'High fuel prices' have always been a hot topic among car owners. Saving fuel means saving money, so fuel-efficient cars are naturally popular among car owners, and major car manufacturers are also making efforts to introduce fuel-efficient cars to attract buyers. The types of cars that promote fuel efficiency are increasing, ranging from scooters, family cars, and SUVs to even luxury cars worth millions of dollars. Today, Kwiksure will recommend 12 fuel-efficient cars, including new cars and fuel-efficient used cars. More importantly, how does one calculate fuel efficiency and what factors cause a car to consume more fuel? Let's talk about all these and more!

In this article, all money amounts are expressed in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) unless otherwise specified.

How to Calculate Fuel Efficiency?

In the past, many people used "$1 per km" as the upper limit to determine whether a car is fuel-efficient. However, this calculation method only provides a "rough" calculation of "fuel cost / distance traveled," and considering that fuel prices have been rising for many years, "$1 per km" is no longer appropriate. Nowadays, more scientific methods are available, primarily divided into two types:

• Distance traveled per liter of gasoline

• Gasoline consumption per 100 kilometers

To determine fuel efficiency, you need to understand how to interpret the two sets of data mentioned above. First, pay attention to the distance traveled value in "distance traveled per liter of gasoline." The longer the distance, the more fuel-efficient the car is. As for "gasoline consumption per 100 kilometers," pay attention to the gasoline consumption value. The lower the value, the more fuel-efficient the car is. Most vehicles display these two sets of data on the instrument panel.

Based on current automotive technologies, a car that travels over 20 km on a liter of gasoline or uses less than 5 liters of gasoline per 100 km is considered fuel-efficient. Car manufacturers will list fuel consumption in the specifications, but the testing methods used by manufacturers may not necessarily reflect real-world usage and should only be used as a reference.

12 Recommended Fuel-efficient Cars

1. Toyota Sienta HEV - Comprehensive Upgrade for Compact MPV

A compact 7-seater car that is highly popular among Hong Kong people, the new generation Sienta HEV comes with dual sliding doors and a 330mm ultra-low floor. Continuing the tradition of the series, it provides abundant storage spaces and can accommodate objects up to 1.5m in length when the middle and rear seats are folded. The air conditioning system is equipped with Nanoe X air purification system, taking care of the health of the whole family.

2. Toyota Prius - Preferred Hybrid for Commuting

Although the 5th generation Prius was introduced by Japan at the end of last year, the distributor in Hong Kong currently has no plans to introduce it and has even stopped selling the entire Prius series, resulting in relatively high prices for used Prius vehicles. If you are interested in getting a Prius as a commuter vehicle, a typical 10-year-old used Prius will cost around $70,000 and up, but remember that the aging battery may incur significant repair costs.

*Data for the 2022 Hong Kong version of Toyota Prius

3. Honda ZR-V e:HEV - Fuel-efficient SUV with All the Features

Honda's hybrid technology is known as e:HEV, which combines a gasoline engine and dual electric motors. The ZR-V e:HEV achieves a fuel consumption of 26.9 km/L. The interior of the car is equipped with leather steering wheel and seats, 360-degree parking camera, Apple CarPlay, 12-speaker audio system, and multiple active safety systems such as Lane Keep Assistant, Front Collision Warning, and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS).

4. Honda JAZZ e:HEV RS - Fun and Fuel-efficient Popular Small Car

Among the various e:HEV models, the fuel efficiency of the JAZZ e:HEV RS is quite remarkable, achieving a fuel consumption of 34.1 km/L, nearly double that of the traditional gasoline version. Although it is named the RS version, the true meaning is Road Sailing, but it has also undergone slight suspension adjustments to enhance cornering performance and improve driving pleasure.

5. Suzuki Hustler Mild Hybrid - Safe and Fun K-car

The latest generation of Hustler , which is right in the middle of the Hong Kong K-car market, has adopted the Mild Hybrid system, resulting in lower fuel consumption while retaining the cute and fun elements of K-cars. The exterior is equipped with a two-tone body, and the interior features a 9-inch touch screen with a 360-degree panoramic camera display. It also comes with preset active safety systems, including pre-collision braking, lane departure warning with correction, and driver attention alert.

6. Nissan Serena e-POWER - Self-sufficient Family Electric Vehicle

The Nissan Serena e-POWER adopts Nissan's innovative technology, utilizing an electric motor for propulsion and a 1.2-liter inline three-cylinder engine as a generator. It doesn't require external charging, making it suitable for owners without private charging facilities. The Serena, with its three-row 7-seat configuration, has middle-row seats that can fold completely flat and align with the rear seats to become a bed.

7. Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid - Impressive Korean Hybrid Performance

Hyundai began selling the IONIQ Hybrid in Hong Kong in 2015, receiving positive market reviews. However, in recent years, the company has been actively developing electric vehicles, and the IONIQ Hybrid is no longer available for sale in Hong Kong. In 2020, the IONIQ Hybrid received a facelift, featuring LED headlights and taillights, as well as a redesigned center console with a 7-inch screen. When considering purchasing a used IONIQ Hybrid, it's worth paying attention to these updates.

*2021 Hong Kong version Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid data

8. Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI - Enjoyable Driving Experience with Mild Hybrid Power

The 8th generation Golf incorporates a significant amount of technology, including a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel and a 9-inch touchscreen on the center console. The Golf 1.5 TSI is equipped with a 1,500 cc engine and a 48V Mild Hybrid system, which uses an electric motor for starting and incorporates regenerative braking technology. This ensures that the Golf maintains its characteristic driving pleasure while further reducing fuel consumption.

9. Lexus UX250h Ultimate - Distinctively Sporty Hybrid SUV

The UX250h Ultimate is the only model in the UX series equipped with a hybrid system. It is based on the GA-C platform, offering advantages such as lightweight construction and a low center of gravity, which enhances the driving experience for SUVs with higher ground clearance. The sharp and angular exterior design, along with the interior styling, leans towards a sportier look. For example, the drive mode selector knob is placed on the upper left corner of the instrument panel, providing easy access and a fresh feel.

10. Bentley Bentayga Hybrid - Ultimate Luxury with Exceptional Fuel Efficiency

The Bentayga Hybrid features a 3-liter twin-turbo engine, but thanks to the PHEV plug-in hybrid system, it has a combined power output of 449 horsepower and can travel up to 50 km on pure electric power. The system automatically recharges while driving. Considering the large size of the Bentayga Hybrid, its fuel consumption of 33.3 km/L is truly impressive and saves a significant amount of refueling time.

11. BMW XM - V8 Engine with Plug-in Hybrid Capability

The latest BMW XM is equipped with a 4,395 cc V8 gasoline engine, delivering impressive performance with a 0-100 km/h speed of just 4.3 seconds. However, its fuel consumption is as low as 66.67 km/L (WLTP) thanks to its plug-in hybrid design. It features a 653 kW electric motor, and the pure electric mode allows for a range of 82-88 km.

12. McLaren Artura - Fuel-Efficient Supercar with Wild Performance

Supercars can also be fuel-efficient, as demonstrated by the McLaren Artura , which features a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine. It achieves a fuel consumption of 21.8 km/L, surpassing many family sedans in terms of efficiency. The electric motor plays a significant role in this fuel efficiency while enhancing performance. The Artura can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds and has a top speed of 330 km/h, combining speed and efficiency.

8 Fuel-Saving Techniques

Regardless of the type of engine or whether it's a claimed fuel-efficient design or a hybrid vehicle, improper driving or usage habits can still increase fuel consumption. Here are 8 points to keep in mind:

1. Regularly change the engine oil and gearbox oil to avoid aging and ensure smooth operation.

2. Regularly replace the air filter. If the intake system is blocked, it can cause difficulties in engine operation.

3. Maintain proper tire pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire contact with the ground, resulting in higher resistance and increased fuel consumption. Tire pressure that is too high accelerates tire wear and shortens tire lifespan.

4. Develop good driving habits. Avoid sudden acceleration that revs the engine excessively. Smooth driving helps maintain low fuel consumption.

5. When driving on highways, use the cruise control function to maintain a steady fuel supply controlled by the computer, taking into account road conditions.

6. Develop clean and organized habits. Regularly clean and remove unnecessary items from the interior and especially the trunk to reduce vehicle weight.

7. Turn off the engine when parked. Apart from complying with legal requirements, this reduces the engine's idling time and minimizes carbon buildup inside the engine.

8. Avoid haphazard modifications to mechanical or electronic components, as they can potentially affect engine performance. Modifications to the body, such as adding body kits or spoilers, can increase aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.

5 Fuel-Saving Myths

Many people have their own personal beliefs about fuel efficiency, and there are numerous myths surrounding fuel-saving techniques. Let's explore whether they are actually effective:

1. Gasoline Evaporation

It is rumored that keeping the fuel tank full prevents gasoline from evaporating and increasing fuel consumption. However, modern car fuel tanks are equipped with evaporative emission control systems, minimizing any significant loss due to evaporation.

2. Lower Horsepower Saves Fuel

Some believe that smaller engines with lower horsepower consume less fuel. However, when the engine lacks power, it often requires frequent high-revving and consumes more fuel at higher RPMs. Therefore, choosing the appropriate horsepower is more beneficial.

3. Refueling in the Morning

There is a notion that refueling in the morning is cheaper because the cooler temperature increases the fuel density, allowing for more fuel to be purchased for the same price. In reality, gas stations have temperature compensation systems in place, maintaining the fuel at a safe temperature, making this claim invalid.

4. Manual Transmission is Better than Automatic

With advancements in automatic transmission technology, such as dual-clutch transmissions adopted by many car manufacturers, both in terms of efficiency and performance, the fuel consumption of automatic transmissions can be even lower than that of manual transmissions.

5. Shifting to Neutral at Traffic Lights

This claim may have some truth to it with older vehicles using carburetor designs decades ago. However, with the common adoption of electronic fuel injection technology and onboard computers that automatically calculate the vehicle's driving conditions, constantly shifting to neutral only increases wear on the gearbox without any significant fuel-saving benefits.