Diesel SUV options are currently very limited in the market, and, if you want an automatic, your options are further limited. However, diesel engines remain popular in some segments thanks to their lower running costs and inherently torquey nature. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of all diesel automatic SUVs under Rs 25 lakh that are currently on sale, comprising a mix of both ladder-frame and monocoque SUVs across the compact and midsize segments. The rankings are in ascending order of starting prices.
1. Kia Sonet
Rs 9.77 lakh-14.09 lakh
The Kia Sonet is the most affordable diesel-AT compact SUV at the moment. It pairs a 6-speed torque converter automatic with its 116hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Sonet HTE(O) trim onwards. In fact, the diesel-AT powertrain is widely considered one of the best picks of the Sonet range. Not only does the engine feel strong in the Sonet’s compact SUV form factor, the torque converter enables a smoother experience than AMT-equipped rivals and the powertrain delivers an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 18.6kpl.
2. Tata Nexon
Rs 10.54 lakh-14.15 lakh
Tata’s venerable compact SUV, the Nexon, is one of the cheapest diesel-automatic SUVs in the market. Among the Nexon’s numerous powertrain options is a 115hp, 260Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed AMT, which is available from the mid-spec Pure+ trim onwards. The diesel engine is peppy and manages turbo lag well, and the AMT is surprisingly smooth-shifting, though hard acceleration may incur the typical ‘head-nod’ effect. As for claimed fuel efficiency, the Nexon diesel-AMT stands at 24.08kpl.
3. Mahindra XUV 3XO
Rs 10.85 lakh-13.34 lakh
Last on the podium is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which marries its 117hp, 300Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine to a 6-speed AMT from the mid-spec MX3 trim onwards. This engine is refined and develops the most torque in its segment, so performance feels strong, especially on the highway. The XUV 3XO diesel-AMT claims a 21.2kpl mileage. Notably, Mahindra does not offer the diesel-AMT powertrain in the top-spec XUV 3XO AX7L trim, which means you miss out on features like a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS suite.
4. Hyundai Venue
Rs 11.81 lakh-15.69 lakh
The first-gen Hyundai Venue conspicuously lacked a diesel-automatic powertrain option, an issue the second-gen model finally rectified when it was launched in November 2025. Like the Sonet, the Venue gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with its 115hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine, starting from the HX5 trim level. The powertrain is very smooth and refined, though initial throttle responses can feel dull, and the Venue diesel-AT mileage stands at a claimed 20.99kpl.
5. Tata Curvv
Rs 13.81 lakh-18.85 lakh
The Curvv uses the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Nexon, but the former’s output is 3hp more at 118hp; torque remains identical at 260Nm. It also comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as opposed to the Nexon’s AMT, and is available from the Curvv Pure+ trim onwards. This unique diesel-DCT powertrain feels strong past 1,500rpm and offers seamless shifts, though refinement and low-speed drivability could be better. Tata has yet to reveal an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency figure, but in our real-world mileage test of the Curvv diesel-DCT, we achieved an average of 14.19kpl.
6. Kia Seltos
Rs 14.99 lakh-19.99 lakh
The Seltos may have undergone a generational upgrade, but it retains the same 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel-AT powertrain as the prior model (also shared with the Sonet and Venue). This powertrain is available from the Seltos HTE(O) trim onwards, making it one of the most affordable diesel-AT midsize SUVs you can currently buy. While it remains smooth and refined, the new Seltos’ increase in weight does make the diesel-AT powertrain feel less punchy than before. Kia has not shared claimed mileage figures for the Seltos diesel-AT, but expect a real-world average of 14-15kpl.
7. Kia Syros
Rs 15.22 lakh-15.94 lakh
Kia’s second compact SUV, the Syros, shares its 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter with the Venue and Sonet. Since the diesel-AT powertrain is available only in the top-spec Syros HTX+ and HTX+(O) trims, it’s comfortably the most expensive diesel automatic compact SUV – more than even the new Seltos. As for the driving experience, the Syros diesel-AT responds very well to throttle inputs and shifts are seamless, but refinement falls a bit short. The Syros diesel-AT sports a claimed mileage of 17.65kpl.
8. Hyundai Creta
Rs 15.47 lakh-20.20 lakh
The Creta gets the same 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic as the Seltos, Sonet, Syros, and Venue from the EX(O) trim onwards. As you’d expect, this diesel-AT powertrain’s smoothness and refinement remain a highlight in the Creta. For the Creta diesel-AT, Hyundai claims a fuel efficiency of 19.1kpl.
9. Tata Sierra
Rs 15.99 lakh-21.29 lakh
Tata launched the Sierra in late 2025 as its strongest contender for the midsize SUV segment so far. The Sierra shares the Curvv’s 118hp 1.5-litre diesel engine, but with a 20Nm bump in torque to 280Nm. Unlike the Curvv’s DCT, the Sierra diesel gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which offers seamless shifts and great calibration. The engine itself delivers power linearly, but is audible at all times. In our real-world mileage test of the Sierra diesel-AT, the SUV achieved an average of 13.05kpl.
10. Mahindra Thar Roxx
Rs 16.95 lakh-22.25 lakh
The hugely popular 5-door Thar Roxx uses a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 152hp and 330Nm, and is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic from the second-from-base MX3 trim; 4WD-AT can be had only on the AX5L and AX7L trims. In 4×4 guise, the Thar Roxx diesel-AT’s output is bumped to 175hp and 370Nm. Mahindra claims a fuel efficiency of 15.2kpl for the Thar Roxx diesel-AT, but there’s no claimed fuel efficiency figure with the 4×4 layout. The Thar Roxx 4×4 diesel-AT variants also get an off-road cruise control feature called ‘Smart Crawl’ and a feature called ‘Intelliturn’ that helps tighten the turning radius in certain off-road situations.
11. Mahindra Scorpio N
Rs 17.10 lakh-24.34 lakh
Like the Thar Roxx, the Scorpio N is powered by Mahindra’s 2.2-litre diesel engine, albeit in a stronger state of tune – 175hp and 400Nm – paired with a 6-speed automatic that’s available from the one-above-base Z4 trim onwards. This powertrain feels quite smooth, potent, and suited to the Scorpio N’s nature. The Scorpio N diesel-AT has a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 15.42kpl, and is optionally available with 4×4 in higher variants too. A 7-seat configuration is standard across the range, but the top-spec Z8 L trim can also be had in 6-seat guise.
12. Mahindra Thar
Rs 17.19 lakh
You’d expect the 3-door Thar diesel-AT to sport a lower starting price than the 5-door Roxx, but that’s not the case. This is because the Thar’s 132hp, 300Nm, 2.2-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic configuration are available solely in the top-spec LXT trim, that too equipped with 4×4 as standard. The Thar diesel-AT is impressively refined and delivers power gradually, while the gearbox remains characteristically smooth. Mahindra has not disclosed claimed mileage figures for the Thar diesel-AT, but expect a real-world average of 11-12kpl.
13. Mahindra XUV 7XO
Rs 17.94 lakh-24.92 lakh
Rounding off the Mahindra quartet is the XUV 7XO, the rebranded XUV700 facelift that launched in early 2026. The XUV 7XO carries over the XUV700’s 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 185hp and 450Nm – the highest output on this list – when hooked up with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. This diesel-AT powertrain is available from the XUV 7XO AX3 trim onwards, and delivers a strong surge of torque with good refinement and responsive shifts. AWD and 6-seat layouts (7-seat is standard) are also available in the AX7T and AX7L trims. Claimed mileage figures for the XUV 7XO diesel-AT have not been revealed yet, but 16-17kpl can be expected in real-world usage.
14. Tata Harrier
Rs 18.53 lakh-25.25 lakh
The Harrier comes equipped with a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 170hp and 350Nm, and comes coupled to a 6-speed torque converter automatic from the mid-spec Pure X trim onwards. This diesel-AT powertrain has a wide powerband, with the mid-range feeling especially strong, along with smooth shifts. Tata claims a mileage of 16.8kpl for the Harrier diesel-AT.
15. Hyundai Alcazar
Rs 18.73 lakh-21.21 lakh
The Alcazar is the final SUV on this list to use the Hyundai Group’s 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic combo, offering it from the Corporate trim onwards. As with the Creta and Seltos, the Alcazar diesel-AT feels quite smooth and refined, though the powertrain is best enjoyed with an unhurried and sedate driving style. Hyundai claims a fuel efficiency of 18.1kpl for the Alcazar diesel-AT, and the three-row SUV can be had in both 6- and 7-seat configurations.
16. Tata Safari
Rs 18.91 lakh-25.96 lakh
Tata’s flagship ICE SUV, the three-row Safari, is powered by the same 170hp 2.0-litre diesel engine and 6-speed automatic as its 5-seater sibling, the Harrier. Like the Harrier, the Safari diesel-AT is offered from the Pure X trim onwards and feels just as punchy to drive, though refinement is far from segment standards. The Safari diesel-AT claims a fuel efficiency of 14.1kpl, and like many other three-row SUVs on this list, can also be had with a 6-seat layout instead of the standard 7-seat.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
