With rising fuel prices in India, fuel efficiency has become an even bigger concern as it were a few years ago. Moreover, a few months back, diesel prices had surpassed that of petrol, making the whole point of purchasing a diesel vehicle obsolete.
However, things are back in track now in Delhi, as taxes have been lowered on the oil burner. But petrol still remains to be equally expensive at it was before the said period. Therefore, we gather around and made a list of the most frugal SUVs – for both petrol and diesel powertrains – since SUVs are the most popular body type in this era, and, to everyone’s surprise, these high riding vehicles are not quite as fuel-efficient as others.
Starting with the smaller of SUVs, here are 5 most frugal ones you’ll find in the Indian market. Read on.
1.     Kia Sonet
The newest entrant in this segment is also the most fuel-efficient SUV in the country. This was given considering the Kia Sonet is, after all, a compact sub-4m SUV. However, even in its own segment, the Kia has dethroned all of its rivals in this department. It is available with three different engines and two automatic powertrains, along with a clutchless manual option, so bear with us the long list of following numbers. The least efficient in the Kia Sonet range is the 1.0-litre T-GDI engine combined with the iMT gearbox, rated at 18.2km/l. It is followed closely by the same engine, but with the DCT gearbox at 18.3km/l and the less exciting 1.2-litre petrol engine at 18.4km/l. Next lies the 1.5-litre diesel with the torque converter auto box, at 19km/l. Lastly, the diesel engine combined with a 6-speed manual returns 24.1km/l.
2.     Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai cars shares its underpinnings with the Kia Sonet, but even though it is a tad bit smaller than the Kia, it still grabs the second spot in this comparison. So, the list here is going to be mostly identical here. Let’s begin with the least efficient of the lot, which is the 1.2-litre petrol engine combines with the 5-speed manual, rated at 17.52km/l. The 1.0-litre T-GDI engine, then, returns 17.8km/l combined with the iMT gearbox, 18.15km/l combined with the DCT gearbox, and 18.2km/l in combination with a 6-speed manual. The 1.5-litre diesel engine, on the other hand, is rated to deliver 23.4km/l with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
3.     Tata Nexon
The Tata cars lies close behind the Hyundai Venue, which almost respectable fuel numbers as its rival. The Nexon was updated earlier this year with a new face, slightly revised interiors, and a better equipment list. Unlike its Korean rivals, it only comes with two engine options, with both getting a set of an AMT as well as a manual gearbox. The least efficient here is the 1.2-litre petrol combined with the AMT gearbox, which is rated at 16km/l, followed by the same engine with the manual transmission, at 17.4km/l. The diesel engine returns an identical 22.4km/l irrespective of the gearbox.
4.     Hyundai Creta
Despite being a mid-size SUV, the Creta still has better overall efficiency numbers than most compact SUVs. This also explains why it is the most-selling mid-size SUV in the country. The 1.5-litre petrol, when combined with the 6-speed manual or the CVT automatic returns an identical 17km/l. The 1.4-litre engine in combination with the DCT gearbox, too, returns the same figures. The diesel engine delivers 19km/l when combined with the torque converter automatic and a class-leading 21km/l when combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
5.     Kia Seltos
Despite sharing its platform and engines with the Creta, the Seltos falls just a bit behind in terms of fuel efficiency numbers. It, too, comes powered by the same set of engines, but get an extra gearbox. While the 1.5-litre petrol engine delivers 16.5km/l and 16.8km/l when combined with the CVT automatic and 6-speed manual, respectively. The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, in combination with the 6-speed manual, is rated at 16.1km/l. Meanwhile, it is rated at 16.5km/l for the 1.4-litre DCT combination. The 1.5-litre diesel engine, lastly, delivers 18km/l in combination with a torque converter automatic and a respectable 20km/l in tandem with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
