India was smoothly heading towards becoming a prime market for diesel cars but the recent price rise has hastened it. Car makers such as Honda and Maruti besides others who had majority of petrol cars were a little lazy in bringing in the diesel models but now that the petrol prices are on fire, Honda, Maruti, Hyundai and other car makers have stepped up their efforts to put the diesel model in every car’s line up. In this race though, only those cars (both petrol and diesel) which are highly fuel efficient will win. Even if it is petrol and it returns 25 kmpl and comes for under Rs 2 lakh, you guessed it right we are talking about Tata Nano, will win the race. Also, now that petrol price is nearing its mighty figure of Rs 100 per litre, there are some cars that will be worth buying even on petrol. Whereas there are some that are highly economical even on diesel. Let have a one by one discussion over them.

Chevrolet Beat Diesel: 25.44 kmpl – Running cost (on Diesel) - Rs 1.61 per km

This car still holds the most affordable diesel hatchback title as its per kilometer running cost is under Rs 2 per kilometer as Chevrolet Promise as offers three year free maintenance. Besides Chevrolet Beat is fully capable of being usable for city as well as for highway run.

Tata Indica eV2 : 25 kmpl – Running cost (on Diesel) - Rs 1.64 per km

This is the second most fuel efficient diesel hatchback in India and compared to Beat Diesel this hatchback is more spacious and is wide and longer than the Chevrolet hatchback. The per kilometer running cost comes out to be Rs 1.64 which is quite affordable.

Toyota Etios Liva: 23.59 kmpl – Running cost (on Diesel) - Rs 1.73 per km

The Etios Liva hatchback returns a mileage of 23.59 kmpl on diesel and based on it the per kilometer running cost comes out to be Rs 1.73 only which is again very economical. Another advantage of this hatchback over others is the brand value.

Maruti Swift: 22.9 kmpl – Running cost (on Diesel) - Rs 1.79 per km

This is the most popular entry level premium hatchback in India and its mileage as well as brand value makes it much more appealing and a class leader. Under R 2 per kilometer running cost is amazing with a peppier engine and car for life assurance.

Hyundai i20: 21.9 kmpl – Running cost (on Diesel) - Rs 1.87 per km

The entry level diesel car by Hyundai, the i20 promises up market premium interior styling and comfort with lots of features that are found on premium cars. The CRDI engine is efficient as well as powerful to make it more stunning. The recent makeover has added the charm to this Hyundai hatch.

Tata Nano: Mileage - 25 kmpl – Running cost (on Petrol) - Rs 2.92 per km

A small car by size, price and interiors but it is big on mileage. Retuning a mileage of 25 kmpl, Tata Nano’s per kilometer running cost of fuel comes out to be under Rs 3 per kilometer if per litre petrol price is supposed to be Rs 75. This is very less for a petrol car. However, following its small size and image as a city car restrict people to go for it.

Note: The per kilometer running cost calculations have been made based on the following fuel prices – Diesel Rs 41, Petrol Rs 73. Also the calculations are for only fuel costs only and it is assumed that each of these cars is maintained by the car maker as per some or the other free service contracts for 1-3 years.