You can do one of two things to save money when buying a car: go with a cheaper vehicle regardless of how it performs on the road, or buy a fuel-efficient one to minimize your trip to the gas station. With gasoline and diesel prices today in the Philippines at an all-time high, the latter choice just makes more sense. It’s a good thing that there are fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines you can check out right after reading this guide.
Like it or not, owning a car entails spending money on car-related expenses, especially fuel. Choosing a car without considering how much fuel it consumes is a rookie mistake you should avoid lest you deal with lasting consequences. Before you spend thousands or millions on your car, better make sure you’re bringing value to every buck by making an informed decision.
How is Fuel Efficiency Measured?
In simple terms, fuel efficiency measures the distance a car travels per one liter of gasoline. It determines how good a car’s fuel consumption is. The higher the value, the more likely it will save you gas money. The U.S. and U.K. measure fuel efficiency by miles per gallon (MPG) while the rest of the world, including the Philippines, uses kilometers per meter (km/L).[1]
Fuel efficiency is also measured in two ways: through a city-run test and an open highway test. A city-run test measures a car’s fuel consumption on a regular road with the usual volume of traffic. On the other hand, an open highway test measures it on roads with little to no traffic. The average of both tests is computed to get the final efficiency rating of a car.
Note that the fuel efficiency rating is just an estimate. The real-life efficiency of your car will still depend on how well you drive and take care of it. While the most ideal way to reduce fuel consumption is to not drive the car at all, you don’t want to be stuck inside a fuel-hungry vehicle when you need to drive one.
That’s why you need to consider buying from a long list of fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines instead of just buying the newest model or cheapest used car.
What is the Most Fuel-Efficient Car in the Philippines?
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
- Highway rating: 30.1 km/L
- City rating: 16.1 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Hybrid
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱1,548,000
The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is more than a car endorsed by K-pop sensation BTS. It actually tops the list of the best fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines, clocking in at an average fuel economy rating of 23.1 km/L. The great thing about hybrid cars is that they’re equipped with an electric motor that lets them run without using a drop of fuel.
What is the Most Fuel-Efficient SUV in the Philippines?
Mazda CX-5
- Highway rating: 26.1 km/L
- City rating: 16.8 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱1,890,000
SUVs and off-road cars are not really known for fuel efficiency, but the Mazda CX-5 has still managed to rise to the top. If you need a car with a bigger space and more powerful engine but that still allows you to save on long-term fuel costs, consider getting Mazda’s small SUV, which has a high city efficiency rating of 16.8 km/L.
Top Fuel Efficient Cars in the Philippines for 2023
Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid
- Highway rating: 29.7 km/L
- City rating: 16.1 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Hybrid
- Transmission: CVT
- Price: Starts at ₱1,595,000
It’s no surprise that another hybrid car made it to the list. The Corolla Altis Hybrid may have failed to beat the Ioniq Hybrid to the punch, but there’s no doubt that this car is still an excellent option.
This Toyota hybrid car has a high average fuel efficiency rating of 22.9 km/L and enjoys all the benefits of an electric-powered vehicle. Just make sure your wallet is ready to cover the steep price of this vehicle.
Suzuki Celerio
- Highway rating: 28.3 km/L
- Vehicle type: Hatchback
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic or manual
- Price: Starts at ₱708,000
Suzuki’s affordable hatchback makes it on this list of the most fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines, as its fuel consumption can go around 28 km per liter,[2] as reported by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP). Despite its compact size, the Celerio can fit a family of five with ample legroom, headroom, and elbowroom, plus cargo worth 254L.
Suzuki Dzire
- Highway rating: 26.5 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic or manual
- Price: Starts at ₱609,000
Suzuki’s entry-level sedan is a value-for-money option if you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car priced under ₱700,000. One of its variants comes with the Auto Gear Shift technology that automates gear shifting for the driver, ultimately leading to less fuel consumption. This feature makes the Suzuki Dzire one of the best sedans you can buy right now.
Toyota Prius
- Highway rating: 26.1 km/L
- Vehicle type: Hybrid sedan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: CVT
- Price: Starts at ₱2,436,000
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and fuel-efficient sedan and don’t mind paying over ₱2 million for it, look no further than Toyota’s hybrid car. Being a hybrid makes the Prius emit less carbon dioxide and consume less fuel than most diesel-powered and gasoline-powered vehicles.
Honda City
- Fuel economy rating: 23.91 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Vehicle price: ₱868,000 to ₱1.059 million
In an eco run from 2021, the Honda City’s fuel efficiency rating increased to 25.2 km/L.[3] From its 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine to its Eco Assist technology, this Honda sedan makes a great choice for a fuel-efficient car. It’s also a good choice for car owners looking to convert their vehicles into a TNVS service.
Kia Picanto
- Highway rating: 25 km/L
- City rating: 12 km/L
- Vehicle type: Hatchback
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱700,000
Money-savvy car buyers will never go wrong with a Kia Picanto. While the price for the latest model has gone up to ₱700,000, the Kia Picanto remains to be one of the cheapest cars in the Philippines. Plus, its fuel efficiency is still among the top ones, thanks to its compact size and excellent steering.
Chevrolet Spark
- Highway rating: 24.3 km/L
- City rating: 14.7 km/L
- Vehicle type: Hatchback
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: CVT or manual
- Price: Starts at ₱694,888
Chevrolet also entered the small sedan game, and its offerings perform well in tandem with its premium models. The Chevrolet Spark may be small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in fuel efficiency. With an average rating of 19.5 km/L, the Spark adds more fire to the already fierce competition of affordable vehicles.
Honda CR-V
- Highway rating: 24 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱1,738,000
The Honda CR-V is perfect for families, given its balance of performance, versatility, and efficiency. This seven-seater SUV is equipped with technologies such as the Eco Assist System that lead to low fuel consumption, earning its spot among the top fuel-efficient SUV cars in the Philippines.
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Hyundai Reina
- Highway rating: 23.8 km/L
- City rating: 14.3 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic or manual
- Price: Starts at ₱683,000
Hyundai remains one of the most fuel-efficient car brands in the Philippines today. Case in point: the Hyundai Reina records an average fuel efficiency rating of 19.1 km/L.
The Reina is affordable too, so there’s no serious downside to speak of when talking about this car. However, Hyundai will discontinue this model in the Philippines.[4] So if you want to buy this fuel-efficient car, then you'll have to look into the second-hand car market.
Hyundai Accent
- Highway rating: 23 km/L
- City rating: 11 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱790,000
Practicality meets style in one of Hyundai’s most popular sedan series. Aside from its high fuel economy rating, the Accent boasts sophisticated styling for its exterior and lots of storage space in its trunk. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable cars for sale out there, making the Accent a solid option for most Filipino drivers.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- Highway rating: 22.8 km/L
- Vehicle type: Sedan
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱769,000
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is known not only as a budget-friendly vehicle but also as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines. In Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’ fuel-economy run held last November 2021, the Mirage G4 registered a fuel economy rating of 22.8 km/L.[5] The car was driven at an average speed of 80kph along SCTEX and TPLEX.
Peugeot 3008
- Highway rating: 22.4 km/L
- City rating: 8.6 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱2,165,000
This premium SUV from a world-renowned French automaker has an engine that’s powerful yet fuel-efficient. Its smaller engine displacement consumes less fuel than larger engines, making it one of the best SUVs in the Philippines. Just take note that this car is on the pricier end, so you’ll definitely need deeper pockets if you want to drive a Peugeot 3008.
Suzuki S-PRESSO
- Highway rating: 22 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Transmission: Manual
- Price: Starts at ₱563,000
Another Suzuki model on this list of the most fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines is the S-PRESSO. Not only does it have impressive fuel mileage but also has one of the cheapest vehicle prices in the country at only around 500K. Truly, these things make Suzuki S-PRESSO one of the practical hatchbacks for budget-conscious car buyers.
Changan CS35 Plus
- Highway rating: 21.5 km/L
- City rating: 15.3 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱1,149,000
Changan looks to impress with one of its premium SUVs, the Changan CS35 Plus. The company recently conducted a fuel economy run as observed by the AAP, and it has recorded an average fuel efficiency rating of 18.4 km/L. Changan touts the powerful Blue Core technology at the heart of the Changan CS35 Plus as the source of its fuel-saving performance.
MG ZS T (Trophy Variant)
- Highway rating: 21 km/L
- City rating: 12 km/L
- Vehicle type: Crossover SUV
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱1,158,888
Another newcomer to the scene, British car manufacturer Morris Garages (MG) also wants a piece of the country’s SUV market. MG car prices in the Philippines can be a bit steep, but with the introduction of the MG ZS T (Trophy variant) with an average fuel efficiency of 16.5 km/L, the MG ZS price in the Philippines can be justified. In fact, this car can be considered an affordable option for an SUV.[6]
MINI Cooper S Countryman
- Highway rating: 20 km/L
- City rating: 12 km/L
- Vehicle type: SUV
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱3,750,000
The Countryman is MINI Philippines’ first diesel-powered model, catering to MINI fans who want either a family hauler or a weekend adventure companion. This SUV can seat five people and offers impressive power for both city and off-road driving conditions.
Toyota Wigo
- Highway rating: 20 km/L
- City rating: 10.5 km/L
- Vehicle type: Hatchback
- Fuel type: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Price: Starts at ₱573,000
The Wigo is one of the most popular Toyota models in the Philippines, mainly for its cheap price and compact size. But one of its lesser-known yet noteworthy features is its low fuel consumption. This Toyota hatchback helps save money on gas with its ability to travel farther per liter.
How Do I Maximize My Car’s Fuel Efficiency?
If you buy an already fuel-efficient car, is there a way to further maximize its fuel efficiency? The answer is yes. There are things you can actively do as a responsible car owner and driver to improve your car’s fuel consumption.
Here are some quick tips:
- Avoid hard braking. Unless you’re a professional drifter, you probably shouldn’t step on your brakes too hard. This prevents you from consuming more gas than usual.
- Choose a route with better traffic flow. This tip can also improve your driving experience. Always use a navigation app on your smartphone to find a better route with less traffic.
- Use the right fuel type. Don’t buy any random type of fuel just because it’s the cheapest option available to you. Your car will perform better when you feed it the right type of fuel, so don’t skimp on this area.
- Travel light. If it can be helped, drive with as little cargo as possible because every 45 kilograms of weight can reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by up to 2%.
Final Thoughts
Finding fuel-efficient cars in the Philippines isn’t difficult at all, as modern vehicles come equipped with technologies and innovations that reduce fuel consumption and help drivers save money on gas. Whatever car you choose, don’t forget to equip it with a car insurance policy that fits your driving habits.
Whatever car you choose, don't forget to equip it with a car insurance policy that fits your driving habits.
Sources:
- [1] Fuel Efficiency: Everything You Need to Know (Car and Driver, 2021)
- [2] Suzuki introduces the all-new Celerio (Manila Bulletin, 2022)
- [3] All-new City and City Hatchback Post 25km/L in EcoRun (Ignition.ph, 2021)
- [4] It’s the end of the line for the Hyundai Reina in PH (TopGear Philippines, 2022)
- [5] The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 just did 22.8km/L on a fuel-economy run (TopGear Philippines, 2021)
- [6] Review: 2022 MG ZS T (TopGear Philippines, 2022)
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