The premium mid-sized cars with the best fuel economy in Australia

Fuel economy is an important consideration when buying a new car.

We’ve taken the cars in the medium size for more than $60,000 category on the VFACTS sales charts and compared them based on their best claimed fuel economy.

It’s a European-dominated segment, but there are still some alternatives from Korea and Japan on hand to shake things up.

We’ve only listed the most fuel efficient variant of each car as different engines, body types, and drivetrains can cause numbers to differ. We’re also only going with manufacturer claims.

We’ve excluded four cars in this segment – the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2, and Tesla Model 3 – because they’re electric. Their range claims have already been compared in a previous article, which you can read here.

You’ll also notice there are a some plug-in hybrid cars here, whose fuel economy figures may seem especially low against the others.

Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on the page, or continue scrolling for the full list.

Volvo S60

Leading the way is the Volvo S60, which in its most expensive plug-in hybrid variant is capable of a claimed fuel consumption of 1.4L/100km on the combined cycle. That figure is based on a fully charged lithium-ion battery.

That variant is the Recharge T8 Black Edition, which is priced at $88,990 before on-roads.

It pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a 19kWh battery, which gives it a total power output of 340kW with 400Nm of torque.

If you don’t want the hybrid, you can opt for the Ultimate B5 Bright instead. It costs $66,990 before on-roads, and drinks 7.2L/100km.

It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, but outputs are reduced to 183kW and 350Nm. Both variants require 95 RON premium petrol and are fed by a 60-litre tank.

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Peugeot 508

There are two Peugeot 508 variants, both of which have a claimed fuel economy of 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle thanks to their plug-in hybrid powertrains.

They’re both plug-in hybrids, with the main difference between the two being their body styles. The Fastback is priced at $81,610 before on-road costs, while the Sportswagon is priced at $82,915 before on-roads.

They’re both powered by a 1.6-litre turbo hybrid four-cylinder engine and an 81kW/320Nm electric motor, which produce a combined 165kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

You’ll need to fuel with 95 RON premium petrol for its 43-litre fuel tank. The 11.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack is good for a claimed range of 55km.

Like every other car on this list, the 508 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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Lexus ES

Of the five Lexus ES models available, it’s again the three hybrids with the best claimed fuel economy figure. They’ll drink a claimed 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

Those models are the ES300h Luxury, ES300h F Sport, and ES300h Sports Luxury, which cost $65,540, $74,920, and $80,170 before on-roads respectively. They each have a 2.5-litre engine and an electric motor for a combined 160kW of power.

Non-hybrid ES models are limited to the ES250 Luxury, which opens the range and costs $62,140 before on-roads, or the ES250 F Sport priced at $71,380 before on-roads.

They share a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 152kW of power.

The two models drink 6.6L/100km and 6.8L/100km respectively. All ES models require 95 RON premium petrol, though hybrids have a 50-litre tank compared to 60 litres for the standard models.

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Audi A4

The A4 is offered with two engines across its four-car lineup, though one is considerably more efficient than the rest at a claimed 4.9L/100km.

The A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro is the efficiency leader, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It’s priced at $84,300 before on-road costs.

The rest of the A4 lineup ranges in price from $71,900 to $85,700 before on-roads, and all are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine requiring 95 RON premium petrol.

At the bottom of the range, the 35 TFSI S Line has a 54-litre fuel tank, while the two 45 TFSI S Line models can take 58 litres. The efficient diesel is fed by a 61-litre tank.

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Alfa Romeo Giulia

The only Italian car on this list is the Giulia, which in its two cheapest variants drinks 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.

At $69,950 and $76,450 before on-road costs respectively, the Ti and Veloce are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 206kW and 400Nm.

The flagship Quadrifoglio instead offers a 2.9-litre turbo six-cylinder, which produces an increased 375kW and 600Nm of torque. It’ll set you back $153,700 before on-road costs and consumes a claimed 8.2L/100km.

All Giulias require 95 RON premium petrol and offer a 58-litre fuel tank.

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Matching the Giulia’s claim is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, though it’s interestingly only the most expensive AMG version that is claimed to be capable of achieving 6.1L/100km.

It’s called the C 63 AMG S E Performance, and with its plug-hybrid powertrain costs a whopping $187,900 before on-roads.

It produces a combined 500kW of power, and a wild 1020Nm of torque.

The rest of the lineup offers mild-hybrid tech and ranges in price from $86,900 to $138,900 before on-roads. C 200 variants consume 6.9L/100km, the C 300 drinks 7.3L/100km, and the C 43 AMG has a claimed economy of 9.1L/100km.

All models have a 66-litre fuel tank. Standard C-Class models require 95 RON premium petrol, while the two AMG models are the first on this list to drink 98 RON instead.

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BMW 3 Series

Following its German rival is the BMW 3 Series, which is capable of a claimed 6.5L/100km in only one variant.

For $94,700 before on-road costs, the 330i M Sport sedan is the most efficient 3 Series you can buy right now. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, which produces 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

Sharing that engine is the 330i M Sport Touring wagon, which costs $98,900 before on-roads and consumes a claimed 6.8L/100km. Both models drink 95 RON premium petrol.

At the top of the range is the M340i xDrive, which costs $106,200 before on-roads and is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo petrol six-cylinder producing 285kW and 500Nm.

It has a claimed economy of 8.0L/100km, and like the rest of the range features a 59-litre tank.

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BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is most efficient in its cheapest variant. It consumes a claimed 6.6L/100km.

The 430i M Sport is that variant, which costs $93,700 before on-roads. Like the 330i M Sport it has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 190kW and 400Nm.

At the top of the two-car range is the M440i xDrive, which is priced at $129,000 before on-roads. Once again it has the same six-cylinder engine as the 3 Series equivalent, meaning it puts out 285kW and 500Nm – albeit with a worse fuel economy of 8.2L/100km.

Both models are again fed by a 59-litre tank, and the 430i requires 95 RON compared to the M440i’s 98 RON.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The second and final Mercedes-Benz on this list is the CLA-Class, which in its cheapest CLA 200 variant is the most efficient of the range at a claimed 6.7L/100km.

It’s powered by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 120kW and 270Nm, which is supplemented by a 48V mild-hybrid system. At $76,900 before on-roads it’s one of the cheapest cars on this list, though the CLA range extends as high as $126,500 before on-roads at the very top.

At the top you’ll find the CLA 45 AMG S, which consumes 9.3L/100km on the combined cycle. The CLA 35 AMG uses a claimed 8.2L/100km, while the remaining non-AMG variant (the CLA 250) consumes 7.3L/100km.

All models have a 51-litre fuel tank, except the base CLA 200 with 43 litres. The two AMGs require 98 RON, while the standard models only need 95 RON.

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Jaguar XE

The single Jaguar XE variant on offer in Australia is capable of a claimed 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

The XE 300 Sport is priced at $80,450 before on-roads and packs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It’s a sedan, which means it has some stiff competition from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

It drinks 95 RON premium petrol from a 62-litre fuel tank, and there’s no hybrid assistance to be found.

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Audi A5 Sportback

Available in one variant, the Audi A5 Sportback has a claimed economy of 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle.

That variant is the A5 45 TFSI S Line quattro, which is priced from $91,900 before on-road costs. Under the bonnet is another 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, which is good for 183kW and 370Nm.

Like most on this list the A5 requires 95 RON premium petrol, and its fuel tank holds 58 litres.

It also carries the segment-standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and Audi has included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about an Audi A5 Sportback
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Volvo V60 Cross Country

The last European car on this list is the Volvo V60 Cross Country, which on the combined cycle is claimed to consume 7.4L/100km.

It’s only sold in one variant, which is the Ultimate B5 Bright. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, which produces 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque and is assisted by a 48V mild-hybrid system.

The V60 requires 95 RON premium petrol from its 60-litre tank, and is priced from $74,900 before on-roads.

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Genesis G70

Bringing up the rear is the Genesis G70, which in its cheapest variant is capable of a claimed 9.1L/100km fuel economy on the combined cycle.

That variant is the Shooting Brake Sport Line Luxury, which is priced from $81,000 before on-roads. It packs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, producing 179kW of power and 353Nm of torque.

The other G70 option is the Sport Luxury sedan for $88,000 before on-road costs. Its 274kW/510Nm 3.3-litre turbo petrol six-cylinder drinks a claimed 10.2L/100km, which makes it the only car on this list to exceed the 10-litre mark.

Both variants are fed by a 60-litre fuel tank and require 95 RON premium petrol as standard.

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