Used cars are the solution for many people. Whether it’s for someone who only needs to drive occasionally in the city, to serve as a family’s second vehicle, or even for work, having a used car is often the most budget-friendly option. We’ve selected 10 models with up to 10 years of use that won’t make you a regular at the gas station. These are the most fuel-efficient used cars according to the averages measured by the Brazilian Vehicle Labeling Program (PBEV) – based on the tables from each model’s manufacturing year.

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Fiat Uno 2014

Second generation of the Uno Way

• Engine: 1.0 8V with 75/73 hp and 9.9/9.5 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 8.3 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 12.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 9.4 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 14.5 km/l

• Versions: Vivace, Way, and Economy

• Prices: between R$ 25,000 and R$ 35,000

The second-generation “boxy” Uno is one of the most economical used cars for city driving. The 1.0 Fire engine is easy to maintain and well known for its durability. On top of that, the compact size makes parking simple, and its high driving position is a plus.

Kia Picanto 2014

Kia imported the Picanto at a competitive price with a flex-fuel engine (Photo: Kia | Press Release)

• Engine: 1.0 12V with 80/77 hp and 10/9.6 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 8.2 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 12.0 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 9.8 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 14.4 km/l

• Version: EX

• Prices: between R$ 36,000 and R$ 42,000

A fuel-efficient and well-equipped option, the Picanto was one of Kia’s best-selling models in the early 2010s. Its three-cylinder Kappa engine is the same one found in the Hyundai HB20 lineup, making maintenance and parts availability easier.

Renault Clio 2015

If we dare say, the Clio had issues worthy of a low-budget horror film (Photo: Renault | Press Release)

• Engine: 1.0 16V with 80/77 hp and 10.5/10.1 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 9.5 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 14.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.7 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 15.8 km/l

• Versions: Authentique and Expression

• Prices: between R$ 26,000 and R$ 30,000

Among the most fuel-efficient used cars, the Clio from its final years stands out for city driving, averaging more than 14 km/l on gasoline. The credit goes to its low weight (912 kg) and its well-calibrated 1.0 four-cylinder engine.

Nissan March 2015

March – Production line, Resende

• Engine: 1.0 12V with 74/74 hp and 10/10 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 8.8 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 12.9 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 15.1 km/l

• Versions: S and SV

• Prices: between R$ 34,000 and R$ 40,000

The Nissan March, by then already produced in Resende (RJ), also stands out among the most economical used cars. Its three-cylinder engine delivers smooth performance, and the compact hatchback is known for its durability and for offering some of the lowest maintenance costs in the segment.

Volkswagen Up! 2016

• Engine: 1.0 12V with 82/75 hp and 10.4/9.7 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 9.6 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 14.2 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.6 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 15.3 km/l

• Versions: Move, High, and Take

• Prices: between R$ 41,000 and R$ 50,000

This subcompact has always been a great choice in many respects, and it also happens to be one of the most fuel-efficient used cars around. In the city, the Up! can average over 14 km/l with gasoline thanks to its three-cylinder 1.0 naturally aspirated engine, which delivers surprisingly competent performance.

Peugeot 208 2016

• Engine: 1.2 12V with 90/84 hp and 13/12.2 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 10.9 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 15.1 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 11.7 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 16.9 km/l

• Versions: Active, Active Pack, and Allure

• Prices: between R$ 40,000 and R$ 50,000

One of the most efficient engines of recent times was PSA Group’s PureTech. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long in Brazil because it was imported, which raised production costs. In the 208, it can achieve more than 15 km/l in the city and nearly 17 km/l on the highway, offering good low-end performance and the comfort Peugeot cars are known for.

Honda City 2017

• Engine: 1.5 16V with 116/115 hp and 15.3/15.2 kgfm

• Transmission: CVT automatic

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 8.5 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 12.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 14.5 km/l

• Versions: DX, EX, and EXL

• Prices: between R$ 66,000 and R$ 75,000

To include a sedan in the list of economical used cars, here’s the 2017 Honda City. Even with an automatic transmission, its 1.5 16V engine delivers respectable fuel efficiency for a vehicle that also offers more space and a 530-liter trunk. Interestingly, the manual version, which is rare, is only 0.1 km/l more efficient.

Citroën C3 2017

The Brazilian version had a fake grille absent in the European model

• Engine: 1.2 12V with 90/84 hp and 13/12.2 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 10.6 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 14.8 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 11.3 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 16.6 km/l

• Versions: Origem, Attraction, and Tendance

• Prices: between R$ 40,000 and R$ 45,000

Here’s the 1.2 PureTech engine again among Brazil’s most economical used cars. In the C3, consumption is only slightly higher than in the 208, but city averages are close to 15 km/l. The hatchback from that period also stands out for its comfort and interior finish.

Ford Ka+ 2018

• Engine: 1.0 12V with 85/80 hp and 10.7/10.2 kgfm

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 9.2 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 13.4 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.7 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 15.5 km/l

• Versions: SE and SE Plus

• Prices: between R$ 38,000 and R$ 47,000

Another sedan among the most economical options. The Ka+ features one of the best three-cylinder engines on the market, the Ti-VCT, which offers low vibration, good acceleration, and solid fuel economy. It also scores points for drivability and handling.

Toyota Yaris Sedan 2018/19

Toyota Yaris in sedan configuration

• Engine: 1.5 16V with 110/105 hp and 14.9/14.3 kgfm

• Transmission: CVT automatic with seven simulated gears

• City fuel economy (ethanol): 9.0 km/l

• City fuel economy (gasoline): 13.0 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (ethanol): 10.6 km/l

• Highway fuel economy (gasoline): 14.5 km/l

• Versions: XS, SL, XLS, and XPlus

• Prices: between R$ 72,000 and R$ 86,000

We close the list with one of the best CVT transmissions available. In fact, this helps make the automatic Yaris Sedan more efficient than its manual versions. Besides being an economical used car, the sedan offers plenty of space in the rear seats and a large trunk.