As fuel prices rise and CNG or electric car options grow expensive or impractical for daily use, many Indian buyers still look for reliable petrol cars that offer great mileage without stretching the budget. While CNG and electric vehicles are popular, they’re not suitable for everyone. CNG is not available in all areas, and EV charging infrastructure is still limited in smaller towns. So, for someone who wants an easy-to-maintain, affordable and fuel-efficient petrol car, several models are still available under ₹8 lakh.
Let’s look at five such petrol cars that deliver excellent mileage, remain affordable, and suit city and highway driving alike.
1. Maruti Suzuki Celerio – India’s Mileage King
If you are looking for a hatchback that offers the highest mileage among petrol cars in India, the Celerio tops the list. Maruti Suzuki has designed this car keeping in mind the daily needs of middle-class families. It’s compact yet spacious enough for five passengers. The design looks simple, but it works perfectly for Indian traffic conditions.
- Engine: 1.0-litre petrol
- Mileage: 25.24 to 26.68 km/l (ARAI certified)
- Price Range (Ex-Showroom): ₹5.64 lakh – ₹7.37 lakh
- Best For: Families who want high mileage and low maintenance
Maruti’s trusted engine, light steering, and smooth driving make the Celerio a top pick. Its AMT variant is also pocket-friendly for those who prefer an automatic.
2. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 – Perfect City Car on Budget
The Alto K10 is known as India’s budget champion. With a small engine and light frame, this car delivers great mileage and is perfect for first-time buyers or small families living in cities. It’s also one of the most affordable cars in India with a peppy performance in traffic.
- Engine: 1.0-litre petrol
- Mileage: 24.39 to 24.90 km/l
- Price Range (Ex-Showroom): ₹4.23 lakh – ₹6.21 lakh
- Best For: College students, first-time car buyers, small families
Despite the low price, Alto K10 comes with a stylish design, smart infotainment options and Maruti’s strong after-sales service. It may not have a huge boot space, but it’s ideal for daily city rides.
3. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R – Practical Family Car with Space
Wagon R has remained one of India’s most sold cars for many years – and for good reason. It’s spacious, gives good mileage, and suits both short trips and long drives. The tall-boy design gives it a roomy feel inside, especially for tall passengers.
- Engine Options: 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol
- Mileage: 24.35 to 25.19 km/l
- Price Range (Ex-Showroom): ₹5.79 lakh – ₹7.62 lakh
- Best For: Families needing comfort, boot space, and fuel efficiency
Its wide body and upright seats make getting in and out easy for elderly people. With both manual and automatic options, Wagon R ticks many boxes for middle-class Indian buyers.
4. Maruti Suzuki Swift – Stylish Hatchback with Power and Mileage
If you want a balance of performance and mileage, Swift is a smart choice. Loved by the youth and admired by families, the Swift has been a top performer for over a decade. Its new design, peppy engine and smooth gearbox make driving fun.
- Engine: 1.2-litre petrol
- Mileage: Up to 24.80 km/l
- Price Range (Ex-Showroom): ₹6.49 lakh – ₹9.64 lakh (base variants under ₹8 lakh)
- Best For: Young drivers, small families, long-distance travel
Though the top-end variants go beyond ₹8 lakh, the base and mid-variants are within budget and offer all key features like touchscreen, dual airbags and good boot space.
5. Tata Tiago – Strong Build and Balanced Performance
Tata Tiago stands out for its solid build quality and modern features. With a 4-star Global NCAP safety rating, Tiago is among the safest hatchbacks under ₹8 lakh. It also gives decent mileage and is known for its strong road presence.
- Engine: 1.2-litre petrol
- Mileage: 19.01 to 20.09 km/l
- Price Range (Ex-Showroom): ₹5.00 lakh – ₹8.45 lakh
- Best For: Buyers looking for safety, design, and reliable performance
Tiago’s cabin feels premium for the price, and Tata offers better build and ride quality compared to many other budget cars. It also has optional CNG and AMT versions for those who want more variety.
Why Petrol Cars Still Make Sense Under ₹8 Lakh
While electric and hybrid cars are future-focused, most Indian buyers today still prefer petrol cars for several reasons:
- Lower upfront cost: Petrol cars are cheaper than electric or hybrid cars.
- No infrastructure worries: No need to worry about charging stations or CNG availability.
- Easy resale and service: Petrol cars enjoy better resale value and have a wide service network.
- Daily mileage: All these cars provide 19 to 26 km/l mileage, which is great for daily use.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Petrol Car
If you’re planning to buy a petrol car under ₹8 lakh, keep these points in mind:
- Purpose of use – Is it for city commute or highway travel?
- Seating capacity – Most hatchbacks seat 4 adults comfortably, but for regular long trips with 5 passengers, go for bigger hatchbacks like Swift or Wagon R.
- Service availability – Maruti and Tata offer widespread service across India.
- Safety rating – Cars like Tata Tiago have higher safety ratings.
- Manual or AMT – Choose AMT if you drive mostly in traffic conditions.
Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are ex-showroom and may vary depending on location and dealership. Mileage figures are as claimed by manufacturers; actual performance may vary with driving habits and road conditions.
