Isn’t modern technology great? Where once you had to choose between speed or economy, it’s possible to find both in one appealing package if you hunt carefully. All of the motors on our list sprint from 0-60mph in less than 7.0sec and manage more than 40mpg although not at the same time! Our used bargains start at less than £5000 but do a quick car valuation online to make sure you’re paying that right price and have a look at the DVLA to make sure road tax isn’t too painful.

BMW 335d Touring

A brawny six-cylinder engine with over 300hp, a 0-60mph time of under five seconds, and claimed economy of 49mpg sounds too good to be true, but the diesel-fuelled BMW 335d offers it all. Available as a saloon or seriously practical estate, it’s just as comfortable cruising effortlessly on a motorway as it is hammering down your favorite B road.

Ford Fiesta ST

Because the Fiesta ST is small and light, it really makes the most of its near-200hp punch. It also helps make the Fiesta ST remarkably efficient for a petrol car that gets from 0-60mph in 6.7sec. Official figures put the economy at 47mpg, and it’s also seriously good fun in the bends. Indeed, the Fiesta ST will put a bigger grin on your face than many faster and more expensive performance cars.

Porsche Panamera Hybrid

The addition of a sizeable battery pack and electric motor means the Panamera Hybrid can travel for a number of miles without firing up its V6 petrol engine. It also adds power, giving a mouth-watering combination of 91mpg and a 0-60mph time of 5.3sec. Just remember to charge the battery for maximum efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz SLC 250d

Diesel may not be fashionable, but you can’t argue with what it’s capable of. Take the SLC250d; its 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds is swifter than many hot hatches yet it’s capable of a whopping 70mpg according to official figures. A powered folding hardtop also gives you a nice snug coupe in the winter and an open-topped roadster in the summer.

Peugeot 208 GTi

Although the Fiesta ST is the more entertaining hot hatch in this list, the 208 GTi is both faster and more efficient. It’s not by a vast amount, but a 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds, and the promise of a 52mpg economy will give you pub bragging rights.

Audi SQ5

With SUVs more popular than ever, we’d be doing you a disservice by not sticking one on this list. Thanks to diesel being the fuel of choice, the official economy is a decent 42mpg. However, the combination of four-wheel drive traction and that diesel being a punchy V6 means 0-60mph takes less than five seconds.

Lotus Elise Sport

Yes, that’s right, we’ve stuck an out-and-out sports car on this list. Don’t worry, we haven’t gone mad, the Elise’s featherweight build means its relatively meager power output can still hurl it from 0-60mph in a downright rapid 4.2sec. It also means claimed fuel economy of 45mpg if you can bear to drive it sensibly for a while.