Best Mileage Diesel-Manual Cars In 2025 – Nexon, Altroz, Venue And More

1. Tata Nexon (23.30kmpl)

The Tata Nexon is currently the most efficient diesel SUV in the country. Powered by Tata’s 1.5L diesel engine, the Nexon diesel-manual variants offer a mileage of 23.30kmpl. Available in 7 broad variants with options for a single-pane sunroof or a panoramic sunroof as well as dual-tone colour options, the 2025 Nexon diesel-manual variants are priced from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 14.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Take a look at the Nexon diesel-manual’s powertrain specifications in the table below:

The Tata Nexon competes with other SUVs on this list such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and the Mahindra XUV 3XO.

Also Read: Tata Nexon Diesel – Variants Explained

2. Tata Altroz (23kmpl)

The Tata Altroz, which received a comprehensive facelift in May 2025, is the most affordable diesel car in India. It is also the only hatchback on this list of best mileage diesel manual cars in India. Although the Altroz is powered by the same 1.5L diesel engine as the Nexon, it gets a 5-speed manual transmission only. It also produces less power and torque than the Nexon. Available in 3 variants, the Altroz diesel is priced from Rs. 8.99 lakh to Rs. 11.29 lakh (ex-showroom). Here are the powertrain specifications of the Altroz diesel:

The Tata Altroz diesel has no direct competitors as all its rivals offer petrol and CNG options only.

Also Read: Tata Altroz Diesel – Variants Explained

3. Hyundai Venue (22.70kmpl)

Hyundai’s most affordable diesel SUV, the Venue, takes the third spot with a mileage of 22.70kmpl. Powered by Hyundai’s 1.5L diesel engine, which is also shared with the Sonet, Creta, Seltos and a host of Hyundai and Kia cars, the Venue is a worthy alternative to the Tata Nexon above. However, while Kia offer the Sonet with both manual and automatic transmission options, the Venue is only offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. As of August 2025, the Venue diesel variants are priced between Rs. 10.80 lakh to Rs. 13.53 lakh (ex-showroom). Here are the powertrain specifications of the Venue diesel:

The 2025 Hyundai Venue rivals other diesel B2-SUVs such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and the Kia Sonet.

Also Read: 2025 Hyundai Venue Diesel – Variants Explained 

4. Tata Curvv (22.40kmpl)

The Tata Curvv is the only car on this list to offer a coupe-SUV bodystyle. Priced from Rs. 11.50 lakh to Rs. 18.02 lakh (ex-showroom), the Curvv diesel-manual variants not only compete with B2-SUVs such as the Venue and Sonet but also C-segment offerings like the Creta and Seltos. The Curvv diesel is powered by the same engine as the Nexon. However, with a power output of 118PS, it is 2PS more powerful than the Nexon:

Also Read: 2025 Tata Curvv Diesel – Variants Explained

5. Kia Sonet (22.30kmpl)

Kia’s most affordable diesel offering in India, the 2025 Sonet, takes the 5th spot on this list with a claimed diesel mileage of 22.30kmpl. Powered by Hyundai-Kia’s 1.5L diesel engine, the Sonet produces the same power and torque as the Venue. However, it is nearly 200 kilos heavier than the Hyundai SUV, which explains why it trails the Venue in terms of fuel efficiency. The Sonet diesel-manual is available in 4 variants with prices starting from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: 2025 Kia Sonet Diesel – Variants Explained

6. Hyundai Creta (21.80kmpl)

The Hyundai Creta holds the distinction of having the oldest nameplate among the SUVs on this list. First launched in 2015, the Creta has cemented its place in the hearts and minds of Indian car buyers thanks to its robust engine options. Despite the uncertainty behind diesel cars, the Creta diesel continues to sell in good numbers. It competes against other SUVs such as the Seltos and Curvv. Here are the powertrain specifications of the 2025 Creta diesel-manual:

Also Read: 2025 Hyundai Creta Diesel – Variants Explained

7. Kia Carens (21.30kmpl)

Although Kia have launched the new and improved Carens Clavis, the older Carens MPV pips its younger singling when it comes to outright efficiency. Kia offer the Carens diesel-manual in a single variant at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 11.41kmpl, making it a tempting offering for larger families. The 2025 Carens diesel is powered by the same engine as the Creta, Seltos, Venue and Sonet.

Also Read: Kia Carens Clavis Vs Rivals — Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

8. Kia Syros (20.75kmpl)

Kia introduced the 2025 Syros as a premium alternative to the Sonet in February 2025. While its boxy styling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly turns heads on the road. Like all other Hyundai and Kia vehicles on this list, the Syros is powered by a 1.5L diesel engine and the manual variants offer a claimed mileage of 20.75kmpl:

Prices for the Kia Syros diesel-manual variants range from Rs. 11.30 lakh to Rs. 14.30 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: 2025 Kia Syros Diesel – Variants Explained 

9. Kia Seltos (20.70kmpl)

Kia’s answer to the Hyundai Creta, the Seltos, is due for a generation change in 2026. However, the current model is still worth considering thanks to its robust diesel engine that offers a claimed mileage of 20.70kmpl with the manual transmission. Prices for the 2025 Seltos diesel-manual variants range from Rs. 12.77 lakh to Rs. 18.42 lakh (ex-showroom). Here are the powertrain specs of the Kia Seltos 2025:

Also Read: 2025 Kia Seltos Diesel – Variants Explained

Scoop: New-Gen Kia Seltos 2026 To Offer Box-ier Styling & Larger Dimensions

10. Mahindra XUV 3XO (20.60kmpl)

The only Mahindra on the list, the XUV 3XO was launched in April 2024, and its diesel-manual variants offer a claimed mileage of 20.60kmpl. Powered by Mahindra’s 1.5L diesel engine, the XUV 3XO offers the most torque out of all the cars on this list. It is also the second most powerful SUV on this list after the Tata Curvv:

The XUV 3XO diesel-manual is available in 7 variants with prices ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh (ex-showroom). However, it is not available in the value-oriented RevX variant that Mahindra introduced recently. Among the SUVs on this list, the 2025 XUV 3XO competes with the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and the Kia Syros.

Also Read: 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO – Variants Explained

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