Here are India’s 10 most fuel-efficient petrol cars, SUVs

Fuel economy and running costs have always been among the top priorities for car buyers in India. However, with petrol prices averaging just shy of Rs 100 in most cities across India, it’s important to have fuel-efficient cars that will give you the most for your buck. While Maruti Suzuki has always dominated on this front, the recent influx of a few strong-hybrid vehicles from Toyota and Honda has given car buyers a few more options.

We compile a list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient petrol cars currently available in the market, rated from lowest to highest. Do note that the list is based on official ARAI figures revealed by manufacturers, with actual figures expected to vary depending on driving conditions and styles. For models that are available with manual and automatic gearboxes, we have taken an average of both figures.

10. Maruti Suzuki Fronx – 22.34kpl

The Maruti Fronx is a coupe-crossover derivative of the Baleno, and uses the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as its hatchback sibling. Here, this engine has an ARAI claimed fuel economy of 21.79kpl with the manual gearbox and 22.89kpl with the AMT gearbox, thereby giving a combined figure of 22.34kpl. The Fronx also gets a more powerful 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that’s offered with a manual or torque converter automatic gearbox. This, however, is slightly less efficient – it returns 21.50kpl with the manual and 20.01kpl with the automatic for a combined figure of 20.75kpl. The Fronx carries over the strengths of the Baleno, and additionally gets a more powerful engine and stylish coupe-crossover-ish looks.

9. Maruti Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza – 22.64kpl

The Maruti Baleno and Toyota Glanza share the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to either manual or AMT transmissions. The manual versions have an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 22.35kpl, while the AMT versions have a claimed efficiency of 22.94kpl, thereby giving a combined figure of 22.64kpl. The petrol engine is refined and satisfactory around town, but has a weak mid-range, requiring to be revved out for overtaking. The light clutch and smooth manual make driving easy, though the AMT is not quite up to class standards.

8. Toyota Innova Hycross/Maruti Invicto – 23.24kpl

The duo of the Innova Hycross and Invicto share their powertrain, which is a 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine running the efficient Atkinson cycle, and is paired with a single electric motor that draws energy from a 1.6kWh battery. The powertrain is mated to an e-CVT gearbox, and it has a claimed ARAI fuel economy figure of 23.24kpl. By default, the powertrain starts on battery power, with the petrol engine kicking in to recharge the battery or to provide an additional punch. As speeds increase, it is the petrol engine that takes charge with the battery-motor lending its electrical assistance. This powertrain, however, does not like to be hurried and is best when driven gently.

7. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 23.48kpl

The Swift is powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine that does duty in several other Maruti Suzuki model. It has an average efficiency of 23.48kpl. The manual versions of the Swift have an ARAI-claimed fuel economy figure of 23.26kpl, while the AMT versions return a mileage of 24.12kpl. Notably, the Swift gets idle start/stop technology that further aids fuel economy. The Swift is a light and easy car to drive in traffic, is decently equipped on the inside, and has a smooth and refined powertrain. Although the Swift is not quite the fun-to-drive car it once used to be, it can also be reasonably engaging when you up the pace.

6. Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 23.69kpl

The Dzire is the most fuel-efficient compact sedan you can buy in the market. Powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as the Swift, the Dzire’s manual version has a claimed fuel efficiency of 23.26kpl, while the automatic variants return a mileage of 24.12kpl for an average economy of 22.19kpl – marginally more than that of the Swift. The Dzire is a nice all-rounder that has a comfortable, large and well-equipped cabin, friendly driving manners and a refined powertrain with reasonable performance.

5. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 – 24.65kpl

The Alto K10 is currently the most affordable car in the country and ranks as the fifth most fuel-efficient car you can currently buy. While the Alto is no longer the value offering it once was, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine returns an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 24.39kpl for the manual version, while the automatics have a mileage of 24.9kpl, thereby giving a combined average of 24.65kpl. This engine particularly feels very peppy and energetic in the Alto, and the painless ownership experience is obviously a boon, but higher variants of the Alto are now quite pricey for what is an entry-level car.

4. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.0 – 24.77kpl

The tall-boy Wagon-R hatchback from Maruti Suzuki is not only popular for its practicality and space-efficient interior, but it’s also a very economical car to run. It gets two petrol engine options – there’s a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that has a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.35kpl for the manual version, while the automatic returns 25.19kpl, thereby giving a combined average of 24.77kpl. The Wagon R also gets a larger 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine, although it’s marginally less efficient with an average fuel efficiency figure of 23.9kpl.

3. Maruti Suzuki Celerio – 25.96kpl

The Celerio is currently the most efficient pure-petrol car you can buy in the country. It’s powered by the extremely frugal DualJet K10 1.0-litre petrol engine, and is underpinned by the lightweight Heartect platform. The Celerio has a claimed ARAI fuel economy of up to 25.24kpl for the manual version, while the AMT automatic has an even higher 26.68kpl claimed fuel efficiency – this gives a combined average of 25.96kpl. The affordable Celerio is a sensible hatchback that’s easy to drive and to live with.

2. Honda City e:HEV – 27.13kpl

The Honda City was the first mass-market model to be launched with a strong-hybrid powertrain in our market. The City has a rather complex powertrain where a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine is coupled with two electric motors – one that charges the battery and one that actually drives the front wheels – and this comes mated to an e-CVT transmission. The City has a claimed ARAI mileage of 27.13kpl, and the powertrain automatically shuffles between pure-EV, hybrid or engine modes depending on the driving conditions, but it does not let you manually select the mode.

1. Maruti Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder – 27.93kpl

The duo of the Grand Vitara and the Urban Cruiser Hyryder are currently the most fuel-efficient petrol vehicles you can buy in the market, thanks to an efficient 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle petrol engine paired with an electric motor, and comes mated to an e-CVT gearbox. Being identical under the skin, both SUVs have an ARAI-claimed fuel economy figure of 27.93kpl. The powertrain can run on pure EV mode if there’s sufficient charge in the battery, or under light throttle inputs. One can also manually shuffle between pure-EV or hybrid modes through a rotary dial on the centre console.

Also See:

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