Mileage has become an increasingly important consideration for SUV buyers in India. While SUVs were traditionally associated with higher fuel consumption because of their larger dimensions and heavier construction, the latest generation of compact SUVs, CNG models and strong-hybrid SUVs have changed that equation significantly.

Based on the official fuel-economy figures provided by the respective manufacturers, here are the seven best mileage SUVs currently on sale in India. The ranking considers the most efficient powertrain available with each model.Attention Readers! Join us on our WhatsApp Community for daily auto news updates.

Best Mileage SUVs In India: Maruti Suzuki Victoris (28.65 km/l)

The relatively new Maruti Suzuki Victoris takes the top spot in this ranking, with its strong-hybrid powertrain.

The Victoris strong hybrid uses a 1.5-litre M15D-FXE three-cylinder NA petrol engine paired with an electric motor and e-CVT. With an ARAI-certified mileage of 28.65 km/l, the Victoris strong hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV in the company’s current line-up and also the most efficient SUV currently on sale in India. The engine develops 91 bhp and 122 Nm of torque, while the hybrid system contributes 78.9 bhp and 141 Nm of torque.

The Victoris strong hybrid range starts at Rs. 19.48 lakh (VXi 2WD) on-road in Mumbai.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx (28.51 km/kg)

The Maruti Fronx is one of India’s most efficient sub-compact SUVs, thanks to its factory-fitted S-CNG powertrain. The Fronx S-CNG uses a 1.2-litre K-Series NA petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. It has an ARAI-certified mileage of 28.51 km/kg, which puts it just behind the Victoris strong hybrid in this ranking. The Fronx’s CNG powertrain develops 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm of torque in petrol mode, and 76.4 bhp and 98.5 Nm of torque in CNG mode.

The Fronx CNG range starts at Rs. 9 lakh (Sigma) on-road in Mumbai.

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Toyota Taisor (28.50 km/kg)

This is not surprising, given that the Urban Cruiser Taisor is essentially Toyota’s version of the Fronx. Since they are mechanically similar, the Taisor’s CNG powertrain is also its most fuel-efficient, with an ARAI-certified mileage of 28.50 km/kg. Like its sibling, the Taisor is also not available with an automatic (AT) CNG variant.

The Taisor CNG is available in a single E variant, priced at Rs. 9.68 lakh on-road in Mumbai.

Best Mileage SUVs In India: Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara (27.97 km/l)

Much like the Victoris, the Maruti Grand Vitara remains one of India’s most fuel-efficient SUVs, since both cars are mechanically identical. The Vitara strong hybrid also uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine paired with an electric motor and e-CVT. It has an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.97 km/l. The engine develops 91 bhp and 122 Nm of torque. The hybrid system also contributes 78.9 bhp and 141 Nm of torque.

The Grand Vitara strong hybrid range starts at Rs. 19.77 lakh (Delta Plus 2WD) on-road in Mumbai.

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Toyota Hyryder (27.97 km/l)

Once again, like the Fronx and Taisor, the car right behind the Grand Vitara is its Toyota sibling, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. Since both are mechanically similar, the Hyryder’s strong hybrid powertrain is also its most fuel-efficient, with an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.97 km/l.

The Hyryder strong hybrid range starts at Rs. 20.35 lakh (S 2WD) on-road in Mumbai.

Hyundai Exter (27.1 km/kg)

The Hyundai Exter brings CNG technology to the more affordable end of India’s SUV market. Its CNG powertrain pairs a 1.2-litre NA petrol engine with a five-speed manual gearbox, with an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.1 km/kg (CNG mode). The powertrain develops 67.7 bhp and 95.2 Nm of torque in CNG mode, and 81.8 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque in petrol mode. One of the biggest highlights of the Exter is Hyundai’s Hy-CNG setup, which uses a dual-tank arrangement under the boot floor and frees up significant boot space.

The Exter CNG range starts at Rs. 8.10 lakh (HX 2) on-road in Mumbai.

Best Mileage SUVs In India: Maruti Suzuki Brezza (25.51 km/kg)

Rounding off the list is the recently updated Maruti Suzuki Brezza. Its factory-fitted CNG powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre K-Series NA petrol engine with a single underbody CNG tank. The powertrain comes with an ARAI-certified mileage of 25.51 km/kg. It delivers 101.6 bhp and 139 Nm of torque in petrol mode, and 86.6 bhp and 121.5 Nm of torque in CNG mode. Like the Exter, the Brezza CNG also benefits from an underbody tank, which frees up the boot.

The Brezza CNG range starts at Rs. 10.68 lakh (LXi) on-road in Mumbai.

Note: CNG efficiency is measured in km/kg, while petrol and hybrid efficiency is measured in km/l. Therefore, these figures are not directly comparable on an energy-consumption basis. This ranking is based only on the official numerical fuel-economy figures.

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