RACQ crowns most fuel-efficient cars as petrol prices skyrocket

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RACQ has crowned the most fuel-efficient cars tested on Australian roads, revealing the top five performers in each popular category to help motorists cut costs as petrol and diesel prices skyrocket.
"debris"
The guide draws on independent testing from the RACQ and Australian Automobile Association (AAA), which has analysed the fuel efficiency of more than 150 popular vehicles on real roads instead of in a lab.

Out of 152 vehicles – the 2022 Audi Q5 was the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid vehicle, outperforming many smaller cars at just 5.6L/100km.

It was closely followed by the 2024 Hyundai i30, 2022 Toyota Carolla, 2022 Hyundai Tuscan, and the 2021 Mazda 3, each recording 6.2L/100km in real world conditions.
 
For motorists looking to cut fuel costs even further, the results are clear – Toyota dominated the hybrid category, taking out all five top spots.
 
RACQ’s Principal Technical Researcher, Andrew Kirk, said with instability at the bowser and household budgets under the pump, this new guide could not be timelier, and the winner might surprise you.
 
“When fuel prices are this high, choosing an efficient car can save drivers thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle,” said Mr Kirk.
 
“What often surprises people is that the most fuel-efficient car isn’t always the smallest – real-world testing shows how vehicles actually perform once they leave the showroom, so consumers don’t have to rely on the mandated lab result."
 
Mr Kirk said the findings highlighted why motorists should look beyond the showroom sticker when buying their next car.
 
“Even the most fuel-efficient cars in our guide differed from manufacturers laboratory results, with the Audi Q5 using 17% more fuel in the real world than in lab testing,” he said.
 
The program also tested the battery range of Electric Vehicles (EVs), with the 2025 Kia EV3 coming out on top with a real-world range of 537km.
 
“If you went off the lab results, the 2024 BYD Seal would have the highest range of the EVs tested, but when driven on Australian roads it came third out of the cars tested with a range of 488km.
 
“When a popular, everyday car uses significantly more fuel or electricity than you thought, it means paying more at the bowser or charger for the entire life of the vehicle.”
 
The largest discrepancy so far was recorded by the 2024 Mazda 2, which advertised a 5L/100km fuel efficiency based on its manufacturer’s lab test. Independent real-world testing found it consumed 6.8L/100km – that's 35% more.
 
“By cutting through lab results and focusing on how vehicles perform on the road, we’re helping drivers make more informed choices - choices that can save them money long after they leave the dealership,” Mr Kirk said.

 

 MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT SMALL CAR
Vehicle Real World L/100km Lab Tested L/100km Difference %
2022 Toyota Carolla  6.2 6 3%
2024 Hyundai i30 6.2 6.1 1%
2021 Mazda 3 6.2 6.2 0%
2023 Suzuki Swift  6.3 4.8 31%
 2023 Mini Cooper  6.3 5.9 6%

 

 MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT MEDIUM SUV
Vehicle Real World L/100km Lab Tested L/100km Difference %
2022 Audi Q5 5.6 4.8 17%
2022 Hyundai Tucson 6.2 6.3 -1%
2023 Kia Sportage 6.6 6.3 5%
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 6.7 7.7 -13%
2022 Toyota RAV4 6.8 6.0 13%

 

MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT LARGE SUV

Vehicle Real World L/100km Lab Tested L/100km Difference %
2023 Kia Sorento 6.0 6.1 -2%
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 6.2 5.6 11%
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d 6.6 7.4 -11%
2025 BMW X5 6.7 7.8 -15%
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 6.9 6.6 4%

 

 MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT HYBRID
Vehicle Real World L/100km Lab Tested L/100km Difference %
2024 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 3.6 3.3 10%
2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid 4.2 4.2 0%
2021 Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid 4.3  3.8 12%
2024 Toyota C-HR Hybrid 4.4 4.0 10%
2024 Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid 4.5 4.0 12%

 

 HIGHEST EV BATTERY RANGE
Vehicle Real World Battery Range Lab Tested Battery Range Difference %
2025 Kia EV3 537km 604km -11%
2024 Tesla Model Y 490km 533km -8%
2024 BYD Seal 488km 650Km -25%
2022 Kia EV 6 484km 528km -8%
2025 Tesla Model Y 450km 466km -3%

 


Relevant vehicle brands were notified prior to the publication of any testing results. The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Before acting on anything based on this information you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs. The information within this article is only correct as at the date of publication.

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