Best Diesel Hatchback Car in India 2013

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014. 


Which is the Top Diesel Hatchback in India?

There are some great new diesel cars in store for 2013. But most of the upcoming diesel cars are either saloons or SUV’s. Year 2012 had few launches and more facelift for hatchback cars. Chevrolet launched its diesel hatchback SAIL UVA whereas popular cars like Maruti Swift, Ford Figo and Maruti Ritz had gone through facelifts or cosmetic changes.

Among the upcoming launches, Hyundai’s Grand i10 diesel hatchback is the one worth waiting for in 2013. It will be launched in September this year. Click here for more details on Hyundai Grand i10 diesel.
We are not expecting Tata Nano Diesel to be launched any time this year. 

Honda is going to enter the diesel market with the launch of Honda Amaze sedan. This is the first diesel car from Honda for India. We can also expect the diesel version of Honda Brio hatchback soon.

Note: Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014. 

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.

1. 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.

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.
Waiting list – You need to wait to own one (though the waiting time has reduced a little since few months)

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

2. 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.

Pros:

Finest Ride and Handling.
Truly value for money.
New facelift has made Figo more attractive than before.
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

3. 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.

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

4. 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.

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

5. 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.   

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

6. Maruti Ritz

Maruti Ritz is a smart alternative to the popular Maruti Swift especially for families. New face lifted Maruti Ritz looks better and feature rich.

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

So who are the rest of contenders for the best diesel hatchback in India for 2013? Please click here to read the Part 2 of this topic. 

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014. 

Hyundai is going to launch Grand i10 diesel. Click here to know more