Recommend a car that offers good fuel economy on dual carriageways and motorways?

My weekly commute of 400 miles is responsible for about 90 per cent of my car's mileage. Almost the entire journey is on dual carriageways and motorways, and is done at 70mph. I am always watching the pennies and need the best fuel economy for driving at those speeds, as well as good economy generally. I obviously want a car that can take punishment and give a decent level of comfort. What would you recommend?

Asked on 14 October 2010 by AB, York

Answered by Honest John
It's a matter of torque and gearing. Quite a lot of diesels, for example the Peugeot/Ford 2.0TDCI, develop maximum torque at 2000rpm which corresponds to 70mph in sixth, which can actually make the car a bit fuel hungry at 70mph. The chain cam 95ps FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet could be your best bet, delivering 60 - 65mpg at 70mph and with surprising comfort from the 2010 model suspension and excellent seats. Others claim astonishing mpg figures in the EC tests, but I have yet to match them in real life. And a £500 timing belt change every four years or 40,000 miles on a VAG diesel has to be set against the economy benefit anyway.
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