Australia's most popular new cars failing to meet fuel consumption claims: report

Some of Australia's best selling cars have been found to be misleading customers after a study into fuel consumption claims found some cars used up to 60 percent more fuel than advertised.

Commissioned by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, the report aimed to examine the accuracy of the government-mandated laboratory testing by driving the cars in "real-world" settings.

The study of 17 passenger vehicles found that Australia's most popular new car models were using, on average, 25 percent more fuel than advertised, with one car using 60 percent more fuel compared to its manufacturer claim.

CEO of the AAA Michael Bradley said the results of the independent, 10-month long test undermined the government's vehicle emissions standards and had the potential to cost Australian families hundreds of dollars in extra fuel each year.

"Our test results are a warning to Australians to take the government's promises of fuel and cost savings with a grain of salt, and expect those savings to be significantly less than what's promised," Bradley said in a statement on Monday.

According to the testing, just one car managed to do better than its manufacturer claims, but the AAA said it was not out to "name and shame" particular makes and models. It said the results should highlight to the government the need to update its vehicle emissions standards. Endit