Best Mileage Diesel SUVs In India 2024

Diesel cars have enjoyed a long reign, but due to stricter emissions norms and EVs coming into the picture, buyers for the same have reduced drastically. While some have completely shut shop for diesel, some carmakers continue to manufacture diesel vehicles as they offer a great mix of power and fuel efficiency. CarLelo brings to you seven diesel SUVs high on fuel efficiency:

List Of Best Mileage Diesel SUVs

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta stands as the cornerstone of Hyundai's vehicle lineup, consistently holding the title of their best-selling car. With its recent facelift, demand has surged to unprecedented levels. Renowned for its bold and dynamic design, the Creta is a versatile SUV celebrated for its comprehensive array of features.

Beneath its sleek exterior, a potent 1.5-litre diesel engine delivers a robust performance, generating 114 horsepower and 250 Newton-meters of torque. What also impresses us about the Creta is that it can clock 21 kmpl and 19.1 kmpl with manual and automatic transmissions, respectively, offering a great blend of power and efficiency. 

Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos shares its underpinnings with the Creta and has amassed a cult following of its own. This also means that the same tried-and-tested 1.5-litre CRDI mill does duty in the Kia Seltos, boasting a claimed fuel efficiency mileage figure of 20.7 kmpl.

Seltos’ sharp exterior design, tech-packed interior and multiple transmission options on offer make it a formidable contender in this segment coming at a starting price of ₹12.35 lakh.

Mahindra XUV300

Since its debut in 2019, the Mahindra XUV300 has been a disruptive force in the sub-4-metre SUV segment, reshaping the landscape and solidifying the brand's new identity.

Powered by a robust 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, the XUV300 delivers an impressive performance, boasting 115 horsepower and 300 Newton-metres of torque translating into a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 10.9 seconds, making it the quickest among its peers.

With an ARAI-certified mileage of 20 kilometres per litre and an attractive starting price of ₹10.21 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the XUV300 presents compelling reasons for consideration as the younger sibling of the XUV700.

Tata Nexon

From the roster of India's homegrown brands comes the Tata Nexon, whose diesel variant presents an enticing choice for budget-conscious buyers prioritising efficiency without sacrificing performance. As a perennial favourite in its segment, Nexon's popularity has only surged further with its recent facelift, attracting an even broader audience.

Equipped with a 1.5-litre engine, the Nexon offers versatility with both manual and AMT gearbox options. It achieves a remarkable fuel efficiency of 23 kilometres per litre with the manual transmission and 24 kilometres per litre with the AMT, placing it in good stead against its competitors.

Hyundai Venue

Dominating the sub-compact SUV segment, the Hyundai Venue has solidified its position with notable upgrades such as the inclusion of six airbags as standard and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Borrowing the reliable 1.5-litre diesel engine from its larger counterpart, the Creta, the Venue delivers spirited performance despite its smaller size.

Impressively, it achieves an outstanding mileage of up to 24.2 kilometres per litre, establishing itself as the most fuel-efficient option in this lineup. With a starting price as enticing as ₹10.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Venue offers exceptional value for money.

Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet mirrors the success story of the Venue, boasting a sporty stance and dynamic design alongside essential safety features like lane following assist, leading vehicle departure alert and driver attention warning. While Kia claims a fuel efficiency of 22.30 kilometres per litre, a more realistic figure would likely hover around 18.30 kilometres per litre. Notably, Sonet sits a notch above the Venue as it offers an automatic transmission as well. If you are on a strict budget, you can consider buying the HTE variant from the Tech Line which costs about ₹90,000 less than the Venue at ₹9.80 lakh (ex-showroom).

Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar stands out as the epitome of spaciousness, offering the highest number of seats on this list. Sharing the robust 1.5-litre diesel engine with the Creta ensures a reliable and powerful performance. With a generous fuel tank capacity of 50 litres, the Alcazar is tailored for extended journeys with an impressive mileage of 20 kilometres per litre. This translates to a staggering range of approximately 900 kilometres on a full tank, making it an exceptionally cost-effective choice for long-distance travel. With prices starting at ₹21.33 lakh (ex-showroom), the Alcazar represents exceptional value for a seven-seater SUV.

FAQs

Q1. Why diesel gives better mileage than petrol?

Ans. Because of diesel’s more combustible nature than petrol, less amount of fuel is required to generate power. On average, diesel cars offer 25% more mileage than their petrol counterparts.

Q2. Which SUV in India gives the highest mileage?

Ans. Hyundai Venue diesel has an ARAI mileage of 24.2 kmpl, making it the most fuel-efficient SUV on sale in the country.