Top picks: Best diesel cars in India for fuel efficiency and performance

When it comes to purchasing a four-wheeler in India, one of the most common questions is whether to go for a petrol or a diesel car. Many prefer buying a diesel car over petrol because of lower fuel cost and diesel engines being more fuel-efficient, offering roughly 20-25% higher mileage on average. If you are in search of a diesel car in India that offers great performance and fuel efficiency, consider going through the entirety of this page.

List of top diesel cars in India for performance and fuel efficiency

With new car models and variants being launched at a frequent rate, it can be difficult to always stay updated on this front. Here is a list of some of the best diesel cars in India, not in any specific rank, with the best performance and fuel efficiency for the price;

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

This beautiful hatchback from Hyundai has been a favourite among Indian car owners, thanks to its impressive price, specifications and performance. With its ex-showroom price starting at around INR 7.22 lakh, this compact car may just be the perfect fit for your fuel efficiency and performance needs.

• Engine: 1186 cc

• Power: 73.97 bhp

• Torque: 113.8 Nm

• Gearbox: Automatic/ Manual

• Mileage: 26.2 kmpl

Tata Nexon

The mighty Tata Nexon diesel variant is a car to keep an eye out for. Not just in looks, but this premium SUV also aces the chart when it comes to performance and mileage. The Tata Nexon diesel variant starts at around INR 11.10 lakh ex-showroom.

• Engine: 1200 cc, 1500 cc

• Power: 108 bhp

• Torque: 260 Nm

• Gearbox: Automatic/ Manual

• Mileage: 23.23 kmpl

Mahindra XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700 diesel variant is a beast when it comes to powerful diesel cars in India. With its glorious looks, top-of-the-line features and powerful engine, it is a car that makes a lot of sense in the price bracket of INR 14.59 to 26.99 lakh ex-showroom.

• Engine: 2198 cc

• Power: 152.87 to 182.38 bhp

• Torque: 360 Nm

• Gearbox: Automatic/ Manual

• Mileage: 17 kmpl

Honda City V Diesel

This is a car that will never go out of fashion in India, thanks to its sleek design, premium features and exceptionally well-equipped specifications for the price. The diesel variant of this popular sedan starts at INR 13.17 lakh ex-showroom.

• Engine: 1498 cc

• Power: 97.89 bhp

• Torque: 200 Nm

• Gearbox: Manual

• Mileage: 24.1 kmpl

Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet Diesel is a stylish yet affordable option offered by Kia in India. It is a powerful car with good fuel economy and its base diesel model starts from INR 9.80 lakh ex-showroom.

• Engine: 1493 cc

• Power: 114 bhp

• Torque: 250 Nm

• Gearbox: Manual, IMT and Automatic

• Mileage: 24.1 kmpl

Conclusion

For a diesel car in India, it is best to go with an option that perfectly balances the power and mileage output for the price. It is always suggested that you do your own thorough research and opt for a test drive before finalising a four-wheeler to take home.