There are a huge range of models from various manufacturers available on the market, to the point that it’s actually not the easiest task to find an economical car that meets your need here.

Here are ten of the most economical cars taking in both hybrid and fuel-run models that were sold in 2014 and which will remain on sale into the New Year for you to consider purchasing.
BMW i3 hatchback

The i3 hatchback is the first BMW electric car that hasn’t been incorporated into an existing model or design and, while it doesn’t look as attractive as some of the cars on the market, it can return up to 470mpg and has CO2 emissions that are so low it doesn’t have to pay road tax. The full electric version can return distances of around 70 miles per full charge, so is only really suitable for drivers who make short journeys. The hybrid version, though, is extremely economical and cheap to run, if a little on the expensive side.

Vauxhall Ampera hatchback

The Ampera by Vauxhall is very similar to the BMW i3, the latter just pipping the former thanks to a superior interior design. A full charge of the battery offers around 50 miles of journey time, with CO2 emissions very low at 27g/km and no need to pay road tax on the vehicle. However, it comes with a hefty price tag which some may not be able to afford for a new model. In cases like these, a used model might be more easily obtainable.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUV

SUVs don’t tend to scream fuel economy, but the Mitsubishi Outlander might well have cracked the formula. Sacrificing a little of the space you’d normally buy an SUV for (this is five seats rather than seven) in order to turn the diesel version of the car into a hybrid, the results have been worth it. The car returns up to 148mpg and 31 miles on battery power alone, and the manufacturer has managed to keep the price competitive so that the hybrid ultimately costs the same as the diesel version.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car

Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, and the Plug-In model builds on that with a design that has the petrol engine kick in once the batteries have been drained (about 15 miles on a full charge). With a £5,000 grant available from the government, the Plug-In is only marginally more expensive than the standard Prius, which makes it a fantastic prospect for anyone in the market for a reliable hybrid.

Citroen C4 Cactus SUV
Although the Citroen C4 Cactus or diesel-run model rather than a fuel/electric hybrid, it remains one of the most economical SUVs on the market around 65mpg returned from the petrol model and 80mpg returned BlueMotion diesel version. This means that the road tax on the former is extremely low, and non-existent on the latter.

Additionally, although the Cactus is categorised as an SUV, it doesn’t actually have four-wheel drive, making it more suited to a town than the countryside.

Refined in style and quiet to drive, the Kia Rio hatchback is more than a match for the market leaders Ford and Renault, especially when you factor in its extremely economical design. Power comes from either a petrol or diesel engine, with the 1.1 litre diesel engine returning around 88mpg . You see in Europe, engines available are extremely economical as well, and Kia’s long warranties demonstrate the confidence it has in the reliability of its cars.

Ford Fiesta hatchback

There are several reasons why the Ford Fiesta remains one of the UK’s most popular small cars: it’s attractive, comparatively roomy on the inside, offers a number of essentials such as electric windows and air-conditioning and entertaining to drive. Additionally, it has an excellent range of engines for customers to choose between, offering spectacular fuel economy with top performance levels. The ECOnetic engines – Style, and Titanium, in particular – in 1.6 litre versions are the most fuel economic.

Skoda Octavia Greenline

One of the bigger models on the market (significantly larger than the Fiesta or the Golf) aiming for a high level of fuel economy, the Skoda Octavia Greenline manages to make savings on the amount of fuel it uses by employing features such as low rolling resistance tyres and brake energy regeneration. This enables it to emit only 85g of CO2 per kilometer and maintain a fuel return of 88mpg. Considering its size, this is remarkable, and makes it one of the frontrunners for a family who might need the extra space.

SEAT Leon Ecomotive

The SEAT Leon is regarded as one of the most impressive hatchbacks available to customers, and the Leon Ecomotive is a worthy next step for SEAT to take. With a greater focus on fuel economy and bringing down carbon emissions, the Ecomotive performs just as well as the first model, doing 0-60 in less than ten seconds while enjoying tax-free usage with a fuel return of 85mpg. Coupled with its attractive design, this is one of the best cars for those serious about style and staying green.

Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion
The VW Golf was already one of the best cars of its type on the market, but the new eco-tuned BlueMotion has taken things to the next level as far as drivers concerned about their carbon footprint or the amount they spend on fuel are concerned. A single tank of diesel will give you nearly 1000 miles of travel, and carbon emissions are only 85g per kilometre, which makes the car exempt from paying road tax, thus saving the owner money.