Diesel Cars Under 10 Lakh in India (9)

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Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol AMT. With 90% city driving, diesel is not the right choice. Modern diesels with DPFs are not happy with short city runs, and the cost savings wont add up with limited running. The Dzire is light, easy to drive, reliable, the AMT makes city traffic far less tiring and the 1.2-litre engine is very fuel efficient. It is also backed by Maruti’s massive service network and low running costs, which is exactly what you want as a long-term city car under 10 lakh. The Altroz diesel is a good car, but diesel simply does not make sense for your usage pattern. The Altroz price starts at Rs 6.30 lakh (ex-showroom). The Dzire is the safer, more sensible and more hassle-free choice for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Tata Altroz

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If you don't mind the long queues at the CNG filling station, opting for a CNG car will be a very economical option. Within your Rs 10 lakh budget, you could consider a Hyundai Exter CNG. Its engine is smooth, refined and very efficient. The clutch and gearbox are light, and overall the car is very user-friendly. Furthermore, with its twin-tank setup (placed beneath the floor), boot space is quite respectable.Alternatively, you could consider a Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG, a spacious and comfortable family car.

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

autocar.india

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Based on your usage, we would recommend buying a used Toyota Innova Crysta 2.4 diesel manual. It is a better fit than the older 2016 Innova because the Crysta feels noticeably more modern, more comfortable on long drives and significantly more refined overall. The 2.4 diesel manual is also considerably stronger than the older 2.5 diesel, and you will especially feel that extra performance on highways while overtaking or cruising with a full family on board. It is quieter inside, feels steadier at highway speeds, and the overall jump in comfort and safety over the older Innova is quite meaningful.While buying used, try to stick to single-owner cars with full Toyota service history. Check cold start (no smoke, smooth idle), look for clutch slip and smooth gear shifts, listen for injector and suspension noises, make sure it tracks straight and tyres wear evenly, and that ABS/airbag lights go off after start. Test AC on a hot day, check all doors, windows, and lights, and scan for flood signs (musty smell, damp carpets, rust under seats). Confirm no taxi use, match odometer with records, check insurance claim history, RTO papers, pollution certificate, both keys, and spare wheel and tools. Overall, for your use, a well-kept Crysta 2.4 diesel manual lines up best.

autocar.india

•13w

City commute plus frequent Konkan runs, a family of four, and a tall driver - in this brief, a used Hyundai Creta diesel is the best-fit car under Rs 10 lakh. It rides well over broken roads, stays steady at highway speeds, has a big boot, and the wide seat and upright driving position suit a 6’2” frame well. The diesel is reliable and uses less fuel on long trips.A strong alternative, if you don’t find a clean Creta, is the Renault Duster diesel manual for its comfy seats and torquey engine.On petrol vs diesel: a petrol would be better with just a 20km daily commute, but since you are frequently heading out of town with family in tow, a diesel car makes more sense. Manual vs automatic: an automatic eases Pune traffic, and the Creta's smooth torque-converter auto is the reliable pick in this price range.Target 2018-2021 cars with under 70,000km. Buy from reliable sources like Spinny with inspection and return/warranty. Check the full service history, accidental/flood signs, clutch and suspension health, tyre age, underbody rust, A/C, electricals, and do an OBD scan. Ensure the driver's seat adjusts far enough back for you.

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•13w

The entry-level Tata Altroz diesel-manual fits your budget. It is spacious, fuel-efficient, and has a decent-sized boot by hatchback standards, too. The Tata's highway stability is excellent, refinement isn't one of its strengths, and it does get quite noisy. The Tata Altroz price starts at Rs 6.30 lakh (ex-showroom).Alternatively, you could consider the mid-spec Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Even though it is only petrol-powered, its 3-cylinder engine is extremely fuel-efficient. The clutch, gearbox and steering are light, the car is very spacious, and its boot is large. While the Dzire is a very comfortable car, engine performance on the highway is a bit dull. However, if you are a sedate driver, this is the one to go for.

Tata Altroz

Maruti Suzuki Dzire