Most fuel efficient diesel SUVs – Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Mahindra XUV700

Diesel engines are adored by many Indian car buyers, especially in SUVs. The peppy low-end torque of a diesel engine in a high-riding SUV can make for quite an enjoyable and smooth driving experience. Not to mention, great fuel efficiency has always been a hallmark benefit of diesel engines. Unfortunately, increasingly strict emission norms in recent years have relegated diesel engines to a dying breed in India, and only a handful of automakers still offer diesel SUVs.

We have compiled a list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient diesel SUVs that fall under Rs 30 lakh, ranked from lowest to highest. The list is based on official ARAI fuel economy figures, but actual efficiency is subject to varying driving styles and conditions. Many of these diesel SUVs offer both automatic and manual transmissions, so we counted the highest fuel efficiency figure achieved by their powertrain combinations.

10. Mahindra Thar Roxx: 15.2kpl

Launched in August 2024, the Mahindra Thar Roxx is the five-door variant of the highly-popular Thar off-road SUV. The Thar Roxx offers a sole 152hp, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that can be paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter auto. Both gearbox configurations are matched in terms of their ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency, which computes to 15.2kpl. Buyers can expect a Rs 13.99 lakh starting price for the diesel Thar Roxx, with the top-spec variant coming in at Rs 22.49 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

9. MG Hector/Hector Plus: 15.58kpl

MG India refreshed both the Hector and three-row Hector Plus in early 2023, introducing major exterior and interior updates to the SUVs. No mechanical changes were made, though, with the Hector still powered by a 170hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. While the unit is among the more powerful engines in its segment, MG only offers it in 6-speed manual guise, which is good for 15.58kpl. Coming to price, the diesel Hector and Hector Plus start at Rs 18.57 lakh and Rs 17.49 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 22.57 lakh and Rs 23.41 lakh respectively (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

8. Mahindra Scorpio N: 15.94kpl

Yet another popular Mahindra SUV, the Scorpio N stands out from its competitors thanks to its ladder-frame construction. Another attractive aspect of the Scorpio N is its 175hp, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel powerplant churning out 400Nm of torque. Just like the Thar Roxx’s diesel engine, Scorpio N buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter auto, with the former gearbox delivering better fuel efficiency. The starting price for the diesel Scorpio N is Rs 14.39 lakh, climbing all the way up to Rs 24.69 lakh for the fully-loaded variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

7. Tata Safari: 16.3kpl

The Safari is Tata’s halo diesel SUV, and for good measure. Not only is the Safari the largest SUV in its segment and built on Land Rover’s D8 platform, it’s powered by a 170hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter auto. Tata doesn’t offer a petrol powertrain for the Safari at all, a rather strange choice in this day and age. Lack of petrol options aside, the 16.3kpl fuel efficiency figure achieved by the Safari’s diesel-manual configuration is quite impressive given its immense size. Price-wise, the Safari range starts from Rs 15.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 26.99 lakh for the top-spec variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

6. Tata Harrier: 16.8kpl

The second Tata SUV on this list is the Harrier. The current generation of the Harrier has been around since 2019, with the five-seat SUV receiving a comprehensive facelift at the end of 2023. Just like the Safari, the Harrier entirely misses out on a petrol powertrain. The SUV only comes with a 170hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine in 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter guises, with both delivering an equal 16.8kpl. The entry-level Harrier variant costs Rs 14.99 lakh, and the line-up extends all the way up to Rs 26.24 lakh for the top-end variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

5. Mahindra XUV700: 17kpl

Mahindra’s third appearance here comes by way of the XUV700, which offers a 185hp, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. As expected, the diesel mill can be coupled with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter auto, with the former configuration achieving a claimed 17kpl. The XUV700 is the most powerful SUV in its segment, but it balances the grunt with very respectable fuel efficiency. As far as price goes, the XUV700’s entry-level diesel variant costs Rs 13.99 lakh and the range tops out at Rs 25.74 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

4. Jeep Compass: 17.3kpl

Jeep may not be as ubiquitous a brand in India as the others on this list, but the Compass undeniably performs well in the fuel efficiency rankings. There isn’t a petrol powertrain on offer with the Compass, and the sole 170hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine can be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter auto. The manual version delivers an impressive 17.3kpl, with the automatic configuration following closely with 16.2kpl. The Compass starts at Rs 18.99 lakh for the base model and commands Rs 26.33 lakh for the top-spec variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

3. Hyundai Alcazar: 20.4kpl

The Hyundai Alcazar received a facelift in September 2024 that revamped the three-row SUV’s exterior design and added new features. No changes were made to the Alcazar’s 115hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel unit, though, which is the least powerful engine in this list. However, the Alcazar diesel makes up for the power disadvantage with its excellent 20.4kpl fuel economy; consistent across both its 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter auto transmissions. The Alcazar diesel range starts at Rs 15.99 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 21.69 lakh for the top-end variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

2. Kia Seltos: 20.7kpl

The Kia Seltos is a fan-favorite SUV in India thanks to its svelte looks, packed equipment list, and frugal diesel engine. It’s the same 115hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel unit found in the Alcazar, but the smaller size of the Seltos helps it eke out 0.3kpl higher fuel efficiency in the 6-speed manual configuration. The 6-speed torque converter, meanwhile, is good for 19.1kpl. The diesel Seltos is among the most affordable SUVs on this list as well, starting at Rs 12.71 lakh and topping out at Rs 20.51 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

1. Hyundai Creta: 21.8kpl manual

Securing first place on this list is the venerable Hyundai Creta, which is also a platform sibling of the Kia Seltos. While the Creta expectedly shares the 115hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with the Seltos, the Hyundai SUV takes a substantial 1.1kpl lead in the fuel efficiency department when paired with the 6-speed manual gearbox. When it comes to the automatic variant’s fuel economy, though, the Creta and Seltos are evenly matched. On the price front, the Creta has the Seltos beat with a Rs 12.68 lakh starting price for the entry-level diesel variant, extending to Rs 20.41 lakh for the top-spec model (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Also see:

Most fuel efficient diesel compact SUVs ranked

Here are India’s 10 most fuel-efficient petrol compact SUVs