Here is a list of the Top 10 fuel efficient cars in India, based on their ARAI-rated economy claims. Note that only petrol and diesel passenger cars were included for this story.
1. 2014 Honda City Diesel - 26 kmpl
When the new Honda City diesel went on sale earlier this year, it took the crown of India's most fuel efficient car from its smaller sibling, the Honda Amaze. Though both cars use the same 1.5-liter i-DTEC engine, the City gets a 6-speed gearbox, and pips the Amaze by 0.2 km/l. The ARAI rated efficiency of the City diesel stands at 26 km/l.
2. Honda Amaze Diesel - 25.8 kmpl
The Honda Amaze diesel is the second most fuel efficient car in India with an ARAI rated claim of 25.8 km/l. The Amaze was the first diesel car for Honda in India, and introduced the 1.5-liter i-DTEC engine. Where the City uses the same engine with a 6-speed gearbox, the Amaze uses a 5-speed transmission.
3. Chevrolet Beat Diesel - 25.44 kmpl
With an ARAI rated claim of 25.44 km/l, the Chevrolet Beat comes third in the list of top fuel efficient cars in India. The 936 cc three-cylinder diesel engine makes the Beat the smallest diesel car in India (in terms of engine displacement). The motor is good for 58.5 PS and 150 Nm of torque. At the Auto Expo this year, GM India launched the refreshed Beat which saw minor cosmetic changes.
4. Tata Nano Twist - 25.40 kmpl
The Nano Twist takes fourth spot in this list with an ARAI-rated claim of 25.4 km/l. The Nano is the only petrol powered car in this list, as the small and lightweight car proves to be fuel efficient thanks to its twin-cylinder 624 cc engine paired to a 4-speed manual transmission. It remains to be seen whether the Twist F-Tronic with the 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) is as fuel efficient as its manual counterpart.
5. 2014 Ford Fiesta Facelift - 25.01 kmpl
Launched last week, the refreshed Fiesta has an ARAI claimed 25.01 km/l, thus clinching the fifth spot in this list. Compared to the pre-facelifted model's 23.05 km/l, the refreshed Fiesta, thanks to an engine remap and a more aerodynamic styling, is able to achieve more to the liter of diesel.
6. Tata Indigo eCS/Tata Indica CR4 - 25.0 kmpl
The Indigo eCS and Indica powered by the 1,396 cc CR4 diesel engine are able to deliver 25 km/l. The engine produces 70 PS and 140 Nm of torque on these cars, and complies to BS4 norms.
7. Tata Nano - 25.0 kmpl
Taking seventh spot is the regular version of the Tata Nano, which despite being powered by the same 624 cc twin-cylinder engine manages 'only' 25 km/l in the ARAI test. The regular Nano is devoid of power steering, but is offered in a wider range of three variants. Production of the Nano has come to a halt at the Sanand plant, as Tata is going in for a retooling process to make the refreshed Nano.
8. Hyundai Xcent Diesel - 24.4 kmpl
With an ARAI rated figure of 24.4 km/l, the Hyundai Xcent takes eighth place in this list. The Xcent was launched in India earlier this year and is based on the Grand i10 hatchback. The Xcent diesel is powered by a three-cylinder 1.1-liter engine which outputs 72 PS and 184 Nm of torque.
9. Hyundai Grand i10 Diesel - 24 kmpl
Using the same engine as the Xcent, the Grand i10 achieves 24 km/l to become the ninth most efficient car in the country. The hatchback, though weighing less, delivers lesser economy than its sedan sibling.
10. Toyota Etios Diesel variants - 23.59 kmpl
The tenth place is taken by the Toyota Etios which has an ARAI rated claim of 23.59 km/l. All three cars (Liva, Cross and Etios) are powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder diesel engine which makes 68 PS and 170 Nm of torque. The same engine is also used in the newly launched Toyota Corolla.
