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.

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