4 Efficient Pre-Owned Cars In Singapore That Can Tackle Record High Fuel Prices

With fuel prices showing no signs of easing since our previous shortlist of fuel efficient cars in March this year, we take a deep dive again into the used cars section of Carousell Autos to recommend rides that can cover plenty of miles while going easy on our wallet!

With a combined fuel consumption of 24.4km/l and a fuel tank of 52 litres, you can cover well over 1,000km per tank with BMW’s fuel sipping 116d hatchback - impressive for a model that launched more than seven years ago. It’s only slightly less efficient than the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, and we’d dare say a lot more desirable from a driver’s perspective, with its well-balanced FR (front-engine, rear-wheel drive) layout that encourages enthusiastic driving around corners. The availability of 270Nm of torque under 2,000rpm makes city driving a cinch, and the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox supplies unrivalled reliability even if you take the plunge for higher mileage units. This unit has clocked slightly over 50,000km, while this 2-owner example has covered 88,000km.

The Nissan Kicks might be one of the newer recommendations of the bunch, but we reckon that its tech-laden drivetrain can stay relevant throughout its current COE lifespan. Some units are going for a “reasonable” (by Singapore standards!) depreciation of S$11,000 per year. They are as good as brand new with warranties still tagged under the dealership, including its 1.48kWh lithium-ion battery covered by a 10-year warranty. We’re big fans of Nissan’s e-POWER tech, which effectively blends efficiency and performance for a claimed fuel efficiency of 21.7km/l on the combined cycle. Interestingly, the latest-gen Nissan Qashqai is not offered in e-POWER guise in Singapore (yet), which makes a pre-owned Nissan Kicks like this 15,000km-mileage example more attractive.

This might be a recommendation that can polarise opinions from an efficiency standpoint, but the manner in which Honda Jazz delivers fuss-free motoring still remains relevant today. A well maintained unit can achieve at least 15km/l - decent for a model that launched in 2008, powered by petrol with no fancy hybrid tech. If you’re armed with superb negotiation skills, you might even be able to snag an example at under S$10k depreciation per year. This unit has a COE that expires in a couple of months, which some drivers might find appealing if they switch cars often. Our buyers’ guide for the Honda Fit (GE) might help in your selection process, too!

Do performance-oriented cars have a place in this shortlist? Yes, if we dissect the ingredients of this vehicle, which went against the grain in 2012 when other manufacturers were caught up in a numerical arms race. This Toyota - Subaru collaboration might already be a decade-old, but we still admire the fact that engineers paid attention to details that prioritised the essence of driving pleasure. The fact that engineers rejected high performance tyres in favour of standard rubbers to encourage more sideway activities was reason enough to salute the brands’ bravery. Methods were unorthodox, but the intent to create a fun machine was genuine. Oh, and did we mention that it can accomplish 12.8km/l on the combined cycle while rivals were struggling to achieve double digits? This low mileage unit might tickle your fancy.

Credits: Gerald Yuen