With soaring fuel prices, nowadays, a lot of customers seek to purchase fuel efficient vehicles. Currently, there are number of models that are present in the Indian automobile market spanning different segments like hatchback, sedan, SUV and MUV. So, it is quite difficult to pick five vehicles that can be rated as 'best' for their high fuel efficiencies. Here, margins are very stringent and names can also be debated, but nonetheless, we can always go ahead and make a list of top five fuel efficient cars that are loved by customers in the country. The top-five list will include names like Ford Classic, Chevrolet Beat, Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon.
Ford Classic is a sedan that boasts of a mileage of 32.38 kmpl as claimed by its manufacturer. Currently, customers can avail six models of this car namely 1.6 Duratec Petrol LXi, 1.6 Duratec CLXi, 1.6 Duratec Petrol Titanium, 1.4 Duratorq Diesel LXi, 1.4 Duratorq Diesel CLXi and 1.4 Duratorq Diesel Titanium. The price range of this sedan is between Rs. 5.64 lakh and Rs. 7.96 lakh. Notably, diesel variants are more fuel efficient as compared to its petrol variants for some obvious known reasons. The top-end variant, 1.4 Duratorq Diesel Titanium, is able to offer a mileage of more than 32 kmpl. This variant has a wheelbase of 2486 mm and ground clearance of 168 mm. It comes with a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres and boot space of 430 litres.
A high mileage along with a brilliant fuel tank capacity certainly means that this sedan can be easily taken for a long trip on a full tank. The diesel variants of Ford Classic are powered a 1399 cc 1.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, which has been mated to a 5-speed manual transmission system. An advanced common rail fuel system has been used in this engine to use every single drop of fuel and transform this fuel energy into pure propulsion. This performance oriented engine can churn out a maximum power output of 66 bhp at 4000 rpm and peak torque of up to 160 Nm at 2000 rpm. This sedan is also complaint to Bharat Stage IV emission norms, which means a low carbon footprint with lesser emission of greenhouse gases.
Chevrolet Beat is a compact hatchback, which is touted as ideal for city drives. This vehicle is also high on fuel efficiency with a mileage of up to 25.44 kmpl as per company's claims. The base price of this car starts from Rs. 3.91 lakh, which is pretty reasonable in light of value added features and decent city drive. A total of 5 passengers can sit in this vehicle. The diesel variant of this hatchback is powered by a 936 cc, 1.0-litre XSDE, 3-cylinder engine that can produce a peak power and torque output of 56.5 bhp and 150 Nm, respectively. This diesel mill is mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox for optimum performance.
Next in line of mileage would be highly compact and light weight vehicle Tata Nano. Due to its low price, this car has been tagged as 'people's car'. However, as against the expectations of its manufacturer, Nano has not been able to pull out sales in the Indian auto market. It is getting tough competition in the segment and Tata Motors is expected to launch its diesel variant to expand its customer base. This car is powered by a 624 cc, 2-cylinder, MPFI engine that is able to churn out a power of 36 bhp and peak torque of 51 Nm. Maximum speed that can be attained by this vehicle stands at 105 kmph. It offers a mileage of up to 25.4 kmpl. The price is something that many customers look for in Nano. Notably, price range of this car stands between Rs. 1.45 lakh and 2.2 lakh, which seems to be highly affordable.
If it comes to mileage and the name of Maruti Suzuki is not mentioned, then we are definitely up to big time public scrutiny. This auto major is known to introduce some of the finest vehicles in the country. But, here, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is something to watch out for. This compact hatchback is very popular among price sensitive Indian buyers and enthusiasts, owing to its high affordability and high fuel economy. The petrol version of Alto 800 gives out a mileage of up to 22.74 kmpl. With the use of CNG, the mileage can go up to 30.46 km per kg. With appealing exteriors and interiors, this compact car has wooed customers since its launch and the journey continues till date.
Hyundai Eon is yet another hatchback that is highly fuel efficient in the Indian auto market. This car comes equipped with an efficient iRDE technology. An 814 cc, 3-cylinder engine provided in this car has been specially tailored for Indian roads to deliver optimum power output and superior mileage of 21.1 kmpl.
