Most fuel efficient diesel compact SUVs ranked

There are currently six compact SUVs that come with a diesel engine, which is a considerable number considering the sales are heavily skewed towards petrols in this segment. The SUVs include the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and the Mahindra XUV 3XO, Thar RWD and Bolero Neo. Kia, which already has the Sonet, will announce prices for its second compact SUV, the Syros, on February 1.

Among the diesel compact SUVs on sale, the Hyundai Venue, and the Mahindra Bolero Neo and Thar RWD do not offer an automatic gearbox. The Nexon and XUV 3XO come with a 6-speed AMT unit, while the Sonet and Syros share a 6-speed torque convertor.

Do note that the figures here are ARAI ratings and the models are ranked by the highest number, regardless of whether it is the manual or automatic version.

7. Mahindra Thar RWD – 15.2kpl

From the outset, it should be noted that while the Mahindra Thar 3-door with the smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine – 119hp and 300Nm – qualifies for the compact class, the model with the larger 2.2-litre diesel unit does not. Available with a 6-speed manual, the Thar RWD has an efficiency figure of 15.2kpl. The Mahindra Thar RWD is priced between Rs 11.49 lakh and Rs 12.99 lakh.

6. Mahindra Bolero Neo – 18.04kpl

Essentially a heavily updated version of Mahindra’s TUV300, the Bolero Neo was introduced in 2021. The only other ladder-frame and rear-wheel drive compact SUV on sale in India, the Mahindra Bolero Neo, comes with a 100hp, 1.5-litre engine and a 5-speed manual, which is rated at 18.04kpl by ARAI. Priced between Rs 9.95 lakh and Rs 12.15 lakh, the 7-seater received a 1-star Global NCAP rating last year.

5. Kia Syros – 20.75kpl

While Kia has yet to reveal prices for the Syros, we have nearly every other bit of info about the radical-looking tall-boy. It comes with a 116hp, 1.5-litre engine that is rated for 20.75kpl in manual form and 17.65kpl in automatic. Prices will be revealed on February 1, and dealers say that the Syros’ HTX+ and HTX+ (O) automatic trims, the ones with the segment-first cooled rear seats, have the highest demand.

4. Mahindra XUV 3XO – 21.2kpl

Mahindra’s other compact SUV, the XUV 3XO seats five, is far more premium and comes with a more powerful 117hp, 1.5-litre engine. Six-speed manual and AMT gearbox options are on offer, which have efficiency figures of 20.6kpl and 21.2kpl, respectively. The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel range is priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 14.49 lakh. The brand is working on an XUV 3XO hybrid that is expected to arrive in 2026.

3. Kia Sonet – 22.3kpl

The Kia Sonet shares its 116hp diesel engine with the Syros, but posts a slightly higher ARAI efficiency figure in manual and automatic form: 22.3kpl and 18.6kpl, respectively. Its price range is Rs 10 lakh-13.34 lakh, and a recent variant rejig saw the removal of the iMT gearbox option.

2. Hyundai Venue – 23.7kpl

The Hyundai Venue also shares the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with the two Kias, but it’s only available with a manual transmission. The Venue diesel posts an ARAI figure of 23.7kpl, putting it in second place on this list. The next-gen Venue is currently undergoing tests before its launch this festive season, but it will continue with the same engine options. The Venue diesel range currently costs Rs 10.80 lakh-13.53 lakh

1. Tata Nexon – 24.08kpl

The Tata Nexon was given an update for 2025, and the diesel range is now priced between Rs 11.30 lakh and Rs 15.60 lakh. It is powered by a 115hp, 1.5-litre engine that has manual and AMT gearbox options, and it is the latter that makes the Nexon the most frugal diesel compact SUV, with an ARAI figure of 24.08kpl. In manual form, the Nexon diesel is rated at 23.23kpl.

Also see:

Here are India’s 10 most fuel-efficient petrol compact SUVs

Hyundai Creta Electric vs rivals: price, specification comparison

Every car, SUV tested by Bharat NCAP so far