For those of us who wish to see a lot of miles in their cars, diesel powered ones are the best option. With constantly rising fuel prices and the manufacturers hesitant to convert their diesel engines to BS6 norms, the diesel cars are facing a crude problem. Nevertheless, their higher mileage and people’s need for a cheaper option is holding the diesel car industry steady in the Indian market.
So, if you are looking for a diesel car or an SUV, it is better to choose from the best options available right now. Here are a few top performing models that could catch your eye.
Best Premium Hatchbacks with Diesel Engine
Hatchbacks are compact cars that comes at a budget price and yet fits 5 people in the average Indian family. Hence, hatchbacks are the most common cars on the Indian roads. The following three are our pick of premium hatchbacks to buy in India.
Tata Altroz
The Altroz is a premium hatchback from Tata motors available from ₹7.42 lakhs-10.14 lakhs. It has been rated 5 stars in adult occupant protection and 3-stars in child occupant protection under NCAP. Powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, the Altroz can generate 90hp and 200Nm torque. The engine has been paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and has a claimed mileage of 25.11kpl. It is a smart choice when you are looking for something small and well-performing.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
The i10 Nios is a slightly smaller car in comparison to Tata Altroz and it is a little pricier than the same, by about ₹33,000. It starts from ₹7.75 lakhs and the top variant goes upto ₹8.37 lakhs. The i10 Nios is powered by a 75hp, 1.2-litre engine paired with a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. Hyundai is offering the car as a mid-spec sportz trim with a strong low and mid-range performance. It has received an NCAP rating of 2 stars and it is safe to safe on this regard, the Altroz is better than the i10.
Hyundai i20
The i20 is a premium hatchback from Hyundai and it is a lot powerful than the i10 and Aura. It comes with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that develops 100hp and 240Nm torque. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual gear box and it is very well-equipped. It is also very spacious, comfortable, and has great driving manners. The i20 has received a 3-Star rating on NCAP standards too. With a claimed range of 25.2kmpl, you can push its limits on the highways.
Diesel Sedans to Buy in 2022
Sedans are more spacious cars with convenient seating position and better boot space. When it comes to Indian families, the ability to carry luggage of the whole family plays an important factor. For this reason, many Indian families & even the automobile giants have preferred the sedan version of the hatchbacks to. To start with Tata Indica came up with Indigo. Maruti Swift became Maruti Suzuki Swift Dezire. The following are the pick of our diesel sedans.
Hyundai Aura
The Aura sedan is similar to i10 in terms of its powertrain. It has the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine that produces 75hp and 190Nm torque. Hyundai offers a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox with the Aura and they have a claimed mileage of 25.35kpl and 25.40kpl, respectively. The best feature about the Aura is its easy manoeuvrability in cities. As for safety, the Aura has not yet received an NCAP rating yet, but Hyundai has confirmed that the car will meet all international safety standards as required.
Honda Amaze
The Amaze is the only car in the sedan segment to have a unique CVT automatic and diesel powertrain combination. It is available with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 80hp and 160Nm torque. However, the 5-speed manual transmission can reach up to 100hp and 200Nm. The Amaze has claimed a mileage of 24.7kpl and 21kpl for the manual and CVT, respectively and it has received a 4-star rating on its NCAP tests. It stands with Ford Aspire on its high safety standards. The Amaze is priced between ₹ 8.78 lakhs and ₹11.26 lakhs.
Hyundai Verna
Last but not least is the ever-stylish Verna, which got a load of updates back in 2020. Although the model is a relatively old one, the Korean sedan is still one of the best sedans in India. The diesel variants of Verna are powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged unit that is good for 115hp and 250Nm. This is the same configuration as that of Hyundai’s Creta, as we saw before. As with its petrol variants, the Verna can come with either a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The price of Hyundai’s Premium Sedan ranges between ₹10.92 lakhs and ₹15.36 lakhs while it received a 5-star rating on NCAP safety tests.
Diesel Compact SUVs to Buy in 2022
Compact SUVs are the sub 4 metre diesel machines that provides better power at a smaller price. These affordable SUVs are in a way, a hybrid between the hatchbacks and the full-fledged SUVs. These are available at a lower price but still comes with the same styling of the larger SUVs.
Kia Sonet
Sonet is the second Kia model in India and it is packed with a lot of cool features. It offers a quality cabin and a large variety of engine and gearbox configurations. The Sonet is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine and its power output vary with the transmission options. It puts out 100hp and 240Nm when paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox while when paired to a 6-speed torque converter automatic it gives out 115hp and 250Nm torque. With features such as ABS, Airbags, Electronic Stability Control, etc., the Kia Sonet has received a safety rating of 3-stars in the NCAP meter. It is priced between ₹8.89 lakhs and ₹13.79 lakhs differing with the variants.
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue can be called Kia Sonet’s cousin, for both the Korean cars share the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 100hp and 240Nm torque. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the Sonet which has an automatic transmission option, the Venue doesn’t come with one. The Venue is priced between ₹9.99 lakhs and ₹11.72 lakhs while it received a 4-star rating in its NCAP tests. Hyundai is also set to launch its facelifted Venue with more interior and exterior modifications.
Mid-Sized Diesel SUVs to Buy in 2022
Midsized SUVs are those machines that are larger than the 4 metre size. These are relatively spacious vehicles that provides the best of everything, space, power & comfort. It is one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian automobile market
Tata Nexon
Priced between ₹ 9.85 lakhs and ₹13.90 lakhs, the Nexon is a very versatile model from Tata motors. Indeed, the Nexon is available with a lot of powertrain options, petrol, diesel and an all-electric one too. The Diesel powered Nexon is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that develops 110hp and 260Nm torque. It can be coupled with either a 6-speed manual or an AMT automatic gearbox. Similar to the Altroz, the Nexon has received a 5-star NCAP rating for its safety standards.
Hyundai Creta
The new Creta is priced between ₹10.75 lakhs and ₹17.82 lakhs. With a bold style and a well-defined style, this mid-size SUV is one of the top performers in the Indian market. Powering the Creta is a 115hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which can be paired with a 6-speed manual or a torque converter automatic gearbox. As for safety, the Creta received a 3-star rating on the NCAP tests.
We have not included the products from Maruti Suzuki as Maruti has only recently come out with the BS6 compliant diesel engines in cars like Vitara Brezza. Similarly, Skoda, Volkswagen are two companies that are known for powerful diesel engines. The German & Czech carmakers too come with powerful diesel sedans and SUVs. However, those are completely different beasts that comes at a larger price point.
So what do you think? What is your pick of diesel vehicles to buy in 2022? Or do you prefer to buy electric vehicles that are better suited for the changing times and technological landscape?
