At CAR magazine, we take each vehicle we road test on a standardised mixed-use (urban and motorway) 100km fuel run to gauge its ‘real-world’ fuel economy. We’ve rounded up the five most fuel-efficient vehicles we tested in 2025. 

5. Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend MT: 5.43L/100km (5.5L/100km claimed)

The Honda Amaze, which we tested for the July issue, bested its claimed fuel consumption by 0.07L/100km. The Amaze is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine producing 66kW and 110Nm. The four-pot powering the model we tested was coupled with a five-speed manual transmission.

4. Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI Style DSG: 5.20L/100km (5.6L/100km claimed)

The Volkswagen T-Cross Style returned 5.2L/100km on our mixed-use fuel route; 0.4L/100km less than VW’s claim. The updated T-Cross also claimed a podium spot in our 2025 SUV Shootout. The T-Cross employs a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which, in Style spec, produces 85kW and 200Nm, delivered to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

3. Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 CSH HEV Elite: 4.90L/100km (5.4L/100km claimed)

Chery’s Tiggo Cross CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) recorded an average fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km on our fuel route; 0.5L/100km less than the Chinese automaker’s claim. The Tiggo Cross CSH’ hybrid system pairs an electric motor, fed by a 1.83kWh battery, with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. The combined system output is 150kW and 310Nm, sent to the front wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission.

2. Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT: 4.87L/100km (4.4L/100km claimed)

One of the highest-scoring vehicles tested by CAR magazine in 2025 and our car of choice in the ‘Budget Car’ category at our 2025 Top 12 Best Buys awards, the Suzuki Swift returned 4.87L/100km on our standardised fuel route. Despite the Swift being 0.47L/100km less efficient than Suzuki’s claim, it was the second most fuel-efficient vehicle tested by CAR magazine in 2025. The new Swift featured in the March 2025 issue of CAR magazine. The Swift employs a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, producing 60kW and 112Nm. The model we tested delivered power to its front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

1. Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV: 4.60L/100km (4.7L/100km claimed)

Despite being the most powerful car here, the Jaecoo J7 plug-in hybrid, which was tested in the July 2025 issue of CAR magazine, was the most fuel-efficient vehicle tested by CAR magazine in 2025. The J7 SHS PHEV combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with a single electric motor, fed by an 18.3kWh battery. The PHEV system produces a combined 225kW and 525Nm of torque.

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The post 5 Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles CAR Magazine Tested in 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine.

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