Green comes in many shades but finding a low-emission, fuel-efficient car that is as good on the environment as it is on your wallet may lead you to a new colour, blue. NEIL DOWLING reports. June 4, 2011

FORD FIESTA ECONETIC
Price: $24,990
Stars: 3/5

VALUE: To save money, you first have to pay more money.
That’s not going to go down too well with eco-minded motorists who face the $24,990 price of the fuelsipping diesel compared with its petrol-fuelled donor at $16,990. But you won’t go further on a tank in any other car for that price. Star: 4.5/5
TECHNOLOGY: The 66kW/200Nm 1.6-litre turbo diesel shared with other Fiestas adds a lighter, lower body, low-resistance tyres (there’s no spare), higher gear ratios, slippery aerodynamics and a nagging light to tell you to upshift. The Fiesta averages a stunning 3.7L/100km and a C02 figure of 98g/km, for a theoretical 1080km between refills. Star: 4/5
DESIGN: The new Fiesta looks great and works a treat. It’s a distinctive shape with good seating for four adults. The five-door makes it well suited to a family and cabin space is surprisingly generous, including a big boot. The sombre cabin uses lots of hard plastic but comfort is very good.
The ECOnetic model has small 14-inch wheels with plastic wheelcovers and a badge on the back. Frugal and subtle. 4/5
SAFETY: Good news here because there’s no sacrificing safety. Fiesta gets seven airbags, electronic stability control, ABS (with rear drum brakes), brake assist and a five-star crash rating. Star: 4/5
DRIVING: People touched by the Prius’s odd driving manners return to Earth with the oil-sipping Fiesta. It’s so easy to drive that saving fuel isn’t a chore. Follow the dashboard numerals that suggest gear shifts and, like painting by numbers, you can become an instant economy driver. It’s also very comfortable, quiet while cruising and has excellent handling.

SCORE: 4/5

VW GOLF BLUEMOTION
Price: $28,990
Star: 3.5/5
VALUE: This Golf is $1000 cheaper than the 77TDI it replaces despite similar features. But it’s $4000 more than the 90TSI petrol Golf. As always, do the sums – if you drive less than 25,000km a year, that extra $4000 gives you about two years of “free” fuel. Same applies to the Fiesta and the Prius. Star: 4.5/5
TECHNOLOGY: Clearly, this is a Golf and makes no loud statement that it’s a fuel miser. It uses the same 77kW/250Nm 1.6-litre turbo diesel as before, though cunning stuff chops its thirst to 3.8L/100km and 99g/km CO2. It includes a revised engine management system, stop-start system, aero tricks, low body height and low-rolling resistance tyres. Star: 4/5
DESIGN: Only the “BlueMotion” badges front and rear, revised tail-lights, chrome strips on the grille and a roof spoiler give the game away. The rest is all that we love about this car, a pragmatic yet somewhat bland expression of the vehicle that suits a single owner as much as a family, city commuting as much as autobahn howling. The cabin has blue seat inserts to identify the model. Star: 5/5
SAFETY: Golfs have always been top-rank safe cars and this is no diff erent, with seven airbags, stability control, ABS (discs all around), traction control, anti-slip control and so on. Star: 4.5/5
DRIVING: As with the Fiesta, the Golf is simple to drive and owners can’t help but save fuel. But it’s manual only and some care is needed to keep the engine in the 1500-2500rpm sweet range, which can mean an unusually high gear for modest city driving. Performance won’t disgrace and neither will quietness, space and the comforting solidity.

SCORE: 4/5

VERDICT: Ford and Volkswagen cleverly choose existing models to slash fuel use and both have done an excellent job of retaining the donor car’s dynamics and the fun of driving. Either one suits but do your sums, because ownership may reveal a premium price does not guarantee cheaper running costs.
Fiesta – 20.5pts
Golf – 21.5pts