Best Diesel SUV Models

With only a diesel engine in offer, the Vitara Brezza is aimed to be just one thing – a compact and practical vehicle just for Indians. The Brezza offers ample amounts of space and seat support even while being under four metres in length. And because of the trust of Indians in Maruti, the Vitara Brezza has also got good resale value. This is alongside the brand’s excellent sales and service network. The light and compact Brezza offers good mileage figures too.

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. The crossover also gets class-leading safety features such as Ford’s Emergency Assistance – a system which uses the paired smartphone to contact emergency services in the event of an accident.

The Nexon is one of the strongest contenders in the compact-SUV segment. It is also the first compact-SUV from the Indian brand. The funky looks derived from Tata’s Impact Design 2.0 philosophy has won in attracting the younger mass. Available with a 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel mill, the Nexon comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. The Tata Nexon offers just enough to be a practical, yet fun, daily. The compact-SUV also ticks a lot of boxes, if features are what you are looking for.

The Renault Duster, although not being under four metres of length, is one of the first SUVs that spread the compact-SUV trend in the country. Identical to the Nissan Terrano, the Duster’s diesel engine is offered in two states of tune – 85bhp and 110bhp. Both showcase good low-end torque while the 110bhp performs well on the highways, thanks to its 6-speed gearbox. The diesel Duster is available in manual, CVT and AMT variants.

With its sharp and elegant styling, the Hyundai Creta is preferred mostly by young families. The body shows a mature form of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic’ design language and offers enough space for five passengers. The new Creta comes feature-rich and doesn’t compromise on safety either. For all these reasons, the Hyundai Creta even became the best-selling SUV in India at a point. There are two diesel engines on option: 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre. The 1.4-litre unit comes mated to a 6-speed manual while the 1.6-litre engine can be opted with a 6-speed automatic too.

The Mahindra XUV 500 is the most popular model in brand’s portfolio, after the Scorpio. The ‘Cheetah-inspired’ design has gone through three iterations and sales are still going strong. With numerous variants on offer, the XUV 500 can be bought with a wide budget range. When launched back in 2011, the SUV introduced a lot of upmarket features in a lower price range. The Made-In-India SUV has attained its third facelift, with a lot of improvements and additions over the previous versions.

Among all the SUVs available in India, the Tata Hexa could be the one offering the best value-for-money. Based on the Tata Aria MPV, the Hexa displays substantial improvements over older Tata models, along with feature-rich interiors and comfort. The seven-seater offers ample amounts of cabin and luggage space. With sales going higher day by day, the Tata Hexa is the beginning of many premium SUVs to come from the brand. The diesel Hexa offers enough performance and decent fuel efficiency from its 2.2-litre engine. The 7-seater is available mated to a 6-speed manual or an automatic (5-speed in the base variant). 4x4 is also available in higher variants.

Being the most-affordable product from the iconic American company, the Jeep Compass is a favourite to many. The SUV features excellent build quality along with good all-round capability. The five-seater has won numerous awards since its launch in July 2017. Coming to the looks, the most distinct body element of the Compass or any Jeep for that matter, could be the bold eight-slat grille. The 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine has got lots of torque and power to make the SUV, a good option for the city and on the highway. The Jeep Compass also gets a four-wheel drive option in the top variant.

The Ford Endeavour, known as the Everest, outside India is one solid SUV. Being a Ford, the seven-seater offers a fun driving experience, both on-road and off-road. The imposing design gives superior road presence; something unmatchable by its competition. The Endeavour is nothing short of massive and offers good real estate inside. The SUV is also loaded with premium features, including a panoramic sunroof. There are two diesel engines on offer: 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre (all-wheel-drive) Both engines come mated only to a 6-speed automatic.

The most popular premium SUV in India has reached its third iteration. The Toyota Fortuner has been a status symbol to many who own it, ever since its launch in late-2009. The seven-seater offers a commanding driving position along with lots of comfort. The 2.8-litre diesel engine is really capable and comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic. All-wheel-drive is also available in select variants. For those who want a bit more sportiness, there is a Fortuner TRD Sportivo variant which features some unique styling elements.