Hi All,

It's getting near time for a new car, and given the ever increasing cost of fuel it's going to need to be a fuel efficient new car.

The car being replaced is the Passat. My commute is 20 miles each way, all A-roads with little traffic so mostly a steady 40-60MPH. I currently achieve ~50MPG over a tank which is roughly the book figure for the combined cycle.

Given my commute I'm guessing stop/start technology is going to be pretty much useless to me.

So what are the contenders - I'm seriously tempted by a Superb Greenline II with a quoted 64MPG combined, which according to folks in the Superb forum is not unrealistic and very achievable.

I also started looking at some of the small car options (Fiesta, Polo etc) with very high MPG figures (I think the latest Eco Fiesta quotes ~85MPG combined) but I wonder how achievable these figues are in the real world. The biggest issue I have is whether it's worth sacrifcing the luxury of a large car like the Superb for a little tin box on wheels that might (or not) manage an extra 10-20MPG.

So what options are out there for very high MPG cars?

Theres quite a few..the Volvo Driveee range, Kia Rio Ecodynamics (88mpg) as well as the BMWs etc. Infact most manufacturers have eco versions. So much choice. The only thing Id say about the superb is that it only has 5 gears..so when I drove it I found it hard to find the right gear..

Been there done that with stop start. No benifit on a steady comute. In fact questionable if it is of any benifit elsewhere to anything other than keeping official co2 figures down!

Quite simply it's all up to you.

If you can afford the extra cash for the less economical car, then live a little and go for it.

But if you want to try and acheive the silly figures quoted by the manufacturers, then buy a nice tartan rug, some comfy slippers and a pipe.

Then you can annoy the crap out of every other road user by challenging yourself to your best MPG figures whilst staring at the dash.

I'd sooner walk, get the bus, train, or whatever than do the above, then bin my DRIVING license.

Been there done that with stop start. No benifit on a steady comute. In fact questionable if it is of any benifit elsewhere to anything other than keeping official co2 figures down!

Any downsides to having this, as in should I specifically look to avoid it if I'm not going to use it, or is it just a harmless (useless??) addition?

Theres quite a few..the Volvo Driveee range, Kia Rio Ecodynamics (88mpg) as well as the BMWs etc. Infact most manufacturers have eco versions. So much choice. The only thing Id say about the superb is that it only has 5 gears..so when I drove it I found it hard to find the right gear..

Yes, I looked at the Volvo V50 Drive-e (or whatever it's called) at the same time we bought the Octy estate, and the combined figures are very impressive. However, I spoke to the dealer and he said very few if any customers actually achieve anywhere near those figues and most get around 50mpg at best which is pretty much what I get from our Octy and Passat. IOW, the Volvo figures seem artifically inflated, or perhaps they are inflated by stop/start technology that is not of any use to folks like me so we don't see the benefit.

Hi All,

It's getting near time for a new car, and given the ever increasing cost of fuel it's going to need to be a fuel efficient new car.

The car being replaced is the Passat. My commute is 20 miles each way, all A-roads with little traffic so mostly a steady 40-60MPH. I currently achieve ~50MPG over a tank which is roughly the book figure for the combined cycle.

Given my commute I'm guessing stop/start technology is going to be pretty much useless to me.

So what are the contenders - I'm seriously tempted by a Superb Greenline II with a quoted 64MPG combined, which according to folks in the Superb forum is not unrealistic and very achievable.

I also started looking at some of the small car options (Fiesta, Polo etc) with very high MPG figures (I think the latest Eco Fiesta quotes ~85MPG combined) but I wonder how achievable these figues are in the real world. The biggest issue I have is whether it's worth sacrifcing the luxury of a large car like the Superb for a little tin box on wheels that might (or not) manage an extra 10-20MPG.

So what options are out there for very high MPG cars?

I miss the 1.9D that was in the VW range and it has not properly been replaced in the VW range.

The 1.6D CR is slightly more economical but not as pleasant to drive, partilcularly when loaded as the engine is just not up to it. The 2 litre in my experience is between 5 to 10 mpg less economical but that could be partly due to the extra weight of the Mk2 Octy over the Mk1.

I would seriously consider the 1.2 TSI engined cars as they fantastically economical but also fun to drive. 58 mpg extra urban in the Octy2.

Petrol is cheaper and less prone to shortages. Quicker to warm up on the shorter journeys ie 5-20 miles.

Petrol 1.2 is about a second quicker accelerating than the 1.6 diesel of the same hp but feels much more satisfying that it is actually propeling down the road.

The Audi A1 1.2 TSI is now reaching 60 mpg combined with the latest technology. Skoda generaly lag a bit behind but the buy price with the no VAT deal offsets that.

Edited 9 April, 201214 yr by lol

Any downsides to having this, as in should I specifically look to avoid it if I'm not going to use it, or is it just a harmless (useless??) addition?

Well it worked OK when in traffic and never failed to restart when I dipped the clutch. I did find it quite annoying in heavy traffic that was just shunting forward a wee bit at a time - just doing what it was designed to do I suppose.

I certainly don't miss not having stop/start in my current car, but then this is really designed for town use and in my normal rural road commute it would only have the opportunity to operate twice in a 38 mile journey - worth thinking about your normal commute in this way.

Mind you you may be hard press to find a can in any of the greenline/bluemotion/eco type ranges that don't have stop start as the manufactures use this technology to reduce the co2 ratings.

Quite simply it's all up to you.

If you can afford the extra cash for the less economical car, then live a little and go for it.

But if you want to try and acheive the silly figures quoted by the manufacturers, then buy a nice tartan rug, some comfy slippers and a pipe.

Then you can annoy the crap out of every other road user by challenging yourself to your best MPG figures whilst staring at the dash.

I'd sooner walk, get the bus, train, or whatever than do the above, then bin my DRIVING license.

I don't understand how trying to achieve high mpg figures will annoy other road users?

Well it worked OK when in traffic and never failed to restart when I dipped the clutch. I did find it quite annoying in heavy traffic that was just shunting forward a wee bit at a time - just doing what it was designed to do I suppose.

I certainly don't miss not having stop/start in my current car, but then this is really designed for town use and in my normal rural road commute it would only have the opportunity to operate twice in a 38 mile journey - worth thinking about your normal commute in this way.

Mind you you may be hard press to find a can in any of the greenline/bluemotion/eco type ranges that don't have stop start as the manufactures use this technology to reduce the co2 ratings.

the 1.2 Tsi really is a wee cracker. I have one in a Golf as a hire car a couple of times and I am much impressed.

I don't understand how trying to achieve high mpg figures will annoy other road users?

(sorry Matt. Loused the quote thing up)

Just thinking that too. Yesterday I drove in thr Fabia vRS to Weston Park for the classic car show.. Averaged 45 mph on the A41 for 45 out of a 55 mile route, and the 'puter said 62.1 mpg. Overtaken by 1 Mazda 3 on the way back, who I then followed closely for 40 miles, and absolutely hoofed it to pass 4 cars on the entire journey. Don't recall seeing anyone behind me getting impatient. Thouroughly enjoyable trip with plenty of forward economical planning for use of the pedals.

Edited 9 April, 201214 yr by Mr Ree

I don't understand how trying to achieve high mpg figures will annoy other road users?

Neither do I, I think jonny boy must drive like a **** and is annoyed by anyone doing the speed limit!?

Thing is I've learned with the vRS that you can make very quick progress while still having good MPG. It's all about getting up to speed and keeping momentum and just using your head when it comes to throttle position. Sure you can get their even quicker or save even more fuel but what I do is a nice compromise. I do still overtake though if the car in front is too slow or braking too much because it ends up either costing me more fuel or more time to stay behind them. Best to be past and let them get on with it.

Neither do I, I think jonny boy must drive like a **** and is annoyed by anyone doing the speed limit!?

I think what hes trying to say is that there isn't much between mpg in terms of cost and true figures compared to the agro you may encounter with the average driver who wants to get to their destination in a good time.

If one doesn't matter for that 10-30mins extra for their journey time they should really invest in public transport, obviously if work permits (i.e. lugging around equipment).

Thing is I've learned with the vRS that you can make very quick progress while still having good MPG. It's all about getting up to speed and keeping momentum and just using your head when it comes to throttle position. Sure you can get their even quicker or save even more fuel but what I do is a nice compromise. I do still overtake though if the car in front is too slow or braking too much because it ends up either costing me more fuel or more time to stay behind them. Best to be past and let them get on with it.

BIG +1 As for 'stop start' technology' I personally am now using 'common sense technology' more and more in a effort to save fuel and money.

I know all the hold up points locally, and if I know I'm going to be stationary for more than 30/40 seconds, I simply turn off! Count all that up over a month/year!

Some will say, "why bother, it's not worth the effort" I say, the money I and we already have to pay to this thieving government and legalised money theft from oil companies is disgraceful, so if I can save even just ONE penny from going into their overloaded obscene pockets, then I'll do it with a smile on my face.

Edited 9 April, 201214 yr by Mr Ree

It's possible to drive in an economic fashion without inconveniencing other drivers.

So does anyone have any first hand experience of any of these super high MPG cars - those claiming over 75mpg? Are these figures achievable on a steady commute or are they pie in the sky?

I should add that I have no trouble hitting the combined figures for my Octy and Passat estates on my regular commute.

Here are some figues for my notional 12,000 miles per year, at an average price of £1.50/litre (not unreasonable for the next 12 months):

In a Greenline Superb @64mpg = £1278.59

In an Eco Fiesta @84mpg = £974.16

So I might save £300 per year by choosing a super high mpg car over a more luxurious but still relatively economic cruiser.

TBH I think I'm more than happy to spend an extra £300/year and drive a Superb over a Fiesta

The less visits to the fuel station i have to make, the happier i am.

Absolutely hate loathe and detest filling up now.

It has become the most painful and infuriating compulsary purchase, and only 1 rung below income tax .

I don't understand how trying to achieve high mpg figures will annoy other road users?

It's very easy to annoy people these days.

I was the passenger in a mate's car with stop/start. The traffic was moving forward about a foot at a time. His engine had switched off, so he thought he would wait until about there was a car length of free space in front of him before moving up again. After several shuffles forward, there was about 3/4 of a car length in front of him, at which point the ******** in the car behind leant on his horn.

So does anyone have any first hand experience of any of these super high MPG cars - those claiming over 75mpg? Are these figures achievable on a steady commute or are they pie in the sky?

I've spent quite a bit of time driving a MINI Cooper Diesel which has a claimed economy of 74mpg and emissions of 99g/km. It gets used and abused and returns at least 50mpg so I'm sure with a steady foot it would achieve or get very close to the book figures. Very dull though and not really in keeping with the character of the car

I quite like the stop/start technology, but as mentioned above, it only really comes into play where you're in heavy traffic and saves you burning (minimal?!) fuel while idling.

Chris

It's very easy to annoy people these days. I was the passenger in a mate's car with stop/start. The traffic was moving forward about a foot at a time. His engine had switched off, so he thought he would wait until about there was a car length of free space in front of him before moving up again. After several shuffles forward, there was about 3/4 of a car length in front of him, at which point the ******** in the car behind leant on his horn.

I do what your mate did. If you've come to a stop with adequte space in front and then the cars in front all creep forward you are not in the wrong and nothing is gained from moving forward such a short distance.

@ OP. A collegue has a 2-3yr old eco diesel Focus and on his 90mile (each way commute) he always gets more than his book figures for motorway driving and knowing him I assume his isn't dawdling along

I managed to average 72mpg over 20,000 miles in my 2011 Fabia Greenline II estate from new.

It was a good car and even after a year I still liked it and driving around in it, and at lorry speeds on open roads I was not holding anyone up.

I was just in a convoy!

Having said that though, I am now glad I bought something with more toys and brisker performance.

But if running costs was an issue I'd happily go back to a Greenline Fabia.

No, they aren't. High performance cars are fun for a while, a month, give or take a few days. But once that rush wears off, you start driving it 24/7 and realize that you're shooting yourself in the foot every time you start the engine, you start reconsidering your priorities.

My current daily driver (Fabia 1.4MPI) reached about 47 mpg when it was driven by an eco driving expert. I get maybe 40 mpg normally on my daily 20 or 25 mile round trip to school or work (70% dual carriageway, 30% city traffic). But my old Merc (1984 190d) did 16 mpg on a good day and the new incarnation (1992 190E) does around 18. Same powertrain aside from slight modifications and fine-tuning of the engine. That's an insane difference, especially since I pay 6.44 quid for a gallon. I'd never, ever go back to my Merc as a daily driver.

Edited 9 April, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

Working for volvo i'm sick of the sight of the drive models, altho i must admit its a cracking little engine now volvo have sorted the ecu software out,

I took one down on a training course 100 mile motorway journey there and same back and got 52mpg and i was thrashing its nuts off all way there and back. Think highest i've seen is 68 on a customers car so it can be done

I drive from Lincoln to London every week -I have the cruise control set to 60 but do accelerate to sensible overtaking speeds when necessary -on my 150 mile commute I regularly see the computer indicating an average of 79mpg for the journey. When driving in to work from east London to the City (10 miles) I see low 70s and low 60s on the return journey when it's heavy traffic. I do about 25,000 miles a year so I don't want all my wages going on fuel. Start stop is sensible technology -I think it's great, if it really bugs people that much you can turn it off. Plus I also save on the congestion charge when I have to travel during enforcement hours 10 times a year or so.