Most affordable diesel cars, SUVs you can buy in 2023: Tata Altroz to Kia Sonet

The Indian automobile sector adapting to stricter emission norms has resulted in a host of car manufacturers discontinuing affordable diesel cars due to the higher costs of upgrading the powertrains to make them cleaner. However, buyers looking for a mile muncher may still want to consider buying a frugal diesel car.
If you're planning on purchasing a new affordable diesel car in 2023, we have put together a list of top 5 cheapest diesel cars in India for you to be able to make a decision -
Tata Altroz - Rs 7.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Tata Altroz is the most affordable diesel car in India, with prices starting from Rs 7.90 lakh (ex-showroom).The engine on offer is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit, putting out 90 PS of max power and 200 Nm of peak torque. The Altroz diesel can only be had with a 5-speed manual transmission.

That said, Tata also offers the Altroz with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, producing 86 PS power and 113 Nm torque, as well as a 1.2-litre turbo petrol motor making 110 PS and 140 Nm. Both engines are offered with a 5-speed MT, while the former is also available with an optional dual-clutch auto gearbox.
Hyundai i20 - Rs 8.43 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Hyundai i20 is available with a diesel engine right from the entry-level Magna variant, which is priced from Rs 8.43 lakh (ex-showroom), making it the second most affordable diesel car in India. It gets a 1.5-litre motor that belts out 100 PS power and 240 Nm torque, available with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard.

Also on offer with the i20 is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine rated at 83 PS/114 Nm, as well as a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine producing 120 PS power and 172 Nm torque. Pricing for the i20 petrol starts from Rs 7.07 lakh, going up to Rs 11.62 lakh (ex-showroom).
Honda Amaze - Rs 9.02 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Honda Amaze is currently the cheapest sedan in India to be offered with a diesel option, with prices ranging from Rs 9.02 lakh to Rs 11.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Honda offers the Amaze with a 1.5-litre diesel engine making 100 PS power and 200 Nm torque. The engine can be had with either a 5-speed MT or a CVT auto. However, the Amaze diesel CVT's engine is detuned to produce 80 PS and 160 Nm.

The Amaze also gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine that churns out 90 PS power and 110 Nm torque. In 2023, the Honda Amaze is the only sub-compact sedan in India to be offered with a diesel engine.
Kia Sonet - Rs 9.45 lakh (ex-showroom)
With the latest price hike in place, the Kia Sonet diesel is now priced from Rs 9.45 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 14.39 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom). This makes the Kia Sonet the most affordable diesel SUV in India. The sub-compact SUV gets the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the aforementioned Hyundai i20, but in two different states of tune.

The motor produces 100 PS of max power and 240 Nm of peak torque when coupled with the 6-speed manual transmission, while the numbers rise up to 115 PS and 250 Nm when had with the 6-speed AT gearbox. Also on offer are the same 1.2-litre NA petrol and 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine options as the i20.
Mahindra Bolero Neo - Rs 9.48 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Mahindra Bolero Neo is yet another diesel SUV on this list, thanks to its starting price of Rs 9.48 lakh (ex-showroom). The Mahindra SUV is offered with a 1.5-litre diesel motor that makes 100 PS and 260 Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard.

In a price band that consists of only monocoque FWD SUVs, the Bolero Neo is the sole ladder-on-frame rear-wheel drive offering that also gets an optional mechanical rear locking differential on the top-end variant. Moreover, the Bolero Neo is also the most affordable 7-seater SUV in India.
Would your next car be a diesel-powered, petrol-powered or an EV? Let us know in the comments down below.