Which is the most fuel efficient hatchback sold in India?
Among the list of questions that are asked to anyone buying a new vehicle, the most popular one is "Kitna deti hai?". We have been a fuel efficient obsessed country for many years. And to take care of that, car manufacturers have been bringing more and more efficient offerings as the years go by. While some companies have opted for downsizing engines, the others are investing heavily on more efficient technology such as fuel injection, common rail and others for their powertrains. We have made a list of the most efficient hatchbacks that are sold in the country. These numbers are the claimed ARAI figures of the different hatchbacks on sale in India.
1) Tata Tiago diesel - 27.28kmpl
The Tata Tiago was aimed at being a more premium option compared to the ageing Indica. The hatchback got an all new design and a cabin that came loaded with features. The Tiago comes with a choice between three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-litre Revotron motor puts out 85PS/114Nm while the 1,047cc Revotorq diesel makes 70PS/140Nm. It is the diesel version that has a higher claimed efficiency of 27.28 kmpl. Both these engines come up with high compression ratios along with oversquare bore stroke layout that makes these motors offer higher efficiency.
2) Datsun rediGo/Renault Kwid - 25.17kmpl
The Renault Kwid and the Datsun rediGO are essentially based on the same CMF platform that is an economical as well an efficient architecture. Both the hatchbacks are powered by an all-new 799cc motor from by Renault. This unit makes 54PS/74Nm and has a claimed fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl. This motor makes use of plastics extensively. Components such as the oil sump and intake manifold are made out of plastic which help in making both the hatchbacks weigh lighter.
3) Maruti Suzuki Alto 800: 24.7kmpl
This one is clearly a no brainer as Maruti Suzuki has always been a brand that has been synonymous with the fuel efficiency. In fact, the tagline "Kitna deti hai?" was used extensively by the car manufacturer in one its advertisement campaigns. The Alto 800 is powered by a three-cylinder 796cc motor that puts out 41PS/60Nm. Maruti Suzuki claims that the Alto 800 delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.7kmpl.
4) Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 - 24.07kmpl
And it is not just the entry level Maruti Suzuki that has made it to the list. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 too is one of the most efficient options sold in the country. The Alto K10 comes with a 1.0-litre K10 that makes 68PS and generates 90Nm of torque. The efficiency of this motor was improved by 15 per cent over the previous model by tweaking the mapping with the ECU to increase the precision of air fuel intake. Additionally, the new drive by wire throttle body provides model precise information to the ECU. And more importantly, Maruti Suzuki made the new Alto K10 lighted by 15kg when compared to the previous model
5) Renault Kwid AMT - 24.04kmpl
A close fifth to the regular Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the Renault Kwid with AMT variant. While the tuning of the powertrain remains unchanged from the MT model, the Kwid AMT gets a slight drop in its FE figures when compared to the regular model. And we believe that is a result of the change in the transmission mode.
Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh
1) Maruti Suzuki Baleno diesel - 27.39kmpl
The Baleno is one of the premium offerings by Maruti Suzuki in India. The hatch comes with a choice between the 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engines. And it is the Baleno diesel that scores really high among its peers in terms of fuel efficiency. The power numbers, however, are not as high as that of the Ciaz and the S-Cross. The power deficit has been compensated by offering better FE than both the offerings. Maruti Suzuki claims that Baleno diesel delivers 27.39kmpl
2) Honda Jazz diesel - 27.3kmpl
The Honda Jazz is one of the popular products in the Japanese car manufacturer's portfolio. Honda offers two powertrain options in the Jazz that include the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. The 1.5-litre diesel engine makes 100PS/200Nm and delivers a claimed 27.3kmpl. And the reason for that is the all aluminium engine construction with low friction technology.
3) Tata Tiago diesel - 27.28kmpl
The base variant of the Tiago is positioned in the sub-Rs 4 lakh slab while the top XE (O) variant is available at Rs 4.47 lakh, ex-showroom. This makes it feature in the efficient cars sold in the Rs 4 lakh t0 Rs 8 lakh slab  as well.
4) Ford Figo 1.5 diesel - 25.83kmpl
Powering the Ford Figo is the 1.2-litre petrol motor that makes 88PS/112Nm. Whereas the 1.5-litre diesel engine generates 100PS and 215Nm. It is the diesel Ford Figo that makes it to this list. We believe Ford has worked around tuning the ECU by mapping it more towards fuel efficiency in addition to the impressive torque delivery. The Figo diesel also offers better drivability than the petrol model.
5) Chevrolet Beat diesel - 25.44kmpl
Chevy might have not had a smooth sail in the country however the company's Beat hatchback is one of the offerings to look at when it comes to fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet Beat is powered by a 936cc diesel motor that makes 57PS/150Nm. However, unfortunately, since Chevrolet has ceased its operations in the country, the Beat diesel would be available only till the end of the 2017.
Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh
1) Maruti Suzuki Baleno diesel - 27.39kmpl
2) Honda Jazz diesel - 27.3kmpl
The base variants of the Honda Jazz and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno are priced between the Rs 4-8 lakh while their more premium variants lie in the Rs 8 to 12 lakh bracket. This make both, the Honda Jazz as well as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno feature in this category as well.
3) Honda WR-V diesel - 25.5kmpl
The latest offering from Honda, the WR-V, shares its underpinnings with the Jazz hatchback. This one too like the Jazz uses an all aluminium diesel engine with low friction technology. Honda did state that the gearing of the crossover has been changed for better driveability. However the efficiency has gone down from that of the Jazz at 22.5kmpl
4) Toyota Etios Cross diesel - 23.59kmpl
The brand Toyota is also known to make efficient vehicles along with making them reliable. The Toyota Etios Cross is a crossover that is based on the Liva hatchback. It is available with 1.4-litre diesel, 1.5-litre and 1.2-litre petrol engine options. And it is the 1.4-litre diesel that comes across as the most efficient option among the other options. The diesel motor makes 68PS/170Nm and comes mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Toyota claims that the Etios Cross delivers a claimed efficiency of 23.59kmpl. And it is the common rail diesel unit with intercooler that makes the motor a lean offering.
5) Hyundai Elite i20 diesel - 22.54kmpl
The Hyundai Elite i20 is one of the popular premium hatchbacks on sale in the country. It competes with the likes of the VW Polo and the Honda Jazz. The Hyundai Elite i20 is available in 1.4-litre diesel, 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engine choices. The one that makes it to this list is the diesel model. This one makes 90PS and generates 219Nm. Hyundai had tweaked the engine mapping as well as improved the load management to make it more efficient than before.
Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh
1) BMW 1 Series 118d Sport Line - 23.26kmpl
The BMW 1 Series might not be the most preferred premium hatch because of its more appealing rivals. However, the 118d comes across as the most efficient hatch when you consider all options in the Rs 25 to Rs 50 lakh bracket. The BMW 1 Series diesel is powered by a 1,995cc 4-cylinder motor that puts out 150PS/320Nm of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic unit. The shift pattern of this unit, in addition to performance, also focusses on better fuel efficiency. There is also the Eco pro drive model that brings down the fuel consumption by a claimed 20 per cent. In addition, it also comes with start-stop technology and regenerative braking.
2) Mini Cooper D diesel - 21.25kmpl
The Mini Cooper is one of the most premium fun to drive cars in India. Though the Cooper petrol is clearly a more engaging choice, it is the diesel unit that scores more on practicality. The Mini Cooper diesel is powered by a three-cylinder 1,496cc motor that makes 114PS and 270Nm. The British car manufacturer states that the Cooper D delivers a claimed efficiency of 21.25kmpl. This one too comes with a eco mode to optimise the fuel consumption during regular driving.
3) Mercedes-Benz A-Class A200 CDI Sport diesel - 20.3kmpl
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the entry level premium hatchback that is on sale in India. This one comes with an engine choice between four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.Out of these two motors, the 2,143cc diesel engine comes across as a more efficient choice. And the reason for that is the injection pressure in the common-rail diesel unit has a pressure of 1,800 bar that is optimum for complete combustion states the company. In addition, it also comes with start/stop tech that temporarily switches off the motor when found idling for more than two seconds.
4) Volkswagen Beetle - 17.68kmpl
The only petrol model that features in this list is the Volkswagen Beetle. Apart from being an iconic car for the way it looks as well as the rich history it comes with, the Beetle also comes with an efficient 1.4-litre motor. Again the smallest of the lot. This motor puts out 150PS/250Nm and delivers a claimed 17.68kmpl states Volkswagen.
5) Volkswagen Polo GTI - 16.34kmpl
When you think of the Volkswagen Polo GTI, it is its sheer performance that comes to the mind. However, it also makes it to the top five when it comes to hatchbacks with less fuel consumption. Volkswagen claims that this hot hatch delivers a claimed efficiency of 16.34kmpl.