时间：2022-10-21 12:32:26
Petrol prices have been rising relentlessly and there seems to be no respite in either the short or the long term. In Mumbai, petrol costs an obscene Rs 76.40 per litre, while in Chennai it is Rs 75.40. Delhi residents have it a little easier with a relatively lower Rs 70.20. So, even saving that little bit on fuel can add up to a neat sum for frequent users. With the growing urban population burdening cities, distances to travel have increased and there is more traffic now than ever. It will be, in all probability, a one-way graph.
Saving fuel starts with the right car. It does not matter what price segment you want to buy from, there is a right choice for efficiency and we can help you choose the best. We will compare the ten best fuel-efficient petrol cars in various price segments and also add other vital statistics such as engine capacity, power, top speed and, of course, the price for comparison.
10 Top Fuel Savers
While Maruti clearly wins the first two price segments, Honda and Skoda find the best balance among the more powerful and expensive engines
Rs 3-4 lakh: Maruti rules the small car segment.
It’s a segment dominated by Maruti-Suzuki and, unsurprisingly, it’s the same engine that is powering most of these cars—the three cylinder 998cc K-series engine. But of the lot, it is the Estilo that manages the most kilometres to a litre. The Eon, which is significantly cheaper than the Estilo, comes in next with 16.7kmpl.
However, for a good balance between price, fuel economy and performance, the Ritz is the choice. The Estilo is based on the Wagon R and makes great sense for those who are on the verge of retiring and will not want to buy another car. Besides fuel efficiency, it is a small size car and therefore easy to drive (and park) and the visibility isn’t bad either. Moreover, in the higher VXI trim, there is an acceptable level of comfort equipment too, especially at the price it comes for.
Rs 4-6 lakh: Bigger and not poor on economy
Maruti continues its domination but, surprisingly, the Dzire is more efficient than the smaller Swift. Even so, the Swift has a case as it is cheaper and quicker. The Dzire also has a larger boot and more comfortable rear seats. Even though the Dzire is a bit slower, top speeds are identical and so are the features. Overall, given the higher economy and a better ‘feel-good’ factor, we would say it is worth the Rs 50,000 premium over the Swift. Next up is the Toyota Liva followed by its sedan version, the Etios. What makes Etios special is that it has a 1.5-litre engine (compared with the Liva’s 1.2-litre) and has better economy than cars that are powered by a 1.2-litre engine, such as the Fabia.
Rs 6-12 lakh: Smaller sedans lead the charge
The Honda City is the most efficient car of the lot here, followed by the Vento and the Jazz. In fact, for those looking for a balance of performance, price and fuel economy, the City is the best choice. It is the best selling petrol sedan for a reason.
Besides being efficient, it is also the most spacious in its class and has a good ride and handling balance. It is comfortable and the styling is pleasing. It has light controls as well. Most of all, there is no denying that the City has the highest snob value in its class.
We have two hatchbacks here as well, but both the Fabia and the Polo are powered by larger, more powerful 1.6-litre petrol engines. Another car that finds a bal- ance between performance and economy is the Linea T-Jet, but but it is also the most expensive car in the top ten list. We were surprised that the Verna finished eighth and even more so that the 1.6-litre version did better than the 1.4-litre engine.
Rs 12-25 lakh: Turbocharged and efficient Laura
It is extremely close in this price bracket with less than one kilometre per litre separating the top five. The Laura and the Civic have identical displacement and despite the Skoda being turbocharged and the Honda naturally aspirated, both have similar fuel efficiency. It’s the Laura that returns better economy on highways while the Civic is better in the city. The Laura is available in two trims, both manual transmissions. Of the two, stick to the basic version. The build is good and it is a comfortable drive on most roads.
Our recommendation, though, is the Superb, assuming you have the money. Among SUVs, the Outlander and the X1 have the same mileage despite the former’s larger engine and continuous variable transmission. The Outlander is also cheaper and is our choice if you are looking for an efficient petrol SUV.