Diesel engines are known for their frugal nature and low-end torque, and stringent emissions norms have led several car manufacturers to move away from them. However, despite the criticism, a number of brands continue to bet big on them. Below is a list of all diesel SUVs available in India under Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom).
Tata Altroz
The Tata Altroz is the most affordable diesel car in India. It has a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 90hp and 200Nm of torque, paired with a standard 5-speed manual gearbox. Priced between Rs 8.90 lakh and Rs 11.35 lakh, the Altroz is the only diesel hatchback in India.
Mahindra Bolero
The Mahindra Bolero, a top-selling utility vehicle in India for over two decades, has a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine producing 76hp and 210Nm of torque. It is priced between Rs 9.79 lakh and Rs 10.91 lakh, and comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Mahindra Bolero Neo
The Bolero Neo has the same 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine as the Bolero, but it produces more power: 100hp and 260Nm. It comes with a 5-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels only. Its price starts at Rs 9.95 lakh and goes up to Rs 12.15 lakh.
Kia Sonet
The Kia Sonet has a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 116hp and 250Nm of torque. It can be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. It is priced between Rs 9.80 lakh and Rs 15.75 lakh.
Mahindra XUV 3XO
The Mahindra XUV 3XO was launched in India recently with two turbo-petrol engine options and a 1.5-litre diesel producing 117hp and 300Nm of torque. The transmission options on offer include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT. Prices start from Rs 9.99 lakh and go up to Rs 14.99 lakh.
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon has a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 115hp and 260Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. The Nexon diesel, competing with the XUV 3XO, is priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15.80 lakh.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue has the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Sonet, delivering 116hp and 250Nm of torque. Unlike the Sonet, this SUV is offered with only a 6-speed manual transmission. Prices range from Rs 10.71 lakh to Rs 13.44 lakh.
Mahindra Thar
The Mahindra Thar, India’s most affordable diesel lifestyle SUV, starts at Rs 11.35 lakh and goes up to Rs 17.60 lakh. It has two diesel engine options: a 118hp, 300Nm 1.5-litre, and a 132hp, 300Nm, 2.2-litre. Both engines come with a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the 2.2-litre variant also has a 6-speed automatic option. The Thar 1.5 diesel is rear-wheel drive, while the Thar 2.2 diesel has a 4×4 setup.
Mahindra Bolero Neo+
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The Bolero Neo+ is the three-row, 9-seater version of the Bolero Neo SUV. It has a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine producing 120hp and 280Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the rear wheels. Prices range from Rs 11.39 lakh to Rs 12.49 lakh.
Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos is equipped with the same 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Sonet. In the Seltos, this engine is available with a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Prices for the Seltos start from Rs 12.35 lakh and go up to Rs 20.35 lakh.
Hyundai Creta
Hyundai Creta also comes with the same 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Seltos. However, transmission options on the Creta include a 6-speed MT and a 6-speed AT. This diesel SUV is priced between Rs 12.56 lakh and Rs 20.15 lakh.
Mahindra Scorpio Classic
The previous-generation Scorpio is still available alongside the latest model, branded as the ‘Scorpio Classic’. It is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 132hp and 300Nm of torque, paired with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. The Scorpio Classic is priced between Rs 13.62 lakh and Rs 17.42 lakh.
Mahindra Scorpio N
Launched in 2022, the Scorpio N also has the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine as the Classic. Its diesel engine comes with two power outputs– 132hp and 175hp. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, with the SUV also having an optional 4WD configuration.
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra XUV700 also comes with a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine, producing 185hp and 450Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed torque converter auto. While front-wheel-drive (FWD) is standard, the XUV700 diesel is also available with all-wheel-drive (AWD).
Tata Harrier
Tata Motors offers the Harrier with a sole FCA-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 170hp and 350Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed MT and a 6-speed AT with a front-wheel-drive setup. This midsize SUV is priced between Rs 15.49 lakh and Rs 26.44 lakh.
Tata Safari
The Safari also has the same 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine with the same gearbox options. The 7-seater vehicle is currently available at a base price of Rs 16.19 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 27.34 lakh.
Force Gurkha
The recently updated Force Gurkha, a rival to the Mahindra Thar, is available in two variants: a 3-door version priced at Rs 16.75 lakh and a 5-door version at Rs 18 lakh. Both models have a Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine producing 140hp and 320Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 4WD as standard. Force is also evaluating an automatic gearbox option for the Gurkha to expand its appeal.
MG Hector, Hector Plus
The MG Hector and Hector Plus also come with the same Fiat-sourced 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine as the Tata Harrier and the Safari. Prices of the Hector and Hector Plus diesel start at Rs 17.88 lakh and Rs 17.30 lakh, respectively.
Hyundai Alcazar
The Alcazar also makes use of Hyundai’s 116hp, 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine. The diesel variants of the three-row SUV are priced from Rs 17.78 lakh and goes up to Rs 21.28 lakh. Hyundai is currently testing the Alcazar facelift, expected to go on sale later this year.
Jeep Compass
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The Jeep Compass is equipped with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 170hp and 350Nm of torque. It comes with a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter automatic transmissions, and offers optional 4WD. Jeep has pulled the plug on the next-generation Compass, which was due for an India launch in 2026. The current model starts at Rs 20.69 lakh..
Isuzu V-Cross
Technically not a car or an SUV, the Isuzu V-Cross pickup truck deserves a mention in this list as it costs below Rs 30 lakh. Priced between Rs 21.20 lakh and Rs 30.96 lakh for the top-end variant, it’s the most affordable pickup truck in India. It has a 1.9-litre diesel engine producing 163hp and 360Nm torque, paired with a 6-speed MT and an optional 6-speed AT.