Now we’re getting somewhere in this diesel game. The Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion is a hatchback from the venerable Deutschland automaker that boasts 72.4 mpg. That’s a lot of mileage for the tiny 1.4-liter TDI engine to pony up, but there it is.

This model is a close cousin of the well-known Polo, with its 80 horsepower three-cylinder turbodiesel under the hood. Driving either model won’t put your heart in your throat on first acceleration, since they cruise on up to 62 mph in a moderate 12.8 seconds.

But the Blue Motion is the one getting the gaudy gas-mileage figures and showcasing the new low price of US$19,990. Now that’s a horse of a different color indeed.