The 290/L petrol price will make you consider the fuel economy of the car you are considering buying, especially if you prefer a low-running-cost model. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here’s the list of vehicles that will give you the best fuel economy in your budget, especially if you can’t afford a high-running-cost car; this listicle blog is for you.
Suzuki Mehran
Mehran, aka boss. It’s the most sold and most popular car in Pakistan’s history. If you’re thinking of buying your 1st ever car, your budget is low, and you know nothing about cars, Mehran is the #1 choice. Why?
It’s a simple car made for only one purpose: to get you from point A to B. There are no fancy goodies in this one, and the interior is minimal, with only the necessary items.
The majority of the functions are manual, including steering, windows, seat adjustments, and the boot opener, and hence no parts that could breakdown or malfunction. These features make it an excellent car for first-time buyers who know little to nothing about cars.
Pricing: 3-11 Lacs PKR (90’s models are very cheap, like Rs.3-4 lacs, while ending models are expensive, like 11-15 lacs, but Mehran in this range doesn’t make sense, so go with the 2012-2015 model if you want a good deal and in good condition)
Fuel average: 14-18 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 4,000-7,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Suzuki Cultus 1st Generation
Cultus is also a good hatchback. It can be a good option if you’re thinking of upgrading your car from Mehran. It’s a generation upgrade from Mehran and also offers better practicality and legroom, as well as a better performance engine. Some people recommend Cultus for first-time buyers, but we recommend going with Mehran first and then upgrading to Cultus.
The spare parts of Cultus are also more expensive than Mehran’s, with each headlight costing Rs.10,000-35,000 in the local market and the bumper costing Rs.5,000-18,000. However, its fuel average is pretty good in its league, enough to be affordable by a salaried person.
Overall, if you have a budget and are planning to upgrade from Suzuki Mehran, the Cultus 1st generation could be a good choice.
Pricing: 8-12 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 12-15 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 5,000-9,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Suzuki Khyber
Suzuki Khyber was discontinued in 2000 and replaced by its successor, Suzuki Cultus. The car was a popular car of its time. It is spacious, has a practical interior, and has many compartments. Power-wise, it is an excellent budget hatchback if you’re able to find a genuine one. If you manage to find a good-condition and genuine Khyber for six lacs, it’ll be a much better option than buying a Suzuki Cultus for 12 lacs.
However, in 2024, it’s very rare to find a genuine and non-accidental Khyber as it’s a very old model car. Most likely, you’ll encounter both restored and accident-damaged models, as well as genuine, never-restored ones that will require you to take them to mechanic shops. But still, it’s a great budget option to consider. This car is also very manual, with minimal to no electronics in stock, so maintenance is cheaper, and parts are also affordable, not as Mehran but cheaper than Cultus.
Pricing: 2.7-4.5 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 11-14 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 4,000-10,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Suzuki Alto 660cc
We know that the locally made Alto 660cc is no longer a budget car for 70% of the middle-class majority. However, if you compare its running cost and fuel economy, it’s the cheapest in the market. Its running cost is around 17 Km/l (our estimate, not authentic), including oil change, parts price, fuel cost, and tuning cost, and that’s the cheapest cost/run in the locally assembled car market, even cheaper than Mehran.
If you manage to find a good-condition 2019 or 2020 model with an 18-20 lac budget, it’ll save you a lot of money in the future. Even though it’s not a hybrid, it’s so efficient that its fuel average is close to some JDM hybrid cars.
Thanks to its thin tires, small wheelbase, lightweight body, and tiny 660cc engine, it is the most fuel-efficient car in the local market.
That’s also the reason why 70% of ride-hailing captains use Suzuki Alto.
Pricing: 16-18 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 15-20 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 3,000-5,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Suzuki WagonR
Suzuki WagonR also sounds like it’s a middle-class car, but it’s not. A 3.4 million PKR car is not a budget middle-class car. However, if you can find a 2017-2018 model WagonR for under 21 lacs, it’s a good deal.
First of all, WagonR has a superior fuel average in its 1000cc league, even better than JDM cars like Vitz and Passo. Additionally, WagonR offers low-cost maintenance, and being a Suzuki, its mechanics and parts network is not an issue.
The cabin is spacious, legroom and headroom are generous, and the AC performs well even on hot summer days, making it an ideal family car if you can afford it.
Pricing: 17-22 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 13-16 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 4,000-8,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Toyota Vitz
Vitz is a JDM Toyota, a better option than Japanese 660cc’s if you can afford it. The latest generation is no cheaper than 35 lacs PKR, far above the budget of average salaried professionals. So, we suggest you go with a 2004 model Vitz, which you can find for 13-19 lacs PKR.
I know it’s pretty old, but it’s a JDM. Once you make it mechanically sound, it’ll be a pleasure to drive, better than WagonR and Cultus drive quality. Its suspensions are very smooth, the built quality is solid, and the fuel average is also adequate. The AC works well on Vitz. The interior is practical, with a good amount of headroom and legroom, ideal for a small family.
Overall, if you manage to find a non-accidental and genuine 2004 Vitz, it’ll be a great deal!
Pricing: 15-20 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 13-15 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 5,000-10,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Older Generation JDM 660cc (like Mira, Otti, Stingray, Alto, Every and Mocco)
All these 660cc JDMs share the same platform, almost the same dimensions, engine, and performance figures, with some design changes and feature changes that vary according to their price tag.
No matter if you buy Honda Life, Suzuki Stingray, or Daihatsu Mira, all these 660cc JDMs have an excellent build, both interior and exterior, and engine-wise. Their small 660cc engine offers very good fuel economy and AC performance that is just up to the mark.
You can find older generations of these models in under 12-18 lacs for 2010-2014 models, e.g., Daihatsu Mira 2010, Suzuki Every 2012, Nissan Dayz 2013, and Moco 2010.
The design of these JDMs varies from person to person. All of these 660cc cars have almost the same dimensions, chassis, and engine specifications, with a few minor differences such as extra headroom, eco-idle feature, or a rear camera.
Pricing: 14-19 Lacs PKR
Fuel average: 15-19 Km/L
The average monthly maintenance cost without fuel cost (from our perspective) is 6,000-11,000 PKR, including oil cost, servicing, breakdown, etc.
Cultus and Khyber are reliable work horses.
Tabular and comparative form presentation could have explained better to reader.
Achi option ha ma bs smjna chah raha tha ap ny honda city LK6 ko q ni consider kia
What about coure, old models?
WHAT A SHITTY TITLE…..
Are salaried people poor? Or is it bad to be a salaried people?
By offering these cars you are ridiculing the
salaried class. I expect much better from pakwheels.
What a disappointing title.
Clearly Sounds like cars for poor salaried class. Come on pakwheels stop ridiculing the salaried people.
Passo Vitz Hybrid aur Honda
@Muhammad Ali So in your opinion suggesting someone Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Alto, Mehran and WagonR is ridiculing/mocking them? It clearly shows that in your POV cars are a status symbol. What’s so offensive in suggesting a budget car to salaried people and for your infomration, average income in pakistan is 30-50K, you can check the stats on internet as well. If your salary falls above the average salary, we’re not bound to write an exclusive article for you only. The salaried term means average salary and we’ll take average salary figures when writing this type of article. You should change your “Cars as a Status Symbol” mindset. What do you want, we should add Mercedes, BMW or Audi in this article? Do you think person with salary of 30-50K can afford 10+ million budget car? And if you know how maths work, we take average figures when referring to a large group like salaried people. And if you think suggesting someone a budget small car is equal mocking them, that’s an issue with your mindset.
@Muhammad Ali When in the article I’ve stated that salaried people are poor people? If you think only poor people can buy Toyota Vitz, WagonR, Alto and Cultus, then it’s an issue with your mindset because you think “Cars as a Status Symbol.” if you know how maths work, we take average figures when reffering to a large group of people like salaried people, and average slary in pakistan is 30-50K. What do you want? We should add Audi, BMW and Mercedes for salaried people? If a person can afford Mehran, it means he’s poor? Mehran is a form of transport and not a status symbol for anyone. But if you think that Mehran owner is a poor person, you need to change your mindset!