Best Diesel Sedan Models

Powered by the same power plants as in the Swift hatchback, the Dzire is the more ‘Indian-focussed’ Maruti of the lot. The first ‘Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire’ was launched in India back in 2008. The car was initially a full-size sedan but the tax benefits for a sub-four-metre car made Maruti develop a compact-sedan for the Indian market. Now named just the ‘Dzire’, the compact-sedan is in its third avatar and is available with a good diesel engine. The diesel Dzire gives excellent mileage too.

The second-generation Honda Amaze comes with a lighter chassis and more spacious interiors. Though the overall looks of the Honda Amaze aren’t great, the car has been getting good market response since its launch. The Amaze is the first Honda to get the brand’s i-DTEC diesel engine. The Amaze diesel is also available mated to a CVT. In fact, the Honda Amaze is the first and only diesel-CVT compact-sedan available in India. The 1.5-litre unit is the same as in the bigger Honda City.

The Volkswagen Ameo is the German brand’s answer to the booming compact-sedan segment in the country. While the petrol Ameo offers low output, the diesel Ameo model showcases decent performance without compromising much on fuel efficiency. The diesel Ameo is available with both manual and automatic transmission options. There are also the sportier Ameo Pace and Sport variants which feature some black styling bits.

The Hyundai Verna is arguably the best C-segment sedan available in India today. If not the best overall, it is definitely the best-looking sedan on the market today. The Next-Gen Verna is available with a 1.6-litre diesel mill, which is also the most powerful engine option available. The new Hyundai Verna is also packed with a lot of comfort and safety features. Above all that, it has won the prestigious ‘Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2018’ award – a good enough reason to make it a worthy buy!

The Honda City has been the go-to premium sedan for the middle class, ever since the first model came to India in 1998. 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 Ciaz is the only full-size sedan in the brand’s product portfolio. The Ciaz also offers one the most premium interiors in the Maruti Suzuki line-up. Sold exclusively through the brand’s NEXA outlets, the Maruti Ciaz has got well-appointed interiors and comfortable seats. Out of the two fuel options on offer, the Maruti Ciaz diesel has the better market share. The Ciaz diesel employs the brand’s Smart Hybrid Technology which includes Idle-Stop Start, Torque Assist and Regenerative Braking.

The Skoda Rapid is one of the first models that helped the Czech brand regain its losing market in India. The Rapid is based on the Volkswagen Vento and even has similar body panels. Being identical to the Vento, the Skoda Rapid showcases superior German engineering and craftsmanship in an affordable price bracket. The diesel unit, in combination with the well-balanced chassis, offers good performance and decent fuel efficiency. The diesel engine is available mated to a 5-speed manual.

The Hyundai Elantra is the premium sedan offering from the Korean brand. The ‘Fluidic’ design of the Elantra, in addition to enhancing the aesthetics, also aid a lot in aerodynamics. The Hyundai Elantra features the same diesel engine as in the Verna and is available with both manual and automatic transmissions. Safety features such as six airbags, automatic cruise control and parking assist, make the Hyundai Elantra, a compelling buy.

The Skoda Octavia became the first model from the Czech brand to enter the Indian market, back in 2002. The current-generation Skoda Octavia offers a lot, both in performance as well as in equipment. The 2.0-litre diesel power plant in the Octavia is shared with a lot of brands under the Volkswagen group, including Audi. With Volkswagen’s proven dual-clutch transmission – DSG, the Octavia can offer both relaxed as well as a spirited driving experience.

The Toyota Corolla Altis carries the brand’s global design language and is available to buy in a lot of countries. The first Corolla (ninth-generation of the global model) was introduced in India in 2003. The sedan was always available with a diesel engine and has gone through three updates since its introduction. The current model has got a decent-performing diesel engine and comes mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT. Interior comfort and space is also good and the car boasts of Toyota’s excellent reliability.