5 SUVs with the best mileage as tested by Autocar India

Cars with an SUV body style are the most popular in India, with sales outpacing hatchbacks, sedans, and others. In addition, among the most sought-after aspects when buying a new car is mileage, or fuel efficiency. We at Autocar India have an exhaustive and accurate method of gathering real-world fuel economy data, and from our numerous road tests, we have culled a list of the 5 SUVs with the best mileage in India. Do note that CNG-powered models are not included in this list.

Kia Sonet diesel-automatic

Average real world mileage: 16.3kpl

The Kia Sonet is among the most frugal SUVs tested by us so far, particularly in diesel-automatic form – it is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 116hp and 250nm of torque, and is paired with a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. Our real-world tests saw the Sonet diesel-AT post 13.8kpl in the city and record 18.8kpl on the highway, which averages to 16.3kpl. Thanks to its 45-litre fuel tank, Kia’s diesel-automatic compact SUV has a range of 734km.

Maruti Fronx 1.2 petrol-manual

Average real world mileage: 16.75kpl

Maruti cars are known for their fuel efficiency, and the Fronx is among the highest mileage SUVs tested, especially when powered by the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 90hp and 113Nm of torque. When paired with the 5-speed manual gearbox (a 5-speed AMT option is also available), the Fronx petrol-MT posts a combined average mileage of 16.75kpl, recording 13.5kpl in the city and 20kpl on the highway. With a 37-litre fuel tank, this version of the Maruti Fronx can go 620km on a full tank.

Kia Seltos diesel-manual

Average real world mileage: 17.2kpl

The Kia Seltos shares its 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed manual gearbox with the smaller Sonet – and its cousin, the Hyundai Creta. In our city efficiency tests, the Seltos diesel-MT went 15.3km on a litre of fuel and delivered 19.1kpl on the highway, giving it a combined average mileage of 17.2kpl. Its 50-litre fuel tank capacity means the Seltos diesel-manual can go up to 860km on a single tank.

Tata Nexon diesel-manual

Average real world mileage: 17.95kpl

The Tata Nexon is available with an extensive range of powertrain options – petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, petrol-DCT, CNG-MT, diesel-MT, diesel-AMT and all-electric. Of the 7 versions, it is the diesel-manual that has the highest mileage, making the Nexon the highest-mileage compact SUV in the country, as tested by Autocar India. With its 44-litre fuel tank and average tested mileage of 17.95kpl (16.5kpl in the city and 19.4kpl on the highway), the Nexon diesel-manual has a range of about 790km.

Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara hybrid

Average real world mileage: 22.08kpl

Considering the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara hybrids are the highest mileage cars in India as per ARAI ratings, it isn’t surprising that they are also the best mileage SUVs tested by us. The minor 0.5kpl difference in the combined mileage between the Grand Vitara (22.08kpl) and Hyryder (21.57kpl) is due to ambient temperature – the Toyota was tested on a hotter day, where the AC and engine had to work harder. With their 45-litre petrol tanks, the hybrid SUVs can go a whopping 970-990km without the need to fuel up again.

All prices, ex-showroom, India.