg
The Toyota Yaris is an affordable hybrid. This compact car is an ideal city car, great for parking in tight spaces.

Toyota Prius

Engine: 1.8 plug-in hybrid – 49g/km, 130mpg

The Toyota Prius plug-in comes with additional batteries that can be charged by plugging them in to the mains electricity supply. This combination can see this car perform at over 130mpg.

Once you’ve chosen the right fuel-efficient car for you and your needs, remember you can drive efficiently and save money on fuel. Read our article on fuel-efficient driving techniques to lower your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

You don’t have to buy a brand new car for it to be fuel efficient. Check out the second hand car market and you will find many cars which can be very fuel efficient.