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.

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

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.

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.

Ford Figo

Pros:

Finest Ride and Handling.
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.

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.

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.   

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.

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. 

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

So who are the rest of contenders for the best diesel hatchback in India for 2014? 

Please click here to read the Part 2 of this topic. 

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