- David Hort
Top Ten sub-100g/km combustion cars
If you went on hype you might be led to believe that the humble combustion engine – petrol or diesel – has been usurped by electric cars or hybrids. And while alternative fuels will have an increasing role to play in the future, you might be surprised by how many sub-100g/km petrol and diesel cars are on sale in the UK.
EVs and petrol-electric hybrids have become synonymous with the notion of ‘clean’ and ‘green’ cars on the basis of fuel consumption or carbon dioxide emissions. Some will argue that there are other factors that need to be taken into account for a car to be judged as either, but government legislation has prioritised CO2 as the marker of whether it considers a car green.
The government penalises people who drive large cars or performance cars, whose carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be high, by using road tax to nudge drivers towards low-CO2 models to the extent that any car emitting less than 100 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide is exempt from road tax.
Not only that, but these cars do not pay to enter the London Congestion Charge zone – and owners are likely to see benefits in terms of their visits to the petrol pumps too; lower-CO2 cars will naturally consume less petrol than cars with larger engines.
You might think that you need to look towards a hybrid car or an electric car, but there are plenty of petrol or diesel cars with CO2 emissions of under 100g/km.
Few can compete with notional CO2 emissions of modern hybrid or electric vehicles, but they’ll get damn close and, in some cases, they’ll cost you half as much to buy.
These petrol and diesel models will offer you low buying and running costs – and you needn’t skimp on size, performance or specifications either – how about a Volkswagen Golf? A Volvo V50? A Mini One? A Ford Fiesta?
We’ve made a list of ten great sub-100g/km cars available in the UK – and there’s not a hybrid or an EV in sight.
Top Ten sub-100g/km combustion cars
1) Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion
1.6-litre TDI 105bhp
The VW Golf is flatly regarded as one of the best cars on the market thanks to its mix of drive and style.
Despite adding BlueMotion technology and slashing CO2 emissions, VW hasn’t sacrificed its performance figures or drive which is why it is often used as the counter argument to electric cars and hybrids.
The BlueMotion Golf clears 0-62mph in just over 11 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118mph despite its low emissions, high fuel economy and relative size compared to the likes of the Toyota iQ and Fiat 500, which also feature in our top ten.
There’s a 350-litre boot at the rear of the model which expands to around 1,300 when the rear seats are folded down making it one of the largest sub-100g/km cars on the market.
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Fuel economy: 74.3mpg
Price: Around £18,000.
2) Ford Fiesta
1.6-litre TDCi Duratorq DPF 3dr
The Ford Fiesta is the bestselling car in the UK and thanks to its ECOnetic technology it now has emissions of 95g/km.
It’s not that different from the standard Fiesta. Most economical alternatives offer far more technology when compared to standard models, normally new drivetrains, however the Fiesta has only had a number of minor tweaks.
It sits lower than normal models and has stiffer springs to allow for a more aerodynamic profile, while there’s also taller gearing to improve efficiency.
The new generation of Fiesta is the most technologically advanced in its history and the ECOnetic model is the same with a range of upmarket gadgets with drivers able to choose from keyless entry, rear view cameras and voice control technology.
CO2 emissions: 95g/km
Fuel economy: 78.5mpg
Price: £13,495
3) Fiat 500 TwinAir
900cc 84bhp
Fiat’s petrol engines have long been touted as a viable alternative to electric and hybrid powertrains and none more so than the TwinAir – the only petrol option in our top ten.
It emits just 95g/km in CO2 emissions and petrol is cleaner than diesel in terms of particulates however the 500 is more efficient because of its Blue&Me data system.
It’s a green technology which analyses your diving and offers up tips on how your driving can be tailored to drive more efficiently again.
Most of the focus surrounding the Fiat 500 falls on its engine technology and the improved air flow created by the unit. That’s because it allows the 900cc engine to pull and provide outputs normally found on much larger engines as well as offering low CO2 figures and improved economy.
So as well as emissions of 95g/km, it can also clear 0-62mph in 11 seconds flat; quicker than the VW Golf BlueMotion.
Priced at less than £11,000 it’s also the cheapest model in our top five.
CO2 emissions: 95g/km
Fuel economy: 68.9mpg
Price: £10,665
4) Volvo V50 DRIVe S
1.6-litre D
The Volvo V50 is the only estate in the top ten, for which it should be commended.
Whilst hatchbacks, superminis and city cars are regularly marketed as efficient and economic, not many estates come with an overriding image of low emissions figures.
Volvo’s DRIVe eco-signature changes that with a number of modifications allowing the estate to fall below the 100g/km mark.
Air resistance was one of the first issues that Volvo looked to improve and the Swedish manufacturer lowered the chassis on DRIVe models by 10mm to reduce drag with spoilers, wind deflectors and aerodynamic wheels also fitted.
Volvo also worked on its diesel drivetrain adding Start/Stop technology to the 1.6-litre diesel unit allowing for CO2 emissions of 99g/km on a car with a bootspace in excess of 350-litres.
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Fuel economy: 74mpg
Price: £21,945
5) Mini Cooper D
1.6-litre
The Mini Cooper D is one of the most stylish models in the top ten and one of the best to drive, it’s also one of the most expensive hatchbacks, too.
That unfortunately means that you expect a little bit more from the Mini than you would from the iQ or the Ford Fiesta and the Mini falls just short of delivering.
There are no issues with the Mini in terms of emissions or fuel economy at 99g/km and 74.3mpg respectively however for a 1.6-litre engine it’s not as perky as you’d expect or like.
While it boasts a 0-60mph sprint time of 9.2 seconds, it doesn’t live up to its billing at high-speeds however, as is the case with most efficient, ‘green’ models, they’re more suited to urban areas and driving in built-up areas.
Whilst Mini is also developing an electric model, it’s the Cooper One D that currently leads the way in terms of economy, returning 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Fuel economy: 74.3mpg
Price: £16,060
6) Toyota iQ
1.0-litre VVTi
In the battle of the city cars it’s the iQ that gets the nod over the Smart fortwo and the latter can feel hard done by because it is the cleanest and most economical on the market.
The iQ is similarly priced to the Smart fortwo and it also favours a two-seat layout but it’s cheaper, more cleverly packaged and fresh in comparison.
It’s not just quirky and unusual though because it’s great to drive in and around the city thanks to its compact dimensions and tiny turning circle, making it nimble and agile in built-up areas.
Like the Smart however, the iQ struggles outside of urban areas – particularly at high speeds where you may wish you’d opted for a more practical four/five seater.
It has a top speed of just 94mph but it can take a while for the 1.0-litre engine to get there.
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Fuel economy: 65.7mpg
Price: £10,229
7) Skoda Fabia Greenline II
1.2-litre TDI CR 75
Skoda is one of the most improved manufacturers in the UK and the Fabia has been integral to that transformation.
It benefits from its links with VW, being based on the Polo, which is most notable with its interior which is robust and finished to a high quality, but it’s markedly cheaper than its VW counterpart.
Now Skoda can also lay claim to one of the greenest cars on the market too with CO2 emissions of 89g/km and a fuel economy of 83.1mpg for the Fabia Greenline II.
The model in question uses a 74bhp 1.2-litre diesel engine as well as a range of energy-saving technologies including stop-start technology and a range of aerodynamic changes to the exterior of the car including low-rolling resistance tyres.
It’s also one of just two estates in our sub-100g/km top ten which means it manages to combine practicality and space with economy thanks in the main to a 480-litre boot which is substantially larger than the Volvo V50.
CO2 emissions: 89g/km
Fuel economy: 83.1mpg
Price: £13,120
8) Seat Ibiza Ecomotive
1.2-litre diesel 74bhp
The Ibiza is Seat’s best selling model alongside the Leon, with both models accounting for around 50 per cent of the Spanish manufacturer’s total sales.
That’s because it’s one of the best looking cars on the market and a bit more dynamic than some of the other default hatchbacks on UK roads.
With Seat’s new E Ecomotive and standard Ecomotive range it’s also one of the most economical and cleanest with a combined cycle fuel economy of 80.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 92g/km.
That’s because the Seat comes equipped with energy-saving technology including start/stop, low-rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic tweaks including a bodykit and specially designed alloys which cut through the air more efficiently.
Compared to standard models however, the 74bhp engine does suffer in terms of speed and acceleration with a 0-60mph sprint time of 13.9 seconds, however green cars aren’t bought for their speed.
CO2 emissions: 92g/km
Fuel economy: 80.7mpg
Price: £13,700
9) Citroen DS3 Airdream
1.5-litre e-HDi 90bhp
Like the Fiat 500, the DS3 is one of the most stylish cars in our top ten and also one of the best models available if buyers are looking to personalise their car.
The DS-line was introduced so that Citroen could offer a more premium model and move away from its design-language that had been criticised for being too conservative and middle of the road.
The DS3 changed that for Citroen as it offers a more upmarket model with a more dynamic exterior than it was used to producing.
The French manufacturer has also introduced a frugal engine to the DS3 with the Airdream model returning 95g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 78.5 mpg, but it’s refined too, offering a smooth, quiet ride with sharper handling than the supermini.
It’s a fairly large and practical hatchback, as well as being stylish and frugal, with a 285-litre boot however it falls slightly short of Citroen’s claims that it’s a genuine five-seat car.
CO2 emissions: 95g/km
Fuel economy: 78.5mpg
Price: £14,600
10) Alfa Romeo MiTo
1.3-litre JTDm-2 85bhp Sprint
The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a stylish hatchback from the Italian manufacturer – which you’d probably expect – but it’s also efficient, economical and reliable, which hasn’t always been the case for Alfa’s.
It retains the style and dynamic design familiar to Alfa models with the typical triangular grille and off-centre licence plate.
It’s important to remember that the MiTo is a sporty-looking supermini as opposed to a hatchback and in terms of drive and handling that’s definitely the case with the MiTo and it proves a little underpowered with the 85bhp diesel engine.
Inside the MiTo is stylish and well finished however Alfa has a reputation for unreliable and unpractical cars and the MiTo embodies this to a certain degree.
Despite claiming to be a five-seat model the MiTo is cramped in the rear and less practical in comparison to other models in the top ten, however it’s a vast improvement on Alfa’s of old and one of the best looking too.
CO2 emissions: 95g/km
Fuel economy: 78.5mpg
Price: £14,450