The most fuel-efficient petrol and diesel cars (that aren’t hybrids)

Car makers are increasingly employing hybrid systems and battery electric vehicles (EV) to do jobs once left to plain old petrol and diesel.

Toyota is the prime example, with mainstream versions of the popular Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Camry, CH-R, RAV4, and Kluger now all hybrid only.

Many newcomer Chinese brands are also heavy leaning on electrification, something that’s increasingly important to meet stringent CO² emissions regulations that are part of the Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

In the first four months of 2026 just 27 per cent of the cars reported as sold by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries were powered by diesel. Petrol-only models account for about one-third of deliveries.

The rest is made up of the fast-growing cohort of hybrids and electric cars, both of which are experiencing solid growth.

And there’s no shortage of mild hybrids, which use a low powered electrical system to help take a tiny bit of effort off the engine.

So, if you can’t charge or aren’t ready for petrol-electric propulsion just yet, there are still some great options.

Here are some picks of the most fuel-efficient new cars powered by fossil fuels across a range of categories, measured not only against their official fuel consumption label but also utilising the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program results.

With Federal Government funding, the AAA is testing about 200 vehicles on public roads to see how their real-world fuel consumption compares with the official figures generated during government-mandated laboratory testing.

Light/city car: Kia Picanto

If it’s budget motoring you’re chasing, then look no further than the Kia Picanto.

Priced from $20,790 for the auto transmission most owners choose, it’s officially the cheapest new car on the market.

It also boasts low running costs, even if its claimed 6.0L/100km average fuel use isn’t super low.

The AAA’s real-world testing found fuel use increased slightly on the open road, but at 6.7L/100km it’ll still ensure you’re not going broke at the bowser.

As for the car, it’s basic motoring.

The diminutive 1.2-litre engine makes just 62kW of power and is hooked up to an auto transmission with only four ratios.

So even though there’s less than one tonne of car to move, you can be busy with your right foot to keep things bubbling along.

Naturally, the equipment list is modest, with skinny 14-inch alloy wheels, basic cloth trim and an 8-inch infotainment screen that matches the dimensions of the car.

Small car: Mazda3 hatch

Sales of traditional small cars have been eroded by similarly sized compact SUVs, although there are still plenty of family favourites. Many, though, now rely on hybrid systems.

Not the Mazda3, which boasts a lab fuel test figure of 5.8L/100km for the entry-level G20 version with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

That’s slightly lower than the figure recorded by the version AAA tested in 2021.

It’s not a particularly feisty engine, requiring plenty of revs for vaguely brisk performance.

But even with a cylinder deactivation system – which can temporarily stop firing some cylinders during light driving - it responds crisply and the secure dynamics make it an enjoyable car to drive.

In entry-level Pure guise it’s priced from $34,360 plus on-road costs and comes with alloy wheels, hardy grey cloth trim and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen as well as a solid safety suite.

Medium/large car: Skoda Octavia

The mid-sized sedan market has undergone an electrified transformation, in turn leaving a graveyard of once popular offerings: Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty among them.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are these days hybrid only, while popular EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal account for a decent chunk of four-door sales.

Mild hybrids – many from Europe – are also infiltrating the market.

For those wanting pure petrol power, the Skoda Octavia stands out as the fuel miser.

Ignore the recently introduced mild hybrid model and the Select 110TSI has a modest fuel claim figure of 6.1L/100km.

That’s slightly more than the 5.8L/100km of the 2024 model tested in the AAA real world tests.

All of which suggests you won’t be using much fuel.

The 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo may not be overly powerful but pulls strongly across its rev range for thoroughly respectable performance.

An intelligent eight-speed auto adds to its talent.

The Octavia also has the sort of crisp dynamics that make it fun to drive, whether trundling around the suburbs or heading into the hills.

And for a car that doesn’t have a big footprint on the road, the four-door Skoda (it’s also available as a wagon) provides ample sprawling space for occupants.

Throw in a digital instrument cluster, 13-inch touchscreen and adjustable ambient lighting - as well as removable bin, luggage nets and door umbrella - and the $39,590 plus on-road costs starting price looks sharp.

The main negative is it requires premium unleaded.

Small SUV: Hyundai Kona

There’s no shortage of talent in the compact SUV space, spanning petrol, hybrid and EV options.

While the terrific Honda HR-V sips a miserly 6.2L/100km according to the government test standard, it uses 19 per cent more in the real world, according to the AAA.

If you’re weighting real-world fuel use higher then it’s the Hyundai Kona that emerges as the better bet.

Sure, its official fuel figure of 6.6L/100km sits north of the Honda, but with real world measured consumption of 6.9L/100km it makes more sense day to day.

It helps that the Kona is also a terrific car to drive.

Sure, the 2.0-litre engine needs to be worked to give its best. But the way it tackles bumps and corners makes for one of the better tied down small SUVs on the market.

With pricing from $33,700 plus on-road costs it’s also solid value.

Standard gear includes a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone ventilation, leather steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels.

And it gets Hyundai’s Bluelink remote connectivity that allows monitoring and locking of the vehicle via a smartphone app.

Medium SUV: Nissan X-Trail

This is another category where hybrids are fast taking over. But wander into a Nissan showroom and the X-Trail not only mounts a solid value equation – priced from $38,140 plus on-road costs – but also stacks up nicely on fuel use.

Claimed average consumption is 7.4L/100km for the front-drive model.

The 2.5-litre X-Trail variant was another of the vehicles that used less fuel in the AAA’s Real World Testing loop in Victoria than its official lab test claim.

Granted, it only just snuck under, at 7.3L/100km, but it shows that a carefully driven X-Trail can meet the number printed on its windscreen sticker.

It’s a solid result and one no doubt helped by the CVT (continuously variable transmission) that eschews fixed gear ratios and instead varies gearing seamlessly depending on driving conditions.

You can also option an all-wheel drive model with seven seats. Sure, the additional weight means it uses more fuel, but the claimed 7.8L/100km is still decent.

The finishes and materials in the entry-level car are basic but hard-wearing

And the cabin is spacious and practical, rounding out what is a sensible family proposition.

Large SUV: Kia Sorento

Most of the large SUVs not leaning on electrification are powered by diesel engines and designed for heavy duty off-road work (we’ll get to those).

And while the Kia Sorento has also joined the hybrid brigade, it also still offers two non-hybrid alternatives.

Forget the V6 petrol – it’s too thirsty – but the 2.2-litre turbo diesel uses a claimed average 6.0L/100km, which is impressive.

More impressive is that the AAA found it can use 2 per cent less fuel in the real world.

It’s worth pointing out that the test was done in 2023 when the official fuel claim for the same engine was marginally higher, at 6.1L/100km.

Still, apply the maths and there’s a chance this sizeable seven-seater could slip into the high-5s.

It’s a bonus that the diesel engine is also a hearty unit that drives all four wheels.

Local chassis tuning ensures it not only delivers on ride comfort but is also sharp and well controlled when it counts.

The base S variant with diesel propulsion is priced from $54,630 plus on-road costs

There’s some obvious cost containment – no split ventilation, for example – but the basics are there, including a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and Kia Connect remote smartphone connectivity.

There are also 17-inch alloys and – something of a rarity these days – a full-sized spare wheel.

Off-road four-wheel drive: Ford Everest

Australians love their off-road wagons, something that has helped them adventure to all corners of the country.

And while there are some petrol options infiltrating the diesel-dominated segment, it’s still diesel that leads.

And the Ford Everest is one of the standouts, not only for its rough road and towing capability – up to 3.5 tonnes - but also for its fuel efficiency.

A recent update saw Ford replace the entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo engine with a single turbo version of the same engine.

Outputs have dropped to just 125kW and 405Nm, which is modest by large SUV standards, but fuel use has also come back to a claimed 7.1L/100km.

The twin-turbo engine also used slightly less than its claim in real-world testing, although the new engine hasn’t yet been independently scrutinised.

The new engine is hooked up to the same 10-speed auto that’s long done a great job of plucking the right ratio.

The Everest is also excellent off-road, a result of extensive local testing and development.

Four-wheel drive models kick off at $58,990 plus on-roads for the new Active variant that gets a five-seat layout, 12-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charger and dual-zone ventilation.

Dual-cab ute: Ford Ranger

Aussies love their diesel utes but they’re fast warming to plug-in hybrid alternatives.

Still, there’s no shortage of competition among the old guard, with a recently refreshed Toyota HiLux lowering its fuel use and introducing 48V assist tech (a mild hybrid system) on many models.

But it’s the top selling Ford Ranger that slides under it – just.

In auto 4x4 guise – the ones most buyers gravitate to – the Ranger uses a claimed 7.1L/100km.

As with the Everest, Ford has dropped the twin-turbo diesel engine that previously impressed in the AAA’s real world efficiency tests and it’s been replaced by a less powerful single turbo variant that also uses marginally less fuel on the official fuel cycle.

Outputs are a modest 125kW and 405Nm – most mainstream utes pump out closer to 150kW/500Nm – but claimed fuel economy is also an impressively low 7.1L/100km (0.1L/100km less than the twin turbo unit).

We’re yet to see real world tests for that new Ranger, but the engine that was replaced performed well, hovering within 2 per cent of the mandated number.

Our experience with the pre-update model shows the Ranger delivers on decent driving manners and has a practical and well-presented cabin that also packs in the tech and safety gear.