India's most fuel-efficient BS6 petrol cars

10. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios        20.7kpl

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios just makes it into this list with an ARAI-rated 20.7kpl for the 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to the 5-speed manual gearbox - the Nios with the AMT option has a 20.5kpl economy figure. An excellent all-rounder with a roomy cabin that delivers on its value for money promise (Hyundai Grand i10 Nios petrol prices range from Rs 5.05-7.67 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi), the Maruti Swift rival is definitely worth a close look.

9. Maruti Suzuki Ignis        20.89kpl

While the Ignis may not be the sales sensation Maruti hoped for, it is an underrated if expensive hatchback (for what is on offer) as prices start at Rs 4.89 lakh and go up to Rs 7.20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). A highlight is the 83hp/113Nm, 1.2-litre engine, which delivers an ARAI mileage of 20.89kpl in manual and AMT automatic form.

8. Maruti Suzuki Swift        21.21kpl

The Swift lives up to its name thanks in part to the sprightly 83hp 1.2-litre petrol engine that has an impressive ARAI fuel economy of 21.21kpl, regardless of whether it is mated to the 5-speed manual or the 5-speed AMT gearbox. As BS6 Maruti Swift prices range between Rs 5.19-8.02 lakh, it is understandable why this hatchback tops the monthly sales charts quite often.

7. Maruti Suzuki Celerio /Celerio X        21.63kpl

The Celerio and its cross-hatch counterpart are identical apart from cosmetic changes outside and in, which explains why they have the same 21.63kpl ARAI mileage for the 1.0-litre K10B engine that makes 68hp and 90Nm of torque. The 5-speed manual and AMT versions have the same rating too. Like most small Maruti cars, a factory fit CNG option (with a 31.76km/kg economy) is also available with the Celerio. The hatchback is now priced between Rs 4.41-5.58 lakh, while the Celerio X range comes in Rs 4.90-5.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

6. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso           21.7kpl

The S-Presso is typically small Maruti - it weighs relatively less, comes with a frugal and peppy engine and is well-priced for what it is. Considering it shares the 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine with the Celerio and Wagon R, it isn’t surprising that the S-Presso has similar ARAI efficiency figures. Interestingly, it is the higher-spec variants (which ride on 14-inch rims) that have a marginally higher 21.7kpl rating – the lower variants are rated at 21.4kpl. The Maruti S-Presso also gets 5-speed manual and AMT options, which are priced from Rs 3.71 lakh to Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

5. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.0                21.79kpl

Like most Marutis, one of the reasons buyers opt for the Wagon R are the economical engines. The tall-boy hatchback gets two units – a 68hp 1.0-litre and an 83hp 1.2-litre. The smaller engine is the slightly more frugal mill, delivering 21.79kpl to the 1.2-litre’s 20.52kpl. Both units get a 5-speed AMT too, which has the same ARAI mileage as the manuals. The 1.0-litre engine also comes with a factory-fit CNG option that is rated at an excellent 32.52km/kg. Another reason for the Maruti Wagon R’s relatively higher sales numbers is its price, which starts at Rs 4.45 lakh and goes up to Rs 5.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

4. Maruti Suzuki Alto                       22.05kpl

Maruti Suzuki’s smallest model is powered by a frugal 48hp 0.8-litre engine that has been certified by the ARAI to deliver 22.05kpl. While the Alto feels basic and has a cramped cabin, its low price (just Rs 2.95-3.90 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi), high efficiency and minimal maintenance costs make it a popular buy. There’s a CNG variant on offer (Rs 4.33-4.36 lakh) that has an equally impressive mileage of 31.59km/kg of gas.

3. Renault Kwid 1.0 AMT                  22.5kpl

While the Kwid comes with 54hp 0.8-litre and 68hp 1.0-litre engines, it is that latter that can go an impressive 22.5km on a single litre of petrol, when mated to the AMT gearbox. The Kwid 0.8 is nearly as efficient with an ARAI mileage of 22.3kpl, while the 1.0-litre unit with the 5-speed manual is rated at 21.7kpl. The third most fuel-efficient petrol car in India is priced between Rs 2.92-5.01 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

2. Toyota Glanza/Maruti Suzuki Baleno        23.87kpl

Badge-engineered siblings, Maruti Suzuki’s Baleno and Toyota’s Glanza, share the second spot in their mild-hybrid avatars with an ARAI-rated economy of 23.87kpl. Their powertrains comprise 90hp, 1.2-litre engines and also include an integrated starter generator and a 12V lithium-ion battery that adds in start/stop and energy recuperation functionalities, along with a (very) mild power assist. Considering the Glanza mild-hybrid is priced at Rs 7.22 lakh, thereby undercutting its Maruti counterpart (Baleno mild-hybrid prices range between Rs 7.33-7.90 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi), the Toyota is the most affordable mild-hybrid car you can buy today in India. Do note that both premium hatchbacks are also available with an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine that has an ARAI rating of 21.01kpl for the manual and 19.56kpl for the CVT version. 

1. Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT             24.12kpl

Besides the design changes and longer equipment list that came with the recent Dzire facelift, one of the most important changes was the 1.2-litre K12B petrol engine was replaced with the 1.2-litre K12C unit that comes with a start-stop function but not the dual-battery setup. The new Dzire is 7hp more powerful and more efficient in both, 5-speed manual (23.26kpl) and 5-speed AMT (24.12kpl) form, making it the most fuel-efficient petrol car currently on sale in India. Now priced between Rs 5.89-8.81 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Maruti Dzire is consistently on the best-sellers list every month, out-selling the likes of the Honda Amaze, Ford Aspire, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor.