Citroen C3 Aircross Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Turbo Petrol

The Citroen Aircross, formerly called Citroen C3 Aircross, is a midsize SUV that simplifies the lineup by exclusively offering petrol engines. The Aircross does not have alternative fuel options, such as diesel, hybrid, or CNG, as found in many competitors. Instead, the Aircross provides two unique petrol configurations – a 1.2L normally aspirated (non-turbo) petrol motor and a 1.2L turbocharged petrol motor.

That makes the mileage comparison straightforward, but still important. The naturally aspirated petrol is the entry-level option and is better suited for relaxed city use. The turbo petrol offers stronger performance, better highway ability and the option of an automatic gearbox.

Aircross is sold with newer, updated features such as two different seating layouts (5 or 7 passengers) and standard 6 airbags. The tested configuration is the 5-seat version, which received a Bharat NCAP rating of 5 stars for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection.

Citroen Aircross Mileage Comparison

The manual turbo petrol version offers an official mileage of 18.5 kmpl, making it the most fuel-efficient variant available. The turbo automatic variant returns 17.6 kmpl while the naturally aspirated variant gets 17.5 kmpl.

Also Read: Citroën C3 Aircross Variants Guide: Choose the Best Variant

What’s New in the Citroen Aircross?

The new model of the Aircross brings more than just basic upgrades to the market; the X version offers a higher level of features and safety equipment than before.

Some key updates include:

• 5 and 7-seat layout options
• Standard 6 airbags
• 5-star Bharat NCAP adult occupant protection score for the tested 5-seater
• 4-star Bharat NCAP child occupant protection score for the tested 5-seater
• 26 cm touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 17.78 cm digital instrument cluster
• 200 mm ground clearance
• Features such as ventilated seats, 360-degree camera and Cara AI on select variants

For those who prioritise fuel economy, there has been a significant change in the engine option choices as well. The natural gas engine provides a 5-speed manual transmission, and the petrol turbocharged engine provides consumers with either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Citroen Aircross Petrol Mileage

The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is the most affordable engine option in the Aircross range. It produces 82 PS and 115 Nm, and is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The fuel economy of this model has been certified at 17.5 km/l. This configuration makes it suitable for those who prefer to drive mostly in urban settings and want the lowest-priced option. While this configuration does not provide the maximum power, it performs very well for normal commuters as well as families with small children or who prefer to drive safely and leisurely.

The naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler in nature than the turbo petrol engine. It does not deliver the same punch during overtakes or highway climbs, but it should feel easy enough for daily urban driving.

Choose the naturally aspirated petrol Aircross if:

• Your usage is mostly city-based
• You want the most affordable Aircross variant
• You do not need strong highway performance
• You are comfortable with a manual gearbox
• You want simple petrol SUV ownership

If you’re looking to buy an Aircross but don’t want to pay the extra cost associated with having a turbo engine, this is probably the right choice for you.

Citroen Aircross Turbo Petrol Mileage

The 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine in the Aircross range is more powerful and versatile than the non-turbo engines, producing 110 PS. The amount of torque produced is determined by the type of gearbox you choose – 190 Nm for a 6-speed manual gearbox or 205 Nm for a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The turbo petrol manual has an official mileage of 18.5 kmpl, making it the most fuel-efficient Aircross variant on paper. The turbo petrol automatic has an official mileage of 17.6 kmpl.

The turbo petrol manual is a unique option because it outperforms and delivers more claimed mileage than the naturally aspirated petrol. The auto also provides convenience in city traffic areas.

The turbo petrol is better suited for buyers who regularly drive on highways, carry passengers, or want stronger acceleration. It feels more confident than the naturally aspirated petrol engine during overtakes and at higher cruising speeds.

Choose the turbo petrol Aircross if:

• You want stronger performance
• You drive on highways often
• You want a 7-seat option with better pulling power
• You prefer an automatic gearbox
• You want the best official mileage in the Aircross range with the manual

The turbo petrol manual has the highest fuel economy of the options, while the turbo petrol automatic is more comfortable to drive.

Citroen Aircross Claimed vs Real-World Mileage

The official fuel economy rating for each vehicle is a good way to help you compare them, but real-world fuel economy can differ considerably due to factors like traffic, air conditioning, braking, accelerating, number of passengers and type of road surface as part of your average driving condition.

For the turbo petrol versions, independent real-world testing gives a clearer picture.

The tested figures demonstrate that the turbocharged petrol version of the Aircross is significantly more efficient for use on the highways than for use in cities. This would be anticipated given that turbocharged petrol engines generally perform more efficiently at steady speed than they do in stop-start conditions.

For the naturally aspirated petrol Aircross, fresh independent real-world mileage data is not clearly available from the same level of testing. So it is better to use the official 17.5 kmpl figure while comparing.

Citroen Aircross Petrol vs Turbo Petrol: Key Differences

Also Read: Citroën C3 Aircross Running Cost Breakdown: 5-Year Service Cost, Fuel Cost

Which Citroen Aircross Should You Buy?

The Citroen Aircross mileage comparison is slightly different from most SUV comparisons because the turbo petrol manual is both more powerful and more efficient on paper than the naturally aspirated petrol.

If you’re driving mostly within the city and you want the lowest possible starting price, the naturally aspirated petrol manual is enough. It offers 17.5 kmpl official mileage and keeps ownership simple.

The turbo-powered petrol engines are your best bet for getting high mileage as well as good performance in an automatic or manual transmission vehicle, with an official mileage of 18.5 kmpl. The power you have with the turbocharged engine will give you a much more powerful and enjoyable driving experience. 

If you want an automatic SUV for daily use, choose the turbo petrol automatic. Its official mileage is 17.6 kmpl, which is close to the naturally aspirated petrol manual, but it gives you better torque and easier driving in traffic.

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