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  1. Five cars with Prius-like economy
  2. MINI Cooper D, A diesel adventure
  3. BMW 116d, Efficient and dynamic
  4. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI, A very green blue oval
  5. Citroen C3 Picasso 1.6 HDi, Familial frugality
  6. Audi A2 1.4 TDI, Heavenly harbinger

MINI Cooper D, A diesel adventure

The first generation 'new MINI' was available with a diesel engine, but the 75bhp oil burner wasn't deemed good enough to wear the Cooper moniker, bearing 'One D' badging instead. That's changed for the latest generation though; MINI has stoked its diesel variant enough to justify giving it that iconic badge. The second-generation diesel MINI is an apparently win-win situation then. Here's why: 177lb.ft of pulling power is actually exactly the same as the figure mustered by the hot Cooper S, but an amazing 72.4mpg and 104g/km of CO2 are green credentials the flagship can't get anywhere near. The Cooper D is £14,785 too, which is around £1,000 more than the petrol version, though its greater low rev urge make it the better performer in most situations.

As blends of style, performance, economy and outright entertainment go the MINI Cooper D is difficult to beat. Nobody would argue it's cheap - though class-leading residuals mean it's not too expensive in reality, and you won't struggle to sell it on when you've had your diesel fun.

Mark Nichol