Kia Diesel Cars in India (7)

autocar.india

•3d

With 70-80% highway usage and a preference for a diesel automatic, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the most sensible upgrade from your i20 Active. The Seltos diesel is a good highway performer with a refined engine, a well-sorted automatic gearbox and a comfortable, premium cabin. The 1.5 diesel is very efficient too.The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is a good alternative if you prioritise ride comfort, rear seat space and a large boot, but the Seltos is the more polished and proven product overall.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai i20

Tata Sierra

autocar.india

•4d

You already have different cars for different purposes, but you haven't mentioned which of the four cars you would like to replace. Within Rs 40 lakhs, the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is an excellent, tried and tested option. It is efficient, extremely spacious, and the ride comfort is good too. Also, with light steering, a responsive powertrain and good visibility and driving aids, it is very user-friendly. So unlike the Innova Crysta, which would be more suited for the chauffeur-driven, the Hycross is also surprisingly easy to drive too.You could also consider the new Kia Sorento, which seems excellent value for money. We haven't got a chance to drive or test it yet, however it seems spacious, well-equipped and on first impression, the interior quality seems to be excellent. This is one SUV you must test drive before finalising - it has both 2.2 diesel and 1.6 turbo strong hybrid options.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova Crysta

Kia Sorento

autocar.india

•4d

First, a quick clarification: diesels are unlikely to be phased out anytime soon. There are tighter emissions norms and some city-specific restrictions to keep an eye on, but there is no immediate reason to avoid a modern BS6 diesel purely on the assumption that it will soon become unusable. Mahindra, in particular, is likely to continue offering diesel SUVs for as long as there is meaningful demand. The XUV 7XO AX7T’s 2.2-litre diesel remains a strong fit for frequent highway use, long-distance touring, heavy loads and buyers who value effortless torque and quick refuelling.Your EV reliability concern is understandable, but it should not be a deciding negative by itself. An electric car has fewer mechanical moving parts than an ICE vehicle, which can reduce routine powertrain maintenance requirements. The more relevant question is whether your charging situation and typical driving pattern suit one. If you have dependable home or workplace charging, the Harrier EV makes a compelling case with its quieter, smoother driving experience and substantially lower running costs. The Fearless+ gets a 65kWh battery with a claimed 538km range, while 75kWh versions claim up to 627km, though real-world range will naturally be lower and depend on speed, weather and driving style.If you do regular intercity runs, especially in areas where charging stops may be inconvenient, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is still the easier all-round ownership proposition. It is also likely to be the better choice if you plan to keep the car for a long time without changing your travel routine.If a hybrid is what you are after, there are now two relevant options. The MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV offers a useful EV-only range of around 100km, backed by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. However, a plug-in hybrid only makes sense if you can charge it regularly. The Kia Sorento is a conventional strong hybrid, so it does not need external charging and should offer better refinement and economy than a regular petrol SUV. It is, however, considerably more expensive than the XUV 7XOOur advice: Choose the Harrier EV if you have home charging and most of your running is urban or predictable. Choose the XUV 7XO diesel if long highway trips and maximum convenience matter more.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Sorento

MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV

Tata Harrier EV

autocar.india

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Diesel AT. Your running is around 1,200-1,300 km a month with a 60% highway bias, which is exactly the kind of usage where a diesel makes sense. The diesel engine is stronger on the highway, offers better overtaking performance and will be more efficient over long distances, so the higher upfront cost will be recovered over time. The DPF concern is understandable, but your usage pattern is actually ideal for a modern diesel – regular highway runs keep the system healthy and minimise the risk of issues. The petrol IVT is smooth and reliable, but it will feel less punchy on the highway and in the hills, and the fuel cost difference will add up over time. As for E20, modern engines are engineered to handle it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol, but in your case the diesel is simply the better fit. The Seltos diesel automatic is a well-rounded package and will suit your usage perfectly.

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•6d

At 80% city usage, switching to a diesel purely for better mileage doesn’t make much sense. Your 8–9kpl is on the lower side, but the T-GDi is the performance-oriented engine, and frequent stop-start traffic will naturally bring down its efficiency.The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel will deliver considerably better fuel economy and strong low-end torque, but it also brings the added complexity of a DPF. Since most of your driving is in the city, short and slow trips can make DPF regeneration more difficult. You would need to give the car occasional sustained runs to allow the system to regenerate properly.The Kia Seltos diesel is the better of the two if you want to move to a larger and more premium SUV. It is refined, has strong torque, and the automatic is well suited to relaxed driving. However, you would still have the same DPF consideration, and neither diesel will give you the performance character of your T-GDi.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 3XO