While Australian drivers continue to grapple with the ongoing fuel crisis, some are considering switching to electric cars to stay afloat.
As reported by Drive in March 2026, sales of used electric cars have more than doubled since mid-February, with EV listings dropping approximately 33 per cent between 28 February and 24 March.
According to AutoGrab’s Chief Commercial Officer, Saxon Odgers, the data showed how the surging fuel prices are changing consumers' mindsets.
“This is not simply short-term volatility, it’s a structural response to rising fuel costs, which are fundamentally reshaping buyer behaviour,” Odgers said in a media statement.
“For buyers, the window to acquire used EVs at current price levels is narrowing,” he added.
And while EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) offer an alternative to petrol-reliant models, to those still not ready to make the full transition, some car makers still provide an abundance of petrol and hybrid cars that offer great fuel efficiency.
Though fuel efficiency isn’t an exact science due to varying external factors such as the car’s weight, the driver’s driving habits, and even the weather, Drive has narrowed down a general list of the most fuel-efficient cars that don’t require a charge.
Generally speaking, Drive considers 4.0L/100km to be the benchmark for fuel efficiency among small and micro cars.
With this in mind, hybrid models such as the Hyundai i30 and the Toyota Corolla sedan are among the most fuel-efficient cars in their class, with both models achieving a claimed 3.9L/100km.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Corolla hybrid hatch consumed slightly more fuel than its sedan sibling, drinking a claimed 4.0L/100km.
While we’re talking about hatchbacks, the petrol-electric Honda Civic was also among the top field players, with the Japanese marque claiming a 4.2L/100km fuel-efficiency figure.
Though hybrids will undoubtedly lead the fuel-efficiency race compared to traditional petrol cars, those in the market for small petrol models could consider the Kia Picanto (5.4L/100km), Mazda 3 sedan (5.8L/100km) or the Skoda Scala (5.2L/100km).
It’s no secret that medium passenger cars such as sedans aren’t nearly as popular as they once were.
And while declining demand has led to fewer model options, some brands, such as Toyota and Honda, still offer fuel-efficient cars for those looking to buy a slightly larger car without jumping into an SUV.
Generally speaking, 5.0L/100km is the benchmark for a fuel-efficient medium passenger car, with numerous models such as the Toyota Camry (4.0L/100km) and the Honda Accord (4.3L/100km).
However, the Skoda Octavia has the lowest fuel-efficiency rating among petrol-powered medium cars in Australia.
While the Australian market is slowly closing the chapter on small and medium cars, SUVs have risen to become the country’s favourite type of car.
As such, numerous car makers have begun to populate the market segment with fuel-efficient hybrid cars across a range of different price points.
Generally speaking, models with a claimed consumption rating of 5.5L/100km are widely considered fuel-efficient among small SUVs, with a plethora of options available to consumers.
Various hybrid variants of the Hyundai’s best-selling model in the Kona – which starts from $36,950 plus on-roads for the entry-level Hybrid option – have a claimed fuel-efficiency rating of 3.9L/100km.
Additionally, the Kia Niro hybrid SUV – in the S and GT-Line variants – achieved a claimed fuel-efficiency rating of 4.0L/100km.
While we’re on the topic of legacy car makers, Toyota’s small SUV range comfortably achieves less than the recommended figure, with the Toyota Corolla Cross achieving a claimed fuel-efficiency range of 4.2–4.5L/100km depending on the variant. The Japanese marque quotes a 4.0–4.1L/100km on the Toyota C-HR.
Other popular Japanese brands, such as Nissan, also contend in the small SUV space, with the Qashqai’s advertised fuel consumption ranging from 4.8–5.2L/100km depending on the variant.
Meanwhile, the Honda HR-V hybrid variants (e:HEV L and e:HEV X) have a claimed fuel-efficiency rating of 4.3L/100km.
Some Chinese car brands have also started fielding a range of fuel-efficient hybrid models, including the GWM Haval Jolion (4.8–5.1L/100km), Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (5.4L/100km) and MG ZS (4.7L/100km), which fall below the general benchmark.
Luxury hybrid cars from brands like Lexus are also among the top players in the fuel-efficiency race in this segment, with the Lexus LBX achieving a fuel consumption rating of 3.8L/100km and the Lexus UX at 4.2–4.4L/100km.
Additionally, three traditional ICE models also feature on this list, with the Audi Q2 and MG ZS SUVs achieving a claimed 5.5L/100km respectively.
The Skoda Kamiq is also among the most fuel-efficient small SUVs in the market, with the Czech brand claiming a 5.3L–5.5L/100km rating for the petrol car.
When it comes to Australia’s favourite type of cars, Drive journalists generally consider 6.0L/100km as the efficiency benchmark among medium SUVs.
Unsurprisingly, the Toyota RAV4 – the second-best-selling model by volume in 2025 – is the segment leader, with Toyota claiming a 4.7–4.8L/100km fuel consumption rating.
For Hyundai, hybrid variants of the Tucson have an advertised fuel-efficiency sticker ranging from 4.9–5.3L/100km.
Meanwhile, the Kia Sportage – the brand’s most popular model in 2025 – hybrid has an advertised fuel consumption rating ranging from 4.9L/100km to 5.3L/100km.
Additionally, Nissan quotes 6.1L/100km on the X-Trail, the Japanese marque’s most popular model in 2025.
If you’re in the market for a traditional petrol medium SUV, some petrol variants of the Kia Sportage have the lowest claimed fuel-efficiency rating of 6.3L/100km, while the Skoda Karoq (6.6L/100km) and the Hyundai Tucson (6.7L/100km) could also be an option for fuel-conscious buyers.
It’s hard to imagine large seven-seat SUVs being fuel-efficient. But in the hybrid era, these large cars are starting to consume less petrol thanks to the electric assistance.
While fuel consumption depends on other external factors, 6–7.0L/100km is what Drive would consider fuel-efficient among large SUVs.
With this in mind, the Toyota Kluger is the most fuel-efficient large SUV on the market, with the legacy brand claiming it can achieve 5.6L/100km.
However, other car makers are starting to catch up, with the likes of Hyundai claiming a 5.6L/100km fuel consumption figure for the Santa Fe hybrid and a further 6.8L/100km for the Calligraphy variant of the Palisade.
SUVs may be king of the Aussie roads, but there’s no denying utes have always been an integral part of transport in the country.
Though fuel consumption among utes varies widely by size, variant, and a driver’s individual circumstances, 7–8.0L/100km is generally considered fuel-efficient in this class.
Which makes sense, considering some segment leaders' variants, such as the Ford Ranger (6.9–7.9L/100km) and the Toyota HiLux (7.1–8.0L/100km), which set the consumption benchmark.
Given the endless variant options available on numerous utes in Australia, fuel-efficiency ratings can vary depending on a customer's final specifications. As a general guideline, Drive has listed the utes that have variants that fall under the general mark.
Figures listed in this story are the manufacturer’s claimed fuel-efficiency numbers and not an indication of real-world use. Data sourced from industry guide Redbook.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
