Skoda Superb

MG HS

New Dacia Duster

BMW M3

New BMW M5

Mazda 3

Aston Martin DBX

Cupra Terramar

real-mpg-the-least-economical-new-cars-you-can-buy

The official WLTP fuel economy tests you'll find printed in manufacturers' sales brochures don't always accurately reflect what you can expect your new car to achieve in the real world. To provide you with a more realistic figure,&nbsp;we devised our unique&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/real-mpg-calculator">Real MPG</a>&nbsp;test, which simulates real-world town, motorway and rural driving routes.

Below, we've listed the 10 models currently on sale which performed worst in our testing. If minimising&nbsp;running costs is high on your list of criteria for your next car,&nbsp;these models are best avoided –&nbsp;our rundown of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/real-mpg-most-economical-cars-you-can-buy-new/n26872">most economical cars you can buy</a>&nbsp;will help steer you in the right direction.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

The least economical new cars you can buy

Estate

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

STELVIO

WLTP MPG&nbsp;33.2mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;30.9mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;23.0mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;29.5mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;40.0mpg

If you spend a lot of time meandering along country roads, you might wonder why the petrol-powered version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/stelvio/estate/review/n113">Alfa Romeo Stelvio</a>&nbsp;SUV is here, because it’s capable of up to 40mpg. Around town and on the motorway, however, its economy plummets to the point where you’re likely to spend a big portion of your time filling up the fuel tank.

You might also be tempted to sacrifice some of that rural efficiency when you discover how much fun the Stelvio is to drive. With 276bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.7sec, it feels faster than its size suggests. It also flows through corners with greater agility than most other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUVs</a>, helped by remarkably direct steering and superb body control. The downside is a rather firm ride, meaning you’ll feel more lumps and bumps than you would in rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>.

Those cars beat the Stelvio for interior quality and space, too, with rear head room restricted by the Stelvio’s sloping roofline. Its boot is a good size, though, so the Stelvio is still practical enough for family duties.

10: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 Turbo 280

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Rotary controller for infotainment</li>
	<li>Responsive automatic gearbox</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear space not as generous as rivals</li>
	<li>Fidgety low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Noisy diesel engines</li>
</ul>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

MULTIVAN

WLTP MPG&nbsp;31.4mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;30.4mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;21.6mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;29.8mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;39.6mpg

With 201bhp, this 2.0-litre petrol version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/multivan/mpv/review/n24442">Volkswagen Multivan</a>&nbsp;offers punchy performance, even with all seven seats occupied. However, most Multivan buyers will prefer the 2.0-litre diesel option for its lowdown pulling power and superior fuel economy. Indeed, the 2.0 TSI’s thirst on anything other than rural roads won’t be to anyone’s liking.

At least the Multivan is a practical choice, with space for everyone to stretch out, and room for a couple of overnight bags in the boot even with all the seats in place. Remove the back row and the Multivan does a passable impression of, well, a van.

Up front, you’ll find a comfortable driving position and supportive seats, and while there are lots of hard plastics on display, at least they look and feel more inviting than those of the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-verso/estate/review/n17331">Toyota Proace Verso</a>.

The Multivan is pricier than most rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">MPVs</a>, but it should hold on to its value exceptionally well, offsetting those higher running costs.

9: Volkswagen Multivan 2.0 TSI

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Exceptionally good predicted residual values</li>
	<li>Good value against van-based MPV rivals</li>
	<li>Lots of safety tech</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Infotainment not the best</li>
	<li>No rear air-con as standard</li>
</ul>

Hatchback

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Q5 Sportback

WLTP MPG&nbsp;32.1mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;29.8mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;22.3mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;28.5mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;38.3mpg

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5-sportback/hatchback/review/n22878">Audi Q5 Sportback</a>&nbsp;is the sleeker sibling of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>&nbsp;SUV, and&nbsp;it’s available with either petrol or diesel power. The 45 TFSI’s 2.0-litre petrol engine we tested here pulls well, with its 261bhp helping it to outsprint the diesel alternative to 62mph, but you won’t want to keep your foot planted for long, as our fuel economy figures show.

As with the regular Q5, the Sportback’s classy interior features plush materials and a robust feel. It pips the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x4/estate/review/n134">BMW X4</a>&nbsp;for quality, although its reliance on a touchscreen or voice control means its infotainment system isn’t as user-friendly as that of the X4 (which has a physical rotary controller between the front seats).

Despite its sloping rear roofline, the Q5 Sportback is better than the X4 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/glc-coupe/4x4/review/n17201">Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé</a>&nbsp;for rear passenger space, and its boot is still sizeable and a usefully square shape, so it’s far from impractical.

8: Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smooth and punchy engines</li>
	<li>High-quality interior</li>
	<li>Tidy handling and good ride in the right spec</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Potentially firm ride on S line Sport suspension</li>
	<li>Not as practical as cheaper Q5</li>
	<li>Fiddly touchscreen infotainment system</li>
</ul>

Sports

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

4 SERIES

WLTP MPG&nbsp;34.4mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;29.6mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;20.2mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;29.6mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;38.7mpg

On the right road, with the roof down and the sound of a 369bhp six-cylinder petrol engine ringing in your ears, you might not care all that much about running costs. The trouble is, once that joyful drive is over, reality sinks back in, and the reality of this range-topping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/sports/review/n173">BMW 4 Series Convertible</a>&nbsp;model is that it’ll cost you a lot at the pumps.

Not that we’d blame you for choosing one anyway, of course. After all, the M440i takes just 4.9sec to sprint from 0-62mph, accompanied by a soulful soundtrack. And if you put the automatic gearbox into its sport mode, it’ll make slick changes to make the most of that power.

Despite carrying some extra weight, the drop-top handles almost as sharply as its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupes/n17019">coupé</a>&nbsp;sibling, yet with optional adaptive suspension fitted, its ride can be softened off to make it a comfy cruiser. It’s surprisingly practical, too, with seating for four adults and a decent-sized boot, while its interior is high in quality and more user-friendly than most.

7: BMW 4 Series Convertible M440i xDrive

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Range-topping M440i is seriously rapid</li>
	<li>More fun to drive than direct rivals</li>
	<li>More room in the back than you might imagine</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some wind and tyre noise</li>
	<li>Back seats don't split and fold down</li>
	<li>Divisive looks</li>
</ul>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FOCUS

WLTP MPG&nbsp;35.3mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;29.6mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;21.2mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;29.5mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;37.2mpg

Ford has a&nbsp;huge legacy in the world of hot hatches, and although the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n141">Ford Focus ST</a>&nbsp;will cost you more than most rivals to run, it remains a strong option for drivers seeking affordable fun, thanks to competitive pricing.

Key to the fun is its 2.3-litre petrol engine. A 276bhp power output is enough to propel the ST from 0-62mph in a brisk 5.7sec. That’s on a par with the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n183">Hyundai i30 N</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n149">Volkswagen Golf GTI</a>, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;is faster still.

We like the Focus ST’s agile handling, and although you’ll feel bumps and potholes more than you would in the standard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford&nbsp;Focus</a>&nbsp;due to its stiffer suspension, the ride isn’t uncomfortable by the standards of the class.

The ST is the same as any other Focus when it comes to space, and that’s a good thing, because it means your rear passengers will have more room to stretch out in than they would in most rivals. The boot is large, too, although the Cupra Leon’s can hold a little more.

6: Ford Focus ST 2.3 Ecoboost 280

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Great driving position</li>
	<li>Even more fun with the grippy Track Pack</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Infotainment system can be fiddly to use</li>
	<li>Interior is a bit low rent</li>
	<li>Steering is inconsistently weighted</li>
</ul>

WLTP MPG&nbsp;31.7mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;29.5mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;23.0mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;28.4mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;36.3mpg

If you buy the fastest and most powerful petrol-powered version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a>, you’re probably more interested in its performance than its fuel economy. And that’s just as well, because while its 242bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine can propel it from 0-62mph in just 5.8sec, you’ll pay the price at the fuel pumps, especially if you spend much time driving in town or on the motorway.

Economy aside, there’s lots to like about the Q3. Cars on standard suspension (rather than the stiffer set-up of S line and Black Edition models) provide a comfy ride – although the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc40/estate/review/n119">Volvo XC40</a>&nbsp;are plusher still – while the Q3 is more agile through corners than most other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUVs</a>.

Although interior quality isn’t quite up there with the class best, the Q3 is spacious and practical inside, with sliding rear seats that allow you to prioritise boot space (which is already plentiful) or rear leg room.

5: Audi Q3 45 TFSI

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Big boot</li>
	<li>Impressive interior space</li>
	<li>Relatively agile for a family SUV</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior quality not up to usual Audi standards</li>
	<li>Firmer ride than some rivals</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
</ul>

Formerly known as Ssangyong, KGM's range is dominated by&nbsp;SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard, but all of which have merits, including the&nbsp;practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight of the current line-up is&nbsp;the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It also&nbsp;has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SSANGYONG

MUSSO

WLTP MPG&nbsp;31.7mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;29.0mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;20.5mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;28.7mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;37.2mpg

Korean car maker Ssangyong recently changed its name to KGM, but the Musso nameplate remains for the brand’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/pick-up-trucks/n19493">pick-up truck</a>. The Musso is a hardy workhorse, being able to tow up to 3500kg even when you’ve filled its load bay – something no rival can manage.

Stick with the lower trim levels and the Musso represents startlingly good value next to rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ranger/4x4/review/n17250">Ford Ranger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/amarok/pick-up/review/n17220">Volkswagen Amarok</a>. It’s worth upgrading your Musso to Saracen trim if you can, though, because that brings luxuries such as cruise control, leather seats and heating for both the front and rear seats. Occupants of any of those seats will find that head and leg room are generous, as is storage space.

Given the hard life that most pick-up trucks have to endure, we doubt anyone would expect stellar fuel economy, but most diesel rivals can beat the Musso’s 29.0mpg average. The Amarok, for example, returned 36.7mpg in our hands, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/isuzu/d-max/pick-up/review/n17221">Isuzu D-Max</a>&nbsp;managed 35.2mpg.

4: KGM Musso 2.2D

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Surprisingly smart interior</li>
	<li>Refined engine</li>
	<li>Great towing ability</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Bouncy, uncontrolled ride</li>
	<li>Rivals have bigger load bays</li>
	<li>Shortage of modern safety kit</li>
</ul>

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

ATECA

WLTP MPG&nbsp;31.4mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;28.5mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;23.1mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;26.9mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;35.0mpg

This is the range-topping version of Cupra’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/sports-suvs/n20200">sports SUV</a>, which itself is based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a>&nbsp;family SUV. Now, you wouldn’t expect a high-performance SUV with close to 300bhp, four-wheel drive and a 0-62mph time of 4.9sec to be as frugal as a regular petrol or diesel equivalent, but this Ateca is seriously thirsty. At least it’s slightly cheaper to buy than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n20444">Volkswagen T-Roc R</a>&nbsp;and is predicted to hold on to its value better than many other sports SUVs.

Choosing this engine gets you lower, stiffer suspension that improves body control through corners, but all versions handle well. It’s just a shame the engine doesn’t sound great unless you specify the optional (and expensive) Akrapovič&nbsp;sports exhaust system.

Despite its sporty brief, the Ateca still works well as practical family transport. And while it doesn’t match the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a>&nbsp;for interior quality, it feels functional and built to last, plus it’s generously equipped.

3: Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 300

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cheap by all-wheel-drive sports SUV standards</li>
	<li>Just as practical as a regular Seat Ateca</li>
	<li>Very well equipped with a user-friendly dash</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior starting to look dated</li>
	<li>So-so interior quality</li>
	<li>Engine could sound fruitier</li>
</ul>

RANGER

WLTP MPG&nbsp;20.5mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;24.0mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;16.0mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;24.1mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;32.2mpg

While the Ford Ranger Raptor’s place on this list will have you thinking that its fuel economy is a disaster, there’s some good news here, because its average real-world economy&nbsp;is actually 17.1% better than the official figure would have you believe.

The Raptor is designed to mix sports SUV performance with the practicality of the regular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ranger/4x4/review/n17250">Ford Ranger</a>&nbsp;pick-up truck, and key to its appeal is its 288bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. While the level of performance isn’t transformative next to the cheaper, slightly more efficient 2.0-litre diesel Raptor, it still feels quick considering its sheer size.

When you venture off road, you’ll find the Raptor to be virtually unstoppable, with its chunky off-road tyres and hardcore 4x4 mechanicals keeping you moving when the Tarmac has long since run out. Just bear in mind that the Raptor isn’t quite as practical as the regular Ranger, with a smaller payload (652kg) and a lower towing limit (2500kg).

2: Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 Ecoboost

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Space for four six-footers in Double Cab versions</li>
	<li>Good to drive for a pick-up</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not the cheapest pick-up</li>
	<li>Warranty could be better</li>
</ul>

Saloon

WLTP MPG&nbsp;24.6mpg |&nbsp;Real MPG Average&nbsp;21.7mpg |&nbsp;Town&nbsp;13.5mpg |&nbsp;Motorway&nbsp;23.8mpg |&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;27.6mpg

If you're lucky&nbsp;enough to own this range-topping version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>, you’re probably not overly worried about running costs. That being said, we suspect that real-world economy figures like these would be enough to make even CEOs wince. Indeed, if you do most of your journeys around town, the S8 could cost you&nbsp;seven times as much in fuel&nbsp; as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/real-mpg-most-efficient-cars/n14356">most economical car</a>&nbsp;we've ever tested.

Aside from its thirst, the 563bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine is hugely impressive. Not only does it emit a cultured roar when you put your foot down, but it’s also incredibly powerful. This heavy, 5.2-metre-long limo can slingshot from 0-62mph in a mere 3.8sec and feels effortlessly fast at higher speeds (such as on a derestricted autobahn).

With four-wheel steering and prodigious grip, the S8 feels more agile through corners than you might expect, although the steering isn’t the most communicative. And despite its sporting nature, the S8 still has a smooth ride that befits a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a>.

The S8 keeps the feeling of luxury going inside, with every surface being covered in top-notch materials and every switch and dial moving with slick precision. Occupants are exceptionally well isolated from wind and road noise at higher speeds, too. And even though the S8 isn’t available in long-wheelbase form like the A8, there’s still plenty of room for your passengers, as well as all of their luggage in the boot.

1: Audi S8

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Savage straight-line pace</li>
	<li>Comfortable and incredibly refined</li>
	<li>Plush interior</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not the most agile performance car</li>
	<li>Muted engine note won’t appeal to all</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
</ul>

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