Despite the many arguments against them, the main takeaway remains that diesel cars not only deliver impressive fuel-efficiency figures but are also often among the most affordable cars in India. Here is a list of the cheapest diesel cars in India.
1. Tata Tiago
Tata Motors' latest hatchback, Tiago, was launched in April 2016 that quickly went on to become the home-grown carmaker's best-seller. The Tiago is offered with a choice of two engine options, namely, a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol and a 1.05-litre Revotorq diesel. The diesel engine, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, develops 67bhp and 140Nm of maximum torque. Its ARAI-certified fuel-efficiency is rated at 27.28Km/l. Read our Tata Tiago Review here.
Tata Tiago Diesel Price: Rs. 394,987 - Rs. 560,613
2. Tata Indica
Number 2 on the list is the Indica, the admittedly banal-looking hatchback that was launched in 1998. Fast forward nearly two decades and several facelifts, and the car continues to sell for the same reasons - its cost and fuel-efficiency. It is currently offered with 2 diesel options: a 1.4 litre CR4 BS IV unit and a 1.4-litre BS III motor. Tata Motors claims the former engine delivers a fuel-efficiency of 25km/l.
Tata Indica Diesel Price: Rs. 466,398 - Rs. 538,921
3. Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Maruti Suzuki Celerio diesel was launched only last year and, as one would imagine, became quite popular among first-time buyers. It comes powered by a 793cc, 2-cylinder diesel engine developed locally by Maruti. This engine churns out a maximum power output of 47bhp and 125Nm of peak torque and delivers an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.62Km/l.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio Diesel Price: Rs. 481,853 - Rs. 590,043
4. Chevrolet Beat
One of GM India's best-selling models, the Chevrolet Beat diesel houses a 1.0-litre TCIC oil-burner under the hood. It puts out 56.31bhp and a maximum torque of 142.5Nm and promises a fuel-efficiency figure of 25.44Km/l.
Chevrolet Beat Diesel Price: Rs. 526,597 - Rs. 657,217
5. Mahindra KUV100
India's largest utility vehicle maker's third sub-4 metre SUV after the Quanto and TUV300, the Mahindra KUV 100 is offered with an all-new range of petrol and diesel engines - the mFalcon series. The mFalcon D75, a new 1.2-litre diesel engine delivers 77bhp and a peak torque of 190Nm. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, its fuel-efficiency is rated at 25.32Km/l. Read our Mahindra Kuv100 Review here.
Mahindra KUV100 Diesel Price: Rs. 549,957 - Rs. 711,583
6. Maruti Suzuki Ritz
The Ritz uses a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, diesel engine that produces 74bhp and a torque of 190Nm. The engine is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and delivers a fuel-efficiency figure of 23.2Km/l.
Maruti Suzuki Ritz Diesel Price: Rs. 550,004 - Rs. 658,205
7. Ford Figo
The the new-gen Figo's diesel variants employ a 99bhp 1.5-litre TDCi unit mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and promises fuel-efficiency of 25.83Km/l. The American automaker's hatchback offers several first-in-class features such as 6 airbags, dual-clutch automatic transmission, thus making it the most feature-loaded car in its league. Read our Ford Figo Review here.
Ford Figo Diesel Price: Rs. 562,750 - Rs. 717,750
8. Tata Bolt
The Bolt was launched as the company's next step towards making better products for India under the HorizonNext strategy. And yet, it resembles the Vista even though Tata claims it to be an all-new product. Also, it still comes powered by the same old Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel engine that develops 75bhp and offers a mileage of 22.95Km/l.
Tata Bolt Diesel Price: Rs. 576,361 - Rs. 726,696
9. Hyundai Grand i10
Launched in early 2014, the Grand i10 became a hit for two primary reasons - its frugal diesel engine and the myriad of features. Currently Hyundai's best-seller, the hatchback's diesel model derives power from a 70bhp 1.1-litre U2 CRDi motor and offers a fuel-efficiency figure of 24Km/l.
Hyundai Grand i10 Diesel Price: Rs. 577,334 - Rs. 702,253
10. Mahindra Thar
Mahindra & Mahindra's popular off-roader Thar is offered with a choice of 2 diesel engines: a 105bhp 2498cc CRDe and a 63bhp 2523cc DI. While the former, the top-end model in the carline, offers a mileage of 13Km/l, the latter promises 16Km/l.
Mahindra Thar Diesel Price: Rs. 588,763 - Rs. 885,183
