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Compare the most economical diesel cars

High-quality economical diesel cars from rated and reviewed dealers

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Rated 4.6/5 from 47,615 reviews
most economical diesel cars

Most economical diesel cars of 2023

Modern diesels can offer great fuel economy figures allied with impressive torque; the trick is knowing which ones to buy. Our experts here at carwow have taken the guesswork out of your next purchase by picking the most economical diesels on sale today.

Peugeot 208

1. Peugeot 208 (74mpg)

9/10
Peugeot 208 review
The Peugeot 208 looks sleek outside and has a great interior. With a diesel engine it manages 74mpg, and the 100bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel is responsive and quiet. It’s a great little hatchback, but taller passengers will find it a squeeze in the back, and larger optional wheels can make longer journeys a bit uncomfortable.
Citroen C3

2. Citroen C3 (71mpg)

7/10
Citroen C3 review
The Citroen C3 offers a smooth and quiet drive, perfect for long motorway trips where the diesel engine is at its best. You can expect an average of 71mpg in combined driving conditions. The funky design sets the C3 apart from rivals, although it has a mediocre infotainment system.
Vauxhall Corsa

3. Vauxhall Corsa (71mpg)

7/10
Vauxhall Corsa review
Good to drive, plenty of standard kit and a decent-sized boot, the Vauxhall Corsa can specced with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine. It’s nippy around town and manages 71mpg combined. Rear space is tight though, but that’s common with this type of car.
Volkswagen Golf

4. Volkswagen Golf (67mpg)

8/10
Volkswagen Golf review
The latest generation Golf is comfortable, laden with tech and has plenty of room for four and their luggage. You can pick from either a 115bhp or 150bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, offering an impressive 67mpg and 63mpg respectively. Fiddly infotainment system aside, this is still the benchmark in its category.
Peugeot 2008

5. Peugeot 2008 (66mpg)

9/10
Peugeot 2008 review
The Peugeot 2008 SUV offers a sharp exterior and interior design with plenty of cool features. The 110bbhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel is spirited if a bit noisy and offers a very good combined fuel economy figure of 66mpg. It’s a bit tight in the back for adults but the boot is decently sized.
Peugeot 508

6. Peugeot 508 (62mpg)

7/10
Peugeot 508 review
If you need a comfortable and spacious saloon allied with superb fuel economy, then the Peugeot 508 is a great choice. Especially when equipped with the 131bhp turbodiesel engine which offers 62mpg combined. Build quality isn’t class leading but the interior looks cool and there are plenty of trim levels to pick from.
BMW 3 Series

7. BMW 3 Series (61.4mpg)

9/10
BMW 3 Series review
Battery range up to 34 miles
The 3 Series offers a great driving experience, plenty of room and a great infotainment system. The diesel options are smooth and efficient, with the base 150bhp model managing a combined 61.4mpg. Even the range-topping 286bhp 330d does 54.3mpg. Options are expensive though, and the digital screen isn’t as intuitive as in some rivals.
Ford Focus

8. Ford Focus (61mpg)

8/10
Ford Focus review
The Focus offers a sporty driving experience and plenty of equipment at a competitive price point. It can be had with a 120bhp turbodiesel engine which averages 61mpg and is superb both in town and on the motorway. Boot space and interior quality could be better, though.
BMW 1 Series

9. BMW 1 Series (58.9mpg)

7/10
BMW 1 Series review
The 1 Series offers a top-spec infotainment system and a spacious interior that rivals the best in class with its quality materials. You get a choice of four diesel engines from 115bhp to 190bhp. The most frugal option offers up to 58.9mpg in combined driving. However, it’s a bit pricey and the styling is divisive.
Audi A4

10. Audi A4 (58.9mpg)

8/10
Audi A4 review
Smooth and sophisticated, the A4 saloon has a stunning interior and a range of smooth diesel engines ranging from 163bhp to 204bhp. You can expect up to an impressive 58.9mpg from the base model. It’s roomy inside, but rivals are more exciting to drive and options can get expensive.

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Advice about economical diesel cars

Most economical diesel cars FAQs

While petrol cars have been slowly narrowing the fuel consumption gap with their diesel counterparts, a modern diesel car is still more fuel efficient. This is especially true on longer motorway drives. In-town driving sees much closer figures, but diesels still generally come out on top.

When it comes to reliability, diesel cars tend to have fewer issues than petrol cars, however repairs can cost more and they tend to require more frequent oil changes, so overall running costs are broadly similar.

For town-based driving a hybrid car can be more economical than a diesel as it can make the most of its all-electric capabilities. If your commute is shorter than the electric range of your hybrid, you could get away with using no fuel at all as long as you recharge your battery each day.

On longer motorway journeys a hybrid loses some of its efficiency as it relies more heavily on its internal combustion engine. Here, a diesel will generally offer better fuel economy.

If your hybrid isn’t a plug-in type, then its electric range will be far shorter, and its overall fuel economy can often be eclipsed by a diesel both in town and on the motorway.

Diesels still offer good fuel economy on short, low-speed trips.

An additional consideration is that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) fitted to diesel engines can get clogged up if your driving consists predominantly of these short journeys. This can reduce performance and increase fuel consumption over time.

General tips for keeping your consumption figures low are to stick to the recommended service intervals, ensure that your tyres are not underinflated, use the air conditioner sparingly and avoid harsh acceleration or labouring the engine in too high a gear if you have a manual. 

More specific to diesels, undertaking a longer trip every so often will help the diesel particulate filter (DPF) clean out any accumulated contaminants. This will allow for more efficient running and will lower fuel consumption and improve performance.

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