These Are The 5 Diesel Cars Still Priced Under Rs 10 Lakh

As diesel options have become quite pricey and rare, these select few models are still affordable with the torquey and efficient engine

With the BS6 and BS6 Phase 2 emission norms taking effect, several carmakers withdrew themselves from the diesel segment. Carmakers like Maruti, Renault, Volkswagen, and Honda have petrol-only lineups across all sizes. Until 2020, buyers had a choice of close to 10 diesel cars under a budget of Rs 10 lakh. Now, the list has been halved and these are the only models still giving you that option at that price: 

Tata Altroz 

• Price- Rs 8.15 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
• Engine - 1.5-litre diesel
• Power / Torque - 90PS / 200Nm

The Tata Altroz is the most affordable diesel car in the country, with prices starting from Rs 8.15 lakh. It is also the only hatchback still offered with a diesel powertrain. Within the budget of Rs 10 lakh, you can get several diesel variants of the premium hatchback - XE, XM Plus, XT, and XZ. With these variants, you can get features like a 7-inch touchscreen system, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, a rear parking camera and now a sunroof as well. It’s offered with a 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission only. 

Mahindra Bolero Neo

• Price- Rs 9.63 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
• Engine - 1.5-litre diesel
• Power / Torque - 100PS / 260Nm

The Mahindra Bolero Neo just about fits under the budget of Rs 10 lakh with the base-spec N4 variant, which just gets fabric seats, twin-pod analogue cluster, tilt adjustment for the steering, and central locking. 

For just Rs 15,000 over the Rs 10-lakh mark, you have the N8 variant of the tall-boy SUV, which adds features like a Bluetooth-based audio system, remote key entry, and rear wiper. However, Mahindra does offer discounts on the Bolero Neo, so you might be able to score a better-equipped variant within budget. Mahindra offers the 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine with the Neo, which is mated to a 5-speed manual stick. 

Mahindra Bolero

• Price- Rs 9.78 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
• Engine - 1.5-litre diesel
• Power / Torque - 75PS / 210Nm

The true Mahindra Bolero, the more rugged version of the Bolero Neo, is also available for less than Rs 10 lakh ex-showroom. While this SUV might not appeal to young or urban buyers, it’s still a workhorse and a great mile muncher. The base B4 variant is priced under Rs 10 lakh, while the mid-spec B6 is priced exactly at the mark. For another Rs 80,000, you can get the top-end variant. Mahindra gives heavy discounts on the Bolero as well, so you might get a nicer variant for a lower on-road price to suit your wallet. Powering the SUV is a 1.5-litre diesel engine, with a 5-speed manual transmission only. 

Mahindra XUV300

• Price- Rs 9.90 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
• Engine - 1.5-litre diesel
• Power / Torque - 117PS / 300Nm

This is the most affordable diesel model in the subcompact SUV space. The base-spec W4 variant of the Mahindra XUV300 is available on a budget of Rs 10 lakh, while the W6 variant is priced around a lakh over the budget. Even this Mahindra car gets regular discounts, so you can probably get the W4 and W6 diesel variants at a more attractive price. The Mahindra subcompact SUV also gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine, but with the choice of manual and AMT options. However, the latter option certainly exceeds the budget. 

Kia Sonet

• Price- Rs 9.95 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
• Engine - 1.5-litre diesel
• Power / Torque - 115PS/250Nm

The last one to qualify for this list is the Kia Sonet, whose base-spec HTE variant is just shy of the Rs 10-lakh mark. It may be the entry-level option, but does offer four airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, 15-inch steel wheels, rear AC vents, and front and rear USB charging port. 

For Rs 70,000 more, you can get the HTK variant, which gets some more features like xxx. Usually, there are no offers on the Sonet, so you’ll have to shell out more for higher-equipped variants. It too gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine but it’s the only one here to be offered with a 6-speed iMT (manual transmission without a clutch pedal). Kia does offer a refined automatic transmission option as well, but that is priced well outside the budget. 

Cars That Missed The Cut

We’ve strictly included models with ex-showroom prices under the Rs 10-lakh mark. There were other popular offerings with diesel options as well who just missed the cut by the smallest margins:

1. Tata Nexon - Just priced at the Rs 10-lakh mark, which is the next in line. 

2. At Rs 10.46 lakh, the Venue’s base-spec E diesel variant can be considered. 

3. The base AX (O) rear-wheel-drive variant of the Thar is priced at Rs 10.54 lakh

Which diesel-powered car would you pick on this strict budget? Let us know in the comments section below.

Read More on : Tata Nexon AMT