Frugal cars, or vehicles that are fuel-efficient and deliver high mileage, are among those that see the highest demand in the Indian market. Every model 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 best mileage cars in India, regardless of whether they have a petrol, diesel or hybrid powertrain. Do note that we have not considered CNG options for this list.

5. Maruti Swift

ARAI mileage: 25.75kpl

The Maruti Swift shares its frugal 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z Series petrol engine, which produces 82hp and 112Nm, with the Dzire, but the hatchback weighs up to 35kg less than its compact sedan counterpart. That helps place the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios rival among the highest-mileage petrol cars in India, as it delivers ARAI-rated fuel-efficiency figures of 25.75kpl in AMT form and 24.8kpl in the manual guise. The Dzire just misses out on the fifth spot with 25.71kpl for the AMT and 24.79kpl for the MT version.

4. 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 3-cylinder petrol engine is paired with a 5-speed AMT. The entry-level Celerio LXi MT is rated at 25.24kpl, while the mid- and higher-spec variants’ claimed mileage is 24.97kpl. The fact that this small hatchback weighs just 810-835kg helps it achieve these stellar figures.

3. 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. Powering the City e:HEV is 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 City hybrid’s combined output is 126hp, sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT. 

2. Toyota Hyryder / Maruti Grand Vitara

ARAI mileage: 27.97kpl

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara jointly hold the second position, with their hybrid versions rated at 27.97kpl. Powering these badge-engineered siblings is a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine that is tuned to make 92hp and 122Nm of torque, combined with an 80hp, 141Nm electric motor. The Hyryder and Grand Vitara hybrids have a total output of 116hp.

1. Maruti Victoris

ARAI mileage: 28.65kpl

Maruti’s second midsize SUV, the Victoris, can be had with the same petrol-hybrid powertrain as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder. Despite having similar kerb weights as the aforementioned Maruti and Toyota SUVs, the Victoris is more fuel-efficient, making it India’s highest-mileage car, as well as the highest-mileage SUV.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.