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Which is the best fuel-efficient family car?

I need to replace my Volvo S80 and have been looking at the new, very fuel-efficient diesel engine cars (Blue Motion, Greenline, Volvo Drive-e etc). But the problems with DPFs and dual mass flywheels are putting me off. Can you recommend a reliable car that won't involve expensive repairs later on? The range I am looking at is large family cars like the Passat, Superb etc. I would like to get a one or two year old car to avoid the large depreciation hit.

Asked on 2 September 2010 by Virginian12

Answered by Honest John
No. The most reliable high economy car is the Toyota Prius II. Some of those are turning in 400,000 miles with very few repairs/replacements because they are extremely kind to their engines and transmissions.

Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.

Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.

Real MPG
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Much better than the original. An enjoyable, practical, safe, economical hybrid. Looks good, too. Prius Taxis have run to 400,000 miles plus with very little trouble.