Top 10 best cars for MPG and running costs
Driver Power asked UK new car buyers about their cars' MPG and running costs. These are the top ten highest rated
- Covering: Fuel economy, servicing costs and other expenses, such as road tax and insurance
- Winner: Polestar 2
- Score: 94.54%
There’s another feather in the cap of the Polestar 2, with owners voting it the most satisfying car to own for running costs, a category it wins by a decent margin. It’s electric of course, which, even with soaring electricity bills, means it has an intrinsic advantage over internal-combustion rivals.
But while the Polestar gets a pass in the MPG column, two second places for servicing costs and insurance ensure the car earns victory. Runner-up in the category is the MG5, another EV, which tops the insurance cost table and comes sixth for servicing costs.
Taking third is Hyundai’s Ioniq, which comes top of the table for economy, with respondents split 50:50 between hybrid and full-EV versions. A third place for insurance costs is another Ioniq positive, but the car can only manage 22nd for servicing costs, which prevents it from capitalising on other good scores.
Last year’s running costs winner, the Tesla Model 3, is still in the running too, with an excellent fifth place behind the overall survey-winning Citroen C4.
Your view
“It’s the cheapest car I’ve ever had to insure, which helps to offset its price. Other costs are minimal because the servicing is included for three years.”
MPG and running costs top 10
Model | Class | Overall Position | Overall Score |
Category Score |
1. Polestar 2 | Premium Mid to Large SUV | 17th | 90.94% | 94.54% |
2. MG5 | Compact Family Car | 66th | 87.66% | 93.24% |
3. Hyundai Ioniq | Compact Family Car | 11th | 91.19% | 93.09% |
4. Citroen C4 Mk3 | Compact Family Car | 1st | 93.39% | 92.78% |
5. Tesla Model 3 | Executive | 22nd | 90.71% | 91.95% |
6. Kia Soul Mk3 | Small SUV | 18th | 90.80% | 91.09% |
7. Dacia Duster Mk2 | Small SUV | 4th | 91.75% | 90.92% |
8. Honda Jazz Mk3 | Supermini | 32nd | 90.02% | 90.43% |
9. Citroen C5 Aircross | Mid to Large SUV | 56th | 88.46% | 89.77% |
10. Toyota Prius Mk4 | Compact Family Car | 8th | 91.45% | 89.50% |
Now tell us about your car in the Driver Power survey...