Update: Here are India's most fuel efficient petrol midsize SUVs - July 2023

Fuel prices are slowly rising again over the last few days – petrol currently stands at Rs 96.72 per litre in Delhi and Rs 106.31 per litre in Mumbai. With mass-market SUVs being the current market favourites, fuel efficiency becomes an important factor for buyers.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at petrol and hybrid midsize SUVs currently sold in India – which offer the best fuel economy numbers – rated from lowest to highest. Do note that the list is based on ARAI figures, with real-world numbers expected to vary depending on driving conditions and styles. As most midsize SUVs on sale offer multiple petrol engine options, we have considered each engine separately for this list. However, where an individual engine has manual and auto gearbox options, we have taken an average of the two transmissions' fuel economy figures.

Do note that the list does not include the Astor, as MG India has not yet announced the official ARAI fuel economy figures for the SUV.

10. Kia Seltos 1.4T – 16.3kpl

Being one of the first SUVs to be offered with a turbo-petrol motor, the Seltos produces 140hp from its 1.4-litre engine. Offered with either a 7-speed DCT or a 6-speed manual transmission, the average ARAI fuel economy figure equates to 16.3kpl.

9. Kia Seltos 1.5 – 16.65kpl

Similar to its rivals on this list, the Seltos is also offered with a 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, paired with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. At 16.65kpl, its average ARAI fuel economy is marginally higher than its turbo-petrol counterpart.

8. Hyundai Creta 1.4T – 16.8kpl

A cousin to the Kia Seltos, the Creta gets the same 140hp, 1.4-litre engine but only with a 7-speed DCT transmission. This powertrain set-up offers an ARAI-claimed fuel economy of 16.8kpl.

7. Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI – 16.83kpl

The brand’s first midsize SUV offering as part of its India 2.0 plans is powered by a 115hp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. Offered with both 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the Kushaq offers an average ARAI fuel economy of 16.83kpl.

6. Hyundai Creta 1.5 – 16.85kpl

The Creta too gets the same 115hp, 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that’s featured on the Seltos. However, the Hyundai SUV offers an average ARAI fuel economy of 16.85kpl across its 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

5. Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI – 17.83kpl

Taking the third spot is the most powerful variant of the Kushaq, which gets a 150hp, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor and is offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. The Kushaq 1.5 TSI showcases an average ARAI figure of 17.83kpl, thanks to the idle start/stop functionality that is exclusive to the top-spec Style variant.

4. Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI – 18.18kpl

A cousin to the Skoda Kushaq, the Taigun is also powered by the same 150hp, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol motor and gets the same transmission options – 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT. However, at 18.18kpl, the Volkswagen’s average ARAI fuel economy number is marginally higher than the Skoda. The top-spec Taigun also comes with idle start/stop functionality which aids in efficiency.

3. Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI – 18.23kpl

Taigun’s entry-level variant, which recently received an update that gave it idle start/stop tech, among other features. Therefore, its 115hp, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine now boasts of a 6 percent increase in its average ARAI fuel economy number, at 18.23kpl. Volkswagen offers this variant with 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.  

2 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid – 21.12kpl

Grand Vitara is one of the two latest entrants in the popular midsize SUV segment. Its 103hp, 1.5-litre mild-hybrid powertrain has a fuel efficiency of 21.12kpl with the 5-speed manual gearbox. This drops to 20.58kpl with the 6-speed automatic gearbox, and further reduces to 19.39kpl with the 5-speed manual paired to an all-wheel drive system. 

1. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Neo Drive – 21.12kpl

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder has a similar claimed fuel efficiency figures as its cousin from Maruti Suzuki, since they both share their mechanical components. Due to this, both mild-hybrid powertrains are tied for the top spot in this list. 

Which of the Top 10 most fuel-efficient midsize SUVs would you go for? Let us know in the comments.