Top 7 Affordable Diesel Cars in India 2023: Price, Features, and Performance

India, a nation known for its diverse automotive market, has seen a surge in the demand for diesel cars due to their fuel efficiency and torquey performance. In 2023, several automakers have rolled out affordable diesel cars that cater to a wide range of preferences and budgets. Whether you want a compact SUV, a hatchback, or a rugged SUV, there’s something to suit every preference and budget in this list.

Let’s take a closer look at the top seven most affordable diesel cars in India that you can buy in 2023:

Tata Altroz

Price: Rs. 8.79-10.73 lakh

Starting our list is the safest hatchback in the Indian market, Tata Altroz. Equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-diesel engine, this hatchback offers a powerful performance with 88.7 bhp and 200 Nm. It provides a blend of safety, aesthetics, comfort, and modern features.

The Tata Altroz has a sleek and sporty design, with a dark theme for the XT and XZ+ variants. It also has a spacious cabin with ample legroom and headroom, along with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, cruise control, and more. The Tata Altroz also boasts of a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, making it one of the safest cars on the road.

Mahindra Bolero Neo & Bolero

Price: Rs. 9.63-12.14 lakh (Bolero Neo), Rs. 9.79-10.80 lakh (Bolero)

The Mahindra Bolero Neo and Bolero both offer a robust 1.5-liter turbo-diesel engine. The Bolero Neo churns out 100 bhp and 260 Nm, while the Bolero offers 74.9 bhp and 210 Nm. Both models are designed for a rugged SUV experience, accommodating up to 7 passengers.

The Mahindra Bolero Neo is a revamped version of the TUV300, with a new front grille, LED DRLs, alloy wheels, and body cladding. It also has a premium interior with dual-tone upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, and more. The Mahindra Bolero Neo also comes with an intelligent manual transmission (IMT) that eliminates the need for clutch operation.

The Mahindra Bolero is one of the oldest and most popular SUVs in India, known for its reliability and durability. It has a boxy and muscular design, with minimal changes over the years. It also has a simple and functional interior with basic features like power windows, central locking, AC, and more. The Mahindra Bolero is ideal for those who want a no-nonsense SUV that can handle any terrain.

Kia Sonet

Price: Rs. 9.95-14.89 lakh

Kia Sonet boasts a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine generating 113.4 bhp and 250 Nm. With an extensive list of features, a premium interior, and a striking exterior, it stands out as a feature-rich compact SUV.

The Kia Sonet has an eye-catching design, with a tiger-nose grille, LED headlights and taillights, dual-tone roof, and diamond-cut alloy wheels. It also has an upscale interior with leatherette seats, ambient lighting, sunroof, air purifier, wireless charging, and more. The Kia Sonet also offers an impressive feature list that includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with UVO connected car technology, Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, smart key with push-button start, and more.

Mahindra XUV300

Price: Rs. 10.21-14.75 lakh

Mahindra XUV300 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine offering a robust 115 bhp and 300 Nm. This spacious and comfortable car is suitable for long drives, characterized by an aggressive exterior design.

The Mahindra XUV300 has a bold and dynamic design, with LED DRLs, projector headlamps, fog lamps, roof rails, and dual-tone alloy wheels. It also has a roomy interior with ample storage space, leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, electric sunroof, and more. The Mahindra XUV300 also offers a host of features that include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BlueSense Plus connected car technology, 6 airbags, hill start assist, rear parking camera, and more.

Hyundai Venue

Price: Rs. 10.46-13.13 lakh

Hyundai Venue is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine providing 113.4 bhp and 250 Nm. Offering an impressive feature and equipment list, a premium interior, and an aggressive exterior design, it caters to those seeking a blend of style and substance.

The Hyundai Venue has a stylish and modern design, with a cascading grille, LED DRLs, projector headlamps, chrome accents, and diamond-cut alloy wheels. It also has a refined interior with fabric or leather seats, rear AC vents, electric sunroof, and more. The Hyundai Venue also offers a plethora of features that include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BlueLink connected car technology, Arkamys sound system, wireless charging, air purifier, and more.

Mahindra Thar

Price: Rs. 10.98-16.93 lakh

Mahindra Thar offers two engine options, including a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine (116.9 bhp and 300 Nm) and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (130 bhp and 300 Nm). It’s a vehicle that stands out with its exceptional road presence and adventurous spirit.

The Mahindra Thar has a rugged and iconic design, with a removable soft or hard top, round headlamps, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has a durable interior with washable floor mats, water-resistant seats, roll cage, and more. The Mahindra Thar also offers some features that enhance its off-road capabilities, such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Adventure Statistics Display, cruise control, brake locking differential, hill descent control, and more.

Tata Nexon

Price: Rs. 10.99-15.49 lakh

Finally, we have the Tata Nexon, equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering 113.3 bhp and 260 Nm. The facelifted model offers a brilliant exterior design, a feature-rich interior, and a smooth driving experience.

The Tata Nexon has a stunning and futuristic design, with a tri-arrow theme, LED DRLs, projector headlamps, dual-tone roof, and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also has a spacious and comfortable interior with fabric or leather seats, rear AC vents, sunroof, and more. The Tata Nexon also offers a variety of features that include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with iRA connected car technology, Harman sound system, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking camera, and more.