Cheapest Diesel Cars in India - Price, Mileage, Specification

There was a time not too long ago, when people sought the cheapest diesel cars in India. After all, achieving loads of torque for effortless mile munching and exceptional fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving was a win-win situation for everyone. Apart from SUVs and sedans, even entry-level compact hatchbacks sold their diesel variants in large numbers, with almost every carmaker investing heavily in diesel technology. 

However, the automotive industry witnessed a paradigm shift after the COVID-19 pandemic broke down in 2020. Several rules and chapters in the book of the world of automobiles were rewritten. Stricter government policies and approaches of car companies towards other possibilities made diesel cars lose their appeal. At one point, carmakers were in a rivalry to offer the cheapest diesel cars in India, And now, they are giving the least priority to diesel cars. Not only this, the advent and mass production of electric vehicles has further added to the worsening situation for diesel cars.

This drastic shift towards electric mobility and sudden decline in the sales of diesel cars has made finding a diesel car at low price points a daunting task for traditional diesel car buyers. The sales of hatchbacks and sedans have predominantly shifted to only petroland other fuel tyes. However, a huge chunk of sub-compact and premium compact SUV buyers still prefer diesel engines for their efficiency and effortless mile munching.

Based on our research, we are listing the cheapest diesel cars in India, with most of them being MUVs and SUVs. However, the crown of the cheapest diesel car in India still goes to a hatchback, which is now the only diesel hatchback you can buy in the country today:

1. Kia Seltos

One of the highest-selling premium compact SUVs, the Kia Seltos climbed the ladders of success faster than one could imagine. Apart from its extensive features list, the wide choice of powertrains is a prime factor behind the massive sales success of Seltos. Among the three engine options, the 1.5-litre diesel engine gives it an upper hand over its rivals, as almost all of them have gone the petrol-only way. Along with the Hyundai Creta, with which it shares its underpinnings, the Kia Seltos is the only diesel-powered premium compact SUV in India.

Kia Seltos Key Specifications

Kia Seltos Key Features

2. Mahindra Bolero Neo+

The Mahindra TUV300 Plus has come back in the form of the Bolero Neo+, just like its smaller version, the Bolero Neo, which is a rebranded version of the TUV300. The Mahindra Bolero Neo+ is essentially a longer version of the Bolero Neo, with extended rear overhangs to accommodate the side-facing seats. This unique configuration of 2+2 side-facing seats for its third row makes the Mahindra Bolero Neo+ a practical and versatile transportation option. It is one of those rare products which only comes with a diesel powertrain.

Mahindra Bolero Neo+ Key Specifications

Mahindra Bolero Neo+ Key Features

3. Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar came in as a niche lifestyle off-roader, but despite its relatively less practical three-door design, its demand has skyrocketed. The Thar was initially launched with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, with the latter forming a larger chunk of sales. The wide success of the diesel Thar encouraged Mahindra to introduce a rear-wheel drive version of the SUV with a smaller diesel engine to bring the entry pricing even lower. While the rear-wheel drive limits the off-road worthiness, the smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine offers a similar torque output as the larger 2.2-litre diesel engine, making it significantly more potent.

Mahindra Thar Key Specifications

Mahindra Thar Key Features

4. Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue might not be the most up-to-date sub-compact SUV among its direct competitors, however, buyers still seem inclined towards the Venue for several reasons the option of a diesel engine in its variant lineup being one of them. Hyundai’s diesel engines have been traditionally known for their refinement and strong power delivery, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine of the Venue is no different. After the BS6 stage-II update, this diesel engine claims even better performance and efficiency figures while still being the benchmark in refinement among sub-compact diesel SUVs.

Hyundai Venue Key Specifications

Hyundai Venue Key Features

5. Tata Nexon

Tata has upped the ante in the passenger vehicle segment in recent years, and much of the credit goes to the Nexon. Besides being the first-ever Indian car to score a commendable 5-star rating in the GNCAP crash tests, the Tata Nexon also impresses with its wide choice of variants. It is one of those sub-compact SUVs in which the diesel variants are equally preferable to the petrol ones. The 1.5-litre diesel engine of Tata Nexon might not be as refined as the diesel engines of its rivals, however, its great potency complements its fantastic driving dynamics.

Tata Nexon Key Specifications

Tata Nexon Key Features

6. Mahindra XUV 3XO

The facelifted version of the Mahindra XUV 300, the new XUV 3XO, is a massive improvement over its predecessor with extensive design updates and new features inside-out. However, Mahindra retained the excellent choice of powertrains from the pre-facelift version, one of which is the 1.5-litre diesel engine. Claiming the best power and torque figures among sub-compact SUVs, this diesel engine of the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a perfect blend of performance and efficiency. It is also the only sub-compact SUV, in addition to Nexon, which offers the combination of a diesel engine with an AMT gearbox.

Mahindra XUV 3XO Key Specifications

Mahindra XUV 3XO Key Features

7. Mahindra Bolero Neo

Another sub-compact Mahindra SUV on sale with a diesel engine, the Bolero Neo, is a more utilitarian model with an old-school feel when compared to the XUV 3XO. Apart from its ladder-on-frame chassis, which is different from the monocoque frame of the XUV 3XO, the Mahindra Bolero Neo also gets a different engine. While this engine is also a 1.5-litre unit, it misses out on a cylinder compared to the XUV 3XO and is tuned differently. The Bolero Neo was introduced as a relatively more premium offering over the Bolero and is the only sub-compact SUV with a seven-seater configuration.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Key Specifications

Mahindra Bolero Neo Key Features

8. Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is to Hyundai Venue, what the Seltos is to Creta. Besides having an entirely different top hat and interior layout, the Kia Sonet shares the same chassis and engine options with the Venue, including its 1.5-litre diesel engine. In the Sonet, this diesel engine has been retained in the same state of tune and performance figures. However, in addition to the 6-speed manual, the Sonet is also available with  6-speed iMT and 6-speed automatic transmission, which are not present in the Venue. It is also the cheapest diesel SUV to offer ADAS features.

Kia Sonet Key Specifications

Kia Sonet Key Features

9. Mahindra Bolero

The Mahindra Bolero is a perfect example of why fix it when it’s not broken. Despite its dated styling inside-out and last-generation mechanicals, the Mahindra Bolero is immensely popular, with most of its sales coming from smaller towns and rural areas. One of the biggest contributors to the massive success of Bolero is its 1.5-litre diesel engine, which ranks high in reliability, if not refinement, and performance numbers. This ladder-on-frame compact SUV from Mahindra lacks features and novelty. However, its diesel engine and rugged mechanical underpinnings make it a reliable vehicle in the long run.

Mahindra Bolero Key Specifications

Mahindra Bolero Key Features

10. Tata Altroz

While all the other carmakers have decided to stick to petrol and CNG fuel options for their compact cars, Tata Motors deserves an upvote for still offering a diesel engine option in the Altroz. The only hatchback left in the market to offer a diesel engine option, the Tata Altroz shares its 1.5-litre diesel engine with the Nexon, though in a slightly detuned version. With this diesel engine offered in its mid-spec variant onwards, the Tata Altroz ranks as the cheapest diesel car in India. It is also the only hatchback in the country to score the coveted 5-star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests.

Tata Altroz Key Specifications

Tata Altroz Key Features

Conclusion – Are Diesel Cars Still Relevant?

With many prominent car makers like Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Volkswagen, Renault and Skoda taking the petrol-only route, many people have started doubting the viability of diesel cars. Even the stricter emission norms and government policies are discouraging many prospective diesel car buyers. Despite the adversities, the significant sales of diesel cars in India have shown they are still the people’s choice for many..

The shifts in trends in the automobile industry have made people switch to more refined petrol and electric vehicles. However, in the premium compact and midsize SUV &MUV segments, diesel engines still make sense for their effortless mile munching. At a time when people are struggling to get decent fuel efficiency figures in their SUVs, diesel engines are still giving them the alternative to achieve higher efficiency figures.

FAQs

Q. Which is the cheapest diesel car in India?

In the sub-compact SUV segment, the best affordable diesel cars in India are Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. The other cheapest diesel cars in India are Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Tata Altroz, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Thar and Mahindra Bolero Neo.

Q. Are diesel cars more expensive than their petrol counterparts?

While diesel cars are relatively more expensive than their petrol counterparts, they deliver significantly higher fuel efficiency figures in real-world driving conditions.

Q. Which is the highest mileage diesel car in India?

Besides being the cheapest diesel car in India, the Tata Altroz is also the most fuel-efficient diesel car in India, with a claimed mileage of 23.64 kmpl.

Q. Which car is best for the future—petrol or diesel?

It depends on your usage and the region where you are using your vehicle. In some parts of the country, diesel vehicles have a shorter span of legal usage before their scrappage, which makes using petrol cars better in the long term.

Q. Is it ok to buy a diesel car now in India?

Given how some car makers are still sticking to diesel engines for their products, it is still okay to buy a diesel car in India, provided they are suitable for your usage and monthly running cycles.