Best Mileage SUVs in India

SUVs pretty much constitute the perfect segment of vehicles in India, as they are premium on space, features and performance. There is a lot that an SUV can offer, and you can choose from a plethora of options in the market. This ranges from a compact SUV or a sizable one based on utility, performance, space and practicality. 

Choosing one can be quite a task, but one important factor that could set your option apart from others is mileage. Manufacturers in India are constantly making sure that their cars are increasingly efficient and frugal, since fuel and maintenance costs are on the rise. Hence, it is vital you count on fuel efficiency as a deciding factor next time you buy a new SUV, as you see in the options below in this article. 

Best Mileage SUV Cars in India

Tata Punch

When you are looking for the best compact SUVs in India, you cannot look further than the Tata Punch. It packs in all the traits you will expect from an SUV – a tall seating position, ample ground clearance and a relatively strong build. Beyond that, its driving dynamics feel sophisticated like that of a larger car, it looks attractive and pretty well-equipped.

With a perfect 5-star safety rating, the Tata Punch comes ahead as one of the safest cars in the segment. In addition to safety, it is also premium on features, space and comfort. Powered by a 1.2L petrol engine, it puts out a fuel efficiency of 20.08 kmpl, thus making it a great all-rounder and an SUV with best mileage. It is a perfect blend of power, utility and practicality in a highly affordable package.

Tata Punch specifications:

• Engine: 1.2L petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual
• Mileage: Upto 20.09 kmpl
• Airbags: Dual Front Airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

This compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki has been around for a while now and post the much-needed facelift, it has seemed to boost its sales further. They have sold around 1.2 lakh units in 2023, making it one of the most preferred SUVs in India. The Brezza is a certified success for its highly frugal engine, value for money and its low maintenance and service costs.

On the inside, it includes a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4-speaker sound system, paddle shifters, ambient lighting and wireless phone charging. It is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol CNG engine which produces a reduced 88 hp and 121.5 Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual. It makes 25.51 km/kg making it one of the best mileage SUV cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L petrol CNG engine
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual
• Mileage: Upto 25.51 km/kg
• Airbags: Upto six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol/CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

 

Kia Sonet

Kia made waves in the Indian market by introducing a couple of SUVs at the start in the form of Seltos and Sonet. Sonet is the more affordable compact SUV in the house of Kia, it carries forward the brand’s vision on a strong foot. It is filled to the brim with premium features and it comes forth as a good-looking modern day SUV. 

The Sonet is a highly preferred choice for buyers who prioritise great value and a plush interior that is adorned with several segment-first features such as ventilated seats, BOSE sound system and a large 10.25 inch infotainment system. The diesel variant makes a healthy 24.1 kmpl and starting from Rs. 9.79 lakh, makes it one of the best mileage SUV in its budget.

Kia Sonet specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual/AMT
• Mileage: Upto 24.1 km/l
• Airbags: Upto six airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Mahindra XUV 3XO

The Mahindra XUV 3XO takes the place of its predecessor, the XUV300 compact SUV. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, the XUV 3XO brings an updated exterior and interior along with a host of improvements to challenge modern competitors.

Updates have also come to the engines as well, with the two turbo petrol engines and the single turbo diesel engine capable of putting out decent mileage figures. With claimed fuel efficiency of 18-21 kmpl, the XUV 3XO can easily be considered as one of the best mileage SUV cars in India.

Mahindra XUV 3XO specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual/AMT
• Mileage: Up to 21 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to six airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Volkswagen Taigun

The solid SUV from Volkswagen is one of the best-looking SUVs in its segment. In fact, the Taigun is also practical, frugal and comfortable, making it a perfect package. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, it gets premium seats and other features, and really impresses by achieving a 5-star safety rating.

The 1.0L TSI petrol engine puts up a commanding 115 PS and generates 20.08 kmpl, one of the best in its class. The Taigun comes fitted with a 10-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, 16-inch alloys and a reverse camera. The 1.0L TSI is available at a starting price of Rs. 11.70 lakh, so if you’re looking for an SUV with best mileage, you cannot go wrong with the Taigun.

Volkswagen Taigun specifications:

• Engine: 1.0L petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual
• Mileage: Up to 20.08 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Hyundai Creta

It’s no surprise that the undisputed king of the SUV segment shows up on this list. Over the past decade, it has been the hottest selling SUVs in the country and shines with great looks, premium interiors, spacious cabin and great practicality. With a fresher update, it is gearing up to continue its dominance in this segment.

It also turns out to be one of the most fuel efficient SUVs as well, fitted with a 1.5L diesel engine that churns out 116 hp, making a healthy 21.8 kmpl. The new 2024 Creta 1.5L diesel starts at Rs. 14.84 lakhs and it makes a great package, impressing with improved driving dynamics, sharper styling and a long equipment list.

Hyundai Creta specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual
• Mileage: Upto 21.8 kmpl
• Airbags: Upto six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda has pinned all its hope on the midsize SUV, and it gets a lot of things right, straight off the bat. It looks great, though a tad small, has a great set of engines and a good suite of safety features. It’s also comfortable and easy to live with and inputs out great performance when compared to its closest rivals.

The 1.5L petrol is able to churn out an impressive 150 hp and even provide a good fuel efficiency of 18.86 kmpl. The cabin is well spaced, has comfortable seats but misses out on some storage and boot space. The pricing is quite steep for the 1.5L TSI petrol which starts at Rs. 15.99 lakh, but it isn’t a stripped down version and gets things such as a 7-inch touch screen, and active safety features such as ESC and multi-collision braking.

Skoda Kushaq specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual
• Mileage: Upto 18.86 kmpl
• Airbags: Upto six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid

Coming into the fray as one of Creta’s serious rivals, the Grand Vitara Hybrid comes across as a well-packaged SUV with great value. The strong-hybrid unit includes a 1.5-litre petrol engine connected to a 48V electric motor, which churns out an impressive mileage of 27.97 kmpl. This staggering figure easily makes the Grand Vitara Hybrid the best mileage SUV in India that you can buy. It even comes with an e-CVT automatic transmission that eases the driving and smoothens the ride experience.

In terms of features, the Grand Vitara Hybrid is also well-equipped as it gets a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected car tech. Safety features include rear disc brakes, hill hold assist, 3-point seat belts and ISOFIX child seat mounts. The hybrid is available at a price starting at Rs. 18.33 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid specifications:

• Engine: 1.5L petrol strong-hybrid engine
• Transmission: e-CVT Automatic
• Mileage: Upto 27.97 kmpl
• Airbags: Upto six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Toyota Innova Hycross

Onto another hybrid on the list, the Toyota Innova Hycross has garnered great success within a few months and is renowned for its frugal strong-hybrid powertrain. The Hycross is here to carry forward the legacy left behind by Innova and continue Toyota’s dominance in the MPV segment. The seven or eight-seater people-mover is available only as an automatic, with either a petrol or a hybrid powertrain.

The hybrid set-up consists of a 2.0-litre petrol engine in sync with an electric motor mated to an e-CVT automatic, which delivers a mileage of 23.24 kmpl, making it one of the best mileage SUV in India. Positioned above the Innova Crysta, the Hycross is available at a starting price of Rs. 25.72 lakhs and is one of the best luxury people movers around.

Toyota Innova Hycross specifications:

• Engine: 2.0L petrol engine paired with an electric motor
• Transmission: e-CVT Automatic
• Mileage: Up to 23.24 kmpl
• Airbags: Up to six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 8
• Body Type: SUV

Summary

For an Indian consumer, mileage will always turn out to be one of the top priorities while buying a car. SUVs have generated great interest over the last decade with manufacturers stepping up in terms of creating a package which offers performance, comfort and utility. 

Nowadays, with different fuel options popping up, car makers have started to prioritise mileage as well in order to garner more customers. In this article, we have covered a wide array of SUVs starting with the compact Tata Punch, moving to the mid-size SUV king, the Creta, up till the premium Innova Hycross, which all offer incredible fuel efficiency. It is vital as a customer to look at these great options and access which offers the best package and value.