Fuel economy champions: 7 Hatchbacks with the best MPG

Seven fuel-efficient hatchbacks that won’t break the bank

Sometimes, you just need to get back to basics.

Small car, great economy, easy to drive – and even easier to lease.

If you’re after a vehicle that gets you and your family from A to B without costing an arm and a leg at the petrol pump, a fuel-efficient hatchback will answer all your dreams.

And with our hatchback lease deals, you can drive something brilliant without the hefty price tag.

We’ve rounded up seven of the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks you can lease, so all you need to do is decide which one suits your lifestyle best.

It couldn’t be simpler.

Peugeot 208: Up to 73mpg

If there’s one thing France does exceptionally well – aside from cheese, wine, and delightful breakfast pastries – it’s small cars.

And the Peugeot 208 is a very nice small car.

The exterior is smart and refreshingly unfussy compared to some rivals, while the interior feels more glamorous than you’d expect from a compact hatchback.

The smaller-than-usual steering wheel might take some getting used to, but once you’ve driven it a couple of times, it’ll feel completely normal.

Engine-wise, Peugeot gives you three choices: the budget-friendly petrol PureTech 75, the sweet-spot PureTech 100 (also petrol), or the impressively economical 1.5 BlueHDi 100 diesel engine.

If you’re racking up serious mileage, the diesel – with its claimed fuel economy of up to 73mpg (WLTP Comb) – is your best friend.

SKODA Octavia: Up to 65.7mpg

The SKODA Octavia is the model for the Czech brand.

It’s been one of SKODA's biggest sellers since it launched, offering practicality and style in a brilliant value for money package.

The latest Octavia is packed with tech that makes it a real contender in the hatchback class – even against more premium rivals. Every model comes equipped with a 10-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone monitoring, and DAB radio.

For the best bang for your buck, go for the mid-range Technology trim.

It includes built-in satnav, front parking sensors, and infotainment upgrades for not much more money than the entry-level Octavia.

Engine-wise, the Octavia has a choice between petrol, diesel, and petrol-hybrid engines. If you’re often travelling with a full car, the diesel – with its excellent fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg (WLTP Comb) – is your best bet.

But the petrol is just as quick, and it’s more affordable if your annual mileage is lower.

Toyota Corolla: Up to 64.1mpg

Need something more economical than petrol but don’t fancy the diesel experience?

The Toyota Corolla could be the answer to all your dreams.

Toyota calls it a ‘self-charging hybrid’ – essentially, you don’t need to faff around with charging cables or worry about range anxiety. The Corolla’s electric motors recharge themselves on the go, offering an extra boost to the petrol engine that keeps fuel consumption impressively low.

But the Corolla isn’t just a fuel economy winner.

It’s surprisingly spacious for a hatchback, with plenty of room front and back for anyone around six feet tall (though you’ll struggle if all your mates are rugby players).

It also makes excellent sense as a business car lease.

With low CO2 emissions meaning lower Benefit in Kind tax, you’ll save money without committing to the full electric experience.

Volkswagen Golf: Up to 62.8mpg

The Volkswagen Golf is the big daddy of the hatchback world – and for good reason.

If you’ve ever owned a hatchback, chances are it was (or is) a VW Golf. There’s something reassuringly familiar about sliding into that cabin.

The Golf’s interior is spacious with soft-touch finishes that give it a premium edge over many rivals. Tech-wise, every model comes with a 10-inch infotainment system including satnav, Bluetooth, and smartphone mirroring.

You’ve got several engine options – both petrol and diesel – with each offering something different.

The petrol engines deliver competitive CO2 emissions and real-world fuel economy, while the diesels are perfect if maximum efficiency is your priority (though they cost a bit more upfront).

With a WLTP Comb fuel economy of up to 62.8mpg, the Golf slots seamlessly into family life while keeping more of your hard-earned cash in your pocket.

Honda Jazz: Up to 61.4mpg

The Honda Jazz has always been something of an underdog in the hatchback world, overshadowed by flashier rivals.

But don’t let that fool you – the Jazz is a genuinely excellent car.

The interior is brilliantly practical, and Honda consistently scores top marks for reliability. There’s something reassuring about heading off on a long journey knowing your car is dependable, and it’s not going to leave you stranded on the M5.

Thanks to its boxier shape, the Jazz is one of the most spacious hatchbacks out there.

It’s like a TARDIS, but for cars.

There’s only one engine available with the latest model – a 1.5L petrol-electric hybrid – but it’s impressively efficient. It is a regular hybrid, so you can’t travel far on battery power alone and there’s no plugging in required.

But that extra boost of electric energy improves efficiency significantly, earning the Jazz a respectable WLTP Comb 61.4mpg.

Citroen C3: Up to 56.5mpg

Looking for a car that won’t disappear into the sea of identical hatchbacks in the supermarket car park?

The Citroen C3 is your answer.

With its extroverted exterior styling, multitude of paint options, and trademark Citroen air bumps (those quirky plastic body protectors), the C3 turns heads wherever it goes.

And with its competitive fuel economy, it can go far while doing it.

The newest Citroen C3 has two engines available (with diesel disappearing from the lineup entirely). You can pick either the petrol engine, with a WLTP Comb fuel consumption of up to 53mpg, or the more efficient hybrid with 56.5mpg.

The interior deserves a mention too.

With generous space up front for two adults and room in the back for three children (or two adults who are very good friends), it makes for an excellent family car.

Dacia Sandero: Up to 53.3mpg

Want the most car for the least money?

The Dacia Sandero delivers exactly that.

It might be last on our fuel economy list, but don’t write it off – WLTP Comb testing still puts the Sandero at 53.3mpg, which is genuinely competitive and will give you plenty of miles between petrol station stops.

If you hate endless decision-making, the Dacia Sandero keeps things refreshingly simple.

Three engines (two petrol, one bi-fuel), three trim levels (Essential, Expression, Journey).

Unless you want a brand-new car with properly old-school vibes (the entry-level trim has just a DAB radio – no infotainment screen in sight), you’ll want the Expression trim with its 8-inch screen and smartphone mirroring.

In our fast-moving world of endless choices, sometimes it’s quite nice to let someone else handle the decision making.

And with the Sandero making for such an affordable car lease, it ticks every box while keeping your monthly payments refreshingly low.