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A Guide on Small Car Economy, CO2 Emissions & Performance

This is probably the only place you can find all this information on one page. No flicking from page to page of A-Z data in magazines or on the web.
 

  
If you're looking for a guide on the best small car fuel efficiency, consumption or economy, you're at the right place. Most visitors to carbuyersinfo arrive looking for comparisons, dimensions and fuel economy. They're looking for a car to fit their lifestyle and an indicator it's affordable.

There are over 30 small cars for sale in the UK. Here you can compare the fuel consumption, fuel costs, CO2 emissions and performance in our small car fuel efficiency comparison charts:

  • city cars with an overall length of approximately 3.5m,
  • super-minis at about 3.75m, and
  • super-size small cars measuring near 4m.

They're separated into small car fuel consumption comparison charts for petrol or diesel engine options, and manual or automatic transmission.

Comparisons for small city cars with petrol engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
urban		 combined
mpg		 fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Citroen C1 1.0i 12V 68hp 51.4 72.4 62.8 £973 106 98 13.7
Chevrolet Spark 1.0
1.2		 42.8
42.8		 67.3
67.3		 55.4
55.4		 £1,103
£1,103		 119
119		 96
102		 15.5
12.1
Daihatsu Sirion 1.0
1.3
1.5		 46.3
37.7
35.8		 64.2
58.9
54.3		 56.5
48.7
45.6		 £1,081
£1,255
£1,340		 118
137
145		 99
106
109		 13.9
11.4
10.5
Fiat 500 1.2
1.4		 44.1
36.7		 65.7
55.4		 55.4
46.3		 £1,103
£1,320		 113
140		 99
113		 12.9
10.5
Fiat Panda 1.1
1.2 ECO
1.2		 42.8
42.8
39.8		 68.4
68.4
58.9		 56.5
56.5
50.4		 £1,081
£1,081
£1,212		 119
119
133		 93
96
96		 15
14
14
Ford Ka 1.2 44.8 64.2 55.4 £1,103 119 99 12.9
Hyundai i10 1.2 44.8 68.9 57.6 £1,061 115 103 12.8
Kia Picanto 1.0
1.1		 49.6
48.7		 65.7
67.3		 58.8
58.8		 £1,039
£1,039		 114
114		 93
96		 16.4
15.1
Peugeot 107 1.0 51.3 68.8 61.3 £997 106 100 14.2
Renault Twingo 1.2 60bhp
1.2 75bhp
1.2 100bhp
1.6 133		 39.8
42.2
37.3
32.1		 61.4
87.3
57.9
50.4		 51.4
55.4
48.0
41.5		 £1,189
£1,103
£1,273
£1,472		 130
119
138
160		 96
106
117
125		 15
12
9.8
8.7
Toyota Aygo 1.0 51.4 72.4 62.8 £973 106 98 14.2

Comparisons for super-mini small cars with petrol engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
urban		 combined
mpg		 fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Citroen C3 1.1
1.4 75
1.4 VT1 95
1.6 VT1		 35.3
35.3
36.7
35.8		 57.6
56.4
57.6
58.8		 47.1
46.3
47.9
47.9		 £1,297
£1,320
£1,276
£1,276		 137
140
136
136		 96
101
114
118		 16.5
14.2
10.6
8.9
Mini 1.6 75bhp
1.6 98bhp
1.6 122 bhp
1.6 184bhp		 39.2
43.5
40.9
38.7		 64.2
65.7
61.4
56.5		 52.3
55.4
52.3
48.7		 £1,168
£1,103
£1,168
£1,255		 127
119
127
136		 109
116
126
142		 13.2
10.5
9.1
7.0
Mitsibushi Colt 1.1
1.3
1.3 ClearTec
1.5T		 38.7
36.7
44.8
32.8		 58.9
56.5
65.7
49.6		 49.6
47.1
56.5
41.5		 £1,232
£1,297
£1,081
£1,472		 135
143
119
161		 101
111
112
131		 13.2
11
10.4
7.4
Nissan Micra 1.2
1.4		 38.2
35.8		 55.4
52.3		 47.9
44.8		 £1,276
£1,364		 139
154		 104
107		 13.5
11.9
Suzuki Swift 1.3
1.5
1.6		 38.2
35.3
32.4		 57.7
55.4
47.0		 48.7
46.3
40.3		 £1,255
£1,320
£1,516		 140
145
165		 109
115
124		 11
10
8.9
Toyota Yaris 1.0
1.3		 47.1
45.6		 62.8
62.8		 56.5
55.4		 £1,081
£1,103		 118
120		 96
109		 15.7
11.7
VW Fox 1.2
1.4		 38.2
32.5		 56.5
50.4		 47.9
42.2		 £1,276
£1,448		 139
159		 92
104		 17.5
13

Comparisons for super-sized small cars with petrol engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
urban		 combined
mpg		 fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Fiat Punto Evo 1.4 77bhp
1.4 105 bhp
1.4 135		 38.2
37.7
38.7		 60.1
60.1
61.4		 49.6
49.6
50.4		 £1,232
£1,232
£1,212		 132
134
129		 103
115
 		 13.2
10.8
 
Ford Fiesta 1.25 60 PS
1.25 82
1.4 96
1.6 120		 38.7
38.2
37.2
35.8		 64.2
62.8
60.1
61.4		 51.4
50.4
48.7
48.7		 £1,189
£1,212
£1,255
£1,255		 127
129
133
134		 94
104

120		 16.9
13.3

9.9
Honda Jazz 1.2
1.4		 43.5
43.5		 62.8
60.1		 53.3
52.3		 £1,146
£1,168		 125
128		 110
113		 12.5
11.5
Hyundai i20 1.1
1.2		 46.3
44.8		 68.9
68.9		 58.9
57.6		 £1,037
£1,061		 114
115		 103
112		 12.9
11.6
Mazda2 1.3 75bhp
1.3 86bhp
1.5		 40.9
40.9
37.2		 67.3
67.3
60.1		 54.3
54.3
49.6		 £1,125
£1,125
£1,232		 125
125
135		 104
107
117		 14.0
12.9
10.4
Peugeot 207 1.4 75bhp
1.4 95bhp
1.6 120		 32.4
34.8
34.8		 56.4
56.4
56.4		 44.1
46.3
46.3		 £1,385
£1,320
£1,320		 147
145
141		 106
115
125		 15.7
12.8
10.7
Renault Clio 1.2 75bhp
1.2 100bhp
1.6 128bhp
2.0 200		 37.2
38.7
31.7
25.0		 57.6
61.4
50.4
44.1		 47.9
49.6
40.9
34.0		 £1,276
£1,232
£1,494
£1,797		 139
129
160
195		 104
114
122
141		 13.4
11.0
9.3
6.9
Seat Ibiza 5dr 1.2 70bhp
1.4 85bhp
1.6 105
1.6 105 7-speed		 37.2
34.9
33.63
36.7		 57.6
58.9
56.5
58.9		 47.9
47.1
44.8
48.7		 £1,276
£1,297
£1,364
£1,255		 139
142
149
139		 101
108
116
 		 15
12.2
10.5
 
Skoda Fabia 1.2 60bhp
1.2 70bhp
1.4 85
1.6 105		 36.2
36.7
32.8
31.0		 58.9
57.6
53.3
50.4		 47.9
47.9
43.5
40.9		 £1,276
£1,276
£1,405
£1,494		 140
140
154
165		 96
101
110
139		 16.5
14.9
11.7
7.3
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6		 44.8
40.9
40.4
26.9		 67.3
64.2
61.4
44.1		 56.5
53.3
51.4
35.8		 £1,081
£1,146
£1,189
£1,707		 117
124
129
189		 96
107
112
 		 17
12.7
11.3
6.9
VW Polo 1.2 60 PS
1.2 70 PS
1.4 85 PS
1.2 105		 38.7
38.7
35.3
41.5		 62.8
62.8
60.1
62.8		 51.4
51.4
47.9
53.3		 £1,189
£1,189
£1,276
£1,146		 128
128
139
124		 98
103
110
118		 16.1
14.1
11.9
9.7

Comparisons for small city cars with diesel engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
urban		 combined
mpg		 fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Citroen C1 1.4HDi 53.3 83.3 68.9 £895 109 96 15.6
Fiat 500 1.3 75
1.3 95		 53.3
56.5		 78.5
85.6		 67.3
72.4		 £916
£851		 110
104		   10.7
 
Fiat Panda 1.3 52.3 76.3 65.7 £938 114 99 13
Ford Ka 1.3 54.3 76.3 67.3 £916 112 100  

Comparisons for super-mini small cars with diesel engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
mpg		 combined fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Citroen C3 1.4 70
1.6 90bhp
1.6 110bhp		 53.3
53.3
51.4		 74.3
76.3
74.3		 65.7
65.7
64.2		 £938
£938
£960		 113
110
115		 101
112
118		 13.7
11.3
9.9
Mini Cooper 1.6 60.1 80.7 72.4 £851 104 121 9.9
Nissan Micra 1.5 54.3 67.3 61.4 £1,004 120 106 11.9
Suzuki Swift 1.3 50.4 72.4 62.8 £982 119 103 13.7

Comparisons for super-sized small cars with diesel engines and manual transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
mpg		 combined fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62
Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 75bhp
1.3 95bhp		 54.3
53.3		 80.7
80.7		 68.9
67.3		 £895
£916		 108
110		 103
111		 13.6
11.7
Ford Fiesta 1.4 68 PS
1.6 95 PS		 53.3
57.6		 80.7
78.5		 67.3
68.9		 £916
£895		 110
107		 101
 		 14.9
 
Hyundai i20 1.4 75bhp
1.4 90bhp		 51.4
51.4		 74.3
72.4		 64.2
62.8		 £960
£982		 116
118		 100
106		 16.2
13.8
Mazda2 1.4
1.6		 55.4
55.4		 80.7
76.3		 68.9
67.3		 £895
£916		 107
112		 101
108		 15.5
11.4
Peugeot 207 1.4 70
1.6 90bhp
 
 		 64.1
62.7		 £960
 		 117
115		 104
113		 14.8
11.5
Renault Clio 1.5 85bhp
1.5 105bhp		 54.3
49.5		 70.6
68.9		 64.2
61.4		 £960
£1,004		 115
123		 108
118		 12.7
11.1
Seat Ibiza 1.4
1.4
1.6
2.0		 50.4
57.6
52.3
44.8		 78.5
94.2
78.5
70.6		 65.7
76.4
65.7
57.6		 £938

£938
 		 114
98
112
123
110
116
129
12.7
10.7
8.6
Skoda Fabia 1.6 105
1.6 90		 55.4
55.4		 78.5
78.5		 67.3
67.3		 £916
£916		 109
109		 117
109		 10.9
12.6
Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 75bhp
1.3 90bhp
1.3 95bhp
1.7		 52.3
45.6
61.4
49.6		 76.3
70.6
88.3
72.4		 65.7
58.9
76.3
61.4		 £938
£1,037

£1,004		 114
127
99
119		 101
107
110
124		 13.6
11.9
11.5
8.9
VW Polo 1.2 75
1.6 75 PS
1.6 90 PS		 67.3
52.3
52.3		 91.1
78.5
78.5		 80.7
65.7
65.7
£938
£938		 91
112
112		 107
106
112		 13.9
13.9
11.5

Comparisons for small cars with automatic or semi-automatic transmission.

model urban
mpg		 extra
mpg		 combined fuel cost
pr 12,000
miles		 CO2 max
speed		 0-62 secs
Daihatsu Sirion 1.3
1.5		 32.8
32.1		 54.3
51.4		 44.1
42.2		   151
157		 102
106		 13.0
11.1
Hyundai i10 1.2     47.9   139 97 14.4
Kia Picanto 1.1 38.7 57.6 48.7   137 90 17.9
Peugeot 107 1.0     61.4   107 100 14.9
Citroen C3 1.6     40.9   158 118 10.9
Mini 1.4 98
1.6 122
1.6 184
1.6 D		 32.5
32.5
31.7
43.5		 55.4
55.4
56.5
67.3		 44.1
44.1
44.1
56.5		   127
127
136
104		 112
126
139
118		 12.3
10.4
7.2
10.3
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3     50.4   138 112 12
Nissan Micra 1.2
1.4		     42.8
41.5		   159
163		 90
98		 17.9
15
Suzuki Swift 1.5     43.5   153 112 11.7
Fiat Punto              
Ford Fiesta              
Honda Jazz 1.4 43.5 61.4 53.3   125 112 13.5
Hyundai i20 1.4 35.3 55.4 45.6   146 107 12.9
Peugeot 207 1.6
1.4		     40.9
45.6		   160
146		 122
112		 12.7
14
Renault Clio 1.6 28.2 46.3 37.7   179 116 12.2
Seat Ibiza 1.6 33.6 49.6 42.2   139 117 10.1
Skoda Fabia 1.2 105 40.4 64.2 53.3   124 117 10.2
Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 36.7 58.9 47.9   138 107 12.9
VW Polo 1.4 36.7 60.1 48.7   135 110 11.9

Personally I'd be wary of buying a small car only for its fuel economy bearing in mind disclaimers from the DVLA below. There doesn't appear to be a significant difference in many fuel consumption comparisons, so versatility, safety and performance can come into it.

Disclaimer http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/index.asp

  • Figures are obtained in a laboratory.
  • Figures are for comparisons and will not necessarily be the same as actually achieved on the road.
  • It is not advisable to rank a number of vehicles with very similar figures.
  • Only one production car is tested as being representative and may produce a better or worse result than another similar car.
  • Infinite variations in driving styles and in road, car and weather conditions all have a bearing on the results
  • The fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles is calculated as follows - 12,000 miles/combined mpg x 4.65 x 112p/litre for petrol or 113p/litre for diesel and is only for comparison.

Different body types - even 3 vs 5 door - and wheel sizes may change mpg.

Diesel seems a good proposition but you pay an added price which may take years to pay-back with economy savings. Diesel particle emissions are not town friendly.

All figures above should be verified at your local car dealer. Do not rely on the VCA, brochures, magazines, websites, even manufacturers' sites. I found many differences. There are continual changes and efforts being made by manufacturers. Allow for the time it takes to plan, produce and publish information. Please accept errors and omissions.

Cars with CO2 emissions below 120 g/km are highlighted in GREEN. Only tiny city cars and some diesels fall into this category.

Cars with a maximum speed of over 115 mph and/or single figure acceleration are highlighted in RED

Fuel consumption figures do not express or imply any guarantee of fuel consumption attainable.

The new car fuel consumption and emission data on this web site was copied from the VCA www.vca.gov.uk Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. The VCA nor I cannot accept liability for its accuracy. Users who rely entirely on the information do so at their own risk.

Data Date June 2010 http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/index.asp

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