Premium Diesel Sedans to buy post 2012 Budget

It was around the same time last year that ZigWheels put the three most promising compact diesel sedans in the Indian market, the Maruti Suzuki SX4, the Fiat Linea and the Volkswagen Vento up against one another in an ‘Oil Olympics’ of sorts and the results gave our readers plenty of room for thought, well in the right direction we hope.

But a lot has changed since then. We now have two very exciting new players in this segment, the Hyundai Fluidic Verna and the all-new Ford Fiesta, both bearers of very refined and torquey diesel power plants, but with different displacement and efficiency levels. Add to that the most recent developments in the Union Budget, that has been quite merciless with our Petrol models through chunky excise hikes and what you suddenly start to notice is that having a choice of diverse and yet very capable premium diesel sedans in the market isn’t such a bad thing after all.

So with a 24 percent increase in excise duty on large cars, and more importantly with prices of their diesel counterparts being untouched, we thought we would take the kind liberty of pointing out the oil burning family sedans out there, which ask a price that you’re all too familiar with, but now make more sense buying.

Fiat Linea (starting price – Rs 7.83 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)

Prior to the homecoming of the fluidic styled Verna and the kinetic design inspired new Fiesta, the Italians were the ones who set the style quotient in the Indian sedan space with the introduction of the Fiat Linea. Its looks have been its most potent customer lure. Add to that its very versatile 1.3-litre Multijet engine with a VGT turbocharger and what you get is an adequate 90PS of power and 200Nm of torque, decent figures for a sedan of its size and style. There have been mixed feelings about the steering sensitivity and parking abilities of the Linea, but to be honest it remains a comfortable car to drive around town returning a satisfactory 13.8 kmpl, not to mention its above average looks which continue to hold it in good stead.

Maruti Suzuki Sx4 (starting price – Rs 8.03 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)

Built in our very own backyard, the Suzuki SX4 (Read : First Drive) has been a pillar of strength for Maruti among its many top selling models, and while it shares the same 1.3-litre Multijet as the Linea with identical power and torque figures, it’s the MSIL fine tuning that makes the SX4 a very different and should I say more sprightly car to drive as compared to the Linea. With an overall mileage of 21.5 kmpl and plenty of room for rear passenger to settle into, the Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel is a indeed a great package.

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Volkswagen Vento (starting price – Rs 8.28 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)

An unmitigated success backed by promise of quality and performance that Volkswagen automobiles are admired for the world over, the Vento has made a mark since being introduced and in recent times has done well to make up for its shortcomings as compared to the competition. The introduction of new features like steering mounted audio controls, park distance control, RCD 310 Music System with USB and 4 speakers on its top end Highline variant and further the German car maker’s decision to finally introduce a mid-variant diesel model (Comfortline) at Rs 8.74 lakh have silenced countless critics for good.

With 105 horses at its service and 250Nm of torque on offer, the Volkswagen Vento’s TDI power isn’t the mightiest of the lot but certainly the most refined and driver oriented. The diesel models are quite efficient returning 14 kmpl in the city and 22 kmpl on the highway, which being as sturdy and responsive a machine that she is makes for a great ownership experience both in the city and yonder.

Ford Fiesta (starting price – 9.28 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)

Few sedans in India have had the sort of red carpet treatment that Ford gave its new Fiesta model at the advent of its launch here in India, and while the Americans are quite confident they have a winner in their hands, it is too soon to tell if the kinetic design and first in class features on the new Fiesta will help it ace its C segment competitors.

But when spoken about solitarily, the new Fiesta (Read: First Drive) is as sporty and driver focused a car as you would find in a 8-10 lakh rupee budget. Mated to a five speed gearbox, the 1.5 TDCi Duratorq diesel sedan generates 91PS of power at 3750rpm and a rather stellar 204Nm of torque between 2000 and 2750rpm. With an overall mileage figure of 23.5 kmpl, the new Fiesta is not only a good looking mile muncher, but also a treat to push into those corners thanks to its solid steering and aerodynamic proportions.

Hyundai ‘Fluidic’ Verna (starting 8.19 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)


The new generation Hyundai Verna has been a complete showstopper to say the least and while its sales continue to soar, the price imbalance brought about by the Budget on petrol models may just turn out to be a boon for the Verna. I say this because the Verna is probably the only diesel sedan on sale in India with both a 1.4 and a 1.6 litre powerplant on offer. With Rs 80,000 separating the 1.4 CRDi from the base variant 1.6 CRDi VGT you’re the best judge of what best suits your budget.

The more powerful 1.6 litre model produces 128.08PS of power and 265Nm of torque and returns overall mileage figures as far as 16.2 kmpl. While most of the Verna variants offer plenty of gadgetry the high-end 1.6 spec models are unmatched in their class and segment. The Verna (Read : First Drive) has become the new benchmark where in car features and gadgetry is concerned and this coupled with its smooth drive experience and stunning looks kind of makes up for its pricey personality in more ways than one.