Although erstwhile and frugal diesel engines such as Fiat’s Multijet unit are no longer available, Hyundai and Tata are among the carmakers that still offer oil-burners. Here’s a quick look at the five most fuel-efficient diesel cars currently on sale. Do note that these figures are a result of testing in ideal conditions, and are unlikely to be achieved in real-life driving scenarios.
5. Hyundai Verna 25kpl
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The Hyundai Verna is the only mid-size sedan that makes the top five list. It was just last year that Hyundai launched the updated 2020 Verna with a new 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine; this unit is shared with the Creta. Thanks to the new diesel unit, the Verna sure has appeal for buyers with lots of driving, especially long-distance drives. In manual form, the Verna diesel delivers 25kpl, while the version equipped with the smooth torque converter auto is good for 21.3kpl.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Torque 250Nm
Gearbox 6-speed manual/6-speed torque convertor
ARAI mileage 25kpl (MT)/21.3kpl (AT)
Price range ₹ 10.73-15.18 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
4. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios 25.1kpl
Hyundai’s 1.2-litre U2 CRDi unit is the smallest diesel engine currently available in India. In the Grand i10 Nios, this three-cylinder unit makes 75hp and comes with the 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox options. The petrol-manual Nios has a fuel-efficiency figure of 25.1kpl. While the Nios diesel-AMT’s ARAI figure is yet unknown, one can expect it to be close to the manual’s. Although the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios diesel is the most frugal diesel hatchback in its class, it is the third most frugal hatchback in India.
Engine 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power 75hp
Torque 190Nm
Gearbox 5-speed/ 5-speed AMT
ARAI mileage 25.1kpl (MT)
Price range ₹ 7.06-8.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
3. Tata Altroz 25.11kpl
Tata’s all-new premium hatchback was, for a time, the most efficient diesel hatchback available in India, with an ARAI-rated economy of 25.11kpl. Available in a single engine-gearbox version, the Tata Altroz diesel uses a 90hp version of Tata Motor’s 1.5-litre Revotorq engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Altroz loses the title of ‘most efficient diesel hatchback in India’ to the only other premium hatchback with a diesel engine — the new i20 — by a 0.9kpl margin.
Engine 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power 90hp
Torque 200Nm
Gearbox 5-speed manual
ARAI mileage (MT) 25.11kpl
Price range ₹ 6.99-9.09 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
2. Hyundai i20 25.2kpl
With an ARAI-rated 25.2kpl, the third-gen Hyundai i20 is the most frugal hatchback currently on sale. It shares its 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine, which is known for its flexibility and efficiency, with Hyundai’s Venue. Our review of the i20 diesel showed that this premium hatchback is easy to live with, both in town and on the highway. It may be expensive but if you’re in the market for a feature-rich, comfortable and frugal hatchback, the new i20 is your best bet.
Engine 1.5-litre, 4 cyl, turbo-diesel
Power 100hp
Torque 240Nm
Gearbox 6-speed manual
ARAI mileage (MT) 25.2kpl
Price range ₹ 8.20-10.75 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
1. Hyundai Aura 25.40kpl
Aside from the Nios, Hyundai’s 1.2-litre diesel engine also does duty in the Aura, the hatchback’s compact sedan sibling, and it’s at its most frugal here. Interestingly, the Hyundai Aura diesel-AMT has an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 25.40kpl, stretching each litre of diesel the farthest, which makes it the most fuel-efficient diesel car in India right now. The diesel-manual also impresses with its 25.35kpl figure.
Engine 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power 75hp
Torque 190Nm
Gearbox 5-speed manual/ 5-speed AMT
ARAI mileage 25.35kpl (MT)/ 25.40kpl (AMT)
Price range ₹ 7.80-9.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)