Most interesting car that will do a real world 50mpg?

[xxdaix]

So this is the current situation, wife has a diesel smallish estate & I have a Pug GTI-6
The plan is to replace the small estate with an XC90 (more kids on way) and get something small interesting with great MPG as the small car will become wife's run around going to office 3 days a week 45 miles away & collecting little one from nursery on way home so doesn't need the XC90 on a daily bases.

I want the small car to be interesting to drive when I take it.
Was thinking 500 twin air or Ibiza cuppra diesel or 118d coupe but will any of them be nearly as interesting as the 306 GTi-6

It needs to have a little luxury so not a C2 or ka, wife used to have a mini cooper S before children.

Any ideas?

[rfn]

I've got a Mini Cooper D - does 55mpg all day long - depends if you count that as interesting though...?

[Matt UK]

A low powered Caterham might do 50mpg.

May be a bit 'extreme' though for your circumstances!

[Sam.F]

What sort of budget/age of car are you looking at?

The Fiat 500 TwinAir will *not* do a real-world 50mpg. Ibiza Cupra in current shape has a nice engine but enforces DSG upon you which is an acquired taste at best. Old shape has horrible torque steer. If looking new and your OH liked her previous Cooper S you could look at a Cooper SD - BMW -18d engine so it's pretty good in terms of performance and ought to return 50mpg on a longish commute.

[xxdaix]

Looking at 2nd hand

Not too fussed about the Mini, run flats and harsh ride got a bit tiresome. Plus been there done that.

Drove a friends old shape Ibiza Cuppra it's was ok, a bit too boy racer for OH she thinks the GTi-6 is racey