Feature: Green cars: how they really measure up

The Golf and Fabia utilise similar technology to maximise fuel economy: low rolling-resistance tyres, improved aerodynamics, revised gear ratios plus a gear-change indicator to help the driver choose the optimum gear for low consumption.

The Civic Hybrid, as its name suggests, combines an electric motor with its petrol engine and a stop-start function to cut fuel use when idling in traffic. The diesel-engined Mini Cooper D and BMW 118d have BMW's Efficient Dynamics technology, which includes stop-start. The Fiat 500 and Toyota Aygo, meanwhile, stick to the traditional formula of light overall weight and a small petrol engine.

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