Confused in Buying a Petrol Car or Diesel Car in 2022. Compare Upfront Purchase Price, Fuel Cost Savings with Maintenance Costs to know which Fuel Choice should you go for and Why
Buying a car is an important decision - not only it reflects taste, style, aura and top of it the convenience - but it also is a big financial decision - thanks to high ownership cost of cars in India.
However, the Debate has taken a Paradigm Shift
In BS3 and BS4 Regime Diesel Cars used to emit more than 3 times Nitrogen dioxide pollution and 22 times more tiny particles which penetrate the lungs, brain and heart.
But see how Scenario changed from BS6 where by using
and by Upgrading Catalyst are what Diesel Cars Pollutants been reduced Significantly. NOX Levels which were almost 300% in BS4 in Diesel against Petrol, now just is 33% higher than Petrol in BS6 Regime
Infact from BS3 to BS6 - NOX Levels in Diesel Cars dropped by 1/6th and PM Levels by 1/10th.
Lot of Diesel Cars are what Discontinued. Now no more Diesel Cars in market which used to be available with Turbo Lag. Present Range of Diesel Cars
Care for a Power Driven Performance Car, you Drive and experience it. It will bring a smile on your Face. We bet
If you compare in Performance aspect then at any given day
You will find a substabtial Difference in Diesel Engine with lot more Grunt and Performance in Diesel Engines.
Drive in Naturally Aspirated Petrol Engine as what used in Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and then experience in 1.5 Diesel Engine. The kind of Diesel Engine NVH Level as attained in BS6 is what the Benchmark, clean Power Delivery will bring a smile on your Face.
Similarly, although XUV300 Turbo Petrol is very good, but XUV300 Diesel is just Awesome. Even Altroz iTurbo Petrol is launched - but its not a match to Performance and benchmark as whats in 1.5 Diesel Engine.
Diesel Cars Punch going to bring a smile on your face.
Some Diesel Models comes with Negligible Price Difference
Model | Prices |
Hyundai Creta | |
Rs. 10.16 Lakh |
|
E Diesel | Rs. 10.63 Lakh |
Venue Select Variant | |
Sx Petrol | Rs. 10 Lakh |
Sx Diesel | Rs. 10 Lakh |
HYundai Alcazar | |
Rs. 16.3 Lakh | |
Rs. 16.53 Lakh |
Check out Prices of Cars
Check Prices with Complete Features
Although Fuel Price Gap in between Petrol and Diesel is narrowing
but The Fuel Efficiency of a Diesel Car is relatively 20% to 25% better as against Petrol Car. Expect Lower Running Cost of Diesel Car as against the Petrol one.
City Drive Conditions | Hyundai Creta Petrol | Hyundai Creta Diesel |
Mileage Difference | 11 Kmpl | 14 Kmpl |
Fuel Price in Dece 2021 | Rs 95.5 / Litre | Rs 86 / Litre |
Average Running Cost | Rs 8.65 / Km | Rs 6.15 / Km |
You can almsot save in Rs 2.5 Per Km as running cost as against Creta Petrol. So say if you drive in even 8000 Kms a Year you will end up saving in Rs 20,000 per Year in terms of Fuel Cost
1. Up Front Price Difference Cost
Although the Narrower Price Difference Petrol Cars in range of Rs 20K to Rs 50K specified in above pertains to Specific Model Variants as listed above, but if you choose in
2. Higher Financing Cost
ยป If you buy Car on Finance - then there would be additional Interest cost for Buying Car in form of higher EMI or even if you buy car on cash - you would be forgiving the Interest which could have earned in form of Fixed Deposit at Bank
Finance : Interest on Rs 50,000 for 5 Years at 8% Interest Rate - Rs 10,840 and Rs 1.25 Lakh for 5 years at 8% Interest Rate (if Loan taken) - Rs 27,000 (Car Loan Interest is on Reducing Balance)
Own Funds : Fixed Deposit Interest on Rs 50,000 for 5 Years at 6.1% Interest Rate is 16,000 after TDS and 1.25 Lakh for 5 years at 6.1% Interest Rate - Rs 40000 (after TDS as Cumulative Interest)
3. Service Maintenance Cost
Additional is Service Maintenance Cost Difference where due to higher cost of Clutch Plate, Battery, additional cost of EGR Valve Cleaning, Oil and Fluid replacement Interval, Oil Filter cost. Some cars have bigger Diesel Engine requires more Oil
Even there are Parts like Catalytic Converter, Water Pump, AC Coils which though rarely fails - but if they do will cost higher in Diesel Cars vis a vis Petrol Cars.
On an average - its seen that Diesel Cars Maintenance cost if taken on Average Basis is higher to extent of Rs 2000 to 2500 per Year against Petrol Counterpart Model including Average Wear & Tear Parts
You can check - Car Service Cost Comparison
4. Insurance Premium
Diesel Cars has higher Insurance Premium in later years with marginally higher risk cover as against Petrol Cars. Even - the internal loading discount in later years would be nullified in Diesel Cars as against Petrol Cars
5. Limited Life of Diesel Car in Delhi / NCR
Also a ban is imposed in Delhi, NCR for Plying 10 year Old Diesel Car (this was imposed in BS4 Regime and still continuing)
However, the way Diesel Cars Pollution Levels are well controlled in BS6 Regime - we do not expect the Ban to Extended to other Cities.
But - consumers who are buying Diesel Cars in Delhi and NCR Zone can definitely sell these cars in other States by getting NOC Issued. (although to disclaim - fair price may not be reached but still can expect in 20% of Original Purchase price at end of 9th Year)
Pls understand Scenario Difference
Diesel Car Plus Points
Petrol Car Plus Points
Net All - If you Planning for :-
you need to serious give a consideration to there Diesel Engine.
However, from Ownership cost Perspective
have substantial Price Gap in Petrol and Diesel Model and in that case basis higher Ownership cost (Finance cost, Insurance Premium, Maintenance cost) - it may just be worth to go for Petrol from Financial Perspective - but trust Diesel Engine are lot more Fun to drive.
Comments 44
Very good article thanks
Akx
My driving in a month would be 500km a yr but aft 2yrs I may travel too much based on my working condition, I'm is it good to buy a diesel car or petrol car now... Please suggest.
5000 km per month, advice me petrol or diesel in SUV automatic, pls suggest me?
Hello..please advice ford ecosport petrol or diesel..monthly running would be 1000..occasional long trips will cover around 2000 kms. Really confused as both 1.5 lt engine and good power. Only 50 Nm difference in torque.
Thanks.
Ecosport 1.5 L Petrol fuel efficiency is very poor for my ecosport. Go for Diesel as suggested in this comparison. Very rarely you get fun to drive and economy together in a really good handling car
Go for diesel engine....very responsive....fun to drive car
Hi gagan,
what if petrol and diesel car cost the same .. creta E+ petrol or diesel ?
What if one has to chose between aspire diesel and dzire petrol ?
Dear Gagan,
Great comparison. However we now need to take two more factors into consideration. 1. 10 year limit for diesel 2. The narrowing gap of the two fuels.
With all this I would request your comment on the purchase of a new car. It will be important to note that my average running is approx 45000 km/ year. It is this running which has confused me.
I prefer to drive and have been doing 1000 km in a day very often. The need to use a car is due to uncertain programs and the reservation issues at short notice.
Thanks
Hemant
Honda amaze petrol cvt vs diesel cvt ......my monthly running is 1400 kmwhich is better
Petrol vehicle best suites for you
Very good analysis
OMG!!!!! Crazy this guy.. Hats of to you Sir. The way you have made this comparison beats all the other comparison records. Amazing !!! . each and every detail is accounted for and taken into consideration. Thank you.
Hello friends,
After read this difference between opt petrol or diesel engine car. I am satisfied with my dicession to purchased a patrol variant. Therefore, it's my pleasure advice to all of you before purchase a car you all should have to read this difference carefully.
OK jai hind
I plan to buy a used car. Currently I am having a diesel Ritz. Planning a second premium car. I am checking different cars like Toyota Corolla Altis. My budget is around 7 to 8lakhs. Kindly Advise me on suitable cars for me. My monthly usage will be a maximum of 500Kms. So Petrol will good as per this post. Kindly Advise more on this.
If ur monthly usage is less than 1500 kms, definitely u can opt for petrol. And moreover ur budget is 7 to 8 lakh, so u can really opt for new variant.
Which sub is best car under 12 lakhs on road price. New scross or new ecosport titanium petrol
or creata e plus petrol.
I am new to car drive, this is my first car planning to buy.
usage: not regular use, but will be taken out on occasions. monthly around 1000 km drive is expected.
Cost: I can afford approximately 7 Lakhs or max 9 lakhs. Note: I am opting loan for this.
Looking for family car with min maintenance, please suggest the car in India.
We useful article , Well done MR Gagan.
Thanks for the information,it really helped me to think over again about I should go petrol or diesel engine.
I needed to ask one more question regarding diesel engine,I came to know that in diesel engines it's necessary to replace the fuel injection pumps for 5 year's once even though it's not been used high usage is it correct ???