Diesel automatic cars in India are the best option for long distance travellers and regular commuting because they offer good fuel economy with a lower cost of fuel compared to petrol. Long distance commutes do eventually have to pass by city traffic at some point of their journey, so this is where automatic diesel cars come in handy.
The best diesel automatic cars in India make the driving experience much more pleasurable and stress free by taking out the use of a manual clutch and gear shifting. In the city you will feel at ease because the clutch and gears are used most often in stop-and-go traffic at slow speeds. Out on the highway, cruising is much easier with just your foot on the accelerator. Having an automatic diesel car in India is actually a sort of luxury.
Best Diesel Automatic Cars in India
Diesel automatic cars work out for those who travel more and there are affordable cars available in India like the Hyundai i10 Nios all the way to compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon that car buyers can choose from.
When the BS6 norms were introduced, manufacturers had to make many changes to their diesel models to comply with the new regulations. Some automakers like Maruti Suzuki stopped producing diesel cars altogether while other manufacturers updated their diesel offerings with new features such as automatic transmission in order to attract more buyers.
Here is a countdown to the best diesel automatic cars in India that you can buy. Checkout these top ranked diesel automatics for their specifications, features and variants.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
Priced at Rs.6 lakhs – 9 lakhs make the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios the most affordable diesel automatic option that one can buy. Still, this is a premium hatchback offering and the i10 is loaded with a host of features, and an upmarket interior which is both spacious and soothing to be in.
Exterior styling has always been a plus point for Hyundai, and the Grand i10 Nios looks sporty with its sleek design. Engine options include a 1.2 litre diesel and a 1.2 litre petrol that has the option of a 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). There is also a sport 1.0 litre turbocharged engine, but it is a petrol and only offers a 5-speed manual transmission. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is the cheapest diesel automatic car in India.
Some of the features of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless charging feature, automatic air-conditioning with climate control and rear AC vents, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD braking system and dual front airbags.
Even though the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios costs the least on this list, it doesn’t miss out on anything as can be seen with the long list of features. In fact, it offers great value for money and is a good choice for those looking for a smooth and refined diesel engine, a slick automatic transmission that never fails and excellent ride and handling dynamics.
Hyundai Aura
If a diesel automatic hatchback is not your fancy and you prefer to have a compact sedan that has the added advantage of a boot for extra space, then the Hyundai Aura is the car for you. It gets the same 1.2 litre diesel engine with a maximum power of 74 bhp and 190 Nm of peak torque, identical specifications to the Grand i10 Nios, but offering more space at the rear thanks to the added length.
The Aura is ideal for those who travel a lot and need extra luggage room, and unlike the Grand i10 Nios, it comes in two trims for the diesel automatic, that is, S and SX Plus.
Prices for the Hyundai Aura diesel automatic start from Rs.8.24 lakhs and go up to Rs.9.23 lakhs. It is a diesel automatic car in India under 10 lakhs, and compact sedans make up a considerable part of sales for the automotive industry in India. The Aura is a decent performer, and the engine transmission setup provides a great driving experience.
The Aura is a successor of the successful Hyundai Xcent. Adding to the Aura’s charm is the best-in-class fuel efficiency of its diesel automatic which stands at 25 km/l. The Aura is the best mileage diesel automatic car in India. It gets a sophisticated design that has clean lines and edges and provides for good road presence. The cabin is filled with tech features that give a comfortable and convenient driving experience.
Features include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen system that gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless charging options, automatic climate control, height adjustable driver’s seat, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors and cruise control.
Honda Amaze
The Honda Amaze is the only model from the Honda stable that gets an automatic CVT transmission paired to a diesel engine. Even the bigger Honda City doesn’t get this option. Under the hood is a 1.5 litre diesel unit that comes in a different state of tune as compared to the City. The motor produces 100 bhp of power which is more than adequate. But paired to the CVT transmission, this power figure drops down to 79 bhp of maximum power and a peak torque figure of 169 Nm.
The Honda Amaze is the only diesel engine that gets paired to a CVT gearbox in the country. With a recent facelift, the Amaze still remains a popular choice of a compact sedan, making it one of the best-selling sedans. The interiors are premium and elegant while the exterior design gives one the feeling of an executive sedan albeit on a budget. It’s great for those looking for Japanese luxury without stretching the price tag as far as the Honda City.
The CVT transmission is not offered on the diesel variant of the Honda City. Some of the features on the Honda Amaze include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, automatic climate control, paddle shifters, LED projector headlamps, ABS with EBD braking system, dual front airbags for added safety and rear parking sensors. Prices for the Honda Amaze start from Rs.7.5 lakhs and go up to Rs. 13 lakhs.
Tata Nexon
If a diesel automatic hatchback or sedan is not your style choice, then you can always opt for a compact SUV that offers an oil burner with an auto gearbox. The answer lies in the Tata Nexon, which is a diesel automatic SUV car in India starting from Rs.9.8 lakh.
You get plenty of ground clearance to deal with varying road conditions and a powerful engine under the hood to take you where you want to go. The powerplant is a 1.5 litre Revotorq Tata trademark with a power output of 110 bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque. Mileage is decent for this engine at 22.4 km/l (ARAI certified fuel economy).
Like the Hyundai Aura, this transmission is an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), which offers different technology as compared to a CVT, torque converter or Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The AMT version is more cost effective and is basically a manual transmission that has electronics mounted on top of it that automatically shifts gears and controls a clutch.
The Tata Nexon is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in India, because it has the advantage of offering a diesel automatic in its range. The engine is also turbocharged which delivers an exhilarating driving experience while a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating gives the driver and occupants the peace of mind of an extremely safe vehicle. The Tata Nexon is a champion in its segment due to stylish looks and a soothing riding experience.
Some of the features available on the Tata Nexon include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, cruise control, a fully digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, automatic windshield wipers (rain sensing), dual front airbags, rear parking sensors and ABS with EBD braking system with electronic stability program (ESP).
Kia Sonet
The Sonet doesn’t compromise on features for comfort or convenience and is a strong performer due to an excellent engine. Due to its modern design and sporty demeanour, the Kia Sonet stands out from the crowd of compact SUVs. The only downside of its compact dimensions is the rear seat space is a little compromised.
The diesel engine comes with a displacement of 1.5 litre producing a maximum power output of 113 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. This powerplant is coupled with an automatic transmission (torque converter) that provides a smooth and refined driving experience.
The strong performing engine makes the Kia Sonet one of the most powerful compact SUVs in its segment. Compared with the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300, which are its closest rivals, the Kia Sonet’s diesel automatic combination works really well and is one of the most appreciated one’s in this segment.
A lot of the Sonet’s components are borrowed from its bigger sibling the Sonet and this keeps costs in check, attracting more customers with its affordability. Some of the features on offer for the Kia Sonet include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a powered sunroof, automatic LED headlamps, cruise control, faux leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a tyre pressure monitoring system, voice controls for the infotainment, ABS with EBD braking system with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and up to 6- airbags for added safety.
Hyundai Creta
The Creta has been the best-selling mid-size SUV with every subsequent generation since its launch in India. The latest generation is no different and continues to impress car buyers with loaded features, new age styling and a number of engine / transmission options which include a diesel automatic version.
This new generation Creta shares a lot of components, engine and chassis platform with the Kia Seltos, and comes with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, 6 airbags, a touchscreen infotainment system, tyre pressure monitoring system and disc brakes all round which feature ABS with EBD and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
By equipping the base versions of the Creta with comfort features, Hyundai has ensured good interest in this premium SUV, and of course good sales. The 1.5 litre diesel engine produces 113 bhp of maximum power and 250 Nm of peak torque, and it is a smooth and powerful unit. The transmission set up is a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission which offers precise gear shifting and is well calibrated with the engine, even better than the Kia Seltos.
The prices for the Hyundai Creta SX Diesel start from Rs.15.99 lakhs ex-showroom.
Upcoming Diesel Automatic Cars in India
There are some interesting upcoming diesel automatic cars in India that are slated for release in 2022 / 2023. The popular upcoming diesel automatic cars include the Renault Arkana, MG Baojun 510, Mahindra Bolero 2024, Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus, Citroen C5 Aircross 2023, Kia Carnival 2022, Haval Concept H and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Conclusion
While deciding on a new car, most buyers consider an automatic for ease of driving and a diesel engine for the good fuel economy it provides. Car owners are gradually moving away from expensive petrol cars to diesel vehicles given that the price of fuel has been soaring in the past few years. Diesel cars may not be the best for the environment, but they provide better mileage and this works out for people who drive a lot.
With the popularity of diesel cars in India, auto makers have been offering them with automatic transmissions to attract more buyers. The ease of driving is now available to a wider audience who find automatics a stress-free way to get around the city in heavy traffic.
With the introduction of new technology for automatic transmissions such as CVTs and torque converters, we are seeing more diesel cars equipped with these auto gearboxes. SUV diesel automatics are particularly popular in the country and this segment is hotly contested, motivating car manufacturers to introduce more features and diversify their offerings.
