Petrol vs Diesel Car: Which one is better for You in India?

Are you planning to buy a new car and confused between petrol or diesel? Well, this is a common query of those buying a new car, especially those who are getting their first car. In this article, we have discussed which fuel type is right for you depending on factors including daily running, fuel consumption and service costs.

Differences between Petrol and Diesel Cars

To better understand the difference between petrol vs diesel cars, consider the following table:

Criteria	Petrol cars	Diesel cars
Initial buying cost	Petrol cars are generally priced cheaper than diesel	The upfront cost of diesel-engine cars higher
Power	Less torque than diesel	Have excellent torque
Maintenance	Easier to maintain	Servicing costs are high
Emission	They pollute lesser	Diesel cars pollute more
CNG compatible	Yes	No
Fuel cost	Petrol is significantly expensive	Diesel is cheaper

The Hyundai Creta, for instance, comes with three engine options, including turbo petrol and diesel engines. The price, mileage and running costs differ across the variants and the same has been displayed in the following table:

Factors	Creta NA petrol	Creta turbo petrol	Creta diesel
Engine capacity	1.5-litre	1.5-litre	1.5-litre
Mileage (Manual/ Automatic)	17.4 kmpl/ 18.4 kmpl	18 kilometres automatic only	21.8 kmpl/ 19.1 kmpl
Power figures	113 bhp, 143.8 Nm	158 bhp, 253 Nm	113 bhp, 250 Nm
Starting price	Rs. 11 lakh	Rs. 20 lakh	Rs. 12.56 lakh
Top model price	Rs. 18.88 lakh	Rs. 20.15 lakh	Rs. 20.15 lakh

As evident from the table above, the diesel Creta has a superior mileage of 21.89 kilometres per litre than its petrol counterparts. To note, the three engines have a displacement of 1.5-litre but the turbo petrol mill is the most powerful of the lot. The naturally aspirated motor is the cheapest while the base diesel Creta is expensive in its upfront cost by Rs. 1.56 lakh. Whereas, the turbo petrol Creta comes at Rs. 20 lakh, making it the most expensive among the three.

Petrol Engine Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Cheap upfront cost	High fuel cost
Lower emissions than diesel cars	Lesser mileage than diesel
Maintenance costs on the lower side	Running cost is high in the long run

Diesel Engine Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
High upfront cost	Lower fuel cost
Mileage on the higher side than petrol	Higher emissions
Running costs significantly less	High maintenance costs

Petrol Cars That You Can Consider Buying

• Maruti Suzuki Alto
• Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
• Tata Tiago
• Tata Nexon
• Hyundai Venue

Diesel Cars That You Can Consider Buying

• Kia Sonet
• Hyundai Creta
• Mahindra Scorpio N
• Tata Harrier
• Jeep Compass

Price Comparison of Petrol and Diesel in Metro Cities

City	Petrol (per litre)	Diesel (per litre)
Delhi	Rs. 94.72	Rs. 87.62
Chennai	Rs. 100.98	Rs. 92.56
Kolkata	Rs. 103.94	Rs. 90.76
Mumbai	Rs. 104.21	Rs. 92.15

Note: Prices as of May 6, 2024

Should you Buy a Petrol or Diesel Car?

In conclusion, choosing between a Petrol or a Diesel car boils down to individual needs and preferences. If you are someone who takes out the car only for short trips during the week and likes going on weekend drives, petrol will be the right choice for you as its initial cost and maintenance would be less. Emission would be on the lower side as well and these engines are compatible with CNG too.

Diesel cars on the other side have a higher upfront cost but this cost is compensated in the long run as they are high on mileage and the fuel is significantly cheaper than petrol. If slightly high maintenance costs and 10-year validity (in NCR) aren’t a concern for you, diesel cars still pack a lot of value for money. 

FAQ’s

Q1. Which Car is better, Diesel or Petrol?

If your running is low, buy a petrol car for cheap maintenance and smooth running. For long highway runs, diesel is ideal as it offers superior torque and mileage.

Q2. What are the disadvantages of Diesel Cars in India?

Diesel cars require regular maintenance and they are expensive to service. Emissions from a diesel engine are on the higher side than a petrol engine as well.

Q3. What are the disadvantages of Petrol Cars?

Petrol prices have increased significantly and this leads to higher running costs. Other disadvantages may include a lack of power and fuel efficiency than diesel cars.