Top 10 fuel efficient diesel manual SUVs in India

Honda WR-V 25.5
Maruti Suzuki Brezza-24.3
Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross- 24.0
Ford EcoSport-23
Honda BR-V-21.9
Hyundai Creta 1.4- 21.4
Renault Lodgy 85PS - 21
Renault Captur - 20.4
Nissan Terrano XL/XE- 20.0
Renault Duster 85PS 19.9

Fuel seems to be dominating factor in the Indian automotive world and with rising prices, it will continue to make headlines for the next few months. In this light, we decided to give you the top 5 most fuel efficient petrol manual hatchbacks and now here is our list top 10 most efficient diesel manual transmission SUVs. Our ranking is based on the ARAI efficiency figures provided by the respective automakers.

Honda WR-V- 25.5kmpl
Topping our list is the Honda WR-V. It’s the Japanese automaker’s competitor for the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the Mahindra TUV300. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 100bhp/200Nm and is offered with a five-speed manual. The WR-Vs younger sibling, the Amaze, in the second generation, will get a diesel CVT for the first time and we believe that will make its way to the WR-V too.  

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza- 24.3kmpl
The tried and tested 1.3-litre Multijet diesel motor powering the Brezza has been around for so long that in terms of the Indian educational system, it’s risen up to fifth grade. Jokes aside, the engine may seem a bit small in capacity but that has not stopped it from giving the Brezza a figure of 24.3kmpl. The engine can be had in two states of tune and in the Brezza, it produces 89bhp/190Nm.

Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross- 24kmpl
Tata’s first compact SUV and Maruti’s first D-segment crossover are both tied for third place. The S-Cross gets the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel in the 89bhp/190Nm (DDiS 200) powering all the other diesel Maruti Suzuki models. The Tata Nexon, on the other hand, gets a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing the segment highest 108bhp/260Nm with a six-speed manual as well as a soon-to-be-launched six-speed AMT.

Ford EcoSport-23kmpl
Ah…the original compact SUV. This was the car that started it all back in 2013. The EcoSport has now entered a new generation but is still offered with their tried and tested 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 99bhp/205Nm. The new car gets a significant jump in terms of design and features and has set a standard for what to expect in this part of the market.
 
Honda BR-V-21.9kmpl
It may be significantly larger than the WR-V but that has not stopped the BR-V from being right up there with the big guns. At 21.9kmpl ARAI, it seems like a good deal when you consider that this car is also a seven-seat model. In fact, now with the BR-V, you also get climate control, funky design and a touchscreen infotainment system.

Hyundai Creta-21.4kmpl
The car that we have picked for this list is the 1.4-litre four-cylinder diesel that is offered with the base models. It’s the same engine that goes into the Elite i20/Active. The engine has to work a bit harder than in the i20 as the Creta is heavier but that has not stopped it from churning out an ARAI specified 21.4kmpl.

Renault Lodgy 21kmpl
Now this one comes as a surprise as it has managed to slot in above both the Duster, Nissan Terrano and the Renault Captur. It makes use of a 1.5-litre engine that can produce 84bhp or 108bhp and the one we have taken is the former. It’s got loads of bottom end torque and with a figure of 21kmpl, it should be quite economical to run.

Renault Captur 20.4kmpl
The Captur is Renault’s new premium SUV and looks the part too. However, underneath it makes use of the same platform and engine options as the Duster and Lodgy. Because it’s a bit heavier, the efficiency is down but even at 20.4kmpl things stand quite impressive.

Nissan Terrano 20kmpl
Renault has booked out slots 7 and 8 and with Nissan sharing much of the Terrano with Renault’s models, it only seems logical that a Nissan joins the party too. The Terrano listed here is a manual and in the 84bhp state of tune.

Renault Duster 19.9kmpl
Just like the EcoSport was the first compact SUV, the Duster was the first C-segment SUV for the Indian market. It’s gone through some major updates and this model that we have taken is the 84bhp 1.5-litre variant. It’s only marginally behind the Terrano, but still very much in the fray.