5 Most Affordable Diesel SUVs You Can Buy in India

Diesel SUVs continue to have a strong appeal among buyers who prioritise fuel efficiency, highway performance and the effortless low-end torque that diesel engines offer. While the shift towards petrol and electric powertrains has reduced the number of diesel options in the Indian market, there are still several SUVs that offer a diesel engine at relatively accessible prices. From compact SUVs to larger family-friendly models, here are the 5 most affordable diesel SUVs you can buy in India, along with their prices, engine specifications and key features.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is one of the more premium options on this list and is available with a seven-seat layout across multiple variants, including AX, AX3, AX5, AX7, AX7 T and AX7 L. It is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 183bhp and 420Nm with the 6-speed manual gearbox, while the automatic version produces 183bhp and 450Nm of torque. It also offers an AWD option in select higher variants. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is priced between Rs 14.96 lakh and Rs 24.92 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Tata Safari is the only non-Mahindra SUV on this list and continues to be one of the popular diesel-powered seven-seater SUVs in India. It is available in variants such as Smart, Pure X, Adventure X+, Accomplished X, Accomplished X+ and Accomplished Ultra. Power comes from a 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 168bhp and 350Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Tata Safari is priced from Rs 14.75 lakh to Rs 25.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Mahindra Scorpio N offers a relatively more affordable starting price than the XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Its diesel range includes variants such as Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8 T, Z8 and Z8 L. The SUV gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine, with power and torque figures varying depending on the variant and drivetrain. The RWD version produces 130bhp and 300Nm, while the more powerful 4WD version generates 173bhp and 400Nm. It is available with both 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options, while 4WD is offered on select variants. The Scorpio N is priced between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Mahindra Scorpio Classic is another popular choice for buyers looking for a rugged diesel SUV with plenty of seating space. It is available in S and S11 variants, with the S variant also offered with a nine-seat layout. Power comes from a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 130bhp and 300Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and unlike some of the other SUVs on this list, there is no automatic transmission option. The Mahindra Scorpio Classic is priced between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).

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The Mahindra Bolero and Bolero Neo are among the most affordable diesel-powered seven-seater SUVs currently available in India. The standard Bolero is offered in B4, B6, B6 (O) and B8 variants and gets a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine producing 75bhp and 210Nm of torque. It comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox and is priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 9.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

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The more modern Mahindra Bolero Neo gets the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine in a higher state of tune, producing 99bhp and 260Nm of torque. It is available in N4, N8, N10 (R), N10 (O) and N11 variants. Like the standard Bolero, it is only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Mahindra Bolero Neo is priced from Rs 8.85 lakh to Rs 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom).