Top 5 Diesel Cars In India With Best Mileage

Diesel cars in India are a dying breed, having been a prime target of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for quite a few years now. With every new Bharat Stage emission standard, diesel fuel has been stripped of its true power to reduce carbon footprints. However, no one can deny their advantages and impressive fuel efficiency. That's why they still sell in good numbers and save the most money compared to any other fuel type - even electric cars.

So, if you're planning to buy one and are looking for the most fuel-efficient options, this piece is for you. Let's begin! Also, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.

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Tata Nexon - 24.08 km/l

The Tata Nexon takes the number one spot in our article on the top 5 diesel cars with the best mileage, as its ARAI fuel efficiency is 24.08 km/l for the AMT and 23.23 km/l for the 6-MT. Yes, the automated manual transmission performs better, as it is basically a manual gearbox controlled via an electric machine, not a true automatic transmission. The negative of this gearbox is that it makes the drive boring if you want to have a little fun, but in bumper-to-bumper traffic, its convenience is fantastic.

Talking more about the engine, it is a 1.5L turbocharged Revotorq making 115 ps and 260 Nm of torque. It's powerful but feels too loud at high revs. Talking about its price, it costs between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15.60 lakh ex-showroom.

Hyundai Venue - 24.02 km/l

Hyundai's second best-selling car takes the second spot on our list. Here, the 1.5L CRDi VGT engine achieves a staggering 24.02 km/l mileage with a 6-speed manual, which also happens to be the only transmission on offer. Also, this engine is buttery smooth and packs a powerful punch. Even in city driving, reaching 17 to 18 km/l isn't a big task for it. It starts at Rs 10.70 lakh and goes up to Rs 13.43 lakh ex-showroom. In the end, if you are looking for the smoothest diesel experience, you can't find anything better than this 1.5L CRDi engine.

Kia Sonet - 24.01 km/l

The Sonet is basically a premium version of the Hyundai Venue, and it's a little heavier than it. That's why its fuel efficiency with the 6-MT is 24.01 km/l - minutely lower, but overall, it offers a better driving experience. Also, a great perk of having the Sonet is that Kia offers a real 6-speed automatic transmission here, with an ARAI-rated mileage of 19 km/l.

You're getting an overall better package than the Venue because it's more stable, the suspension is a little stiff, and the handling is also acceptable. So, if you are someone who loves fast driving, the Sonet should be your pick over the Venue. Lastly, its diesel variants start at Rs 10 lakh and go up to Rs 15.70 lakh.

Tata Altroz - 23.64 km/l

The Tata Altroz is the only car in its segment to offer a diesel engine, and it's the same 1.5L unit used in the Tata Nexon and Curvv. However, here, the fuel efficiency drops to an ARAI-rated 23.64 km/l despite the Nexon being a heavier vehicle. That's because only a 5-speed manual gearbox is offered - no 6-speed or AMT. In terms of driving, it feels completely identical, but again, its refinement could have been better. It starts at Rs 8.80 lakh ex-showroom, and the top trim costs Rs 11.30 lakh.

Hyundai Creta - 21.8 Km/l

The Creta, the king of compact SUVs, is the most expensive and the biggest car on our list. It is again powered by the same 1.5L CRDi engine with 116 PS and 250 Nm of torque and is available with two transmissions - 6-MT and 6-AT. The mileage as per ARAI for the manual transmission is 21.8 km/l and 19.1 km/l for the 6-speed automatic. This is the best car for a nuclear family and has become the most desirable vehicle. Despite government claims, people continue to buy the Creta in diesel because the mileage is just fantastic. Also, these figures are ARAI-claimed, but in real-world driving, it will easily achieve 24 to 25 km/l with the manual.

To add more, it starts at Rs 12.69 lakh, and the top trim costs Rs 20.42 lakh ex-showroom. Its brother, the Seltos, also provides almost the same mileage but has slightly stiffer suspension, so the ride quality is not up to the mark like the Creta.

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