Our Top 5 (Practical) Fuel Efficient Cars for 2018 & Beyond!

What goes up but never comes down?SA’s petrol price!

I guess you may laugh at my dry attempt at a joke, if it wasn’t such a painful fact for all of us right now!Especially in South Africa,  where we love nothing more than to explore our vast country by road.I bet the steep fuel price has done more to chain us to our sofas, instead of jumping into our Fortuner’s & Hilux’s and heading into the sunset.But until our economy recovers, and the cost of petrol lowers to a more sensible price — we’re gonna have to tighten those proverbial belts — and opt to drive fuel efficient cars. Luckily, Toyota is the world leader when it comes to building cars that are breaking the reliance on scarce and polluting fossil fuels – with the aim of eventually moving completely to clean renewable energy.

With that in mind – here’s our updated pick of 5 Fuel Efficient Cars for 2018

• 1 Toyota Prius Hybrid – 3.7L/100km. With an average of 3.7 liters of fuel per 100km, this Toyota’s fuel mileage is excellent. The Prius Hybrid is a petrol-electric hybrid, so it gives you the flexibility to transition based on your trip. And fuel efficiency isn’t its only claim to fame. The Toyota Prius Hybrid was named the UK’s best family car in 2017. If you’re looking for a vehicle that is both fuel efficient and family friendly, the Toyota Prius Hybrid is the car for you.
• 2 Ford Fiesta – 3.3L/100km. The Ford Fiesta is one of the many fuel-efficient cars on the market today. With its fuel efficiency estimated at 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 km, you should keep your eye on the Ford Fiesta. Not only is the Ford Fiesta fuel efficient, but it also packs a lot of power into a small vehicle. This car features 92kW of power and 170Nm of torque. You don’t have to sacrifice power for eco-friendly.
• 3Toyota Corolla – 4.5L/100km. The Toyota Corolla 1.4D’s fuel mileage averages 4.5 litres of fuel per 100 km. Mileage varies based on edition, with the Diesel Corolla coming in on top. Other Corolla models are petrol based. If you’re looking for a durable, fan favourite, the Corolla is the car for you. Toyota has produced this vehicle for over 50 years and is now on the eleventh generation. With over one million Corollas sold in South Africa, you can’t go wrong with this car.
• 4Audi A1 – 4.2L/100km. The Audi A1 makes our list of the most fuel-efficient cars in South Africa. This vehicle averages 4.2 litres of fuel per 100 km. Audi claims this vehicle offers the sportiest interior in the compact class. But the real kicker is this vehicle’s features. Enjoy the infotainment package, virtual cockpit displays, and lane departure warning.With the Audi A1, you’ll be riding in style and luxury.
• 5Toyota Aygo X-Cite – 4.4L/100km. The Aygo is one of Toyota’s economical cars. This vehicle boasts fuel efficiency of 4.4 litres of fuel per 100 km. The great thing about this affordable car is its retractable canvas roof. You can’t find many open-top cars that feature both style and fuel efficiency. The Toyota Aygo has it all, from affordability to its compact frame. These cars are perfect for driving in the city on narrow streets.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know the most fuel-efficient cars of 2018, you need to decide which one is best for you.Keep the following details in mind when choosing your new vehicle:

• Your price range
• The vehicle’s durability
• Safety ratings
• Available features

Do you still need help finding the right car for you? Contact the team at Durban South Toyota for assistance.

(NAAMSA) The National Association of Automotive Manufacturers SA, sent us some fuel-saving pointers in the wake of the most recent price hikes. It’s reproduced below. Skim through below – there are some good tips! Every cent counts right….

NAAMSA Media Release on Fuel Saving Tips

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS OF SOUTH AFRICAwww.naamsa.co.za

“VEHICLE FUEL SAVINGS AND EMISSION REDUCTION POINTERS”

Energy is a precious resource essential to modern society, economic growth and development.

As energy demand grows, the cost of energy tends to rise. This is exactly what motorists have experienced in South Africa as a result of the rising price of crude oil, compounded by exchange rate depreciation – resulting in record prices of fuel at the pump.

In South Africa, given the high level of dependence on motor vehicles as a means of mobility and transport, commuters and motorists have experienced an almost immediate (monthly) impact on their disposable incomes as a result of rising fuel prices.

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) wishes to highlight a number of options open to the motorist to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and limit the negative financial effects of the fuel price hikes and, at the same time, to reduce green-house emissions.

The fuel economy of the modern motor car has improved significantly over the past 20 years. Improvements in engine technology has seen the average fuel consumption of passenger cars decrease from over 10 litres per 100 km in 1980 to less than 6 litres per 100 km in the case of many of the latest high technology, highly fuel efficient models.  In addition to zero emissions and zero fuel consumption electric vehicles as well as fuel efficient hybrid vehicles – many new models currently available in South Africa offer substantial fuel consumption benefits.

The latest generation diesel vehicles, while offering all the refinements and performance of their  petrol engined counterparts, also offer significant fuel economy benefits.

Factors such as driving style, vehicle loading, tyre pressures, road conditions continue to affect real fuel consumption.

The following  fuel saving pointers are recommended for  motorists to improve vehicle fuel efficiency –

• Measure the fuel consumption of your vehicle and consider replacing your vehicle with a more modern, high technology, fuel efficient product.         
• Avoid unnecessary journeys/ Plan your journey
• Service your car according to the manufacturers recommended schedule
• Poor maintenance can significantly increase fuel consumption.
• Check tyre pressure regularly
• Low tyre pressures increase vehicle “drag” and hence fuel consumption.
• Drive smoothly.
• In the case of manual transmission vehicles change up as soon as engine speed and conditions allow.
• Moderate your speed
• Fuel consumption increases significantly when driving at speeds over 100 km/hr
• Reduce weight in the car by removing heavy items if you are not using them, e.g. roof-rack, etc.
• Use only quality, clean fuels
• Use of contaminated fuels can result in fuel injection equipment deterioration and increased fuel consumption.
• Avoid travelling during peak hours
• Optimum fuel economy is achieved during steady constant speed driving. Stop-start driving significantly increases fuel consumption.
• Use air conditioning sparingly

Vehicle Manufacturers worldwide are committed to providing safer, high-tech, environmentally friendly and highly fuel efficient new products.

Issued by NAAMSA in the interests of promoting awareness about practical fuel savings tips and reducing green-house gas emissions.

Further inquiries may be directed to the NAAMSA offices at 012 8070152 or the Chairman of the Association’s Fuel & Emissions Committee – Mr Stuart Rayner – at 012 8422438.