Top 10 Fuel Efficient Petrol Cars in India in 2026

Fuel prices are stable as of now, but that does not deter most Indian car buyers from considering fuel efficiency as the number one reason before finalising a car. Until electric cars go mainstream, people have to rely on these fuel-efficient petrol cars, especially for city rides. In India, we do not have a culture of long rides, but that is changing fast, driven by the popularity of powerful SUVs. Here is the list of the top 10 Indian fuel-efficient cars that might not empty your wallet every time you visit a petrol bunk. The cars mentioned in the list below give you a minimum of 19.5 km per litre of petrol (ARAI figures). All the cars in the list are hatchbacks. Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the top-ranked vehicle, while the 10th position is held by Renault Kwid and related models.

The results mentioned below are based on the manufacturer’s claims, but we have also included mileage reported by users and experts who have tested the cars on Indian roads. One important point to consider is that the fuel efficiency results mentioned below are based on the manufacturer’s claims and expert tests and may vary when driven by individual drivers. If you want to achieve great fuel efficiency, you might want to consider the following points –

• Drive Sensibly (Lots of braking, rapid acceleration, speeding makes your car guzzle extra petrol)
• Drive under Speed Limit
• Avoid undue Idling
• Remove Extra Weight from your vehicle
• Keep Engine Tuned
• Tires should be properly inflated
• Only use the grade of motor oil that is recommended by the manufacturer

Top 10 Fuel-Efficient Petrol Cars in India in 2026

Below are 10 vehicles that offer the best mileage, powered by petrol engines.

1. Maruti Suzuki Celerio – 26 km/l

Maruti Suzuki Celerio was introduced primarily due to the fading popularity of the Wagon R and rivals taking up the space. With its introduction in February 2014, it has eaten into the sales of Wagon R and Ritz but has gained ground in the Rs. 4-5 lakh hatchback segment. There are 4 manual variants of the car and 2 with an automated manual transmission. The 1-litre K10B engine produces a peak power of 67BHP and a peak torque of 90Nm. The Hyundai Grand i10, Baleno, and Punch are the nearest rivals for this car. Buy this car for its mileage, price, after-sales service, and reliable brand. Do consider its drawbacks too when choosing the car, such as interior quality and exterior design.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Specs

• Engine: 1.0L K10C Petrol
• Power: 67 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 25.2 – 26.6 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 34.4 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 32L

2. Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 25.2 km/l

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is yet another entry-level hatchback launched primarily to take on the now-discontinued Hyundai Santro. It was one of the best-selling Maruti cars after the 800. It has been more than 20 years since it was launched, but it is still going strong. Wagon R is powered by a K10B engine that delivers a peak power of 68PS and a peak torque of 90Nm. The CNG version of the car accounts for most of the sales, but the petrol variant is losing its shine. Datsun Go Plus and Hyundai i10 are its nearest competitors. It is high time Maruti came out with an all-new version of the car or phased it out. Buy this car for its superior mileage, space, and low maintenance requirements, but have a close look at its interiors and boxy design, which might not appeal to many.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR Specs

• Engine: 1.0L / 1.2L Petrol
• Power: 67 – 89 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 24.4 – 25.2 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 34 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 32L

3. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 – 24.9 km/l

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 looks more like an upgrade of the Alto 800, but it is far better than the model it is based on in terms of styling and equipment. The interiors of K10 are new,, and all components have been redesigned compared to the previous model. A lot of enhancements like music system with USB, AUX abd CD player. The AC vents are redesigned too to give it a premium look. The 1.0 litre K10B petrol engine punches out a peak power of 67bhp and peak torque of 90Nm. Buy this car for its great mileage, price, features and interiors. Factors that might affect buying decisions include its limited boot space, small size, and cramped rear seats.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Specs

• Engine: 1.0L Petrol (998cc)
• Power: 67 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 24.3 – 24.9 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 33.8 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 27L

4. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso – 24.8 km/l

The S-Presso is a regular hatchback with a tall-boy SUV-like stance. This car, though, has very good fuel efficiency, but has lost nearly all its value in the recent past. Let’s see how long it will be in Maruti’s showroom.

The car is powered by the 1.0-litre K10C DualJet 3-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 67 PS and 89 Nm of torque. It has an ARAI-claimed 24.76 km/l with the 5-speed manual and 25.30 km/l with the 5-speed AMT. In the real world one can get around 18-21 km/l in city traffic and 22-25 km/l on highways.

What makes it so fuel efficient? The lightweight body (just 775 kg kerb weight), idle start-stop tech, and Maruti’s mileage-tuned engine mapping. The 27-litre fuel tank gives around 600+ km on a full tank. The car is priced between Rs. 3.50 lakh and Rs. 5.85 lakh (ex-showroom). It’s a perfect car for first-time buyers.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Specs

• Engine: 1.0L K10C Petrol
• Power: 67 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 24.7 – 25.3 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 32 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 27L

5. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 24.8 km/l

Maruti Suzuki Swift is the most popular hatchback since its launch in 2005, both as a new and a used car. The car underwent a minor facelift in 2011 and again in 2014. Not much has changed since it was launched, due to its popularity, which is not fading even after the introduction of numerous cars in the segment. The 1.2-litre petrol engine punches out a maximum power of 84PS and peak torque of 114Nm. Hyundai Grand i10, Renault Pulse, and Tata Bolt are its nearest rivals, but they are not able to challenge its supremacy as of now. The only drawback of the car is its small boot space.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Specs

• Engine: 1.2L Z-Series Petrol
• Power: 82 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 24.8 – 25.7 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 32.8 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 37L

6. Toyota Glanza – 22.9 km/l

The Glanza is nothing but a Baleno wearing a Toyota badge. It is all due to the Maruti-Toyota partnership. It runs the same 1.2-litre K-series DualJet petrol engine producing 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The official mileage for the car is 22.94 km/l. The CNG variant gives around 30.61 km/kg.

The car’s superior fuel efficiency is due to Maruti’s idle start-stop system. In addition, its lightweight Heartect platform and a fairly aerodynamic body add up. In daily Indian conditions, on the road, it gives a mileage of around 16-18 km/l in heavy city traffic and 20-22 km/l on the highway. It costs between Rs. 6.86 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh (ex-showroom). In addition, one gets a 3-year/1 lakh km warranty and Toyota’s highly reputable after-sales service.

Toyota Glanza Specs

• Engine: 1.2L Petrol
• Power: 89 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 22.9 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 30.6 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 37L

7. Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 22.9 km/l

The Baleno is one of India’s favourite premium hatchbacks for years, and a big reason is its mileage. It uses the same 1.2-litre 4-cylinder DualJet DualVVT petrol engine making 88.50 bhp at 6000 rpm and 113 Nm at 4400 rpm. The engine is mated with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. The official mileage is 22.35 km/l for petrol and 30.61 km/kg for the CNG variant.

The smart hybrid (idle start-stop) tech, low kerb weight of around 920-955 kg, and a slippery aerodynamic shape help the car achieve excellent mileage. Real-world mileage is usually between 17-19 km/l in mixed driving. The 37-litre fuel tank means fewer visits to the petrol pump. The car costs around Rs. 5.99 lakh to Rs. 9.84 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Specs

• Engine: 1.2L Petrol
• Power: 88 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 22.3 – 22.9 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 30.6 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 37L

8. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios – 21 km/l

The Grand i10 Nios replaced Hyundai Eon which was phased out in the fuel efficiency list. The car is powered by a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine producing 82 bhp at 6000 rpm and 114 Nm at 4000 rpm. The engine is available with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. The ARAI claimed mileage is around 20.7 km/l for the manual and 19.95 km/l for the AMT. The bi-fuel CNG variant gives around 27 km/kg.

Hyundai has worked on engine refinement in order to improve the fuel efficiency. It also made it a point that weight is reduced significantly to squeeze better numbers out of this hatchback. The decent aerodynamics and well-calibrated ECU help maintain fuel efficiency even in stop-and-go traffic. Real-world figures are around 14-17 km/l in city and 18-20 km/l on the highway. The car costs between Rs. 5.92 lakh and Rs. 8.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Specs

• Engine: 1.2L Kappa Petrol
• Power: 82 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 20.7 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 27 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 37L

9. Tata Tiago – 20 km/l

The Tiago is Tata’s bread-and-butter hatchback after Punch. It combines solid build quality with respectable fuel economy. The Tata Tiago has a 4-star safety rating for adult occupant protection from Global NCAP. That makes it one of the safest hatchbacks in India.

The car runs on a 1.2-litre Revotron 3-cylinder petrol engine making 84.82 bhp at 6000 rpm and 113 Nm at 3300 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. The ARAI mileage is around 19-20 km/l for petrol and a 28.06 km/kg for the CNG variant.

The Tiago’s mileage is all due to its compact dimensions (3765 mm length), low rolling resistance tyres, and Tata’s improved ECU tuning. However, the Tiago is heavier than its Maruti rivals due to its sturdier build. Moreove, 4 NCAP rating might not be possible without this built quality. Due to this the city mileage is impacted a bit. You can expect around 14-16 km/l in real-world city driving. The car costs between Rs. 4.57 lakh and Rs. 7.82 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Tiago Specs

• Engine: 1.2L Revotron Petrol
• Power: 84 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 19 – 20 km/l
• CNG Mileage: 28 km/kg
• Fuel Tank: 35L

10. Renault Kwid – 21.7 km/l

The Kwid was a game-changer when it launched and continues to be a strong mileage contender. The SUV type of looks in a hatchback was first introduced by Kwid. The car comes with two engine options – a 0.8-litre 3-cylinder petrol making 53 bhp and a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol producing 67 bhp at 5500 rpm and 91 Nm at 4250 rpm. The 1.0-litre delivers official mileage of 22.3 km/l with the 5-speed manual and similar figures with the AMT option.

Thanks to the featherweight construction (just around 770 kg kerb weight), small engine displacement for its mileage. SUV-inspired design too doesn’t compromise on aerodynamics. Real-world mileage in Indian driving conditions is close to 15-18 km/l. The prices of Kwid starts from Rs. 4.30 lakh and goes up to Rs. 6.39 lakh (ex-showroom). Kwid is one of the most affordable cars to own and run in India.

Renault Kwid Specs

• Engine: 1.0L Petrol
• Power: 67 BHP
• ARAI Mileage: 21.7 – 22.3 km/l
• CNG: Not available
• Fuel Tank: 28L

Best Fuel Efficient Cars by Use Case

• Best for City Driving: Maruti Celerio
• Best Budget Car: Alto K10
• Best Premium Hatchback: Baleno
• Best Safety + Mileage: Tata Tiago
• Best Value for Money: WagonR

FAQs

Which car gives the highest mileage in India?

Maruti Suzuki Celerio gives the highest mileage of around 26 km/l.

Which car is best for city mileage?

Alto K10 and WagonR are ideal for city driving due to their lightweight design.

Is ARAI mileage accurate?

No, real-world mileage is usually 10–20% lower depending on driving conditions.