Long driver, short list

My shortlist for my next car includes Citroen C4, Ford Focus ECOnetic, and SEAT Ibiza/Leon Ecomotive. I am looking at manual gearbox, room for four adults including the 6' 3'' driver (me), a reasonable size boot (hatchback), band A/B road tax and average fuel consumption of say 55+mpg petrol and 60+mpg diesel. Would you add any other make/model to this list and would you discount
any and why?

Asked on 24 January 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
None of the petrol models of these will do 55mpg, and you'll be very
pushed to get 60mpg from the diesel versions. I can (just) get 60mpg from my Focus ECOnetic 110, on BP Ultimate diesel, driving for economy (50 - 70 on the motorway). Yesterday I averaged 57mpg doing 600 miles in 10 hours. A Focus ECOnetic 90 might do a bit better. If you don't mind going a bit smaller, consider the forthcoming Hyundai i20 1.4CRDI, arriving January. A Hyundai i10 1.2 petrol will do 55mpg and is an excellent little car. But the most economical petrol engined car you can buy is the new Toyota IQ 1.0 petrol, that is 99g/km, so free VED and can do up to 65mpg. See the test and video test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=360 Just don't expect to sit anyone behind a 6' 3" driver.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
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