Off all the cars and SUVs on this list, Tata Motors Altroz is the most affordable diesel vehicle in India – Sadly, it is the last remaining diesel hatchback
Phase II of BS6 emission norms was enforced a month ago, wreaking havoc on diesel powertrains with less popular cars. Not that manufacturers don’t want to offer diesel powertrains. They want to equip diesel engines with popular cars that bring in volumes. A month into the stricter RDE era, let’s see the remaining diesel cars and SUVs around Rs. 8 lakh to 10 lakh (ex-sh) in India. Please note that all prices below are in ex-sh.
1. Tata Altroz – Rs. 7.99 to 10.39 lakh
Altroz is the most affordable diesel vehicle in India and the only diesel hatchback remaining. It was rumoured to be dropped with BS6 Phase II. Seems like Altroz has a lot of fight left in it and has retained its diesel powertrain. The 1.5L mill generates 89 bhp and 200 Nm, with 23.64 km/l claimed fuel efficiency. It costs between Rs. 7.99 lakh for base XE Plus Diesel and Rs. 10.39 lakh for XZ Plus Diesel Dark Edition.
2. Mahindra Bolero Neo – Rs. 9.62 to 12.14 lakh
TUV300 is marketed under the Bolero name. Mahindra is prepping Bolero Neo Plus 9-seater as well. This is the more premium vehicle in Bolero range and gets a fair share of creature comforts as well. The 1.5L motor generates 100 bhp and 260 Nm. Base N4 costs Rs. 9.62 lakh and goes till Rs. 12.24 lakh for N10 (O).
3. Mahindra Bolero – Rs. 9.78 to 10.79 lakh
You must be wondering how a less premium Bolero costs more. Mahindra Bolero is a unique proposition and is the only PV in India tailor-made for rural applications and metal bumpers. Even though it costs more than Neo in base variants, it tops off at B6 (O) costing Rs. 10.79 lakh. The rudimentary Bolero starts from Rs. 9.78 lakh. It gets the same 3-cylinder engine as Bolero Neo, but is de-tuned to generate 75 bhp and 210 Nm.
4. Mahindra XUV300 – Rs. 9.90 to 14.59 lakh
The third Mahindra on this list is XUV300 sub 4m SUV. Currently the XUV300 is the most affordable sub 4m SUV. It gets a 4-cylinder mill and generates a healthy 110 bhp and 300 Nm. It gets roomy interiors, and a 5-star crash rating to bank on. XUV300 costs between Rs. 9.9 lakh for base W4 trim and Rs. 14.59 lakh for W8 (O) Diesel AMT.
5. Kia Sonet – Rs. 9.95 to 14.89 lakh
Sonet’s base HTE Diesel iMT trim costs Rs. 9.95 lakh and top-spec X Line Diesel AT costs Rs. 14.89 lakh. Sonet is around Rs. 60,000 less expensive than its Hyundai counterpart, Venue. Also, Kia Sonet gets iMT transmission from the base diesel variant itself. Venue’s base diesel variant gets a manual, making Sonet’s case stronger.
6. Tata Nexon – Rs. 10.04 to 14.34 lakh
This is Tata’s highest-seller by far and one of the most popular in its segment and on this list. Desirability and 5 star crash rating are the most notable aspects. It gets the same diesel engine as Altroz. Tata Motors has tuned it to generate 113 bhp and 260 Nm. Nexon costs between Rs. 10.04 lakh for base XM Diesel and Rs. 14.34 lakh for XZA Plus LUX S Diesel Red Dark Edition.
7. Hyundai Venue – Rs. 10.46 to 13.13 lakh
Even though Sonet costs less in base variants, Venue diesel costs Rs. 13.13 lakh for top-spec SX (O) Diesel DT. A good Rs. 1.76 lakh less. For the price, Venue gets upmarket styling and trendy design elements like connected LED light bar tail lights. It gets the same 1.5L diesel as Sonet with similar (114 bhp and 250 Nm) figures.
8. Mahindra Thar – Rs. 10.54 to 16.77 lakh
With Mahindra introducing the 1.5L diesel with RWD architecture, Thar’s entry-level prices were brought down to Rs. 9.99 lakh. With price hikes, Mahindra Thar now costs between Rs. 10.54 lakh for base AX (O) HT Diesel RWD and Rs. 16.77 lakh for top-spec LX HT Diesel AT 4WD. The base variants get the same 1.5L diesel engine as XUV300 and top-spec diesel variants get the 2.2L.
