Top 5 highest mileage cars in India as per ARAI

Frugal cars – otherwise known as cars that are fuel-efficient and deliver a high mileage – are among those that find the highest demand in the Indian market. Every car that goes through the homologation process before going on sale gets an ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure, which carmakers quote on brochures and marketing material. Here, we take a look at the 5 highest mileage cars in India, regardless of whether they are powered by a petrol, diesel or hybrid powertrain. Do note that CNG options have not been considered for this list.

5. Maruti Dzire

ARAI mileage: 25.71kpl

The Maruti Dzire is the second model in India to be powered by the brand’s frugal 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z Series petrol engine, which produces 82hp and 112Nm of peak torque. When paired with the 5-speed AMT, the Dzire is the fifth highest mileage car in India, posting an ARAI-rated 25.71kpl. The Dzire MT is rated at a marginally lower 24.79kpl. Other than the engine, what helps Maruti’s compact sedan achieve these figures is its sub-1-tonne kerb weight.

4. Maruti Swift

ARAI mileage: 25.75kpl

The Maruti Swift is powered by the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine as the Dzire with the same outputs, and has the same 5-speed manual gearbox and 5-speed AMT options. That the Swift hatchback weighs less than the Dzire compact sedan contributes to its higher ARAI mileage figure of 25.75kpl in AMT form, and 24.8kpl in manual guise.

3. Maruti Celerio

ARAI mileage: 26kpl

The Maruti Celerio edges out the Swift as the highest mileage petrol car in India, recording an ARAI rating of 26kpl when its 69hp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is paired with a 5-speed AMT. The entry-level Celerio LXi MT variant is rated at 25.24kpl, while the mid- and higher-spec variants have a 24.97kpl ARAI fuel efficiency number. That the Celerio weighs just 810-835kg helps the small hatchback achieve this economy.

2. Honda City e:HEV

ARAI mileage 27.26kpl

The highest mileage sedan in India is the Honda City hybrid, with an ARAI rating  of 27.26kpl. The City e:HEV is powered by a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine that makes 100hp and 131Nm of torque combined with a permanent magnet synchronous motor that produces 109hp and 253Nm. The total combined output of the City hybrid is 126hp, which is sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT. It should be noted that the City e:HEV is the only hybrid car in India to be E20 fuel certified.

1. Toyota Hyryder/Maruti Grand Vitara

ARAI mileage: 27.97kpl

Toyota’s Urban Cruiser Hyrder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are the highest mileage cars in India, when they are in hybrid form. The 27.97kpl ARAI rating also makes them the highest mileage SUVs in India. The badge-engineered siblings are powered by the same 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine that is tuned to make 92hp and 122Nm of torque, which is combined with an 80hp, 141Nm electric motor. The Hyryder and Grand Vitara hybrids have a total output of 116hp.

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