Best Diesel Hatchback Car in India 2014
The Year 2014 will see a host of new hatchback cars for diesel car lovers. We had seen the successful launch of Hyundai Grand i10 Diesel and the demand for the car is making Hyundai dealers smile. Honda is all set to launch the diesel version of Honda Jazz this year with Honda’s brilliant 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine that is currently doing duty in Honda Amaze.
There are news from Maruti Suzuki planning to launch a diesel version of their best selling Wagon R and Volkswagen coming up with UP.
Major hatchbacks that will have facelifts or cosmetic changes in 2014 will include popular ones such as Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Tata Indica Vista and Chevrolet Beat. There is no news from Nissan to launch the diesel avatar of their new hatchback Datsun Go and Honda has no immediate plans to launch the diesel version of Honda Brio. However, we are still expecting the launch of DieselTata Nano late this year.
The most surprising news is from Tata Motors who are on a mission to change their brand image and is coming up with cars having quality fit and finish. They have already revealed the new diesel hatchback Tata Bolt which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2014.
So let us wait and watch for all these launches.
Which is the Top Diesel Hatchback in India?
We will list here the hatchback cars for an average Indian whose budget is between 4.5 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs. The list is bit long as we have more cars competing this space.
Maruti Swift
Best selling premium hatchback in the country. The new makeover has made it smarter and hot. This is a car worth to buy without a second thought. You can’t go wrong with Swift.
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| Maruti Swift |
Pros:
Decent Multi Jet peppy engine.Fun to drive. Good ride and handling
Tried and tested car
Decent average mileage.
Low maintenance cost and reliable Maruti service network.
Cons:
Interiors are not roomy and have a small boot.
Pricey and less on features compared to Hyundai Grand i10
Need a facelift
Need a facelift
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city) and 19.6 (highway)
Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi – 6.19, VDi – 6.89, ZDi – 7.78
Best model to buy: VDi
Hyundai Grand i10
It is Hyundai’s latest diesel hatchback that follows the car maker’s fluidic design philosophy and has already redefined few rules becoming value for money car in its class. It is considered as the nicely built and well equipped car for city traffic. Thus, Hyundai Grand i10 can be called as an Ideal urban hatchback.
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| Hyundai i10 Grand |
Pros:
Small efficient diesel engine
Spacious and Comfortable
Rich Interiors and features
Practicality
Efficiency and Value for money
Hyundai service network
Cons:
Almost None
Driving dynamics compared to Swift
Engine feels little underpowered
Mileage (in Kmpl): 21 (city) and 24 (highway), 18 (Overall)
Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): CRDi Era – 5.15, CRDi Magna – 5.34, CRDi Sportz – 5.72, CRDi Asta – 5.98, CRDi Asta Option – 6.29
Best model to buy: CRDi Magna
Ford Figo
Ford Figo is indeed a city car and you will enjoy driving in city. It’s core strength being a value for money and practical car. The recent facelift have made Figo more attractive with users. Ford Figo, whose design resembling Ford MK6 Fiesta car is truly a best-selling car from Ford India.
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| Ford Figo |
Pros:
Finest Ride and Handling.
Truly value for money.
Ideal for city drive.
Truly value for money.
Ideal for city drive.
Cons:
Lacks outright performance
High Maintenance Cost compared to Maruti and Tata/Fiat Siblings
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.1 (city) and 18.5 (highway)
Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LXi – 5.36, EXi – 6.11, ZXi – 6.21, Titanium – 6.64
Best model to buy: ZXi
Chevrolet Beat
Chevrolet Beat having the smallest diesel engine is rated as the most fuel efficient diesel hatchback in India. It’s unique sporty looks along with an affordable price tag and top fuel efficiency has made it an instant hit with first time diesel car buyers.
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| Chevrolet Beat |
Pros:
Distinctive Looks and styling
Small yet smart diesel engine
Most fuel efficient diesel hatchback (25.4 Kmpl, as per ARAI standards)
Chevy promise: 3 year/1,00,000km warranty
Affordable Price
Cons:
Average performance and lacks punch
Noisy at high speed
Small boot
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 16 (city), 19.1 (highway)
Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): PS – 5.01, LS – 5.31, LT – 5.79, LT option – 6.31
Best model to buy: LT
Chevrolet SAIL UVA
Chevrolet SAIL UVA is the latest competitor in the diesel hatchback car segment. This is a thoroughly re-engineered car from Chevrolet for India to handle all the difficult roads here. It has the same Fiat sourced engine, seen in Maruti Swift and has got all the right mix to compete in this hatchback segment.
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| Chevrolet Sail UVA |
Pros:
Great ride and handling
Good overall Performance
Spacious Cabin
Well-rounded engine
Cons:
Normal Interior and dated design
Rear seat comfort
Quality of cabin
After sales service
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.1(city), 19.0 (highway)
Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): LS –5.93 , LS ABS – 6.26, LT ABS – 6.69
Best model to buy: LT ABS
Tata Indica Vista
Tata Indica Vista has improved a lot. Tata Motors have introduced new engine variant known as Quadrajet 90 for Indica Vista. Quadrajet 90 engine is an 1.3L 88bhp diesel engine which is also found in Tata Manza and Fiat Punto 90HP Sport car. There are two new variants with this engine: VX and ZX. These models come with new elements including safety features. Tata Indica Vista still remains as an affordable spacious family car.
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| Tata Indica Vista |
Pros:
Space and Comfort
Value for Money
Fiat sourced engine as in Maruti Swift
Cons:
Brand Image
After sales service
Small boot
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.6(city), 16.7 (highway)
Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): TDI LS -4.67 , TDI LX – 5.20, Quadrajet LS –5.20 , Quadrajet LX – 5.61, Quadrajet VX – 5.86, Quadrajet ZX – 6.53 , Quadrajet 90 VX – 6.03 , Quadrajet 90 ZX 6.63
Best model to buy: Quadrajet 90 VX
Maruti Ritz
Maruti Ritz is a smart alternative to the popular Maruti Swift especially for families. The face lifted Maruti Ritz looks better and feature rich.
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| Maruti Ritz 2014 |
Pros:
Refined Engine (same engine as in Maruti Swift)
Better interior space than in Swift
Driving comfort and feature rich
Practicality
Low maintenance
Fuel efficiency
Maruti service network
Resale value
Cons:
Small Boot
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city), 19.3 (highway)
Price (On road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi- 5.94, VDi – 6.29, VDi ABS – 6.50, ZDi – 7.17
Best model to buy: VDi ABS
Toyota Etios Liva
Etios Liva is Toyota's small car for India. The 1.4 litre diesel engine in Liva gives an impressive mileage (ARAI tested) of about 23.59 kmpl . The car has got good space and drive quality and has the 'Toyota' brand image. On the downside, the interiors in the car look basic and need improvement. Cost cutting is clearly visible inside the car.
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| Toyota Etios Liva |
Pros:
Spacious
Easy to drive
Toyota Brand
Excellent Fuel efficiency
Easy Maintenance
Cons:
Dull Interiors
Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.5 (city), 19.3 (highway)
Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): GD – 5.94, GD Safety – 6.62, TRD Sportivo – 6.47
Best model to buy: GD Safety