Every diesel SUV under Rs 30 lakh in India

Stringent emissions norms have led several car manufacturers to move away from diesel powertrains, but diesels are hard to beat for their frugal nature and low-end torque. Yes, the market share of diesel has significantly reduced in recent years, but it remains a popular fuel choice, especially in the midsize and three-row SUV segments. And a number of brands continue to bet big on them. Below is a list of every diesel SUV under Rs 30 lakh in India. 

1. Mahindra Bolero

Rs 9.79 lakh-10.90 lakh

The Mahindra Bolero is the most affordable diesel SUV on sale in India. Available in B4, B6 and B6 (O) trims, the Bolero solely comes with a 76hp/ 210Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Mahindra Bolero diesel review highlights:

1. Good low-end torque with minimal need for downshifts.
2. Best suited for relaxed driving.

2. Mahindra Bolero Neo/ Bolero Neo+

Rs 9.49 lakh-12.15 lakh/ Rs 11.39 lakh-12.49 lakh

The Bolero Neo (7-seater) and Bolero Neo+ (9-seater) are a more modern take on the standard Bolero. All Bolero Neo variants: N4, N8, N10 and N10 (O), and Bolero Neo+ variants: P4 and P10, are exclusively diesel-powered. Like the Bolero, both the Neo and Neo+ have a rear-wheel drive setup. The Bolero Neo uses a 100hp/ 260Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine, whereas the Neo+ opts for a 120hp/ 280Nm, 2.2-litre diesel motor. As for transmission, the Neo has a 5-speed manual and the Neo+ has a 6-speed unit, but no automatic option is available with either SUV.

Mahindra Bolero Neo diesel review highlights:

1. Smooth, refined diesel with strong low-end performance.
2. Lacks punch beyond 100kph, especially when fully loaded.

3. Mahindra XUV 3XO

Rs 9.99 lakh-14.99 lakh

Essentially the XUV300 facelift, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel trims include MX2, MX2 Pro, MX3, MX3 Pro, AX5, AX7 and AX7 L. Coming to its powertrain, the Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and Kia Syros rival is powered by a 117hp/ 300Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. But unlike the Mahindras so far offering a sole MT unit, the 3XO diesel comes with both a 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT pairings.

Mahindra XUV300 diesel review highlights:

1. Turbo lag is really well contained at low speeds.
2. Nice spread of power, and it feels responsive throughout.

4. Tata Nexon

Rs 10 lakh-15.60 lakh

Next, the Tata Nexon has a slightly higher price range than the 3XO, particularly at the higher end of its variant lineup. Talking about variants, the Nexon diesel is available in Smart+, Smart+ S, Pure+, Pure+ S, Creative, Creative+, Creative+ S and Fearless+ trims. Under the hood, the Nexon has a 115hp/ 260Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine, and gearbox options include a 3XO-like 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT pair.

Tata Nexon diesel review highlights: 

1. Fair amount of grunt in the mid-range.
2. Smooth note on idle, but it gets gravelly as the revs climb.  

5. Kia Sonet

Rs 10 lakh-15.74 lakh

One of the two compact SUVs in Kia India’s stable, the Sonet diesel lineup comprises HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+, HTX and GTX+. The Kia Sonet has a 116hp/ 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine, which can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic; iMT has now been discontinued. Notably, this diesel motor also does duty in five more SUVs on this list.

Kia Sonet diesel review highlights:

1. Offers a good mix of performance, refinement and fuel economy.
2. Torque converter auto is at its best when driven leisurely.

6. Hyundai Venue

Rs 10.80 lakh-13.53 lakh

Sister to the Kia Sonet, the Hyundai Venue has a slightly higher base model price but is significantly more affordable at the higher end. Its diesel variants include S+, SX and SX (O). The same 1.5-litre diesel engine does duty in the Venue, however, transmission options are limited to a sole 6-speed manual unit.

Hyundai Venue diesel review highlights:

1. Smooth and refined at low revs with easy city drivability.
2. Feels strained at higher revs

7. Kia Syros

Rs 11.30 lakh-17.80 lakh

After the Sonet, the Kia Syros is the brand’s second compact SUV in the country, as well as the most expensive compared to its aforementioned Mahindra, Tata and Hyundai counterparts. Diesel Syros variants include HTK (O), HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and HTX+ (O). Meanwhile, its diesel powertrain mirrors the Sonet, including the transmission pairings.

Kia Syros diesel review highlights:

1. Overtakes are easy with ample torque on offer.
2. It gets noisy past 2,500rpm.

8. Mahindra Thar

Rs 11.50 lakh-17.62 lakh

Unlike the SUVs so far, the off-road-focused Mahindra Thar comes in four-wheel drive (4WD), as well as rear-wheel drive (RWD) configurations. The diesel engine, in either FWD or 4WD configuration, can only be had in the top LX trim. Mahindra offers two engine options with the Thar SUV: a 118hp/ 300Nm, 1.5-litre diesel with the RWD version, and a 130hp/ 300Nm 2.2-litre diesel with the 4WD version. A manual gearbox is standard, while the Thar 4WD adds a torque converter auto.

Mahindra Thar diesel review highlights:

1. Refined and smooth diesel with strong low-end and mid ranges.
2. Effortless during off-roading.

9. Tata Curvv

Rs 11.50 lakh-19.52 lakh

The Tata Curvv stands out as the only diesel coupe SUV on this list that money can buy under Rs 30 lakh. The Curvv diesel variant spread has Smart, Pure+, Pure+ S, Creative, Creative S, Creative+ S, Accomplished S and Accomplished+. The Curvv is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 118hp and 260Nm of torque, a slightly uprated version of the Nexon’s diesel motor. It comes paired with either a manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic, the latter making it the only SUV in this list to offer one.

Tata Curvv diesel review highlights:

1. It pulls well past 1,500rpm but sounds gravelly when revved.
2. The DCT is smooth with upshifts but gets jerky at low speeds.

10. Hyundai Creta

Rs 12.69 lakh-20.50 lakh

The Hyundai Creta mid-size SUV’s popularity is well-established, and it is the brand’s bread-and-butter model in India. As for the diesel Creta variants, they include E, EX, EX (O), S (O), SX Tech, SX Premium and SX (O). Talking about its motor, the familiar 116hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Creta can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Hyundai Creta diesel review highlights:

1. Smooth and quiet by diesel standards
2. Enough poke for highway runs.

11. Kia Seltos

Rs 12.77 lakh-20.56 lakh

Like the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, the Kia Seltos is a sibling to the Hyundai Creta. The Seltos diesel is available in HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTK+ (O), HTX, HTX (O), GTX+ and X-Line, and has the same diesel engine and transmission options as the Creta. 

Kia Seltos diesel review highlights:

1. Smooth, quiet operation; ideal for cruising
2. Not as punchy as turbo-petrol but feels composed and relaxed.

12. Mahindra Scorpio Classic

Rs 13.76 lakh-17.72 lakh

Moving up a segment, the Mahindra Scorpio Classic is an SUV that needs no introduction. All trims of the Scorpio Classic, including S and S11, are offered with a diesel powertrain as standard. The Scorpio gets a 132hp/ 300Nm, 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. No automatic is on offer here.

Mahindra Scorpio diesel review highlights:

1. Much more silent and vibe-free than the older block.
2. Sharp throttle response even in higher gears.

13. Mahindra Thar Roxx

Rs 14.29 lakh-23.39 lakh

The Thar Roxx is the five-door version of the Thar, and its diesel lineup has the MX1, MX3, AX3 L, MX5, AX5 L and AX7 L trims. While RWD is standard, the latter three variants can also be had with a 4WD setup. Unlike the Thar, which has separate engines for the two drive layouts, the Thar Roxx consolidates it to the 2.2-litre diesel engine, which makes 172hp/ 370Nm (in 4WD configuration) and 152hp/ 330Nm (in RWD configuration). Both these configurations can be paired with either a manual or a torque converter unit. 

Mahindra Thar Roxx diesel review highlights:

1. Refined nature with strong low-end and mid-range grunt.
2. Quiet at low revs, mild diesel drone at high revs.

14. Mahindra Scorpio N

Rs 14.49 lakh-25.15 lakh

The Mahindra Scorpio N, which is the third-gen Scorpio, is one of the brand’s bestselling SUVs. Talking about the Scorpio N diesel trim levels, they are Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8 Select, Z8, and Z8 L. While RWD is standard, the Z4, Z8, and Z8 L variants can also be had with a 4WD system. As for its powertrain, the 2.2-litre diesel engine generates 132hp/ 300Nm in the RWD guise and 175hp/ 400Nm in the 4WD guise. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Mahindra Scorpio N diesel review highlights:

1. Huge tank of torque available in the mid-range.
2. Best driven below redline to avoid cabin noise.

15. Mahindra XUV700

Rs 14.99 lakh-25.14 lakh

The last Mahindra model to feature on this list, the XUV700 is the brand’s flagship ICE SUV offering in India. FWD is offered as standard in the XUV700, and its diesel variants include MX, AX5, AX5 Select, AX7, AX7 L; the latter two can also be had with an AWD setup. The familiar 2.2-litre diesel engine resides under the hood of the Mahindra SUV, but makes 155hp/ 360Nm in the FWD guise and 185hp/ 420Nm-450Nm in the AWD guise. Notably, the XUV700 is offered with both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, but the AWD version is exclusively sold with the automatic unit.

Mahindra XUV700 diesel review highlights:

1. Extremely tractable and refined.
2. Strong and linear performance.  

16. Tata Harrier

Rs 15 lakh-26.50 lakh

The Tata Harrier sits below the brand’s Safari flagship SUV. Speaking of the Harrier diesel variants, they are Smart, Smart (O), Pure, Pure (O), Pure+, Pure+ S, Adventure, Adventure+, Fearless and Fearless+. It gets a 170hp/ 350Nm, 2.0-litre diesel motor, which can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Tata Harrier diesel review highlights:

1. Wide powerband with a strong mid-range.
2. Refinement levels are still far from class best standards.

17. Tata Safari

Rs 15.50 lakh-27.25 lakh

While the Harrier is a five-seater, the Tata Safari comes in 6 and 7-seater options. The Safari diesel’s variant lineup closely mirrors that of the Harrier, with the key difference being the replacement of the Fearless and Fearless+ trims by the Accomplished and Accomplished+ variants, respectively. The Safari also shares its diesel engine and transmission options with the Harrier. 

Tata Safari diesel review highlights:

1. Feels comfortable at highway speeds
2. Automatic gear shifts are made in a leisurely manner.

18. Hyundai Alcazar

Rs 15.99 lakh-21.74 lakh

Just as the Safari offers more seating capacity than the Harrier, the Hyundai Alcazar provides both 6- and 7-seat configurations compared to the 5-seater Creta. As for the Alcazar diesel trims, these include Prestige, Corporate, Platinum and Signature. The Alcazar also makes use of Hyundai’s 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine, and can be had with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. 

Hyundai Alcazar diesel review highlights:

1. Smooth, and vibe-free during relaxed driving; gets coarse when pushed.
2. The torque converter auto is relaxed with shifts.

19. Force Gurkha/ Gurkha 5 door

Rs 16.75 lakh/ Rs 18 lakh

The Force Gurkha three-door and five-door SUVs are the direct rivals to the Thar and Thar Roxx models, respectively. Each Force model is sold in one fully-loaded variant, and a 4WD configuration is a standard offering. Also common is the 140hp/ 320Nm 2.6-litre diesel engine, which is mated only to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Force Gurkha diesel review highlights:

1. BS6.2 is quieter with strong low-end performance.
2. Best to upshift early as power tapers beyond 2,600rpm

20. MG Hector/ Hector Plus

Rs 18.58 lakh-22.57 lakh/ Rs 17.50 lakh-23.43 lakh

MG started its India innings with the Hector, which is a five-seater SUV. Its launch was followed by the Hector Plus, which introduced additional 6- and 7-seat configurations. The MG Hector and Hector Plus share a largely similar diesel variant structure, with both offering the Select Pro, Smart Pro, and Sharp Pro trims. The key difference lies in their entry-level offerings as the Hector range begins with the Shine Pro variant, while the Hector Plus starts with the Style trim. Both MGs are powered by a 170hp/ 350Nm, 2-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual.

MG Hector diesel review highlights:

1. Relaxed and linear power delivery.
2. Tall gearing in the interest of fuel economy.

21. Jeep Compass

Rs 18.99 lakh-32.41 lakh

The Jeep Compass starts the SUV brand’s lineup in India, featuring both RWD and 4WD configurations. While the RWD is standard in all variants – Sport, Longitude, Longitude (O), Limited (O), and S (O), the latter trim can also be had with a 4WD system to take on off-road trails with ease. Jeep offers the Compass solely with a 170hp/ 350Nm, 2-litre diesel engine. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed torque converter gearbox.

Jeep Compass diesel review highlights:

1. Linear build-up of acceleration with strong top-end pull.
2. Refinement dips at high revs with noticeable diesel noise.

22. Jeep Meridian

Rs 24.99 lakh-38.79 lakh

While the Compass is strictly a 5-seater, the Jeep Meridian is available in both 5 and 7-seat configurations. The Jeep Meridian is also sold solely with a diesel powertrain and rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. Its variants include Longitude, Longitude+, Limited (O), and Overland; the latter two trims can be had with a four-wheel drive (4WD) system as well. The Meridian shares its diesel engine and transmission options with the Compass.

Jeep Meridian diesel review highlights:

1. Performance feels softer than the Compass due to extra weight.
2. Lazy 9-speed gearbox blunts responsiveness.

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