This week, the Window Shop cast went in search of fuel-efficient vehicles for $5000 or less. We wondered, what's out there that offers great mileage but is also stylish, fun to drive, reasonably priced, in good condition, and something you'd want to own? A tall order, to be sure, but we found some candidates that meet the prompt. Mostly. Show
Notably, no one submitted a Toyota Prius for scrutiny. While an excellent, fuel-efficient, and reliable machine, the Prius's complete lack of driving joy led us to consider other avenues, such as a first-gen Honda Insight and a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 diesel. Those are probably the best choices we have to offer, as a few members of our team went off the rails a bit and picked underpowered diesels from the 1980s. Even senior editor Joey Capparella, a man known for making rational car purchases, made an uncharacteristic French pick. If you watch the entire episode, you'll lose about 28 minutes of your life, but you will get to hear some interesting C/D history, including how we bent the rules to win a fuel-economy challenge and how we once raced a 1982 Oldsmobile Delta 88 diesel across the country. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Once you get into doing what I do, people in your life will come to you for car things. Usually, that means buyer’s guides, reviews, and used car advice. Over the holidays I spent some time (more than I would like) discussing the “best cars under X” with several family members. So, I did what everyone else does and turned to the internet. Turns out, the best cars under $5,000 will surprise absolutely no one. Hint: most of them are Toyotas. How many miles can a Toyota Corolla last? You’re likely not shocked to see a Toyota Corolla on our list. We weren’t surprised to see it on Consumer Reports’ list either. As far as the best cars under $5,000 goes, a primary concern for buyers in that segment is (1) fuel economy and (2) reliability. Thankfully, the Toyota Corolla of the early 2000s offers both. Moreover, that isn’t just true of the Corolla circa 2005, this carries over to today. Consumer Reports says to expect the ’05 generation of Corolla to return a healthy 29 mpg or so. That’s better than the Mini Cooper JCW we have on test right now. Obviously, impressive to say the least. Then there’s Toyota’s reputation for reliability. The brand got to where it is today with that reputation largely because of cars like the Toyota Corolla. You’ll have no trouble finding one under $5K. Is the 2004 Honda Accord reliable?Speaking of reliable brands, let’s turn our attention to another car on Consumer Reports’ list. The Honda Accord is, like the Toyota Corolla, largely held up by its reputation for reliability. Now, there are some hybrid Accords from this era floating around on the used market today. Frankly, if maximum reliability is your goal, it’s best to opt for either the four-cylinder or six-cylinder Honda Accords of the early 2000s. Again, like the Toyota Corolla, the Accord will happily return a healthy 27-30 mpg. Seeing as the four-cylinder has, well, fewer cylinders, the most economical one will certainly be a four-cylinder. Call it a hunch, but the lighter Honda Accord coupes of the era will be lighter. A lighter car is bound to return even better fuel economy. The Toyota Prius has battery problems past 100,000 milesRelated The Best Car Paint Colors of 2022 Will Make Your Car Look Lifeless Finally, we’re left with the Toyota Prius. It’s really the first truly reliable hybrid out there, and the first-gen Toyota Prius is something of an icon. Weird, we know. However, despite the reliability of circa ’05 Prius models, there is an asterisk. Up past 100,000 miles, the Prius’ hybrid battery system will be in need of replacement. Again, you’ll have no issue finding one under $5,000. Just make sure that battery is in good health. In all, it’s not a totally shocking list of the best cars under $5,000 but that just means there’s plenty of evidence to support ourselves and Consumer Reports. At least now you too can act like a car journalist and dispense sage advice to relatives during the holidays. It’s fun, I promise. Worried about sky-high petrol prices, and don't have a fortune to spend on a new car? These are the models that you should be considering...by Oliver Young
It's pretty much impossible to arrive at a petrol station, begin filling up your car and smile as you watch the bill go up and up. And why would you? Fuel is a necessary purchase, not a desirable one, so it only makes sense to try to lengthen the lifespan of your tank. However, this becomes a redundant effort if it means splashing a lot more cash when buying the car itself, and that's where the used market comes in. We've put together a list of our favourite, ultra-fuel-efficient petrol options that are available for less than £5000. All average more than 60mpg* and produce less than 100g/km of CO2 – the latter figure meaning free road tax for examples registered before April 2017. *Due to the age of the cars, all MPG figures quoted are based on the NEDC testing prevalent at the time, as opposed to the newer, more realistic WLTP testing Peugeot 208Engine 1.0 VTi A small car with the fuel economy typical of cars even smaller, the Peugeot 208 is at its most fuel efficient when paired with the entry-level engine: a 68bhp 1.0-litre unit. With the parameters we've set, it's close to being the only member of its class to qualify, meaning it's one of the most spacious cars we have to recommend. It's incredibly affordable to buy and run, although questionable reliability is worth mentioning. We found: 2015 Peugeot 208 1.0 VTi Puretech Active, 43,700 miles, £4500 Find a used Peugeot 208 for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Fiat 500Engine 0.9 TwinAir With an iconic name and retro looks, the Fiat 500's 21st century revival has proved very successful. Another factor aiding that success is its range of economical engines, with the best of the bunch being an 85bhp 0.9-litre unit. Despite having the most power of any city car on this list, the 500 has the highest fuel economy figure, too. It would rank higher if it weren't for its age and shortage of space. We found: 2013 Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir S, 35,000 miles, £4995 Find a used Fiat 500 for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Engine 1.0 SCe While your usual city car has a front-engined, front-wheel drive layout, this generation of the Renault Twingo features the opposite. The idea is that, with its engine in the rear, this frees up space for a bigger interior without compromising crash safety. It works, too, because four adults can fit very comfortably inside what is a compact package. Does the layout negatively impact fuel economy? No: its 69bhp 1.0-litre engine holds up against rivals, and so does the 89bhp 0.9-litre unit with its average of 65.7mpg. We found: 2015 Renault Twingo 1.0 SCe Dynamique (s/s), 59,000 miles, £4990 Find a used Renault Twingo for sale here Used car deals Pros
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Peugeot 108Engine 1.0 VTi Built as part of a joint venture that resulted in it sharing common parts with the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo, the Peugeot 108 is extremely frugal with the 68bhp 1.0-litre engine under the bonnet – a unit available in all three cars, as well as the 208 previously listed. Available in three and five-door forms, the 108 ticks many boxes, including good equipment levels, nippy performance (better than that of the 1.0-litre 208 due to less weight) and the option of a fabric roof for those who worship the sun. All of this can be had for very reasonable money. We found: 2014 Peugeot 108 1.0 VTi Active 3dr, 37,000 miles, £4995 Find a used Peugeot for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Engine 1.0 VTi If the 108 and C1 are so similar, why does the latter rank higher? Well, while the margin isn't substantial, the C1 earns some bonus points for generally having more examples available on the used market, as well as Citroën (as a brand) proving more dependable, as seen in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey. Its reliability rating of 95.6% significantly trumps Peugeot's less impressive 89.6%. Apart from that, both cars share the same praises. We found: 2015 Citroën C1 1.0 VTi Flair 3dr, 56,000 miles, £5000 Find a used Citroën C1 for sale here Used car deals Pros
Cons
Toyota AygoEngine 1.0 VVT-i The Aygo ranks higher still, with Toyota's reliability rating of 97% being the main factor in that. It's also the most distinctively styled out of the city car trio, helping it to stand out from the crowd. Plenty of trims are available – seven, to be exact – and used examples are common, meaning there's plenty of choice. One decision you don't have to make is what engine to get, however. There's only one available within budget, and it's the fuel-sipping 68bhp 1.0-litre. We found: 2014 Toyota Aygo 1.0 VTi X-Play 3dr, 53,000 miles, £4990 Find a used Toyota Aygo for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Engine 1.0 For a more practical city car, when compared to our previous three, consider the excellent Kia Picanto. It, too, is available in three-door and five-door forms, although it has a roomier interior and bigger boot. Its 68bhp 1.0-litre engine – not to be confused with the unit in the C1, 108, 208 and Aygo – provides decent performance and great economy, making it fantastic in town. Confidence-inspiring reliability acts as the cherry on top of this well-rounded package. We found: 2014 Kia Picanto 1.0 VR7 3dr, 34,914 miles, £4995 Find a used Kia Picanto for sale here Used car deals Pros
Cons
Ford FiestaEngine 1.0 Ecoboost In 2009, we named the Ford Fiesta our What Car? Car of the Year, and in 2013 it only got better. It received a facelift, along with a new engine in the 1.0-litre Ecoboost unit. This three-cylinder turbo is available in three states of tune: 99bhp, 123bhp and 138bhp. As an engine ahead of its time, it gave the Fiesta a blend of performance and economy that would exceed expectations, and they still impress to this day. It's the best-handling car in its class and exceptional value for money. The only reason this five-star car is beaten by four-star ones is because our budget only buys you an older, higher-mileage example. We found: 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec (s/s) 5dr, 69,678 miles, £4999 Find a used Ford Fiesta for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Engine 1.0 Speaking of exceptional value, the Suzuki Celerio is a real bargain to buy and run, yet can still hold its head high in the face of competition. Its 68bhp 1.0-litre engine provides around the same grunt and fuel efficiency as we've seen from other cars on this list, and the Celerio is reasonably polished to drive as well. Practicality is another strong suit for this five-door-only city car, because its interior is surprisingly spacious and so is its boot. Insurance and servicing costs will be low, plus Suzuki has a really good reputation for reliability. We found: 2015 Suzuki Celerio 1.0 SZ3, 50,000 miles, £4999 Find a used Suzuki Celerio for sale here Used car deals Pros
Cons
Skoda CitigoEngine 1.0 MPI GreenTech Despite its advancing years, the Skoda Citigo still feels as fresh as ever. It's refined and comfortable to drive, its interior is practical and solidly built, plus it's safe, having earned five stars during Euro NCAP crash testing. As an added bonus, two engines are available within our parameters, the most economical of which – a 59bhp 1.0-litre – is referenced above. The other is a 74bhp 1.0-litre that can average 67.3mpg and emit 98g/km of CO2; these extremely minor trade-offs are worth the extra poke. Either way, it's our used go-to for affordable, economical petrol cars. The only reason its mechanical siblings, the Volkswagen Up and Seat Mii, don't also feature on this list is due to their scarcity within our parameters. We found: 2012 Skoda Citigo 1.0 MPI GreenTech SE, 32,900 miles, £4250 Find a used Skoda Citigo for sale here Read our reviewUsed car deals Pros
Cons
Top 10s > Slideshow Best new electric cars for £30kThe BMW iX3, Kia EV6 and Porsche Taycan have all earned our maximum five-star rating, but can you still get a great electric car if you don't want to spend big money? Long term tests > Feature Kia Picanto long-term testThe Kia Picanto is a fantastic car for the city, but can it also double up as transport for a roving videographer? We've been finding out New car group tests > Feature New Kia Picanto vs Volkswagen UpThe Volkswagen Up is one of our favourite city cars, but it faces a tough challenge from the well-equipped new Kia Picanto What car gets 70 mpg?The Trident Iceni Grand Tourer is purported to offer top-of-the-line performance and amazing fuel efficiency.
What cars get 50 miles per gallon?Gas-Electric Hybrids With the Best Gas Mileage. Hyundai Ioniq: 58/60/59 mpg.. Toyota Prius: 58/53/56 mpg.. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 53/56/54 mpg.. Honda Insight: 55/49/52 mpg.. Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 53/52/52 mpg.. What cars get over 40 mpg?Best Cars Over 40 MPG. 2023 Hyundai Elantra. Pros. Spacious interior for the class. ... . 2023 Hyundai Sonata. Pros. Large trim lineup. ... . 2022 Hyundai Ioniq. Pros. Standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. ... . 2022 Honda Accord. Pros. A joy to drive. ... . 2023 Toyota Corolla. Pros. ... . 2022 Honda Insight. Pros.. What car gets 52 miles per gallon?2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid | 52 mpg
The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the midsize hybrid sedan segment's mainstays, doing battle with the aforementioned Sonata as well as Honda's Accord hybrid.
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Cars with best gas mileage under 5000
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