When it comes to car buying in India, fuel efficiency is often one of the most important, if not the most important, aspect. Keeping that in mind, we have put together a list of the 15 best mileage cars in India based on the claimed fuel efficiency figures as per test conducted by ARAI.
Powered by a 1.3 L Multijet Diesel engine, the 2017 Maruti Dzire is the best mileage car in India. The engine has a maximum power output of 55 kW and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Manual transmission variants, as well as the ones with a 5-speed AGS transmission, have the same overall fuel efficiency as per ARAI testing. Petrol variants come with a 1.2 L K12 unit that returns 22 KMPL overall.
The 1.3 L DDiS200 Diesel engine with the help of mild hybrid tech makes the Ciaz the second most fuel efficient car in India. Unlike the Dzire's 1.3 L diesel unit, the one in the Ciaz makes 66 kW thanks to the use of a variable geometry turbocharger. Ciaz is available with a 1.4 L Petrol engine as well, which returns an overall claimed mileage of 20.73 KMPL and 19.12 KMPL depending on the choice of transmission.
Baleno Diesel employs a 1,248cc Diesel engine with a 5-speed manual transmission and has the same power and torque output as the Dzire. Petrol variants of the Baleno are powered by a 1,196 cc engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT. Petrol variants return 21.4 KMPL overall according to ARAI figures.
A 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel engine, the same on that does duty on all diesel Honda products, powers the Jazz. It occupies the fourth spot on the list of best mileage cars in India, just behind its chief rival Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Petrol variants of the Jazz come with 1.2 L i-VTEC with 5-speed manual and CVT options good for 18.7 KMPL and 19 KMPL respectively.
Tiago employs a 1055 cc three cylinder diesel that makes 70 PS and 140 Nm. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tiago Petrol draws power from a 1.2 L Revotron engine, which is available with a choice of 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes.
The Ignis comes with a 1.3 L Diesel engine with a choice of 5-speed manual and AGS transmission options. Both versions have the same claimed fuel efficiency figures. Maximum power stands at 55 kW while peak torque is 190 Nm. The other engine option on offer is a 1.2 L K12C unit, which is available with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT.
World’s best-selling hybrid car gets a 1.8 L Petrol engine plus electric motor combo with a combined torque output of 142 Nm. It is the only non-diesel car on the list of best mileage cars in India.
A 100 PS 1.5 L TDCi diesel powers the Ford Figo. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It shares the sixth spot on the list of best mileage cars in India with its compact sedan derivative. It is also available in S trim, which gets bigger wheels and black exterior highlights.
Despite the extra weight, Ford claims the Aspire is as fuel efficient as the Figo. It too is powered by a 1.5 L TDCi Diesel engine that puts out 100 PS and 215 Nm and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Amaze is powered by Honda's 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel engine that makes 100 PS and 200 Nm. A 5-speed manual gearbox handles transmission duties. It was the first product from HCIL to receive this engine, which later found its way into the City, Jazz, Mobilio, BR-V, and WR-V.
At the eleventh spot on the list of best mileage cars in India, close on the heels of the Amaze, is the City. Powered by the same 1.5 L engine, the City comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. Petrol variants of the city come with a 119 PS 1.5 L i-VTEC engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT.
Occupying the twelfth spot on the list of the most fuel efficient cars in India is the WR-V. It shares the 1498 cc diesel mill with every other diesel Honda on sale in India. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. The other engine option on offer is a 1.2 L petrol, the same one as the Jazz. However, it is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission.
When launched in July 2011, the Beat diesel became the most fuel efficient car in India returning 24 KMPL. In its current form, it has an ARAI tested fuel efficiency figure of 25.44 KMPL, but is only thirteenth on the list. Beat diesel comes with a 998cc Diesel engine that makes 54 PS mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Those of you looking to own one of these will be disappointed to know Chevrolet has decided to exit the Indian market and the Beat will no longer be on sale next year onwards.
With the launch of the facelift in April 2017, the fuel efficiency figures improved placing the Hyundai Xcent at the fourteenth spot on the list of best mileage cars in India. The 1.2 L U2 CRDi diesel engine has a power output of 79 PS and employs a 5-speed manual transmission.
The KUV100 employs a 1.2 L D75 mFalcon paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. It has a max power output of 77 BHP and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Mahindra's 'mini SUV' is the 15th most fuel efficient car in India. There is also a 1.2 L mFalcon G80 petrol engine on offer that returns 18.14 KMPL.
| Model | Claimed Mileage |
| Maruti Dzire | 28.4 KMPL |
| Maruti Ciaz | 28.09 KMPL |
| Maruti Baleno | 27.39 KMPL |
| Honda Jazz | 27.3 KMPL |
| Tata Tiago | 27.28 KMPL |
| Maruti Ignis | 26.8 KMPL |
| Toyota Prius | 26.27 KMPL |
| Ford Figo | 25.83 KMPL |
| Ford Aspire | 25.83 KMPL |
| Honda Amaze | 25.8 KMPL |
| Honda City | 25.6 KMPL |
| Honda WR-V | 25.5 KMPL |
| Chevrolet Beat | 25.44 KMPL |
| Hyundai Xcent | 25.4 KMPL |
| Mahindra KUV100 | 25.32 KMPL |
