The midsize SUV segment is among the most contested in India, with popular models such as the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos and Skoda Kushaq fighting for space. A majority of SUVs in this segment come with turbo-petrol engines, which are known to offer good performance and deliver respectable fuel efficiency when driven efficiently. Here, we have ranked the turbo-petrol midsize SUVs in India from least to most fuel-efficient. Do note that the list is based on ARAI figures, with real-world numbers expected to vary depending on driving conditions and styles.
Note: The claimed ARAI fuel-efficiency figures for the Mahindra Thar Roxx’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and Tata Curvv’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engines are yet to be revealed.
13. Tata Sierra: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 15.3kpl
The Tata Sierra is offered with three engine options: two petrols and a diesel. Of these, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is the least frugal, with a claimed mileage of 15.3kpl. The engine produces 160hp and 255Nm and is paired only with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This unit is also offered in the bigger Harrier and Safari SUVs but in a higher state of tune.
12. Kia Seltos: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 17.50kpl
The Kia Seltos comes with two petrol engine options. The more powerful 160hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is offered with two gearbox choices. While the version with a dual-clutch automatic transmission has a claimed fuel efficiency of 17.5kpl, the one with iMT (clutchless manual) returns 15.60kpl, which is almost 2kpl less than the former – the highest difference for any vehicle in the list.
11. Hyundai Creta: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 18.40kpl
The Hyundai Creta has been the bestselling midsize SUV in India for a long time now. It gets the same turbo-petrol engine as the Seltos with exactly the same outputs, yet it delivers better fuel efficiency figures. This could be because the Creta is smaller than the new Seltos and has a lower kerb weight. While the standard Creta turbo-petrol comes only with a DCT, the Creta N Line is offered with a manual as well.
10. Renault Duster: 1.3-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 18.45kpl
The Duster’s 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine develops 163hp and 280Nm and is offered with 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. Interestingly, the DCT version is 0.7kpl more efficient on paper, with a claimed 18.45kpl compared to the manual’s 17.75kpl.
9. Citroen Aircross: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 18.50kpl
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The Citroen Aircross is one of the most affordable midsize SUVs in India. It is offered with a choice of naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engines, the latter of which is available with both manual and automatic transmission options. The Aircross’s turbo-petrol mill produces 110hp, but torque varies by transmission: 190Nm in the manual and 205Nm in the automatic. In terms of ARAI mileage, the manual is 0.9kpl more efficient than the automatic.
8. Nissan Tekton: 1.3-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 18.50kpl
The Nissan Tekton shares its 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine with the Renault Duster, producing the same 163hp and 280Nm. It is also offered with 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox options. The DCT is the more fuel-efficient version, with a claimed 18.5kpl, while the manual returns 17.8kpl. This puts the Tekton’s automatic marginally ahead of the equivalent Duster DCT, which is rated at 18.45kpl.
7. Skoda Kushaq: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of 18.72kpl
The Skoda Kushaq is offered with two turbo-petrol engine options: a 1.0-litre and a 1.5-litre. Among these, the 1.5-litre engine is more powerful with outputs of 150hp and 250Nm of torque. However, it is only paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox, as a 6-speed manual, originally offered with the Kushaq since its introduction in 2021, was discontinued in late 2024.
6. Volkswagen Taigun: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of 18.85kpl
The Kushaq’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is also available on the Volkswagen Taigun in the same state of tune, that too with only the DCT option. However, the Taigun is 0.13kpl more efficient, likely because it has a kerb weight of up to 1,320kg, which is 2kg lighter than the Kushaq with a similar powertrain.
5. Nissan Tekton: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of 19.40kpl
The Tekton’s smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine develops 100hp and 166Nm and is currently paired only with a 6-speed manual gearbox. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.4kpl, it is 1.6kpl more frugal than the Tekton’s 1.3-litre turbo-manual and sits close to the similarly powered Duster’s 19.41kpl figure.
4. Renault Duster: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of 19.41kpl
The Duster’s 100hp, 166Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and returns a claimed 19.41kpl. It is just 0.01kpl more efficient than the Tekton with the same engine and gearbox combination.
3. Citroen Basalt: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 19.50kpl
The Citroen Basalt gets the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine as the Aircross, but it is more efficient – by 1kpl in the MT version and by 1.1kpl in the AT guise. This could be because of its more aerodynamic coupe-SUV shape, making it one of the only two midsize offerings currently featuring this body style. Moreover, the Aircross is offered with an optional third row, taking its kerb weight to 1,320kg, which is 80kg more than the Basalt’s. Even in its 5-seater configuration, the Aircross weighs 35kg more than the Basalt.
2. Skoda Kushaq: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 19.66kpl
The Skoda Kushaq’s 116hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is offered with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic, but unlike the bigger 1.5-litre engine, it is available with a 6-speed manual option as well. The manual version is 0.57kpl more frugal than the automatic one, mainly because of its 35kg lighter weight.
1. Volkswagen Taigun: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol
Claimed mileage of up to 19.98kpl
With the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine as the Kushaq but higher claimed mileage figures of 19.98kpl with a manual transmission and 19.54kpl with an automatic gearbox, the Volkswagen Taigun is the most fuel-efficient turbo-petrol midsize SUV in India. Like the 1.5-litre variants, the Taigun’s 1.0-litre TSI version, too, is lighter than the Kushaq with the same powertrain, which explains the higher ARAI-rated mileage. However, the gap here is much larger at 17kg.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Glenn Noronha
