Best Diesel Models

The Maruti Swift has been the most popular hatchback in India ever since its launch in 2005. Available in both petrol and diesel engines, the Maruti Swift diesel is the higher-selling variant among the two. The 1.3-litre diesel unit makes enough output to make the light Maruti Swift a good performer. The diesel Maruti Swift also gives good mileage compared to its competition. The excellent service network of Maruti Suzuki is another factor that makes the Swift diesel a good buy.

The Ford Figo diesel is the most capable diesel hatchback you can buy today. The 1.5-litre diesel unit is also found in the Figo Aspire and the EcoSport. The Ford Figo, especially the Figo S diesel, is also a fun car to drive. Ford is one of the very few manufacturers in India that makes driver-focussed cars; the Figo being one of them. While the petrol Figo isn’t preferred by most, it is the diesel variant that has developed a lot of fans over the years.

The Hyundai Elite i20, currently being sold in its third iteration, carries a lot of improvements over the previous model. It comes with added features such as a touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new Elite i20 can also be opted with dual-tone paint scheme and is a decent-looking car. The diesel-powered Hyundai i20 has been a big-seller for the Korean brand, ever since its introduction in 2008. The engine produces enough output and good mileage figures. The car replaced the then Hyundai hatchback, the Getz.

The Maruti Dzire is the more ‘India-focussed’ Maruti of the lot and is powered by the same power plants as on the Swift hatchback. The diesel-powered Maruti Dzire offers decent performance along with good mileage figures. The compact-sedan also packs enough features and comfort on the inside for its price bracket. The Maruti Dzire is also one of the very first compact-sedans to be sold in India and is still one of the top-selling cars on the Indian market.

The Honda Amaze, now in its second generation, comes with a lighter chassis and more spacious interiors. Though the overall looks of the Honda Amaze isn’t great, the compact-sedan has been getting good market response since its launch. The diesel-powered Honda Amaze is a brilliant performer and has the same engine as on the Honda City diesel. The 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine is available mated to a CVT and makes the Honda Amaze is the first and only diesel-CVT available in India.

The Hyundai Verna is one of the best diesel cars available in the C-segment sedan category. If not the best overall, it is definitely the best-looking sedan on the market today. The Next-Gen Verna is available in a 1.6-litre diesel mill, which is also the car’s most powerful engine option available. The new Hyundai Verna is packed with a lot of comfort and safety features on the inside. The sedan has also won the prestigious ‘Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2018’ award; something enough to make it a compelling buy.

Ever since the first model came to India in 1998, the Honda City has been the go-to premium sedan for the middle class. The car has gone through four generations and eight facelifts. With twenty years of market presence, the Honda City is still one of the most-demanded sedans in India. The addition of premium features and comfort in newer models is perhaps what Honda does best with the City.The 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine in the Honda City is not only a decent performer but also gave the car the best mileage in the segment, at the time it was introduced.

The Maruti Vitara Brezza is available only in a diesel format and is a perfect choice for Indian driving conditions. The compact-SUV has got enough ground clearance and decent amounts of power. Mileage figures are also on the higher side being a diesel vehicle. The Maruti Vitara Brezza features enough on the inside, along with a good seating position. The pricing is also good for what it offers.

The Ford EcoSport diesel is a strong performer in the sub-four-metre SUV segment. The 1.5-litre TDCi unit outputs well while also offering good mileage figures. The latest generation of the crossover comes with a lot of new features packaged well in a premium interior. Being a global product, the EcoSport offers excellent build quality. There is also a sportier EcoSport S diesel variant which carries some neat styling elements and blacked-out details.

The Renault Duster diesel is powered by a proven 1.5-litre diesel engine that is available in two states of tune: 85bhp and 110bhp. While the 85bhp version gives good low-end torque for the city and occasional short trips, the 110bhp has got better top-end power for long highway commute. The Renault Duster is identical to the Nissan Terrano and is available mated to a manual or an AMT unit.