Used cars: which are more fuel efficient?

It is largely accepted that high oil prices will be with us for some time.

Since June 2007, world oil prices have almost doubled and there is now speculation that crude oil could be heading towards US$200 a barrel.

In Australia, our fuel price has increased by more than 25% in the last 12 months. A strong Australian dollar has sheltered us from greater increases. 

In the United States, General Motors is closing four of its plants and focusing on the development of environmentally friendly vehicles, as US motorists start to change their behaviour and choice of cars.

Australian car manufacturers are heading in the right direction in terms of improving fuel efficiency and carbon emissions, but not nearly as fast as Europe and the USA.

New cars sold in Europe in 2007 averaged 161 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In future it could be reduced to just 130 per vehicle. In Australia last year, the average figure was 226 grams per kilometre.

The message for us is simple: Australian manufacturers must make their cars more fuel efficient, while Australian drivers, serious about reducing fuel costs and greenhouse emissions, must start making different choices.

For used car buyers, finding a suitable car that offers good fuel economy can be difficult. However there are some good performers to choose from even across the last decade.

To help used car buyers make an informed decision, we have compiled lists of popular vehicles from 1998 to 2007 offering low fuel consumption.


10 most fuel efficient cars by year 1998-2002
10 most fuel efficient cars by year 2003-2007

Australia's most fuel efficient low emission cars 1998-2008