Skip advert
Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

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

ModelClassOverall PositionOverall Score

Category Score

1. Polestar 2Premium Mid to Large SUV17th90.94%94.54%
2. MG5Compact Family Car66th87.66%93.24%
3. Hyundai IoniqCompact Family Car11th91.19%93.09%
4. Citroen C4 Mk3Compact Family Car1st93.39%92.78%
5. Tesla Model 3Executive22nd90.71%91.95%
6. Kia Soul Mk3Small SUV18th90.80%91.09%
7. Dacia Duster Mk2Small SUV4th91.75%90.92%
8. Honda Jazz Mk3Supermini32nd90.02%90.43%
9. Citroen C5 AircrossMid to Large SUV56th88.46%89.77%
10. Toyota Prius Mk4Compact Family Car8th91.45%89.50%
Driver Power car ownership

Now tell us about your car in the Driver Power survey...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric cars 2025
Best electric cars - July 2025 header image

Best electric cars 2025

Thinking about making the switch to an electric car? Here are the best EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why…
Best cars & vans
16 Sep 2025
Most reliable family cars to buy 2025
Most reliable family cars - header image

Most reliable family cars to buy 2025

These are the most reliable family cars you can buy, according to our Driver Power survey
Best cars & vans
10 Sep 2025
Best plug-in hybrids to buy 2025
Best plug-in hybrid cars - header image

Best plug-in hybrids to buy 2025

The plug-in hybrid market has grown exponentially in recent years. Here are our electrified favourites
Best cars & vans
5 Sep 2025
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: SUV shines on 650-mile adventure
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term - kids jumping

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: SUV shines on 650-mile adventure

Third report: The family SUV has dealt with urban life admirably, but how about hundreds of miles over a weekend?
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2025

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025
Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X: which SUV is the perfect family EV?
Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X - front tracking

Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X: which SUV is the perfect family EV?

Things don’t stand still in the world of EVs, and Skoda’s Enyaq and Toyota’s bZ4X have both been updated. We put them to the test...
Car group tests
13 Sep 2025