Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Fronx petrol MT: Real world mileage compared

Both the Hyundai Venue and Maruti Fronx are available with naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engines with manual and automatic transmissions. However, for both cars, the variants with the naturally aspirated petrol engine are more popular. Not only do these cost less than their turbo-petrol alternatives, but they are smooth and efficient. So, between the Hyundai Venue 1.2 MT and Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 MT, which one comes out as the most fuel-efficient?

Explore full specs, features and a price breakdown in our Venue versus Fronx comparison.

Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Fronx petrol MT: Specifications and price

Engine sizes and their output figures are largely similar between these compact SUVs.

Both cars come with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1,197cc. They also produce their peak outputs at 6,000rpm. However, while the Fronx’s engine makes 2Nm less than the Venue’s naturally aspirated unit, it develops 7hp more at the crank. The Venue petrol’s peak torque of 115Nm comes in at 4,200rpm, which is 200rpm lower down the rev range than the Fronx’s. Moreover, its fuel tank can hold 8 litres more petrol than that of the Fronx, enhancing its maximum range when filled to the brim.

The Maruti Fronx petrol’s top-end Delta Plus trim with the manual gearbox costs just about Rs 5,000 more than the base-spec Hyundai Venue HX2. Meanwhile, the top-spec Venue is pricier than the Fronx Delta Plus trim with a similar powertrain by a steep margin of Rs 2.83 lakh.

Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Fronx petrol MT: Real-world fuel efficiency

The Fronx’s lower weight pays dividends out in the real world.

In the city, our testing revealed the Maruti Fronx to be 2.8kpl more efficient than the Hyundai Venue. Out on the highway, this gap grew by 5.1kpl in favour of the Fronx. In a combined cycle, the Maruti Fronx’s real-world mileage is 3.95kpl higher than the Hyundai Venue’s.

One of the primary contributors to the Maruti Fronx petrol manual’s better fuel economy is its lighter kerb weight, which maxes out at 970kg. In comparison, even the mid-spec HX5 manual variant of the Hyundai Venue petrol weighs 1,127kg, making it heavier than the petrol-powered Fronx manual by 157-167kg. The Fronx also features an automatic engine stop-start system, further reducing its overall fuel consumption.

Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the air conditioner and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.

Prices are ex-showroom, India.