Petrol engines may dominate the compact SUV segment, but there are still a handful of sub-4-metre SUVs on sale in India with a diesel engine. These are usually picked by buyers who cover long distances or need a tough workhorse for rural use, which makes fuel efficiency an important consideration. Here, we compare compact diesel SUV mileage as per ARAI, ranking each model from the lowest to the highest certified figure.
Do note that each model is ranked by its highest ARAI fuel efficiency figure, regardless of whether it’s for the manual or automatic version.
7. Mahindra Bolero
ARAI mileage: 16.5kpl
The Mahindra Bolero is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine that produces 76hp and 210Nm. It’s paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and this combination has an ARAI-rated efficiency of 16.5kpl. Mahindra’s long-running workhorse seats seven and is priced between Rs 8.57 lakh and Rs 9.99 lakh.
6. Mahindra Bolero Neo
ARAI mileage: 17.29kpl
The Bolero Neo is the only other seven-seater in this list. It gets a more powerful version of the Bolero’s 1.5-litre diesel engine, which makes 100hp and 260Nm. Paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Bolero Neo is rated at 17.29kpl by ARAI. Prices for the Bolero Neo range from Rs 9.06 lakh to Rs 10.39 lakh.
5. Kia Syros
ARAI mileage: 20.75kpl
The Kia Syros is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 116hp and 250Nm. It’s rated at 20.75kpl with the 6-speed manual and at 17.65kpl with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic. The Syros shares this engine with the Sonet, but it is the heavier of the two, which likely explains its lower efficiency figures. The Syros diesel is priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15.82 lakh, making it the most expensive diesel SUV in this list.
4. Hyundai Venue
ARAI mileage: 20.99kpl
The Hyundai Venue uses the same 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine as the two Kias in this list. In its second-gen form, the Venue diesel gets an automatic gearbox option for the first time. The diesel manual is rated at 20.99kpl, down from the previous-gen model’s 23.7kpl, while the diesel automatic has an ARAI figure of 17.9kpl. Prices for the Venue diesel range from Rs 9.95 lakh to Rs 15.65 lakh.
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3. Mahindra XUV 3XO
ARAI mileage: 21.2kpl
The XUV 3XO is the only monocoque Mahindra in this list, and it seats five. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine puts out 117hp and 300Nm and comes with a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed AMT. Unusually, it’s the AMT that’s more efficient, with an ARAI figure of 21.2kpl against the manual’s 20.6kpl. The XUV 3XO diesel is priced from Rs 9.36 lakh to Rs 14.08 lakh.
2. Kia Sonet
ARAI mileage: 22.3kpl*
The Kia Sonet shares its 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine with the Syros and Venue, but posts a higher ARAI figure than the Syros. Kia is yet to reveal an ARAI figure for the current diesel manual, but it should be close to the 22.3kpl of the now-discontinued diesel iMT. The diesel automatic is rated at 18.6kpl. Prices for the Sonet diesel range from Rs 9.29 lakh to Rs 14.46 lakh.
*Figure for the discontinued diesel iMT.
1. Tata Nexon
ARAI mileage: 24.08kpl
The Tata Nexon diesel SUV mileage figures are the best here, placing it at the number one spot. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 115hp and 260Nm. It gets 6-speed manual and AMT gearbox options, and as with the XUV 3XO, the AMT is more frugal. The Nexon diesel AMT has an ARAI figure of 24.08kpl, while the manual is rated at 23.23kpl. Prices for the Nexon diesel range from Rs 9.27 lakh to Rs 14.22 lakh.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Dipan Sur
