While turbocharged engines have become quite popular recently in the midsize SUV segment, a naturally aspirated (NA) mill is often the major volume driver. Car variants with an NA unit have a significantly lower upfront price, making them more accessible to the masses. Such engines are also more reliable, easy on the pocket in the long run and offer linear performance with good fuel efficiency.
Here, we have ranked the most fuel-efficient midsize petrol SUVs in India from least to most. This list uses ARAI-claimed figures, as real-world numbers are expected to vary by driving conditions and styles.
Note: The claimed ARAI fuel-efficiency figures for the Tata Curvv’s 1.2-litre and the MG Astor’s 1.5-litre petrol engines are yet to be revealed.
9. Kia Seltos: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of 16.5kpl
The Kia Seltos is offered with three engine options: a diesel, a turbo-petrol and a naturally aspirated petrol. The 1.5-litre petrol mill produces 115hp and 144Nm, and the claimed mileage is the same 16.5kpl for both manual and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) versions. The Seltos CVT has the lowest mileage of all midsize SUVs with an NA petrol engine and an automatic gearbox.
8. Honda Elevate: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 16.92kpl
The Honda Elevate is the most powerful midsize SUV with a naturally aspirated petrol engine. Its 1.5-litre mill produces 121hp and 145Nm, and like the Seltos, it is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The automatic variants are 1.61kpl more frugal than those with a manual gearbox, despite being 46kg heavier. In fact, the Elevate’s manual version has the lowest claimed mileage in the segment.
7. Tata Sierra: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 17.40kpl
Unlike the Sierra’s turbo-petrol engine, which has the lowest claimed efficiency of 15.3kpl in the midsize SUV segment, its naturally aspirated petrol mill delivers decent mileage. Its 1.5-litre unit, producing 106hp and 145Nm, is paired with a manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Notably, it is derived from the 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine, without the turbocharger and with a port fuel-injection system for improved efficiency.
6. Citroen Aircross: 1.2-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of 17.5kpl
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The Citroen Aircross’s 1.2-litre NA engine produces 82hp and 115Nm – the lowest output figures in the midsize SUV segment – and comes paired only with a 5-speed manual transmission. It is also one of the most affordable models in the segment. Notably, the Aircross is the only midsize SUV available with optional third-row seating, offered only with the turbo-petrol variants.
5. Hyundai Creta: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 17.70kpl
One of the highest-selling cars not only in the mid-size SUV segment but also in India, the Hyundai Creta is offered with the same engine options as the Seltos, including the 115hp petrol mill. However, being based on the older K2 architecture, it is smaller and lighter, and thereby offers better claimed mileage than the Seltos by a decent margin. The Creta’s manual and CVT versions are 0.9kpl and 1.2kpl more frugal compared to similar powertrains on the Kia sibling, respectively.
4. Citroen Basalt: 1.2-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of 18kpl
The Citroen Basalt is offered with the same 82hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the Aircross, and with the same 5-speed manual transmission. An automatic gearbox is available only with the more potent turbo-petrol mill. Compared to the Aircross, the Basalt’s petrol engine is 0.5kpl more efficient, mainly due to its more aerodynamic coupe-SUV form and a 52kg lighter kerb weight.
3. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 21.11kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is offered with two petrol engines: a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre strong hybrid. Among these, the naturally aspirated petrol engine is the more affordable option. It produces 103hp and 139Nm and is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Notably, the petrol-automatic combination is also available with an AWD setup in the higher trims of the SUV.
2. Toyota Hyryder: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 21.12kpl
The Hyryder is Toyota’s equivalent to the Grand Vitara, and except for the visual changes, mechanically it is identical to the Maruti SUV. It gets the same 103hp engine as the Grand Vitara, and has a similar claimed mileage with both the manual and automatic options. The AWD version, however, has a 0.19kpl higher claimed fuel efficiency, making it the most efficient AWD variant in the mid-size SUV segment.
1. Maruti Suzuki Victoris: 1.5-litre petrol engine
Claimed fuel efficiency of up to 21.18kpl
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is positioned alongside the Grand Vitara, but is sold via the carmaker’s Arena chain of dealerships. It gets the same 103hp petrol engine as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, but has a higher claimed fuel efficiency, making it the most efficient mid-size SUV with a naturally aspirated petrol engine option. This SUV is also available with an AWD option, which is 0.13kpl less efficient than the Grand Vitara AWD and 0.32kpl less than the Hyryder AWD.
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