Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrids, which offer a perfect blend of frugality and refinement, are gaining in popularity. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Road trips are part of the South African fabric. Families and friends love bundling up in a car and taking long-distance trips to visit relatives, explore new landscapes, or vacation in a new place. But which fuel type is best for the job? Dependable diesel, efficient petrol-hybrid, or good old petrol?
“When choosing the ideal fuel type for a road trip, consider your specific needs and preferences,” said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Diesel vehicles are known for their efficiency and strong performance, petrol engines provide a smoother driving experience, and hybrids offer remarkable range and lower emissions. It’s important to evaluate what matters most for your journey.”
Diesel remains a popular fuel choice thanks to the fine blend of frugality and affordability. The Renault Duster 1.5 dCi has one of the most economical engines money can buy. It produces 80kW and 250Nm of torque, delivering a claimed 4.8L/100 km when equipped with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Renault Duster Renault Duster. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
However, the Duster can return even better fuel economy if driven carefully. Renault says it can cover 1,042km on a single tank. With an average price of R237,313 on the used car market, the Duster is an affordable option. The average mileage is 94,708km, and the registration age is five years.
Need more luxury? The Mercedes-Benz C220d blends performance with efficiency. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivers 147kW and 440Nm, but the headline figure is the fuel consumption of 4.7L/100km. Driven carefully, the C220d can do 1,404km on a tank.
While diesel has many advantages, some motorists can’t get used to the gruff nature, preferring petrol instead. While more refined, petrols often can’t match their diesel counterparts regarding fuel efficiency and range - but some vehicles get close.
Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-5. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
The Mazda CX-5 2.0 can cover 812km on a tank of petrol, which means it could get from Cape Town to Mossel Bay and back with fuel to spare. An average fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km is impressive for a naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Prices for the CX-5 2.0 average R394,547 on the used car market, with an average mileage of 60,553km and a registration age of four years. Those wanting to extract more out of their tank may want to look at the current-generation Corolla sedan, which can cover 848km before trips to the tank. It also returns an average of 5.9L/100km.
The perfect blend of diesel frugality and petrol refinement, the petrol-hybrid introduces electrification into the mix, significantly reducing fuel consumption. For example, the Toyota RAV4 2.5 hybrid can cover 1,146km on a single tank, allowing it to travel from Johannesburg to Durban and back on a single tank of fuel.
Hybrids tend to carry a premium over their diesel and petrol counterparts, with the RAV4 2.5 hybrid retailing for R671,379. However, an average mileage of 18,477km and a registration age of one year is appealing.
More affordable options include the Corolla sedan hybrid, with an average price of R428,403, as well as the Corolla Cross hybrid.
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