As carmakers bear the brunt of ban on diesel cars with engines over 2.0 litres of capacity in Delhi and NCR, the recent ban in Kerela by NGT has added to the woes of auto industry. Considering that diesel cars deliver high fuel economy as against the petrol powered vehicles, customers have an inclination towards diesel cars in India. While there is a ban on large diesel cars with engines equivalent to or more than 2.0 litres, there are still a handful of options that offer best of both the worlds-fuel economy and lucrative price. Here we have listed some of the cheapest diesel cars in India that are priced under Rs 6 lakh.
1) Tata Tiago
(Tata Tiago)
The newest entrant in the mid-sized hatchback segment Tata Tiago is emerging as a strong contender with a high demand in a short span post its launch. Available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, the hatchback offers some of the segment first features like smartphone based Turn-by-Turn navigation app and Juke-Car app missing in rivals. Powering the hatchback is a new 1.05 Revotorq diesel unit good for 69bhp and 140Nm that offers an impressive mileage of 27.28km/l. Launched at an introductory price of Rs 3.20 lakh, the diesel line-up of Tiago starts at Rs 3.94 lakh making it one of the cheapest diesel cars in India.
Price- Rs 3.94 lakh to Rs 5.54 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also Read: Tata Tiago Review
2) Maruti Celerio
(Maruti Suzuki Celerio)
Popular for various reasons, Maruti Suzuki Celerio was the first car to feature automated manual transmission. With a choice of petrol, diesel and CNG fuel options, Celerio has a high demand among first time buyers that look for fuel economy and low pricing. Designed indigenously by Maruti Suzuki India, the 799cc diesel unit churns out 47bhp and is available only with a five-speed manual gearbox offering over 27km/l of mileage priced at Rs 4.81 lakh for the base variant.
Price-Rs 4.81 lakh to Rs 5.90 lakh
Also Read: First Drive: Maruti Suzuki Celerio
3) Tata Indica
(Tata Indica)
Following Tiago closely is its elder sibling Tata Indica that shares its underpinning with the new hatchback. The mundane looking hatchback dates back to late 90s and underwent multiple facelifts in a bid to lure customers to showrooms. Offered with two diesel options including one BS IV and one BS III units, the hatchback has been popular for returning imposing mileage and for its low price. The BS IV unit that powers Indica is a 1.4 litre CR4 engine with DOHC technology producing 69bhp and claiming to deliver 25km/l. Priced at Rs 4.88 lakh, Indica is undoubtedly a viable small diesel car in India.
Price- Rs 4.88 lakh to Rs 5.37 lakh
4) Mahindra Thar
(Mahindra Thar)
The popular off-roader Mahindra Thar received a facelift last year on the top end CRDe variant including cosmetic and mechanical tweaks. The entry level variant of the SUV-DI comes with an option of two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems deriving power from a 2.5 litre, MDI engine belting out 63bhp and 182.5Nm mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Inside the cabin, the SUV offers seven seat layout with 2 forward facing and 2 side-facing rear bench seats. Priced between Rs 5.79 lakh for the two wheel variant and Rs 6.31 lakh for the 4Wd variant, Thar is a competitively priced SUV in India.
Price-Rs 5.79 lakh to Rs 6.31 lakh
5) Chevrolet Beat
(Chevrolet Beat)
The sporty Chevrolet Beat was one of the early small cars in India to receive a diesel engine. Claimed to be the most fuel efficient car back then, Beat is among the cheapest diesel cars in India that uses a 1.0 litre, three cylinder in-line TCIC motor pumping out 56.3bhp along with 142.5Nm while transmitting power to wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. With a fuel economy of 25.44km/l, Beat is a frugal option that comes at a starting price of Rs 5.26 lakh undercutting most of its rivals.
Rs 5.26 lakh to Rs 6.57 lakh
6) Ford Figo
(Ford Figo)
Brought to life in 2010, Figo was the first successful model from the stables of Ford for the Indian market that recently propelled into new generation offering an all new exterior and spruced up cabin with a string of features. Under the hood is a 1.5 litre, TDCi engine developing 98.6bhp and 215Nm capable of returning 25.83km/l under standard conditions. Unlike its petrol version, the diesel powered hatchback is available only with a manual gearbox and is priced in the vicinity of Rs 5.55 to Rs 7.60 lakh finding a place for itself on the list of cheapest diesel cars in India.
Price- Rs 5.55 to Rs 7.60 lakh
Also Read: Ford Figo vs Hyundai Grand i10: Budget Hatchback Battle
7) Mahindra KUV100
Mahindra KUV100)
The entry level sub-four meter SUV Mahindra KUV100 is not just a frugal car, but also a lucrative choice with a relatively low price as compared to rivals in the segment. The company has picked two new engines from its newly developed mFalcon family of engines claimed to deliver high fuel economy. KUV100’s diesel range comes equipped with a mFalcon D75, 1.2 litre engine with turbocharger and intercooler which offers 77bhp along with 190Nm and uses a five-speed manual, transmission. Giving it an ideal start in the segment, Mahindra KUV100’s aggressive pricing played a huge role in making it popular among buyers.
Price- Rs 5.48 lakh to Rs 7.10 lakh
8) Maruti Ritz
(Maruti Suzukii Ritz)
Thriving on Maruti Suzuki India’s brand value, Ritz is yet another diesel car in India that comes at a low price. The 1.3 litre, four cylinder, diesel engine sourced from Fiat produces 74bhp and 190Nm paired to a five-speed manual gearbox along with an option of a four-speed autobox on select variants.
Price-Rs 5.55 lakh to Rs 6.85 lakh
9) Tata Bolt
(Tata Bolt)
Sharing inputs with its elder sibling Indica, Tata’s Bolt hatchback based on company’s Horizonext initiative launched a couple of months ago with a high expectation to crush Tata’s image of producing orthodox models. Drawing power from a 1.3 litre, 4 cylinder, Quadrajet engine good for 74bhp and 190Nm, a five-speed manual unit is at charge for directing power to wheels.
Price- Rs 5.73 lakh to Rs 7.23 lakh
Also Read: Hyundai Grand i10 vs Tata Bolt: Theory of Evolution
You might also be interested to see the price of the best cars in India:
Renault Kwid, Honda City, Maruti Swift, Hyundai Elite i20, Maruti Baleno, Alto 800, Renault Duster, Maruti Wagon R, Maruti Swift Dzire, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV500
