Best three-cylinder cars
A three-cylinder engine offers a brilliant blend of performance and fuel economy. Here are some of the best ‘three-pot’ cars you can buy
The three-cylinder engine is one of the wonders of the modern car world. Thanks to turbocharging, it is used to power everything from humble city cars and superminis to family SUVs and even hot hatchbacks.
We won’t bore you with the technical details, but a good three-cylinder turbo should deliver the power of a larger engine, say a 1.6-litre unit, but with the fuel economy you’d associate with a diesel. Little wonder Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost and BMW’s 1.5-litre hybrid dominated the International Engine of the Year awards from 2012 until 2015.
Here, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the best three-cylinder cars you can buy, each one offering seriously low running costs. We’ve even included one of the world’s best hot hatchbacks, so you can have fun while you’re saving money.
1. Renault Clio
Our pick Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 100 RS Line
Used deals from £6,242
Monthly finance from £140.07*
In its latest guise, the Renault Clio is one of the best superminis you can buy. If you’re struggling to choose between the Ford Fiesta and the Clio, it’s worth noting that Renault introduced a five-year warranty at the end of 2019, which should provide a little peace of mind when you’re buying a used example.
There are two three-cylinder petrol engines to choose from: a non-turbocharged SCe 75 and a range of turbocharged TCe units. The turbos offer the best balance of performance and fuel economy and are available with a choice of outputs: 90hp, 100hp and 130hp. Fuel economy is largely the same, regardless of the power, so you can expect to achieve 50mpg to 55mpg.
2. Ford Puma
Our pick Ford Puma 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line X
Used deals from £9,400
Monthly finance from £199.56*
From one of the best superminis you can buy to what’s arguably the best compact SUV. In standard guise, the Ford Puma is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine, producing 125hp or 155hp. At 52.3mpg, the 125hp version is marginally more economical, but both engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed automatic transmission.
Even the standard Puma is great to drive, but if you’re after hot hatchback levels of excitement, take a look at the Puma ST. Power is sourced from the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine you’ll find in the Ford Fiesta ST, which delivers a mighty 200hp. It’ll sprint to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds, yet can deliver 42.8mpg on a combined cycle.
3. BMW 1 Series
Our pick BMW 118i M Sport automatic
Used deals from £6,795
Monthly finance from £221.39*
The current BMW 1 Series gives you a choice of three-cylinder engines: a 1.5-litre petrol producing 140hp and a 1.5-litre diesel developing 116hp. They’re badged 118i and 116d respectively. They might be the entry-level options, but you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
The BMW 118i will average 47.1mpg and emit just 114g/km of CO2, while the figures for the 116d are 61.4mpg and 100g/km respectively. Impressive figures for a spacious family hatchback that’s great to drive and blessed with a high-quality interior. Standard equipment is generous, even in SE trim, but many buyers upgrade to the popular M Sport trim.
4. Dacia Sandero
Our pick Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe Comfort
Used deals from £5,999
Monthly finance from £108.22*
Launched in 2021, the current Dacia Sandero has picked up where the old model had left off by offering a budget supermini for a cash-strapped nation. The one big difference is that the Sandero no longer feels like a budget car; it’s not a great car for the price, it’s just a great car.
Sensibly, Dacia has ditched the old SCe 75 petrol engine, while the question marks over the future of LPG makes the Bi-Fuel model hard to recommend. This leaves the excellent TCe 90 as the best engine for the Sandero. The three-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 90hp and can deliver 53.3mpg in daily use.
5. Volvo XC40
Our pick Volvo XC40 T3 R-Design automatic
Used deals from £15,999
Monthly finance from £252.83*
The entry-level petrol versions of the Volvo XC40 are powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine. In T3 guise, it produces 163hp and is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic transmission. You’re likely to see between 35mpg and 40mpg in daily use.
In 2020, Volvo added a less powerful version of the T3, badged T2. Now producing 129hp, the T2 should be slightly more economical than the T3, but some buyers might miss the extra performance of the more powerful engine. In all cases, the Volvo XC40 is one of the safest and most comfortable compact premium SUVs you can buy.
6. Suzuki Vitara
Our pick Suzuki Vitara 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T
Used deals from £6,000
Monthly finance from £156.33*
It might date back to 2015, but an update in 2019 has kept the Suzuki Vitara towards the top of the compact SUV market. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet engine produces just 111hp, but because the Vitara is so light, you’re likely to see up to 45mpg. No wonder Suzuki ditched the diesel engine in 2019.
Indeed, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine is just as economical as the old 1.6-litre diesel, but significantly smoother and quieter. The current Vitara is offered with a choice of mild hybrid or self-charging hybrid powertrains, but there are plenty of used 1.0-litre versions to choose from, with prices starting from around £10,000.
7. Mini Hatchback
Our pick Mini Cooper Sport
Used deals Limited stock
There are many reasons why you might be considering a Mini Hatchback. It’s great to drive, stylish, fashionable and available with a wide range of personalisation options. Granted, you’ll have to accept the choices made by the original owner when you’re buying used, but you’ll almost certainly find something you like.
You get a choice of three-cylinder engines: a 1.5-litre petrol found in the Cooper and old One, along with a 1.5-litre diesel found in the Cooper D. The diesel was discontinued in 2018, but there are plenty of used Cooper Ds available on the BuyaCar website.
8. Ford Fiesta ST
Our pick Ford Fiesta 1.5 EcoBoost ST-3
Used deals from £5,995
Monthly finance from £140.61*
If you’re after something fun, the Ford Fiesta ST could be the best three-cylinder car you can buy. Power is sourced from a high-tech 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 200hp, which is enough to propel the hot hatchback to 62mph in just 6.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 144mph.
There’s more to the Fiesta ST than acceleration. It feels at home on a country lane, where you’ll enjoy its brilliant cornering capabilities, but it’s also great for nipping to the shops or into town for dinner. The fact that it’s so affordable is the icing on the cake; BuyaCar prices start from around £15,000 for the current Fiesta ST.
*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta:
48 monthly payments of £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage limit: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%
BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.