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Real MPG: most economical cars for town driving
What Car?'s Real MPG tests show what you can really expect from a car, and here we reveal the models that perform best if you do most of your driving on congested urban roads
Eleanor Cooper
Updated: 26 October 2024
For many, driving through congested towns and cities is a daily occurrence, whether you live in one or have to travel into one for work. Heavy traffic means lots of stopping and starting, which can have a huge negative impact on your fuel economy.
However, there are cars which can lessen this impact. Indeed, all the models we’ve listed below returned more than 60.0mpg during the town portion of our Real MPG test — with the most efficient car managing more than 100 miles from a single gallon of petrol.
Here we count the top 10 cars that will save you the most around urban areas, as well as the three which will have you stopping at the petrol station most often.
How we test for a car's Real MPG
Most of the official WLTP and NEDC fuel economy figures that appear in brochures are more generous than how the car would actually perform in the real world. This is why we carry out our own Real MPG tests.
Each car is tested on a rolling road under laboratory conditions, and they undertake a real-world-inspired driving route comprising town, motorway and country driving. This eliminates the chance of any uncontrollable variables – like weather or traffic conditions – affecting the accuracy of our results, and we avoid unrealistic driving scenarios or ‘hypermiling’ techniques.
We also check the tyre pressures of each car to make sure they’re set to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, and ensure the climate control is set to 21 degrees. If the car has manual air conditioning, the temperature dial is set to the midway point and the fan speed to its lowest setting. Headlights and any other electric equipment, such as the stereo, are also switched off.
The Real MPG results are calculated using the average data from an exhaust connection, which measures the car’s emissions at every second.
Read more: How we test a car’s Real MPG
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Toyota Yaris Cross
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Very fuel efficient
- Smooth driving manners
- Uncluttered dashboard is easy to use
Weaknesses
- Could be more spacious in the back seats
- Not as fun to drive as the Ford Puma
- Not all safety kit is available on all trims
WLTP MPG 62.7mpg | Real MPG Average 60.1mpg | Town 103.3mpg | Motorway 45.5mpg | Rural 70.5mpg
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the only car we’ve tested to manage triple-digits in the urban portion of our tests, and this isn’t the only place it excels – it’s also the most economical car we’ve tested overall. At the heart of that efficiency is its hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that can do a lot of the heavy lifting while you’re driving around town.
Not only will it minimise your fuel bills, but it also offers a comfortable interior and a lofty driving position that many SUV fans will appreciate. On top of that, its hybrid system allows it to run purely on electric power at low speeds, and there’s also a four-wheel-drive option. There are rivals that are smoother to drive and more spacious, such as the Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc, but nothing beats the Yaris Cross when it comes to sheer efficiency.
Read our full Toyota Yaris Cross review
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota Yaris Cross
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £247.78 Initial payment £2,973.36
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,218 total upfront (£2,973 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Toyota RAV4
Best buy: 2.5 22.7kWh Icon CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.6 sec
MPG/range: 217 mpg
C02 emissions: 30 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 40E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Exceedingly frugal
- Spacious for four six footers
- Good performance
Weaknesses
- Pricey to buy for private buyers
- Rivals are tidier to drive
- Rear seats could be more versatile
WLTP MPG 53.3mpg | Real MPG Average 49.0mpg | Town 91.9mpg | Motorway 37.9mpg | Rural 54.0mpg
Looking at its big, heavy SUV stature, you wouldn’t expect the Toyota RAV4 to be as frugal as it is, but, much like the Yaris Cross, it has an efficient hybrid system that does a lot of work to keep your running costs low. With a 2.5-litre engine combined with a powerful electric motor, the RAV4 has a total output of 302bhp, which makes it capable on faster roads. It can run purely on electric power at low speeds, so it feels right at home in urban areas, too.
On top of the RAV4’s low running costs, Toyota has a stellar reliability record, so hopefully you won’t be spending too much on repairs, either. However, the RAV4 isn’t quite as much fun to drive as the combustion-only Mazda CX-5, nor does it offer the seven seat layout of the Skoda Kodiaq.
Read our full Toyota RAV4 review
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Best price from £39,395
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
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RRP from: £44,195
Nearly new deals
From £37,495
Leasing deals
From £389
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota RAV4
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £388.92 Initial payment £4,667.04
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,912 total upfront (£4,667 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Toyota Corolla
Best buy: 1.8 VVT-h Icon CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.1 sec
MPG/range: 65.7 mpg
C02 emissions: 97 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 352 litres
Insurance group: 17E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Low CO2 emissions and great fuel economy
- Comfortable ride
- Loads of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Cramped in the back
- So-so infotainment system
- 12.3in digital instrument cluster could be easier to use
WLTP MPG 57.7mpg | Real MPG Average 53.3mpg | Town 90.6mpg | Motorway 40.8mpg | Rural 60.8mpg
Toyota scores an efficiency hat-trick with the Corolla, another model that benefits from the brand’s expertise in hybrid technology. It’s described by its maker as a “self-charging hybrid”, which whilst slightly misleading, refers to the ability for the car to top up its battery without the need to plug it in anywhere. Like the other Toyota models previously mentioned, it can power the car at low speeds without the help of the petrol engine.
We’re huge fans of the Corolla, thanks to its comfortable ride and fantastic standard kit, which made it our 2024 Family Car of the Year. But if you’re looking for a car with lots of rear passenger space, you’re better off with the likes of the Ford Focus or Seat Leon, which are much roomier in the back.
Read our full Toyota Corolla review
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Best price from £30,845
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £33,895
RRP from: £30,845
Nearly new deals
From £22,497
Leasing deals
From £288
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota Corolla
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £288.05 Initial payment £3,456.60
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,702 total upfront (£3,457 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Suzuki Swace
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Low CO2 emissions
- Comfortable ride
- Cheaper than equivalent Corolla
Weaknesses
- Can be rather noisy when pushed
- So-so warranty compared with the Corolla
- Limited choice of engines and trims
WLTP MPG 64.2mpg | Real MPG Average 50.3mpg | Town 86.6mpg | Motorway 38.4mpg | Rural 58.4mpg
The Swace may carry a Suzuki badge, but don’t let names fool you – because as appearances suggest, it’s actually a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. The reason behind its exceedingly low running costs is the exact same 1.8-litre hybrid system that you get in entry-level versions of its Toyota twin, which is particularly efficient around town.
So, not only is it frugal to run, it’s also cheaper to buy than the entry-level Corolla Touring Sports, while still offering a comfortable ride and plenty of standard kit. There are fewer trims and engines to choose from, though, and the infotainment system is nothing to write home about.
Read our full Suzuki Swace review
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Best price from £27,714
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £27,714
Nearly new deals
From £14,399
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Honda Civic
Best buy: 2.0 h i-MMD Sport eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
MPG/range: 56.5 mpg
C02 emissions: 113 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 410 litres
Insurance group: 27E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Impressive fuel economy
- Big boot
- Great to drive
Weaknesses
- Fairly pricey
- Rear head room isn't great
- Tyre noise
WLTP MPG 56.5mpg | Real MPG Average 49.5mpg | Town 84.6mpg | Motorway 38.6mpg | Rural 56.4mpg
The Honda Civic is in good company with all the other hybrids on this list, but there is something slightly different about the way its 2.0-litre engine and electric motors work together. The Civic’s e:HEV setup means that the petrol engine only powers the front wheels at higher motorway speeds, so around town, it instead generates electricity to feed to a pair of electric motors.
Alongside efficiency, the Civic also offers heaps of standard kit and an enjoyable drive, although it’s not quite as fun as a Ford Focus or Seat Leon. If you’re a fan of the sports car feel, then you’ll like the low driving position, and visibility isn’t sacrificed either, thanks to its slim windscreen pillars and low dashboard.
Read our full Honda Civic review
New car deals
Best price from £29,999
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £29,999
RRP from: £34,325
Nearly new deals
From £28,491
Leasing deals
From £369
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Honda Civic
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £368.87 Initial payment £4,426.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,671 total upfront (£4,426 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Toyota Yaris
Best buy: 1.5 VVT-h Design E-CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.7 sec
MPG/range: 0 mpg
C02 emissions: 96 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 286 litres
Insurance group: 14E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Excellent real-world fuel economy
- Toyota's reliability record
- Slow predicted depreciation
Weaknesses
- Firm ride, especially on higher-spec models with bigger wheels
- Poor rear passenger space
- So-so interior quality
WLTP MPG 68.8mpg | Real MPG Average 59.9mpg | Town 80.0mpg | Motorway 46.7mpg | Rural 74.1mpg
The latest version of the Yaris returned an average real-world score of 59.9mpg, making it the second most efficient car to ever go through our Real MPG tests. While it’s not as efficient around town as some other models, a figure of 80.0mpg on urban roads is nothing to be sniffed at, and it’ll still save you a decent amount in running costs.
However, where the Yaris excels in frugality, it scrimps on interior space and quality. There isn’t much room for rear passengers to stretch out, and the poorly-hidden scratchy plastics make it feel a lot less upmarket than the likes of the Peugeot 208 and VW Polo. Despite this, it comes with plenty of standard equipment and benefits from Toyota’s fantastic reliability record.
Read our full Toyota Yaris review
New car deals
Best price from £20,795
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £20,795
RRP from: £23,995
Nearly new deals
From £18,490
Leasing deals
From £257
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota Yaris
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £257.01 Initial payment £3,084.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,329 total upfront (£3,084 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2011-2020
Strengths
- Spacious
- Hybrid option
- Very reliable
Weaknesses
- Not an exciting drive
- Dull interior
- Several recalls to check off
NEDC MPG 78.5mpg | Real MPG Average 49.2mpg | Town 80.0mpg | Motorway 37.7mpg | Rural 57.5mpg
What’s better than one efficient Yaris? Two, of course. This previous generation model may be older than the other version on this list, but it’s still thoroughly economical and very cheap to run, returning the same impressive score of 80.0mpg in the urban portion of our tests as the latest model.
It feels right at home in town, too, with light steering that doesn’t feel overly comfortable on the open road, but is fine for pootling around narrower streets. What’s more, it offers plenty of interior space, and you won’t have to spend too much to put one on your driveway, with used prices starting from just £3000.
Read our full used Toyota Yaris review
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Honda Jazz
Best buy: 1.5 h i-MMD Elegance eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.4 sec
MPG/range: 62.8 mpg
C02 emissions: 102 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 304 litres
Insurance group: 21A
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Spacious interior with flexible rear seats
- Lots of standard equipment
- Efficient engine
Weaknesses
- Very pricey by small car standards
- Not the quietest cruiser
- Some rivals are more fun
WLTP MPG 61.4mpg | Real MPG Average 56.0mpg | Town 68.8mpg | Motorway 43.4mpg | Rural 73.0mpg
Though it may be small in size, the Honda Jazz is deceptively spacious inside. And, not only is it good to drive and well equipped, but it’s also wonderfully efficient, returning a respectable 68.8mpg in the town portion of our tests. Like the other cars in our top 10, it benefits from a hybrid system, meaning its electric motor does a lot of the legwork on urban roads, but its 1.5-litre petrol engine still has a lot of pep at higher speeds.
The Jazz is comfortable and its light steering is ideal for manoeuvring around city streets, but it can feel a little out of its depth at higher speeds, and it isn’t all that fun to drive – the rival Seat Ibiza is miles ahead in that regard. On the plus side, it’s really spacious for a small car and its lofty driving position gives you that SUV feel, although it does sit at a higher price point than other small car rivals.
Read our full Honda Jazz review
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Best price from £24,390
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £24,390
RRP from: £28,475
Nearly new deals
From £16,100
Leasing deals
From £241
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Honda Jazz
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £240.90 Initial payment £2,890.80
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,136 total upfront (£2,891 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Best buy: 1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.4 sec
MPG/range: 64.2 mpg
C02 emissions: 100 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 596 litres
Insurance group: 17E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Impressively low CO2 emissions on hybrids
- Comfortable ride
- Great reliability record
Weaknesses
- More wind and road noise than in rivals
- So-so infotainment system
- Digital driver's display could be easier to use
WLTP MPG 49.6mpg | Real MPG Average 49.4mpg | Town 68.1mpg | Motorway 39.8mpg | Rural 57.0mpg
We couldn’t mention the Suzuki Swace without also discussing its sister car, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. This version features a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with low-speed urban driving benefitting particularly, much like the other cars on this list, from its hybrid system.
With enough legroom to beat even the huge Skoda Octavia Estate, the Corolla Touring Sports stands out from other estate cars, offering a spacious, upmarket interior and an exceedingly comfortable driving experience. By plumping for the 2.0-litre engine over the entry-level 1.8-litre option, you do sacrifice a bit of boot space, but there’s still 581 litres on offer, which is plenty for some holiday luggage or a couple of pushchairs.
Read our full Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review
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Best price from £31,445
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £31,445
RRP from: £32,155
Nearly new deals
From £22,497
Leasing deals
From £297
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £297.16 Initial payment £3,565.92
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,811 total upfront (£3,566 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Used Hyundai Kona 2017-2023
Strengths
- Decent performance
- Generous kit
- Good infotainment
Weaknesses
- Bumpy ride on 18in wheels
- Not as practical as some more modern rivals
- Auto braking not standard
WLTP MPG 52.3mpg | Real MPG Average 47.4mpg | Town 63.7mpg | Motorway 39.7mpg | Rural 52.0mpg
If you’re looking for a small SUV that has decent performance and is cheap to run, then this previous-generation Hyundai Kona is a fine choice – arriving with a thoroughly respectable score of 63.7mpg in the town portion of our tests.
While acceleration isn’t the fastest – it completes 0-62mph in 11.2sec – and the rear passenger space leaves a lot to be desired, it offers a generous amount of kit as standard, and it has a decent infotainment system, although some rivals, like the Seat Arona, are much more impressive.
Read our full used Hyundai Kona review
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And the least economical cars for town driving...
Mercedes S-Class S500
NEDC MPG: 32.5mpg | Real MPG Average: 25.2mpg | Town: 14.6mpg | Motorway: 27.5mpg | Rural: 34.8mpg. The 4.7-litre V8 engine on this version of the Mercedes S-Class will guzzle away at your fuel, especially around town, where it scored just 14.6mpg in our tests.
Read our review
Lexus LC500 Convertible
WLTP MPG: 24.1mpg | Real MPG Average: 24.2mpg | Town: 14.4mpg | Motorway: 26.6mpg | Rural: 32.0mpg. This Lexus LC Convertible will deliver all the thrills you’d expect from its thundering 5.0-litre V8 engine, but that’s not without some high running costs.
Read our review
Audi S8
WLTP MPG: 24.6mpg | Real MPG Average: 21.7mpg | Town: 13.5mpg | Motorway: 23.8mpg | Rural: 27.6mpg. This sporty version of the Audi A8 has a lot of fantastic qualities, but its dismal fuel economy leaves a lot to be desired.
Read our review
Real MPG
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