Every diesel automatic SUV under Rs 25 lakh in India

Diesel SUV options are currently very limited in the market, and if you want an automatic, your options are further limited. However, diesel engines remain popular in some segments thanks to their lower running costs and inherently torquey nature. To that end, we've compiled a list of all diesel automatic SUVs under Rs 25 lakh that are currently on sale, comprising a mix of both ladder-frame and monocoque SUVs across the compact and midsize segments.

The rankings are in ascending order of starting prices. Cosmetic packages and dual-tone paint options have not been considered in the price ranges.

1. Kia Sonet

Rs 9.80 lakh-14.17 lakh

The Kia Sonet is the most affordable diesel-AT SUV you can buy right now. It pairs a 6-speed torque converter automatic with its 116hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Sonet HTE(O) trim onwards. In fact, the diesel-AT powertrain is widely considered one of the best picks of the Sonet range. Not only does the engine feel strong in the Sonet's compact SUV form factor, but the torque converter also enables a smoother experience than AMT-equipped rivals, and the powertrain delivers an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 18.6kpl.

2. Tata Nexon

Rs 10.65 lakh-14.02 lakh

Tata's venerable compact SUV, the Nexon, is one of the cheapest diesel-automatic SUVs in the market. Among the Nexon's numerous powertrain options is a 115hp, 260Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed AMT, which is available from the mid-spec Pure+ trim onwards. The diesel engine is peppy and manages turbo lag well, and the AMT is surprisingly smooth-shifting, though hard acceleration may incur the typical 'head-nod' effect. As for claimed fuel efficiency, the Nexon diesel-AMT stands at 24.08kpl.

3. Mahindra XUV 3XO

Rs 10.85 lakh-13.34 lakh

Last on the podium is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which pairs its 117hp, 300Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine with a 6-speed AMT from the mid-spec MX3 trim onwards. This engine is refined and develops the most torque in its segment, so performance feels strong, especially on the highway. The XUV 3XO diesel-AMT claims a 21.2kpl mileage. Notably, Mahindra does not offer the diesel-AMT powertrain in the top-spec XUV 3XO AX7L trim, which means you miss out on features like a 360-degree camera and a Level 2 ADAS suite.

4. Hyundai Venue

Rs 11.81 lakh-15.64 lakh

The first-gen Hyundai Venue conspicuously lacked a diesel-automatic powertrain option, an issue the second-gen model finally rectified when it was launched in November 2025. Like the Sonet, the new Venue gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with its 115hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine, starting from the HX5 trim level. The powertrain is very smooth and refined, though initial throttle responses can feel dull, and the Venue diesel-AT mileage stands at a claimed 20.99kpl.

5. Kia Syros

Rs 12.74 lakh-15.80 lakh

Kia’s second compact SUV, the Syros, shares its 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter with the Venue and Sonet. This diesel-AT powertrain was made more affordable following the SUV's 2026 update, with it now offered from the mid-spec Syros HTK+ trim onwards. As for the driving experience, the Syros diesel-AT responds very well to throttle inputs, and gear shifts feel seamless, though refinement falls a bit short. The Syros diesel-AT sports a claimed mileage of 17.65kpl.

6. Tata Curvv

Rs 13.95 lakh-18.90 lakh

The Curvv uses the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Nexon, but the former's output is 3hp more at 118hp; torque remains identical at 260Nm. It also comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as opposed to the Nexon’s AMT, and is available from the Curvv Pure+ trim onwards. This unique diesel-DCT powertrain feels strong past 1,500rpm and offers seamless shifts, though refinement and low-speed drivability could be better. Tata has yet to reveal an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency figure, but in our real-world mileage test of the Curvv diesel-DCT, we achieved an average of 14.19kpl.

7. Kia Seltos

Rs 14.99 lakh-19.99 lakh

The Seltos may have undergone a generational upgrade, but it retains the same 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel-AT powertrain as the prior model (also shared with the Sonet and Venue). This powertrain is available from the Seltos HTE(O) trim onwards, making it one of the most affordable diesel-AT midsize SUVs you can currently buy. While it remains smooth and refined, the new Seltos’ increase in weight does make the diesel-AT powertrain feel less punchy than before. Kia has not shared claimed mileage figures for the Seltos diesel-AT, but expect a real-world average of 14-15kpl.

8. Tata Sierra

Rs 15.99 lakh-21.29 lakh

Tata launched the Sierra in late 2025 as its strongest contender for the midsize SUV segment so far. The Sierra shares the Curvv’s 118hp 1.5-litre diesel engine, but with a 20Nm bump in torque to 280Nm. Unlike the Curvv’s DCT, the Sierra diesel gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which offers seamless shifts and great calibration. The engine itself delivers power linearly, but is audible at all times. In our real-world mileage test of the Sierra diesel-AT, the SUV achieved an average of 13.05kpl.

9. Hyundai Creta

Rs 16.04 lakh-20.20 lakh

The Creta gets the same 116hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic as the Seltos, Sonet, Syros, and Venue from the EX(O) trim onwards. As you'd expect, this diesel-AT powertrain’s smoothness and refinement remain a highlight in the Creta. For the Creta diesel-AT, Hyundai claims a fuel efficiency of 19.1kpl.

10. Mahindra Thar Roxx

Rs 17.35 lakh-22.82 lakh

The hugely popular 5-door Thar Roxx uses a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 152hp and 330Nm, and is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic from the second-from-base MX3 trim; 4WD-AT can be had only on the AX5L and AX7L trims. In 4x4 guise, the Thar Roxx diesel-AT’s output is bumped to 175hp and 370Nm. Mahindra claims a fuel efficiency of 15.2kpl for the Thar Roxx diesel-AT, but there’s no claimed fuel efficiency figure with the 4x4 layout. The Thar Roxx 4x4 diesel-AT variants also get an off-road cruise control feature called 'Smart Crawl' and a feature called 'Intelliturn' that helps tighten the turning radius in certain off-road situations.

11. Mahindra Scorpio N

Rs 17.50 lakh-24.95 lakh

Like the Thar Roxx, the Scorpio N is powered by Mahindra’s 2.2-litre diesel engine, albeit in a stronger state of tune – 175hp and 400Nm – paired with a 6-speed automatic that’s available from the one-above-base Z4 trim onwards. This powertrain feels quite smooth, potent, and suited to the Scorpio N’s nature. The Scorpio N diesel-AT has a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 15.42kpl, and is optionally available with 4x4 in higher variants too. A 7-seat configuration is standard across the range, but the top-spec Z8 L trim can also be had in 6-seat guise.

12. Mahindra Thar

Rs 17.63 lakh

You’d expect the 3-door Thar diesel-AT to sport a lower starting price than the 5-door Roxx, but that’s not the case. This is because the Thar’s 132hp, 300Nm, 2.2-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic configuration are available solely in the top-spec LXT trim, that too equipped with 4x4 as standard. The Thar diesel-AT is impressively refined and delivers power gradually, while the gearbox remains characteristically smooth. Mahindra has not disclosed claimed mileage figures for the Thar diesel-AT, but expect a real-world average of 11-12kpl.

13. Mahindra XUV 7XO

Rs 17.94 lakh-24.92 lakh

Rounding off the Mahindra quartet is the XUV 7XO, the rebranded XUV700 facelift that launched in early 2026. The XUV 7XO carries over the XUV700’s 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 185hp and 450Nm – the highest output on this list – when hooked up with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. This diesel-AT powertrain is available from the XUV 7XO AX3 trim onwards, and delivers a strong surge of torque with good refinement and responsive shifts. AWD and 6-seat layouts (7-seat is standard) are also available in the AX7T and AX7L trims. Claimed mileage figures for the XUV 7XO diesel-AT have not been revealed yet, but 16-17kpl can be expected in real-world usage.

14. Tata Harrier

Rs 18.65 lakh-24.70 lakh

The Harrier comes equipped with a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 170hp and 350Nm, and comes coupled to a 6-speed torque converter automatic from the mid-spec Pure X trim onwards. This diesel-AT powertrain has a wide powerband, with the mid-range feeling especially strong, along with smooth shifts. Tata claims a mileage of 16.8kpl for the Harrier diesel-AT.

15. Hyundai Alcazar

Rs 18.73 lakh-21.06 lakh

The Alcazar is the final SUV on this list to use the Hyundai Group’s 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic combo, offering it from the Corporate trim onwards. As with the Creta and Seltos, the Alcazar diesel-AT feels quite smooth and refined, though the powertrain is best enjoyed with an unhurried and sedate driving style. Hyundai claims a fuel efficiency of 18.1kpl for the Alcazar diesel-AT, and the three-row SUV can be had in both 6- and 7-seat configurations.

16. Tata Safari

Rs 19.10 lakh-25.45 lakh

Tata’s flagship ICE SUV, the three-row Safari, is powered by the same 170hp 2.0-litre diesel engine and 6-speed automatic as its 5-seater sibling, the Harrier. Like the Harrier, the Safari diesel-AT is offered from the Pure X trim onwards and feels just as punchy to drive, though refinement is far from segment standards. The Safari diesel-AT claims a fuel efficiency of 14.1kpl, and like many other three-row SUVs on this list, can also be had with a 6-seat layout instead of the standard 7-seat configuration.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.