Drivers warned of the most and least efficient cars on the market - Vauxhall, Audi, VW and more
By testing 371 cars, the data revealed that the average 'Real MPG' was 42.3mpg
GETTY
New research has revealed what the most and least efficient car models are with new tests showing the true miles per gallon rating of some of the UK’s popular vehicles.
With the ever-rising cost of petrol and diesel at the pumps, drivers have been forced to pay attention to their fuel economy.
Motorists looking for a new vehicle may be influenced by the miles per gallon rating and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, with the research showing buyers could save more than £1,100 in annual fuel costs.
The best-performing vehicle in the What Car? study was the Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Hybrid, which recorded a Real MPG score of 60.1mpg, using just 11.2p of petrol per mile.
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When driving this car, drivers may need to spend just £621.87 in fuel costs to drive an average of 5,550 miles.
This was closely followed by the Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid and Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid, which both recorded 59.9mpg.
The test was conducted under strict controlled laboratory conditions, based on a real route and replicating the effects of urban, rural and urban driving, without hypermiling.
Audi’s S8 performance saloon was found to have the worst fuel efficiency rate, achieving just 21.7mpg under the test conditions.
Drivers behind the wheel of the S8 would need to fork out a staggering 31p per mile, in addition to new models starting from £108,820.
When comparing the best and worst-performing cars, the Audi S8 would pay £1,722.32 in fuel costs, more than £1,100 greater than the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid.
The S8 was followed by the Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, and Lexus LC Cabriolet, which achieved 23.5mpg and 24.2mpg, respectively.
By testing 371 cars, What Car? found that the average “Real MPG” was 42.3mpg, highlighting how far some vehicles had fallen below the average.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “There’s often a sizeable disparity between real-world driving efficiency and the official Government figures that car makers are obliged to publish.
“However, our Real MPG tests give car buyers realistic numbers to help inform their purchases.
“As our figures show, by choosing carefully, it’s possible to save a lot of money in the long-term, particularly with fuel prices as high as they are today.”
Drivers looking for a family SUV have been urged to check before buying a new vehicle, as the range in efficiency was found to be more than 28.1mpg.
Motorists could save £657 in fuel costs every year if they opt for a used diesel Renault Kadjar instead of the petrol Volvo XC40.
The 10 best Real MPG results
1. Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Hybrid - 60.1mpg - £621.87
2. Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid - 59.9mpg - £623.95
3. Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid - 59.9mpg - £623.95
4. Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI 115 (no longer on sale with this engine) - 57.9mpg - £688.42
5. Suzuki Celerio 1.0 (no longer on sale) - 57.8mpg - £646.61
6. Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi 110 Ecoflex (no longer on sale) - 56.3mpg - £707.99
7. Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid - 56.0mpg - £667.40
8. Seat Leon 1.6 TDI 110 Ecomotive (no longer on sale) - 56.0mpg - £711.78
9. Volkswagen Up 1.0 S/S 60 - 56.0mpg - £667.40
10. Suzuki Baleno 1.0 (no longer on sale) - 55.2mpg - £677.07
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The Audi S8 was found to have the worst Real MPG rating
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The 10 worst Real MPG results
1. Audi S8 - 21.7mpg - £1722.32
2. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - 23.5mpg - £1590.40
3. Lexus LC Cabriolet - 24.2mpg - £1544.40
4. Audi SQ5 (no longer on sale with this engine) - 24.6mpg - £1519.28
5. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet S500 (no longer on sale) - 25.2mpg - £1483.11
6. Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 - 25.3mpg - £1477.25
7. Porsche Macan Turbo Performance Pack - 25.3mpg - £1477.25
8. Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 - 26.3mpg - £1515.57
9. Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 (no longer on sale) - 26.9mpg - £1389.38
10. Volvo XC40 T4 - 27.1mpg - £1379.13