Fuel prices, to our dismay, are still on the rise. Some fuel stations have even resorted to writing the prices on cards and sticking them on tarpaulins because their digital signboards can’t accommodate gas prices in the P100/L mark. With that, we decided to compile a list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles per segment based on the cars we’ve reviewed.
First, let’s set some ground rules. There won’t be any EVs and PHEVs in this list—if you can plug it in and drive it without any gas in the tank, we didn’t include it. Only combustion-engined vehicles and self-charging HEVs are counted. We have separate articles for EVs under P1 million and under P2 million that you can check out if that’s more your style.
We’ve also only included vehicles that we reviewed in 2026 and 2025 to make sure we don’t include any cars that might receive a newer—and more fuel-efficient—update in the near future. Let us know what cars you want us to review next, and maybe some of them will make it to a part two of this feature. Anyway, let’s get started, shall we?
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
5 People haulers for car buyers with large families
It’s official: The all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser is priced at P2.135-M
1) Hatchback: 2026 MG 3 Hybrid+
Let’s go from smallest to largest. For the hatchback category, we have the MG 3 Hybrid+. It has a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor delivering 187hp and 275Nm of torque. In mixed conditions, we achieved a fuel efficiency of 19-20km/L. You can get the MG 3 Hybrid+ for P1,088,888.
2) Subcompact sedan: 2026 Toyota Ativ 1.5 HEV CVT
For the four-door B-segment, we have the Toyota Ativ. The Ativ is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a single electric motor producing a combined 119hp and 121Nm of torque. It got a fuel efficiency of 22-26km/L in mixed conditions. The Toyota Ativ 1.5 HEV CVT stickers for P1,198,000.
3) Compact sedan: 2025 Honda Civic RS e:HEV
In the compact-sedan category, we have the Honda Civic RS e:HEV. It has a 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 139hp and 182Nm of torque paired with an electric drive motor delivering 181hp and 315Nm. We drove the Civic RS e:HEV and achieved a fuel efficiency of 20km/L in mixed conditions. You can get this car for P1,990,000.
4) Compact crossover/SUV: 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV
For the compact crossover/SUV category, we have the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV. This hybrid Corolla Cross is powered by a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with a single electric motor delivering 121hp and 142Nm of torque. We got a fuel efficiency of 24.2km/L in light traffic and 13.2km/l in heavy traffic. You can get the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV for P1,917,000.
5) Midsize crossover/SUV: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
For our midsize crossover/SUV pick, we have the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. This SUV has a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor that delivers a total of 232hp and 367Nm of torque. We achieved 16km/L driving the Santa Fe Hybrid in mixed conditions. Asking price? It currently goes for P3,330,000.
6) Pickup truck: 2025 Isuzu D-Max 4x2 LS-A AT Plus
For the pickup truck category, and the only non-electrified vehicle on this list, we have the Isuzu D-MAX 4x2 LS-A AT Plus. The D-Max is powered solely by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine delivering 187hp and 450Nm of torque. We achieved a fuel efficiency of 18-19km/L.
‘But what about the Mazda BT-50? Doesn’t that use the same engine as the D-Max?’ Yes, it does, and you can definitely count in the BT-50 as well. What we drove was the 2026 BT-50 4x4 Pangolin variant with a six-speed manual, which achieved a respectable 15.5km/L in mixed driving conditions with plenty of traffic. We can probably chalk the 3km/L difference up to varied road conditions and a heavier overall weight brought by the 4x4 system.
Going back to the Isuzu, you can get the D-MAX 4x2 LS-A AT Plus for P1,560,000.
