If you are a high mileage user who clocks more than 1000 km per month and a seasoned driver who loves torque over bhp, living in a semi-urban or rural area were EV charging points are limited or staying in rental apartments were installing charging points for EV is a headache or you are not ready to spend Rs 18 Lakh plus on a decent Petrol hydrid car, then my reader you got a better option – a diesel engine with torque convertor under 15 Lakh on road price.
Right now, there are only two brands that offer it.
1. Hyundai Venue
2. Kia Sonet
Even though both are siblings that share the same powertrain, there are day and night differences in their design and driving experience.
Why a Torque Convertor?
Out of all the Automatic gearboxes which mankind has invented so far – the torque convertor is sort to be the most reliable and lag free unit out there. The reason for its reliability is that it doesn’t use a clutch instead it operates on fluid dynamics were power from the engine is transferred to the wheels through fluid coupling using a turbine setup.
performance wise the torque convertor may not be as agile and effective like a DCT or DSG gearbox which uses more Electronic stuff [mechatronics] and a Dual clutch system for quick shifts during overtakes but these DCT/DSG units suffer from their own complexity, difficult to maintain also the wear and tear of clutch in dumper to dumper traffic will make the DCT/DSG service cost a nightmare for users. But the torque converter has a linear power delivery cycle with no power lags, head nods, or the infamous rubber band effect. When coupled to a 1.5 L CRDi diesel engine, it can be the most reliable and cost-effective setup out there in the market presently.
Why a Diesel Engine?
With Brands promoting Petrol hybrids , CNGs , Flexifuel and EVs why should a average user buy a diesel engine in the first place even the government policies are against diesel usage …..
The plain reality is reliability, affordability and value for money. Let’s discuss,
1. CNG – The supply chain is still not established, with long queues for CNG refilling in fuel pumps making it less attractive, and also the cost of CNG per kg is inflating close to Petrol.
2. Petrol hydrid – A decent japanese Petrol hydrid car costs north of Rs 18 lakhs plus. For middle income families with limited budget this poses a big concern on their investment for a car.
3. EV – With the introduction of the BAAS scheme, the initial cost of owning an EV has reduced drastically. But the concerns like the resale value of an EV or the Battery recycling policies are still not clarified. Then, EV penetration in semi-urban and rural areas is still under consideration. Practically, an EV can only be a secondary car for a family in the present scenario.
4. Flexifuel – The E series ethanol blended fuels are the future for India, as it reduces our dependency on petroleum imports by becoming self-sufficient in energy consumption. But the policies are still under development for E85 fuel, as it is only available in Delhi/NCR. Also, E85-compliant cars are still under R&D by the majority of OEMs, so far only Maruti-Suzuki has launched an E85-fiseable WagonR.
After considering all these scenarios, choosing a diesel engine still remains valid for the next 5 to 7 years in the present market conditions.
The Legendary 1.5 CRDi Diesel Engine
An engine which requires no introduction, so far one of the best mass-produced diesel engines after the Fiat 1.3 litre multi-jet diesel engine.
The 1.5 litre CRdi is reknown for its unique silent nature with instant torque delivery. Hyundai and Kia have milked this engine to it’s maximum limit . Introduced in early 2000s by hyundai motors and surviving the BS 3 and BS 6 norms so far when other OEMs like honda , fiat and VW have stopped their diesel powertrains in India . The CRdi engine product life cycle has been improved multiple times .
Specs of the CRDi engine
Max power : 114 BHP @4000 rpm
Max Torque : 250 Nm @1500 – 2750 rpm
Mileage in city : 14-16 kmpl
Mileage in highway : 19-22 Kmpl
Is it a value-for-money product?
A compact SUV with a diesel torque convertor under Rs 15 Lakh is the best VFM product for a user who clocks more than 1000 km per month. The Kia Sonet HTE(0) variant, costing around Rs.12 Lakh on road is more attractive and reasonable for entry-level buyers.
Regarding maintenance, BS 6-phase II diesel engines are a little sluggish compared to their predecessors. To tackle the emission norms, manufacturers have put in loads of sensors inside the engine and also adblue addition in diesel to reduce the harmful NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions, which has made the present diesel engines a little complicated. But still, a diesel engine always stands tall when it comes to mileage and performance. The average running cost of a diesel engine stands at Rs 4.5 per km, which is more economical compared to the Rs 6 to 7 per km cost of a petrol engine in present fuel prices.
Kia vs Hyundai
Though Venue and Sonet share the same powertrain and have similar components, their design characteristics are completely different. The Kia Sonet offers slimmer curves and an aerodynamic body shell; on the other hand, the Hyundai Venue is given a boring, boxy design with fewer curves.
Build quality – This is where the majority of the difference starts. After driving both the Sonet and the recently facelifted Venue, it’s obvious that the Venue feels more stable and sturdy since it has also received 5 stars in BNCAP, and the Sonet is yet to be tested for safety ratings. Also, Kia has given hints for a Sonet facelift in mid 2027.
This justifies the Rs 2 Lakh price gap between the base variant of Sonet HTE (0) and Venue HX 5.
Drawbacks of a Diesel Engine
- The common DPF clogging issue is a major concern among diesel buyers in BS 6 engines. For a high-mileage user with more highway usage, DPF regeneration is automatically taken care of since at higher rpm the engine burns off the carbon soot, which is the main culprit for DPF clogging. But users with less highway usage have to regenerate the DPF manually using the prescribed instructions provided by the manufacturer. If you neglect this, then be ready to replace the catalytic converter in the exhaust system, which can cost up to Rs 1.5 Lakh.
- With the CAFE – lll norms kicking in 2027, diesel engines may be impacted, but the govt draft is yet to give a clear picture on the restrictions. As of now, the major focus is only on increasing the upfront cost of diesel vehicles in the M1 category (up to 9-seaters, less than 3500 kg kerb weight). A complete ban on diesel is not feasible for the Indian economy.
- The resale value of diesel cars after 5 to 7 years is unpredictable, as the EV infrastructure push by the govt through various policies is not uniform in all states, which can impact the price of secondhand diesel cars in future. But there is always a separate fan base for diesel cars, which will keep the demand alive. [example: many diesel cars from Delhi are being sold in other states after the ban on new diesel cars in Delhi]
Conclusion
From the above context, it is clear that diesel engines still have the upper hand over EVs and hybrids in a developing country like India. EV infrastructure development in India is still not uniform in all regions, with metro cities getting the majority of the push, making EVs not a reliable option for buyers in tier 2 and tier 3 markets, and the cost of hybrid cars is making it a daydream for middle-income families in India.
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