The recent hike in petrol has many South Africans anxious about how they’ll make ends meet. Not only will travel costs increase, but with a petrol hike this severe, food costs will follow soon. Petrol isn’t cheap, so owning a car that offers low fuel consumption helps ease the pain of forking out cash to keep you on the road.
Business Tech shared an article about the most recent fuel increase, and diesel was the hardest hit. This affects the logistics of growing food, the machinery that harvests it and the trucks that bring it to us. With so many cost increases, as consumers we need to start looking at paying less for travel.
In this article, Cartrack has taken the liberty of presenting you with 10 of the most fuel-efficient cars available in SA. First we’ll start with fuel-efficient hybrid cars for those looking to invest in long-term fuel savings. Then we’ll move on to the top 5 petrol cars that aren’t only light on petrol but also affordable as a one-time purchase.
The 10 most fuel-efficient cars in SA are:
The Fit 1.5 Hybrid is Honda’s answer to the growing demand for comfortable and fuel efficient cars. It works with an e:HEV engine that uses minimal fuel while delivering an electric-like driving experience.
It’s a great car for long-distance driving because of its comfortable seats and safety features. You’ll also enjoy more visibility of the outside of your car because of its intuitive windscreen design.
If you’re looking for something that’s faster but still economically sound, the Corolla 1.8 Sedan Hybrid is a good choice. Its 1.8 engine gets an impressive 3.9 litres per 100kms, making it perfect for long trips. Speaking of long trips, you’ll appreciate the spacious boot, which is ideal for family road trips!
Similar technology can be found within the hatchback version of the same car brand. Not only does this hybrid option hit a clean 4 litres per 100kms, but it also delivers easy handling and a standard infotainment system for your passengers.
The RAV4 2.5 hybrid is the perfect balance between power and economic fuel consumption. Not only does it boast AWD versatility, but also delivers unmatched stability when it comes to traversing rough terrain. It’s one of many hybrid off-road cars that deliver comfort and ruggedness, but its fuel consumption is more impressive than other brands in its class.
When it comes to comfort, few cars rival the Lexus UX300h. This hybrid delivers the same fuel consumption as our next full-petrol car pick. It’s luxurious, economical, and comes with a standard array of impressive safety features. Because of its compact size, you’ll love how easy it is to drive on busy roads, or park in tight spaces.
When it comes to the most fuel-economic car, the Suzuki model offers a fuel efficiency of 4.2 litres for every 100 kilometres with a 1.0-litre petrol engine with a horsepower of around 66. The transmission can be either manual or automatic, with the added benefit of light steering with a multifunctional steering wheel.
Beyond its fuel efficiency, you’ll also feel safe, because this vehicle isn’t just a car with the best fuel efficiency; it also comes with stability, control, ABS & EBD brake assist, and dual front airbags. It’s a light, safe, and fuel-efficient car well worth investing in.
Another range of fuel-efficient hatchbacks worth checking out is the Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR Automatic, which has a fuel efficiency of 4.2 litres for every 100 kilometres. Its engine type is 1.0L petrol, with around 66 horsepower. Because it’s targeted at first-time buyers, the starting price is quite budget-friendly too!
This model is for you if you want a well-balanced, urban-designed vehicle with features geared toward safety, comfort, reliability, and excellent fuel efficiency.
When it comes to fuel-efficient cars, few can beat the Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 Automatic. It’s built to be light, manoeuvre well, and use as little fuel as possible for its 1.0 engine. Perfect as an entry-level car, this Suzuki model comes with all the safety features you’d expect for such a compact vehicle.
Automatic car fuel efficiency is something worth investing in if you don’t want to think about fuel-saving driving habits. So if you find your work commute getting suddenly more expensive, consider downscaling to this excellent petrol car to get more mileage per full tank.
The Suzuki Swift 1.2 remains high on the list of the most fuel-efficient small cars (which is what it was designed to be from the very start). Despite its small engine and low fuel consumption level, it’s a quick little car that can reach decent speeds when necessary—useful for passing slower vehicles or travelling on the highway.
These cars are also famous for being low maintenance, with parts that are easily accessible at your local mechanic or Suzuki dealership. If saving money is on the agenda for the coming few years, this is a bargain purchase both short- and long-term.
Introduced over a decade ago, the Fiat 500 has had a few regular updates, both on the exterior and the interior. But the Fiat 500 0.9 T model is perfect for people looking for fuel efficiency and a speedy, stylish and sporty car with a bang for their buck.
This compact and stylish hatchback is a highly fuel-efficient car with an automatic transmission. It achieves a remarkable 4.8 litres per 100km and has a 35-litre fuel tank capacity. Fiat’s renowned MultiAir technology is ever-present in this car—for example, the turbocharged two-cylinder engine is small and low-budget.
Also, its urban-suited design ensures the engine doesn’t guzzle all that petrol in those stop-start traffic jams. With its fuel-efficient technology, fair price, and city-suited design and style, this car is well-balanced and provides satisfaction from all angles.
The Volkswagen Polo Vito GT 1.0TSI is a fuel-efficient bargain that offers a manual transmission, a 1.0L turbo petrol engine, and around 109 horsepower. This Volkswagen model is perfect for urban driving because its four-cylinder engine uses only 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
Buying a hybrid car in South Africa is an investment worth making if you want to save on fuel costs (which are likely to go up more and more each year). While they may cost more initially, they offer long-term savings that actually go beyond fuel.
As you can see, the cars on our list have mileage features that are impressive, but it’s also worth considering their low maintenance and reliability in uncertain times.
But if you REALLY want to invest and save, looking into plug-in hybrids might be for you. As a bonus, here are the most efficient plug-in hybrids together with their (difficult-to-believe) consumption levels:
Yes, they’re expensive, but you’ll be happy to have a plug-in hybrid if fuel becomes a serious problem in the near future.
Driving habits that reduce fuel use include:
Your car could be the best at saving fuel, but how you drive also plays a part in how much you spend at the garage. Harsh acceleration, sudden braking, speeding, driving at inconsistent speeds, and extended idling are all driving behaviours that can increase your car’s fuel consumption.
The last thing you want to do is spend more money on an additional car feature. Things are expensive enough! But what if a fuel system could save on your monthly fuel costs? That’s exactly what Cartrack helps you do regardless of the vehicles you own.
Remember: Our list of the best cars for fuel efficiency will only get you halfway there.
A smart telematics solution like Cartrack monitors driver behaviour, helping you see where the fuel wastage is. Whether you need to slow down when approaching the robots or take the less scenic route to work, your driving information is available on the Cartrack app to help you manage your fuel consumption smartly.
Slash your fuel costs with SA’s most fuel-efficient cars. From budget-friendly Toyotas to the latest hybrids, find the best ways to save at the pumps.
