With the Kia Syros entering the diesel compact SUV segment soon, here’s how it ranks against its rivals.
There are currently six compact SUVs that come with a diesel engine, which is a considerable number if one considers sales are heavily skewed towards petrol in this segment. Tata Motors and Hyundai have a presence here with the Nexon and Venue, while Mahindra has three diesel-power compact SUVs: the XUV 3XO, the Thar RWD and the Bolero Neo. Kia, which was already present with the Sonet, will announce prices for its second, the Syros, on February 1.
Among the diesel compact SUVs on sale, the Hyundai Venue and Mahindra Bolero Neo and Thar RWD do not have an automatic gearbox option. The Tata Nexon and XUV 3XO come with a 6-speed AMT unit while the Sonet and Syros share their 6-speed torque convertor automatic.
Do note that the figures here are ARAI ratings and the models are ranked by the highest number, regardless of whether it is the manual or automatic version.
7. Mahindra Thar RWD – 15.2kpl
From the outset, it should be noted that while the Mahindra Thar 3-door with the smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine, which makes 119hp and 300Nm of torque, qualifies for the compact class, the model with the larger 2.2-litre diesel unit does not. Available with a 6-speed manual, the Thar RWD has an efficiency figure of 15.2kpl. The Mahindra Thar RWD is priced between Rs 11.49 lakh-12.99 lakh.
6. Mahindra Bolero Neo – 18.04kpl
Essentially a heavily updated version of Mahindra’s TUV300, the Bolero Neo was introduced in 2021. The only other ladder-frame and rear-wheel drive compact SUV on sale in India, the Mahindra Bolero Neo comes with a 100hp, 1.5-litre engine and a 5-speed manual, which is rated at 18.04kpl by ARAI. Priced between Rs 9.95 lakh-12.15 lakh, the 7-seater received a 1-star Global NCAP rating last year.
5. Kia Syros – 20.75kpl
While Kia has yet to reveal prices for the Syros, we have nearly every other bit of info about the radical-looking tall-boy. It comes with a 116hp, 1.5-litre engine that is rated at 20.75kpl in manual form, and at 17.65kpl in automatic guise. Prices will be revealed on February 1, and dealers say that the Syros’ HTX+ and HTX+ (O) automatic trims, the ones with the segment-first cooled rear seats, have the highest demand.
4. Mahindra XUV 3XO – 21.2kpl
Mahindra’s other compact SUV, the XUV 3XO seats five, is far more premium and comes with a more powerful 117hp, 1.5-litre engine. 6-speed manual and AMT gearbox options are on offer, which have efficiency figures of 20.6kpl and 21.2kpl, respectively. The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel range is priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 14.49 lakh. The brand is working on an XUV 3XO hybrid that is expected to arrive in 2026.
3. Kia Sonet – 22.3kpl
The Kia Sonet shares its 116hp diesel engine with the Syros, but posts a slightly higher ARAI efficiency figure in manual and automatic form: 22.3kpl and 18.6kpl, respectively. Kia’s first compact SUV is priced between Rs 10 lakh-13.34 lakh, and has recently been given a variant rejig, which saw the removal of the iMT gearbox option.
2. Hyundai Venue – 23.7kpl
The Hyundai Venue also shares the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with the two Kias on this list, but it’s only available with a manual transmission. The Venue diesel posts an ARAI figure of 23.7kpl, putting it in second place on this list. The next-gen Venue is currently undergoing tests before its launch this festive season, but it will continue with the same engine options. The Venue diesel range currently costs Rs 10.80 lakh-13.53 lakh
1. Tata Nexon – 24.08kpl
The Tata Nexon was among those models that was given an update for 2025, and the diesel range is now priced between Rs 11.30 lakh-15.60 lakh. It is powered by a 115hp, 1.5-litre engine that has manual and AMT gearbox options, and it is the latter that makes the Nexon the most frugal diesel compact SUV, with an ARAI figure of 24.08kpl. In manual form, the Nexon diesel is rated at 23.23kpl.
Also see:
Here are India’s 10 most fuel-efficient petrol compact SUVs
Hyundai Creta Electric vs rivals: price, specification comparison
