New Delhi: That glossy brochure promising 28 kmpl for your favourite SUV? Pinch yourself. A fresh ARAI vs real-world fuel-efficiency comparison has exposed the bitter truth: most Indian cars deliver 25–45% lower mileage once they hit potholed roads, traffic jams and AC-blasting summers.
The study, covering 50 top-selling models tested under identical city-highway cycles, found the widest gaps in premium SUVs and MPVs. The Toyota Innova Hycross petrol-hybrid, certified at 23.24 kmpl, managed only 16.8 kmpl in real conditions — a 28% drop. The Mahindra Scorpio-N diesel (ARAI 19 kmpl) returned just 11.5 kmpl, a shocking 39% shortfall. Even frugal champions like the Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid (27.97 kmpl ARAI) slipped to 20.2 kmpl in the real world.
Compact hatchbacks fared slightly better. The Swift petrol (25.75 kmpl ARAI) clocked 19.8 kmpl, while the Hyundai Exter (19.4 kmpl ARAI) gave 15.6 kmpl. Electric cars, however, shone: Tata Nexon EV’s claimed 465 km range translated to 380–400 km in mixed use — the smallest variance.
Experts blame aggressive lab testing (constant 26°C, no AC, feather-light throttle, zero idling) versus India’s stop-go traffic, 40°C heat, roof rails and five passengers. “ARAI figures are like cricket nets; real roads are the IPL final,” quipped an industry insider.
With fuel prices refusing to cool, buyers are now demanding “highway-tested” numbers on stickers.
Until then, the golden rule remains: whatever ARAI claims, quietly knock off at least 20–30% before calculating your monthly petrol budget.