With petrol prices continuing their dizzying climb, fuel efficiency is now an unignorable deciding factor when it comes to considering a new car purchase in 2022
With fuel prices higher than ever, fuel efficiency is a consideration few can afford to ignore when buying a new car.
And with energy costs hitting historic highs too, electric vehicle owners won’t escape inflation unscathed. What might be saved in fuel costs, in many cases, will be more than made up for with rocketing electricity bills as a consequence of home-charging.
In short, buying and running a car (electric or not) in 2022 is an altogether more expensive affair today than it has been over the last two decades. It’s not all doom and gloom however, there is still an impressive array of choice (and value) to be found from a variety of different carmakers. We’ve researched the most economical new petrol and EV cars you can buy in 2022.
From long-range, electric crossovers to impressive mpg petrol hatchbacks, there’s a good deal to be found on all the vehicles featured on this list. And don’t forget, as a Boundless member you can enjoy save up to £10,000 on a new car with Griffin*, to sign up, visit our membership page.
Read on for our picks of the most economical cars you can buy in 2022. Each petrol car featured provides at least 67mpg, and the EVs included are the ones that will take you the furthest on one charge.
Renault Clio TCE 90 Edition 5dr – 67.3mpg, from £18,590
Effortless to drive, with a surprisingly upmarket-feeling interior and infotainment system, the 2022 Renault Clio is a step above what you might have come to expect from the model. And it has performance and value to match, with a stated miles per gallon of 67.3 the basic model Clio starts from £15,295. It’s a fairly reasonable price (for a brand new car) and will save you cash while you’re running it too.
Audi A3 2.0 TDI – 67.3mpg, from £23,300
A car for those looking to add a little bit of luxury into their lives at a reasonably accessible price point, the 2022 Audi A3 is surprisingly economical. Offering a comfortable ride, attractive styling and 67.3mpg, with a slightly higher end price of £23,300.
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI – 68.9mpg, from £23,300
The mechanical basis the Audi A3 was built upon, the Volkswagen Golf just edges out its German competitor for performance, providing 68.9mpg but at the same price (from £23,300), the practically minded may find it hard to resist the Golf. It also helps that VW remain market-leading when it comes to reliability.
Peugeot 208 1.5 Blue HDi – 71.4mpg, from £16,845
One of the coolest looking cars on this list, the 2022 Peugeot 208 is also one of the best performing. With a stated mpg of 71.4mpg and an impressive £16,845 price (when compared with competitors in the sector) tag, the 208 is arguably the most economical car it’s possible to buy within this price bracket. Worth considering even for the most fervent Peugeot sceptic.
Citroen C3 Sine Plus – 67mpg, from £19,685
With marmite styling (think chunky, off-roader meets sporty hot-hatch) that’ll no doubt turn heads, the 2022 Citroen C3 is unbeatable for comfort in this price bracket and the base model slightly undercuts the Peugeot with a competitive £16,585 price tag. If you’re a fan of its appearance, then it’s a car that’s well worth considering.
SEAT Leon TSi EVO 150ps FR – 67.3mpg, from £26,360
The marginally more affordable but statistically no-less reliable, the 2022 SEAT Leon is a VW Golf underneath its slightly angrier styling. And while it doesn’t quite live up to the performance of its German sibling, (though it provides a decent 67.3mpg so the difference is negligible) the SEAT is available at a price of £19,855 for the base model, so it might just have our vote of the two.
Vauxhall Corsa 1.5 Turbo D – 70.6mpg, from £15,925
Good looking, reliable and doing an impressive 70.6 miles per gallon, the Vauxhall Corsa is a formidable contender for the crown of most economical supermini on the market. Up there with the 308 (understandably, since they’re built on the same platform) the Corsa is a competent and sensible option, if lacking in a little bit of excitement.
EV alternatives
These range-busting electric vehicles are all markedly more expensive than the petrol and diesel vehicles featured above, but the long-term savings are likely to outweigh the onset cost.
Vauxhall Corsa-e – 209-mile range, from £25,805
Speaking of Corsa’s, when it comes to electric vehicles, the Corsa-e can’t be beaten on price at £25,805. Its range is impressive too (209 miles) – it has about 70 miles on the Honda E for example, and it’s considerably less expensive.
Nissan Leaf 40KwH Tekna – 168-mile range, from £32,495
A relative grandparent of the EV market now, the Nissan Leaf has been around since 2011 and through its various iterations since, the carmaker has learned a thing or two about producing an excellent electric vehicle. With 168 miles of range – 239 miles with the larger 62kWh battery version (more expensive at £32,945) – they’re reliable and hold their value surprisingly well. Overall, a great all-rounder.
MG ZS EV – 273-mile range, from £27,495
For maximum range at the best possible value, you can’t do much better than the MG ZS EV. Born from the ashes of MG as a sportscar manufacture, the marque has recently reinvented itself as a market leader for lower-cost EVs. And with unshowy but fun styling and 273-miles of range, the MG ZS EV is one that’s hard to resist.
Save money with Boundless
Boundless members can get amazing discounts on a range of products, from motoring services and insurance to holidays and outdoor gear – and all for just £ per year. To sign up, visit our membership page.
*Saving of £10,000 is based on VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line Auto. Discount is on UK recommended list price of £56,810. All savings are subject to change – please check with Griffin at the time of enquiry. Discounts are calculated using UK recommended list prices.
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