Petrol prices are stable since a couple of days but who knows when a hike would step in. New car buyers who run their cars for long commutes on regular basis have been considering diesel vehicles as petrol cars incur higher running costs. So here is a post for all the readers who are planning to buy a diesel hatchback or small car below Rs. 5.50 lakh.
Tata Indica eV2
image – Tata Indica eV2
Tata Indica eV2 is the cheapest diesel hatchback in the country as of today and comes four different variants priced between Rs. 4.20 lakh and Rs. 5.11 lakhex-showroom Delhi. The car features a 1.4 litre CR4 diesel engine that produces 70 BHP of max power at 4000 RPM and a generous 140 Nm of peak torque between 1800 – 3000 RPM. With an impressive fuel efficiency figure of 25 KMPL, Tata claims the eV2 is India’s most fuel efficient car. What disappoints us is the fact that even the top end model does not come with ABS EBD and Airbags. Beside this the car has plenty of good qualities like cheap maintenance, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency and cabin space.
image – Tata Indica eV2 Interior
Chevrolet Beat Diesel
image – Chevrolet Beat Diesel
Chevrolet part of General Motors never got noticed during the initial years but once it launched the Chevrolet Beat, things took a drastic turn and all of a sudden the Beat was the next best selling hatch. Last year in July the company launched the diesel variant which is doing quite well. The car is available in four different variants priced between Rs. 4.52 lakh and Rs. 5.7 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The Beat Diesel features a 1.0 litre 3 Cylinder unit that produces 61 BHP of max power at 4000 RPM and peak torque of 160 Nm at 1750 RPM. The ARAI certified mileage of the car is 24 KMPL which is very competitive and directly puts the car in the class of India’s most fuel efficient cars. One of the major selling point of this car, beside the high fuel economy and pricing, is its design which was unseen before. And even today the car has its unique road presence.
image – Chevrolet Beat Diesel Interiors
Ford Figo Diesel
image – Ford Figo
Ford created a stir with its only offering in the hatchback segment, the Ford Figo. The car’s sales performance has been showing consistent growth ever since its launch and is one of the most desirable hatchbacks now. The Figo diesel is priced between Rs. 4.79 lakh and Rs. 5.94 lakh ex-showroom Delhi and is available in four different variants: LXI, EXI, ZXI and Titanium. The car comes with a 1.4 litre Duratorq SOHC diesel engine that generates close to 67 BHP @ 4000 RPM of max power and 160 Nm @ 2000 RPM of peak torque. In terms of fuel economy the car is nowhere less than other hatchbacks and delivers a certified mileage of 20 KMPL. Ford has always impressed its customers with the ride quality of its products and with no doubt, the Figo is no exception. It steers like a charm and offers great ride quality and because of this it is one of the best value for money cars out there in the market.
image – Ford Figo Diesel
Tata Vista
image – Tata Vista
The next diesel offering from Tata under the 5.5 lakh rupee segment is the Tata Indica Vista. Unlike its elder sibling Indica eV2, the Vista diesel is a more upmarket car that is priced between Rs. 5.09 lakh and Rs. 6.4 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The base variant starts at Rs. 5.10 lakh and offers great value for money, which is one of the USPs of Tata products. If we talk about the build quality both of the exterior and interior, the car is better than the eV2 and the fact that it is manufactured at the Tata–Fiat venture production facility. The car equips a 1.3 litre 4 cylinder Quadrajet diesel unit that puts out a max power of 74 BHP at 4000 RPM and peak torque of 190 Nm at 1750 – 3000 RPM. Mileage figure falls close to 23 KMPL which is great. As like other Tata products, the Vista is tremendously spacious and has better features than the eV2. It handles really well and is also very comfortable (thanks to the perfectly tuned suspension) but the only disappointing thing about the car is its weight.
Maruti Suzuki Ritz Diesel
image – Maruti Ritz
If we are talking about value for money cars, how can we forget Maruti Suzuki. The only offering the brand has under the 5.5 lakh rupee mark that too in diesel, is the Maruti Ritz. Despite the fact that it is priced close to Swift, one of the highest selling cars, the Ritz does pretty good numbers. From the design itself one can make out the strong built of the car and the tall body design simply enhances the brutal look. The Ritz is offered in three different variants: LDI, VDI and VDI ABS, priced between Rs. 5.18 lakh and Rs. 5.73 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The car sports a 1.3 litre 4 Cylinder Fiat Multijet engine that generates serious outputs of 75 BHP @ 4000 RPM and 190 NM @ 2000 RPM. ARAI certified mileage figure stands at 21.1 KMPL for this car. The Ritz is a strong contender majorly because of its performance and cheap maintenance.
image – Maruti Ritz Interiors
Conclusion
Well it is quite difficult to jump to gun and say ‘I like this car’ because of the fact that all the cars mentioned above have their own strong points which you cannot overlook. The eV2, as I mentioned above has the best fuel economy but at the same time lacks on looks and features. The Beat is one of the most fun to drive cars, looks great and has a good engine but when it comes to space it is good only for a small family and cannot accommodate more than four adults in comfort as the rear seat feels cramped with 3 adults seated.
The Figo is one of the most responsive cars with good amount of space, super precise and has great driving dynamics but cabin plastic quality and exterior styling is not appealing enough. The Vista is one of the most spacious cars and has a beautiful Fiat engine that delivers tremendous amounts of power and torque. The only thing not in favor of the Vista is its not so pleasing looks. Last but not the least the Ritz is great family car, drivers really well and has the same engine as Vista but is better looking.
If we had to choose one, though it is next to impossible we would go with Vista.
