All Indian Mid-Size SUVs, Ranked By Mileage: Maruti Victoris To Tata Sierra
For most Indian car buyers, mileage plays a huge role while finalizing a car purchase. Currently, the most popular segment in India is the mid-size SUV segment, and today we have ranked all the SUVs in this highly competitive segment based on their mileage. These figures not just consist of the ARAI-certified mileage, but also the real-world mileage of each of these cars.
Currently, the segment champion when it comes to mileage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. The newly launched SUV with its 1.5-litre strong hybrid powertrain, which makes 116 PS and 141 Nm of torque with an e-CVT gearbox, offers a mileage of 28.65 kmpl (ARAI-certified). Meanwhile, the real-world mileage is around 22-25 kmpl. Then there is the 1.5-litre CNG with a 5-speed manual, which offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.02 km/kg, and in reality, it is around 22-24 km/kg.
Apart from these, the 1.5-litre mild hybrid powertrain, which makes 103 PS and 137-139 Nm of torque in the Victoris, offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 21.18 kmpl with the manual gearbox. Its real-world mileage is around 14-16 kmpl. The same engine with the 6-speed automatic offers a mileage of 21.06 kmpl (ARAI) and 12-14 kmpl (real world). Lastly, the AWD 6-speed AT variant offers a mileage of 19.07 kmpl (ARAI) and 11.78 kmpl (real world).
Now coming to the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, which comes equipped with the same 1.5-litre strong hybrid powertrain, it offers a mileage of around 27.97 kmpl (ARAI) and 22-25 kmpl (real world) with the e-CVT gearbox. As for the CNG version, it offers a mileage of around 26.60 km/kg (ARAI) and 21-23 km/kg (real world).
Coming to the 1.5-litre mild hybrid with the 5-speed manual gearbox, it offers a mileage of 21.11 kmpl (ARAI) and 14-16 kmpl (real world). Additionally, the 6-speed automatic gearbox offers a mileage of 20.58 kmpl (ARAI) and 12-14 kmpl (real world). Lastly, the same engine with the 6-speed automatic and AWD system offers 19.38 kmpl (ARAI) and 11-13 kmpl (real world).
The third vehicle on this list, which comes offered with the same exact powertrain options as the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Grand Vitara, is the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The mileage figures for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder are exactly the same as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The Hyundai Creta is the most popular mid-size SUV in India, and it has been the case for a long time. In terms of mileage, the 1.5-litre diesel engine, which makes 116 PS and 250 Nm of torque, offers a mileage of 21.8 kmpl (MT) and 19.1 kmpl (AT). Both of these are ARAI-certified mileage figures, and the real-world figures are 17-18.5 kmpl (MT) and 15.5-16.5 kmpl (AT).
Then there is the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which makes 160 PS and 253 Nm of torque and offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 18.4 kmpl. However, in reality, it offers 11-13 kmpl. Lastly, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 115 PS and 144 Nm, offers ARAI-certified mileage of 17.4 kmpl (MT) and 17.7 kmpl (IVT/CVT). As for the real-world mileage, it offers 13-14 kmpl (MT) and 12.5-14 kmpl (IVT/CVT).
Although the powertrains offered with the Kia Seltos are the same as the Hyundai Creta (except one—the 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a 6-speed IMT), the Seltos offers slightly lower fuel efficiency than the Creta. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 17.0 kmpl (MT) and 17.7 kmpl (IVT/CVT). In real-world driving, it offers 12.5-13.5 kmpl (MT) and 12-13 kmpl (IVT/CVT).
Next up, as mentioned, the only unique powertrain option is the 1.5-litre turbo petrol with the IMT gearbox, which offers 17.7 kmpl (ARAI) and 12-13 kmpl (real world). Then there is the same engine with a 7-speed DCT, which offers 17.9 kmpl (ARAI) and 11-12 kmpl (real world). Lastly, the 1.5-litre diesel offers 20.7 kmpl (MT) and 19.1 kmpl (AT) ARAI-certified, and 16-17 kmpl (MT) and 14.5-15.5 kmpl (AT) in the real world.
The Volkswagen Taigun is offered with the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Its manual version provides a mileage of 19.20-19.89 kmpl (ARAI-certified) and 14-15 kmpl (real world). Then there is the automatic version, which offers 17.23-18.46 kmpl (ARAI) and 11-13 kmpl (real world).
Additionally, this SUV is also offered with a more powerful 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, which only gets a DSG gearbox. Its ARAI-certified mileage is 17.88-19.01 kmpl. Meanwhile, the real-world range is 12.5-15.5 kmpl.
The recently facelifted Kushaq now comes offered with the same 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol, which makes 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque. This engine, with the manual gearbox, offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 19.66 kmpl and real-world mileage of 14-16 kmpl. Meanwhile, the new 8-speed automatic gearbox offers 19.09 kmpl (ARAI) and 11.5-13.5 kmpl (real world). Lastly, the 1.5-litre TSI with the 7-speed DCT offers a mileage of 18.72 kmpl, and the real-world mileage is around 12.5-15.5 kmpl.
Although Tata Motors has not officially revealed the mileage figures of the Sierra mid-size SUV, recently an RTI has reported that the SUV with the 1.5-litre diesel engine, which makes 118 PS and 260 Nm (MT) and 280 Nm (AT), offers a mileage of 18.8 kmpl as certified by ARAI. Meanwhile, the real-life figures range between 15-17 kmpl.
Also, the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which makes 160 PS and 255 Nm of torque and comes mated to a 7-speed DCA gearbox, offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 13.5 kmpl, which in real life offers around 10-11 kmpl. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which makes 106 PS and 145 Nm, has not been tested by ARAI, so there are no official figures for this particular engine. According to owners, it offers a mileage of around 14-17 kmpl in real-world driving.
The newest SUV in the market the latest generation Renault Duster is being offered with a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine. This engine is capable of producing 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque. According to the company, the ARAI certified mileage of this SUV with the manual gearbox is 17.75 kmpl. Meanwhile with the wet clutch DCT it is 18.45 kmpl. Currently, the real world figures have not been reported as deliveries have not commenced.
Apart from this engine, there is also a 1.0-turbo petrol engine which makes 100 PS and 166 Nm of torque and comes offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Lastly, there will also be a 1.8-litre strong hybrid petrol which will be on road by the festive season of this year. This hybrid setup will consist of two electric motors and a small battery pack making 162 PS and 172 Nm of torque. Mileage figures of these models have not been revealed at the moment.
Another very rarely talked about mid-size SUV is the Citroen Aircross. This SUV is offered with a 1.2-litre NA petrol engine, which makes 82 PS and 115 Nm of torque. According to ARAI, it offers a mileage of 17.5 kmpl, and in the real world, it offers 13-15 kmpl. As for the other engine option, it is a 1.2-litre turbo petrol, which makes 110 PS and 190 Nm of torque. It offers an ARAI-certified mileage of 18.5 kmpl (MT) and 17.6 kmpl (AT). Meanwhile, the real-world figures are 11.5-14.5 kmpl (MT) and 10.5-13.5 kmpl (AT).
The Honda Elevate is one of the most underrated mid-size SUVs in the market. It is offered with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which makes 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque. The ARAI-certified mileage offered by the Elevate is 15.31 kmpl (MT) and 16.92 kmpl (CVT). As for the real-world mileage, it offers 11.5-13 kmpl (MT) and 11-12.5 kmpl (CVT).
By now, you may have understood that the ARAI-certified mileage figures are a lot higher when compared to the real-world mileage. In general, there is a 20-40 percent reduction in the mileage figures. So, if someone wishes to achieve those figures certified by ARAI, the vehicle will have to be driven in an extremely conservative manner, and despite that, it might not be possible due to real-world situations and the erratic driving patterns of other drivers on Indian roads.
Additionally, you may have noted that the mileage figures for turbo petrol engine-equipped SUVs are very low. This is because those engines are designed for performance and not for fuel efficiency. Also, when it comes to naturally aspirated petrol engines, they offer slightly better fuel economy, but they are also capped at 15-16 kmpl.
Diesel engines still offer very good mileage figures and are best suited for drivers who have frequent highway usage and long-distance driving. Lastly, when it comes to the best fuel-efficiency-providing cars, the crown is held by strong hybrids. They are best suited for drivers who have to drive in heavy traffic and those who have to drive a lot