Tata Altroz Diesel is among India’s most affordable diesel cars, with an ex-showroom price starting at ₹8,29,990. Its sporty design features sharp, laser-cut styling, a sleek grille and doors that open up to 90 degrees for easier access. Inside, the cabin gets a dual-tone theme, ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, cruise control and a wireless charger, enhancing its premium appeal.
On the safety front, the Altroz has received a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP. It comes equipped with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Corner Stability Control and a rear parking camera. Powering the diesel variant is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged Revotorq diesel engine that produces 90 PS of power and 200 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and delivers a claimed mileage of up to 23.6 km/l.
The Mahindra Bolero is one of India’s most popular and rugged utility vehicles, known for its robust build and practicality. Its ex-showroom price starts at ₹8.49 lakh. The SUV features a classic boxy design with a rugged metal body, making it well suited to rural roads and challenging terrains. Inside, the cabin is basic but functional, offering a 7-seater layout, a digital instrument cluster, power steering, manual air conditioning and fabric upholstery.
In terms of safety, the Bolero comes equipped with essential features such as dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, ABS and seatbelt reminders. Under the hood, it gets a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder mHawk75 diesel engine that produces 75 bhp of power and 210 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and offers a claimed mileage of around 16 km/l.
Mahindra Bolero Neo blends a modern SUV design with a rugged ladder-frame chassis, offering a balance of contemporary styling and utility. Its ex-showroom price starts at ₹8.99 lakh. The design features a signature chrome grille, squared-off wheel arches and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, giving it a solid and rugged stance. Inside, the 7-seater cabin gets an Italian-themed interior, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, an armrest and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.
For safety, the Bolero Neo comes equipped with features such as Cornering Brake Control, ABS with EBD and dual airbags. The top-spec variant also gets Multi-Terrain Technology with a mechanical locking differential, enhancing its capability on challenging surfaces. Power comes from a 1.5-litre mHawk100 diesel engine that develops 100 bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and sends power to the rear wheels. It delivers a claimed ARAI mileage of around 17.29 km/l.
The Kia Sonet Diesel stands out with its premium styling and extensive list of technology features. The diesel variant is priced from ₹9.19 lakh (ex-showroom). Its exterior features Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille, Star Map LED lighting and muscular bumpers, giving the compact SUV a distinctive road presence. Inside, the cabin gets features such as ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, an electric sunroof, ambient mood lighting and a Bose premium audio system.
On the safety front, the Sonet gets six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-Start Assist. Select variants also feature Level 1 ADAS. Under the hood, it is powered by a refined 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine that produces 116 PS and 250 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT and 6-speed torque-converter automatic, with fuel efficiency of up to around 22.3 km/l.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a modern compact SUV that combines bold styling with a feature-rich cabin. Its diesel variants are priced from ₹9.36 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV gets an aggressive exterior design, highlighted by C-shaped LED DRLs, connected LED tail-lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin features a soft-touch dashboard, dual 10.25-inch screens, a panoramic sunroof, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a Harman Kardon surround-sound system.
In terms of safety, the XUV 3XO gets six airbags as standard, along with all-four disc brakes, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Level 2 ADAS. Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 117 PS and 300 Nm of peak torque, among the highest outputs in its segment. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, with the diesel variant offering a claimed mileage of around 20.6 km/l.