Fuel efficiency and operating costs have long held a paramount position in the considerations of car buyers across India. With the price of petrol inching closer to the Rs 100 mark in most cities nationwide, the quest for fuel-efficient vehicles that provide optimal value for money has never been more critical. While Maruti Suzuki has been a perennial leader in this arena, the recent introduction of potent hybrid vehicles by Toyota and Honda has expanded the array of choices available to prospective buyers.
Here, we present a meticulously curated compilation of the top 10 most fuel-efficient petrol cars currently accessible in the market, ranked from the most fuel-efficient to least. It’s essential to keep in mind that this list is founded on official ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) data disclosed by manufacturers, and real-world figures are expected to vary based on individual driving conditions and styles. For models that offer both manual and automatic transmission options, we have computed an average fuel efficiency figure to provide a comprehensive overview.
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Maruti Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder – 27.93kpl
The Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder take the top spot as the most fuel-efficient petrol vehicles in India. Both models feature an efficient 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine paired with an electric motor, all controlled by an e-CVT gearbox. They share an impressive ARAI-claimed fuel economy figure of 27.93kpl. Notably, the powertrain allows for pure EV mode under certain conditions or seamlessly shifts between pure-EV and hybrid modes through a user-friendly rotary dial.
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Honda City e:HEV – 27.13kpl
The Honda City stands out as the first mass-market model to introduce a strong-hybrid powertrain in India. Its sophisticated setup combines a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two electric motors, one for recharging the battery and another for driving the front wheels. This innovative system, paired with an e-CVT transmission, yields an impressive ARAI mileage of 27.13kpl. The City dynamically adapts to driving conditions, seamlessly transitioning between pure-EV, hybrid, and engine modes.
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Maruti Suzuki Celerio – 25.96kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio is India’s most fuel-efficient pure-petrol car. Powered by the ultra-frugal DualJet K10 1.0-litre petrol engine and built on the lightweight Heartect platform, the Celerio achieves an ARAI-claimed fuel economy of up to 25.24kpl with the manual variant. The AMT automatic version delivers an even higher 26.68kpl, resulting in a combined average of 25.96kpl. This affordable hatchback offers a sensible and user-friendly driving experience.
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Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.0 – 24.77kpl
Renowned for its practicality and space-efficient interior, the tall-boy Wagon-R from Maruti Suzuki is also an economical choice. It offers two petrol engine options, including a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder variant with an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 24.35kpl for the manual version and 25.19kpl for the automatic. The Wagon R is known for its spaciousness and efficiency, while a larger 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine is available with a slightly lower average fuel efficiency of 23.9kpl.
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Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 – 24.65kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, India’s most affordable car, secures the fifth spot on our list. Featuring a lively 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, it achieves an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 24.39kpl for the manual version and 24.9kpl for the automatic variant, resulting in an impressive combined average of 24.65kpl. While the Alto K10 offers spirited performance, higher trim levels have become relatively pricier for an entry-level car.
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Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 23.69kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire claims the title of the most fuel-efficient compact sedan in India. Sharing its 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with the Swift, the Dzire achieves an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 23.26kpl for the manual version and 24.12kpl for the automatic variants. The Dzire impresses with a spacious, well-equipped cabin, comfortable driving dynamics, and a refined powertrain.
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Maruti Suzuki Swift – 23.48kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Swift, powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine as several other Maruti models, achieves an average fuel efficiency of 23.48kpl. Its manual variants attain an ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 23.26kpl, while the AMT versions offer an even higher mileage of 24.12kpl. Equipped with idle start/stop technology, the Swift is known for its ease of driving, decent equipment, and refined powertrain.
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Toyota Innova Hycross/Maruti Invicto – 23.24kpl
The Innova Hycross and Invicto duo share a powertrain comprising a 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine using the efficient Atkinson cycle and a single electric motor connected to a 1.6kWh battery. This setup, combined with an e-CVT gearbox, delivers an ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 23.24kpl. The powertrain prioritizes battery power at lower speeds and seamlessly transitions to petrol power as speed increases, making it ideal for gentle driving.
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Maruti Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza – 22.64kpl
The Maruti Baleno and Toyota Glanza, both equipped with a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and manual or AMT transmissions, achieve a combined ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 22.64kpl. The petrol engine offers refinement and city-friendly performance, although it may require higher revs for overtaking. The Swift is easy to drive in traffic and provides a comfortable cabin, though the AMT transmission falls short of class standards.
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Maruti Suzuki Fronx – 22.34kpl
The Maruti Fronx, a coupe-crossover version of the Baleno, shares its 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with its hatchback counterpart. It achieves an ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 21.79kpl with the manual gearbox and 22.89kpl with the AMT gearbox, resulting in a combined figure of 22.34kpl. Additionally, the Fronx offers a more potent 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with slightly lower efficiency, making it a stylish option in the coupe-crossover segment.
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