5 Least Fuel-Efficient Vehicles CAR Magazine Tested in 2025

We have rounded up the five least fuel-efficient vehicles CAR magazine tested in 2025. See the list below.

We’ve previously rounded up the five most fuel-efficient vehicles CAR magazine tested in 2025. Now we take a look at the cars that proved the least economical on our standardised 100 km mixed-use (urban and motorway) fuel route.

5. Aston Martin Vantage Coupé: 13.9 L/100 km (12.1 L/100 km claimed)

Aston Martin Vantage driving

Image: Peet Mocke

Starting off the list is the Aston Martin Vantage Coupé, which we tested for the January 2025 Performance Issue of CAR magazine. The Vantage Coupé is powered by a 4.0 litre V8 twinturbo-petrol engine churning out 489 kW and 800 N.m, sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Although one of the least fuel-efficient cars we tested in 2025, the Vantage Coupé was one of the highest-scoring, fastest-accelerating, and fastest-braking vehicles we tested in 2025.

4. Jeep Wrangler Limited 2.0T Rubicon: 14.0 L/100 km (11.9 L/100 km claimed)

Jeep Wrangler

Image: Peet Mocke

The sole vehicle powered by a four-cylinder mill on this list, the Jeep Wrangler’s turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 200 kW and 400 N.m, sent to all four corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Jeep Wrangler was tested in the May 2025 issue of CAR magazine.

3. Ford Mustang GT Fastback: 14.62 L/100 km (12.8 L/100 km claimed)

Ford Mustang GT Fastback driving

Image: Peet Mocke

The Ford Mustang GT Fastback, tested in the January 2025 issue of CAR Magazine, is powered by the Blue Oval brand’s long-standing Coyote 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing 328 kW and 540 N.m of torque.

2. Ford Mustang Dark Horse: 14.87 L/100 km (12.8 L/100 km claimed)

 

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Image: Ford

The pinnacle model in Ford South Africa’s Mustang portfolio, the Dark Horse is equipped with the same Coyote engine as its GT sibling, though gains an additional 6 kW in SA. We evaluated the Mustang Dark Horse in the March issue of CAR magazine.

1. Land Rover Defender Octa Edition One: 15.70 L/100 km (13.5 L/100 km claimed)

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa Edition One

Image: Peet Mocke

Topping the list as the least fuel-efficient vehicle tested by CAR in 2025, the Land Rover Defender Octa (tested in Edition One guise) is the most hardcore derivative of the new-generation Defender. The Octa, which we tested in the November issue of CAR magazine, is equipped with a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 467 kW and 750 N.m – the latter increasing to 800 N.m when Dynamic Launch is engaged.

Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

Also read

The post 5 Least Fuel-Efficient Vehicles CAR Magazine Tested in 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 most dependable car brands according to J.D. Power 2026 study

Image
We have rounded up the top ten most dependable car brands based on a recent study by J.D. Power, ranking vehicle reliability based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles. Image: Lexus Global market research and consumer insights company J.D. Power has recently released its 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which identifies the most dependable vehicles based on overall problems per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership over nine problem categories. The 2026 results show a two-point increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), resulting in an industry average of 204 PP100. In other words, A score of 204 PP100 means that, on average, owners reported 2.04 issues per car. A lower score indicates better vehicle quality, and vice versa. The 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study covers 184 specific problem areas throughout nine vehicle categories: climate, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, features/controls/displays, infotainment, interior, powertr...
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem...
Read more

Every Bakkie Confirmed for SA in 2026 [Updated]

Image
From new models to updated lineups, we highlight every bakkie that’s been confirmed to launch in South Africa in 2026. New Toyota Hilux Image: Toyota In February 2026, the ninth-generation Hilux was spotted in SA . However, despite being spotted on our shores, at the time, an official launch date for the new Hilux, which we detail in our Come the Hour: New Toyota Hilux feature, had yet to be announced. Well, fast forward to April 2026, and the local launch date for the ninth iteration of SA’s best-selling bakkie has been confirmed – June 2026. Based on an updated version of the Japanese automaker’s IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) platform – the latter also underpinning the SA-bound new Land Cruiser FJ , which will cost less than the top-of-the-range Hilux – the box-fresh Hilux retains the outgoing, eighth-generation model’s trusted GD-6 powertrain, available in “standard” and 48 V mild-hybrid format. The 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine will be a...
Read more