These 7 petrol cars under ₹25 lakh are the best for long-distance driving in 2025. If you travel long distances daily, whether for work or with family on weekends, a car that offers good power and fuel efficiency should be your top priority. With petrol prices hovering around ₹100 today, choosing the wrong vehicle can significantly impact your monthly budget. The good news is that within a budget of ₹25 lakh, there are several solid options available that offer a perfect blend of mileage, comfort, and performance.
7 Most Fuel-Efficient Petrol Cars Under 25 Lakh
1. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz - Best Budget Petrol Sedan Under 12 Lakh
The Maruti Ciaz is considered one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the sedan segment With its 1.5L petrol engine this car consistently delivers 18-20 kmpl on the highway, and easily achieves 14-15 kmpl in the city It also comes at a great price that won’t put too much strain on your wallet ranging from ₹9.3 lakh to ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Ciaz biggest strengths are its spacious cabin and comfortable seats If you travel 60-80 km daily, you won’t feel tired even in the rear seats It also offers a 510-litre boot space, which is sufficient for long trips Mild hybrid technology (SHVS) is also available further improving fuel efficiency.
However, it’s worth noting that the Ciaz design might seem a bit outdated in 2025. Features are also limited compared to competitors; the touchscreen and connectivity options are basic Maruti service network is its strongest point in India.
2. Honda City Premium Fuel-Efficient Sedan for Long Drives
The Honda City is a dream car for sedan lovers and its 5th-generation model is excellent in terms of fuel efficiency. Its 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine delivers 17-19 kmpl on the highway and provides a refined driving experience making long journeys comfortable It’s also budget-friendly, priced from ₹11.8 lakh to ₹16 lakh (ex-showroom).
The City boasts good build quality and fit-and-finish The cabin has a premium feel with high-quality materials and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels are very low meaning quiet for your ears and mind on long drives A safety suite is also available in the top variants, taking highway safety to the next level
It has slightly less ground clearance (165mm), so if your route has a lot of speed breakers or bad roads this might be a slight concern The CVT automatic transmission is smooth, but some people find it boring because the driving engagement is low.
| Car | Price Range | Highway Mileage |
|---|---|---|
| Maruti Ciaz | ₹9.3-12L | 18-20 kmpl |
| Honda City | ₹11.8-16L | 17-19 kmpl |
| Hyundai Verna | ₹11-17.4L | 19-21 kmpl |
| Skoda Slavia | ₹11.4-18.7L | 18-20 kmpl |
| VW Virtus | ₹11.6-19.4L | 18-20 kmpl |
| Toyota Glanza | ₹6.9-10.3L | 19-21 kmpl |
| Tata Nexon | ₹8.1-15.5L | 16-18 kmpl |
3. Hyundai Verna - Feature-Loaded Petrol Car Under 18 Lakh
The 2025 Hyundai Verna has become a complete package The 1.5L MPi petrol engine delivers 15-17 kmpl in the city and 19-21 kmpl on the highway in real-world conditions Priced from ₹11.0 lakh to ₹17.4 lakh (ex-showroom), the features it offers are far ahead of its competitors.
The Verna comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, ventilated seats, sunroof, and Level 2 ADAS features If you value technology and comfort this car is perfect It also comes in a Turbo petrol variant (1.5L T-GDi) which produces 160 PS of power.
Its DCT automatic transmission is smooth and compromises on fuel efficiency However it is important to remember that the turbo variant’s mileage is lower than the naturally aspirated one (12-14 kmpl in the city), so if mileage is your top priority the MPi engine will be better.
Hyundai service costs are slightly higher compared to Maruti but it comes with a 3-year/unlimited km warranty.
4. Skoda Slavia European Meets Indian Roads
The Skoda Slavia is a strong contender in the premium segment The 1.0L TSI petrol engine delivers excellent mileage easily achieving 18-20 kmpl on the highway and you can expect 13-15 kmpl in the city The pricing is also perfect compared to other cars in its segment Prices start from ₹11.4 lakh and go up to ₹18.7 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top model variants.
The Slavia has solid build quality the thud sound when closing the doors itself gives a premium feel The handling dynamics are excellent, and highway stability is top-notch If you are a driving enthusiast and want both mileage and driving pleasure this car offers the perfect balance.
The 6-speed automatic transmission is responsive and feels quite impressive even in manual mode.
It offers a ground clearance of 179mm, which is good for Indian roads. However, Skoda service costs are slightly higher than mass-market brands and the dealership network is also limited which might be a problem in smaller cities.
5. Volkswagen Virtus: Slavia Twin Brother Same Benefits
The Volkswagen Virtus is technically the twin of the Skoda Slavia you could say they are brothers Both are built on the same platform have the same engines, and almost the same features It also comes with the 1.0L TSI engine, which delivers similar mileage of 18-20 kmpl on the highway and 13-15 kmpl in the city
The price is also similar, with only minor differences The price starts from ₹11.6 lakh and goes up to ₹19.4 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top variants.
The Virtus has a slightly different design than the Slavia and some people consider it superior The interior quality is premium, the touchscreen interface is user-friendly, and the connectivity features are modern The cabin space is good and rear passengers get comfortable legroom It’s best for daily commutes of 70-80 km.
6. Toyota Glanza The Premium Cousin of Maruti Baleno
The Toyota Glanza is technically a version of the Maruti Baleno, but with the Toyota badge you get a better warranty and peace of mind The 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers 19-21 kmpl on the highway and 15-17 kmpl in the city Its price is also similar to the Baleno starting from ₹6.9 lakh to 10.3 lakh (ex-showroom), making it budget-friendly.
The Glanza is a compact hatchback SUV that is perfect for the city but also feels stable on the highway due to its good suspension tuning The fuel tank is 37 litres, giving a range of 600-700 km on a single fill perfect for weekend trips Mild hybrid technology is also available except for the CNG variant.
The drawback is that the cabin space is limited if you regularly travel with 4-5 people rear passengers might feel a bit cramped on long journeys.
The boot space is also average (318 litres). Features are also basic safety features are standard, but premium features are limited even in the top variant However, Toyota reliability and low maintenance costs make it an attractive option.
7. Tata Nexon Compact SUV
If you prefer an SUV body style and also want fuel efficiency the Tata Nexon is a practical choice It comes with a 1.2L Revotron petrol engine that delivers 16-18 kmpl on the highway and 12-14 kmpl in the city which is impressive for a compact SUV The price is also impressive starting from ₹8.1 lakh and going up to 15.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top model variants.
Nexon strongest USP is its 5-star Global NCAP safety rating This is a rare achievement among Indian cars It has a ground clearance of 209mm, which is excellent for Indian roads The cabin also gives a premium feel it can be called a feature-loaded SUV (especially in the top variants), and the build quality feels solid The higher seating position provides confidence while driving, especially on long distance journeys.
Final Verdict
These 7 petrol cars under ₹25 lakh are the best for long-distance driving in 2025. Every car has its own strengths and weaknesses so the decision depends on your specific needs If mileage is your priority and you have a tight budget, then the Maruti Ciaz or Toyota Glanza are safe choices with low maintenance high reliability and an excellent service network.
If you want a premium feel and modern features without compromising much on mileage, then the Honda City or Hyundai Verna are the best options.
For driving enthusiasts who want performance along with efficiency the Skoda Slavia or VW Virtus are ideal but be prepared for higher ownership costs And if an SUV body style with safety as a priority is what you’re looking for then the Tata Nexon is a solid practical choice that confidently handles even rough Indian roads.
An important tip: Before finalising any car always take an extended test drive, especially on the highway Looking at features in the showroom is one thing but only by driving continuously for 60-70 km in real-world conditions will you know if the car is comfortable for you or not.