The top ten fuel-efficient small petrol cars

Government MPG figures are derived from lab tests. But cars are driven on roads.

That’s why What Car? magazine does its own fuel efficiency testing. And the figures it comes back with are much more likely to reflect the truth of what you’ll get in the real world.

Here are ten real-world cars for you to consider if fuel-efficient driving is your thing. Each is small and petrol-engined – and capable of beating the 50mpg mark every day of the week.

Official: 78.4mpg

Real-world: 62.9mpg

The only car in its class to beat 60mpg, the Celerio is a clever little machine with five doors, a good kit list and admirable practicality.

Official: 78.5mpg

Real-world: 57.8mpg

It falls a long way short of its official figure, but the petrol-electric Yaris is still a very frugal car. It’s roomy inside, too, with lots of kit, though its trim materials feel cheap in places.

Official: 68.9mpg

Real-world: 56.5mpg

A premium feel from a high-volume car, and VW’s three-pot engine makes for impressive refinement. It’s keenly priced, too.

Official: 68.9mpg

Real-world: 54.6mpg

The 108 leads with surprise-and-delight features like the touch-screen interface controlling its fun functions. But if you’re a keen driver, that’ll only keep you happy for so long.

Official: 65.7mpg

Real-world: 54.0mpg

Funky to look at and cheap to own, the Aygo appeals to young drivers with a wide range of opportunities to personalise its style. It shares a lot of engineering with the Peugeot 108, though, and is no less average to drive.

Official: 67.3mpg

Real-world: 53.4mpg

With the same engine as the Polo in this list, the A1 is similarly well made and enjoyable to drive. It’s the one to go for if you want a car that exudes class, too.

Official 65.7mpg

Real-world: 53.4mpg

Economy is the Mirage’s strongest suit. Too many cars do too many things better – but every model in its range comes in at below 100g/km of CO2 and it deserves praise for that if nothing else.

Official 68.9mpg

Real-world: 52.2mpg

Another car with the VW Group’s 1.0-litre triple. The Skoda Fabia is a better all-rounder, but with this level of economy – as well as recently updated in-car entertainment systems – the Ibiza is a decent buy too.

Official: 50.0mpg

Real-world: 51.7mpg

Uniquely in this group, the Swift actually managed to beat its own official MPG figure in real-world testing. That’s just another reason to consider what is an excellent-value car to buy.

Official: 62.8mpg

Real-world: 50.8mpg

The 1.5-lite Mazda offers a choice of three power outputs. This is the one in the middle – so even though it’s well short of its official figure, it still does very well to top 50mpg.