A little over a month back, the Citroen Aircross midsize SUV was updated with new features and an ‘X’ moniker on higher variants in an effort to position it as a stronger rival to the segment bestseller, the Hyundai Creta. But with ARAI efficiency figures just 0.1kpl apart, which of the two midsize SUVs is more fuel-efficient in the real world? We dig through our data to find the answer to the question: Does the Creta CVT deliver better mileage than the Citroen Aircross AT in the real world? Here are the results:

Hyundai Creta vs Citroen Aircross X automatic specifications and price

Creta CVT and Aircross AT have similar ARAI mileage and starting prices

The Hyundai Creta uses a larger engine than the Citroen Aircross X and produces 5hp more, but the latter benefits from a turbocharged unit that delivers 61Nm more torque than the Creta’s naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, the Creta is 38kg lighter, which partly compensates for its lower torque. On paper, the Creta edges ahead in the power-to-weight comparison, but the Aircross X ultimately offers the stronger torque-to-weight ratio thanks to its significantly higher torque output.

In terms of ARAI-rated fuel efficiency, both the Creta and Aircross X are almost the same, returning over 17.5kpl with their respective automatic transmissions. The Creta does have an advantage in range, as it carries a 5-litre larger fuel tank, allowing slightly longer distances between refills.

A major difference emerges in the pricing of both SUVs. The Aircross X offers an automatic gearbox only on its top-spec Max variant, which is still priced Rs 39,000 lower than the Creta’s EX(O) trim, the most affordable Creta variant with the CVT option. 

Hyundai Creta vs Citroen Aircross X automatic real world mileage compared

Creta leads the Aircross by 1.57kpl in the real world

In the city tests, the Hyundai Creta CVT covers 1.71km more on a litre of petrol compared to the Aircross X AT. On highways too, the Creta CVT is more fuel efficient, returning 1.43kpl more mileage than the Citroen rival. This difference is also reflected in the average mileage of both cars, where the Creta leads the more frugal midsize SUV.

The Creta is also a clear winner as per the ARAI range, where it can be driven for 93km more before needing a refuel. One thing that should be noted is that the Creta comes with a 5-litre bigger fuel tank, as mentioned earlier. The difference between the Hyundai and Citroen offerings becomes more contrasting when the tested range is taken into account. The Creta CVT goes up to 136km more than the Aircross X AT in real-world conditions.

Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the aircon and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.

Prices are ex-showroom, India

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