Running Cost Comparison Across 5 Popular Models in the Isle of Man

Running Cost Comparison Across 5 Popular Models: Isle of Man Edition

When it comes to choosing your next vehicle on Listit.im, running costs are just as important as looks and features—especially for drivers here on the Isle of Man. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared five popular vehicle types: a diesel SUV, a petrol hatchback, a mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fully electric car. We’ve broken down the costs for driving 1,000 miles, including fuel or electricity, annual road tax, and main dealer servicing. (Figures accurate at the time of writing—prices may vary.)

1. Diesel SUV (Hyundai Tucson)

A favourite for Manx families, the Hyundai Tucson Diesel offers plenty of space and versatility.

• Fuel Consumption: (~44 mpg). With diesel around £1.65 per litre, 1,000 miles will cost about £120 in fuel.
• Annual Road Tax: £230 (based on CO2 emissions).
• Servicing Costs: Roughly £250 per year at a main dealer.
• Total Running Cost per 1,000 miles: £120 (fuel) + £19 (monthly tax) + £21 (monthly servicing) = £160.

2. Petrol Hatchback (Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost)

Compact and efficient, the Ford Focus is a smart choice for island commutes and city runs.

• Fuel Consumption: (~39 mpg). With petrol at £1.60 per litre, 1,000 miles costs about £130.
• Annual Road Tax: £150.
• Servicing Costs: Around £200 per year.
• Total Running Cost per 1,000 miles: £130 (fuel) + £13 (monthly tax) + £17 (monthly servicing) = £160.

3. Mild Hybrid (Toyota Corolla Hybrid)

The Corolla Hybrid blends petrol efficiency with electric assistance—great for everyday driving.

• Fuel Consumption: (~63 mpg). At £1.60 per litre, 1,000 miles costs around £95.
• Annual Road Tax: £140.
• Servicing Costs: Around £230 per year.
• Total Running Cost per 1,000 miles: £95 (fuel) + £12 (monthly tax) + £19 (monthly servicing) = £126.

4. Plug-in Hybrid (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV)

Plug-in hybrids like the Outlander PHEV are ideal for short electric trips and longer petrol journeys.

• Electricity Consumption: 15 kWh/100 km. At £0.20 per kWh, 1,000 miles costs about £48 in electricity.
• Petrol Consumption: 7.5L/100km (~38 mpg). 1,000 miles on petrol costs about £80.
• Annual Road Tax: £120.
• Servicing Costs: Around £270 per year.
• Total Running Cost per 1,000 miles: £48 (electricity) + £80 (petrol) + £10 (monthly tax) + £23 (monthly servicing) = £161.

5. Electric (Hyundai Kona Electric)

The Kona Electric is a hit on the island for its low running costs and zero emissions.

• Electricity Consumption: 15 kWh/100 km. At £0.20 per kWh, 1,000 miles costs just £48.
• Annual Road Tax: £60.
• Servicing Costs: About £120 per year (EVs need less maintenance).
• Total Running Cost per 1,000 miles: £48 (electricity) + £5 (monthly tax) + £10 (monthly servicing) = £63.

Listit.im Thoughts

Electric vehicles are hard to beat for low running costs on the Isle of Man, thanks to cheaper electricity and fewer parts to maintain. Plug-in hybrids are a great halfway point if you’re not quite ready to go all-in on electric, and mild hybrids offer solid fuel savings. Diesel and petrol cars still have their place—especially for towing or long trips—but the savings gap is closing as electricity stays affordable. The best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle and budget!

Ready to find your next car? Start your search on Listit.im and discover what’s available locally.