How many liters per 100km is fuel-efficient?
About 4–6 L/100km on a mixed cycle, with hybrids and diesel engines often achieving around 3–4 L/100km.
Fuel efficiency describes how much fuel a vehicle uses to travel a given distance. The liters-per-100-kilometers (L/100km) metric expresses that relationship: lower numbers indicate higher efficiency. Official tests such as WLTP, EPA, and NEDC provide standardized comparisons, but real-world results vary with driving style, terrain, weather, load, and maintenance.
What counts as fuel-efficient?
In everyday terms, “fuel-efficient” refers to vehicles that record low L/100km figures for their class and drivetrain, as well as technologies like hybrids, turbo-diesels, and aerodynamic design. Note that electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids are typically described using energy-use metrics such as kWh/100km, rather than L/100km, for a fair comparison.
Benchmarks by vehicle type
Below are broad ranges commonly observed in recent model years. They help readers gauge where a car sits on the efficiency spectrum. Actual numbers vary by model and testing cycle.
- Diesel-powered cars: typically 3–5 L/100km, especially on highway driving.
- Gasoline-powered compact cars: around 4–6 L/100km.
- Gasoline-powered midsize sedans: around 6–8 L/100km.
- Gasoline-powered SUVs and light trucks: roughly 8–12+ L/100km, depending on size and drivetrain.
- Hybrid vehicles: commonly 3–4 L/100km, with some models dipping lower.
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): gasoline usage can be very low (roughly 1–3 L/100km equivalent) when the car is regularly charged and used mainly on electricity; total energy use is better represented by kWh/100km.
Real-world performance varies widely based on driving patterns, terrain, climate, and how the vehicle is cared for.
How to improve your own fuel efficiency
Practical steps you can take often yield noticeable improvements. The following strategies tend to save fuel across a tank or two of driving.
- Drive smoothly: accelerate gradually, anticipate stops, and avoid hard braking.
- Maintain the basics: keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure, perform regular maintenance, and replace air filters as needed.
- Lighten the load: remove unnecessary cargo and roof racks when not in use; reduce weight where possible.
- Plan trips and use efficiency features: use cruise control on highways, and combine errands to minimize total distance and idling.
- Drive at moderate speeds: higher speeds increase aerodynamic drag and fuel use significantly.
In practice, the gains accumulate over time, and the best results come from a combination of disciplined driving and a well-maintained vehicle.
Electric drivetrains and alternative metrics
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids change the way efficiency is measured. Instead of L/100km, most EVs report energy use in kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers (kWh/100km). Some markets also publish MPGe (miles per gallon gasoline-equivalent) to help compare with gasoline vehicles. When a PHEV is regularly charged and operated largely on electricity, its gasoline portion can appear very small, but total energy use is the complete story.
Understanding kWh/100km versus L/100km
Converting kWh per 100 km to an equivalent L/100km involves the energy content of gasoline and the drivetrain’s efficiency. Because electric drivetrains are generally more efficient, comparisons among EVs and plug-in hybrids are clearer when using kWh/100km or MPGe rather than L/100km.
Summary
Lower L/100km numbers indicate stronger fuel efficiency. For petrol-powered vehicles, efficient designs typically sit around 4–6 L/100km, with hybrids often at 3–4 L/100km and many diesels in the 3–5 L/100km range. Large gasoline SUVs tend to exceed 8 L/100km. EVs and PHEVs are best assessed with energy-based metrics (kWh/100km) or MPGe, since their efficiency is not directly comparable to combustion-only cars. Real-world results depend on driving behavior, conditions, and vehicle maintenance, so use official test figures as a guide and track your own fuel economy over time.
