Should You Buy a Diesel Car in 2024?

Diesel cars have been a popular choice among new car buyers for over two decades now. The performance and mileage benefits of a diesel engine are second to none and better than most petrol and EV vehicles sold in the country. But with changing emission norms, upgrading a diesel engine to comply with the rules has become an expensive affair. As more and more manufacturers drop diesel from their portfolio, the future of the once-celebrated powertrain looks doubtful. At this critical juncture, is it worth buying a diesel car in India? Or are there any better alternatives to this? We tell you in this story.
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Benefits of Diesel Cars

Cost Savings: Until now, experts suggested diesel as the most economical option for anyone driving more than 15,000 km in a year. According to a survey, diesel cars help save more money in the long run, despite the higher upfront cost. Drivers who frequently use highways can save significantly on fuel costs by using diesel vehicles instead of petrol cars.

Punchy Performance: Compared to petrol or a hybrids, diesel cars provide better lower-end torque making them more engaging to drive. Additionally, the better performance also helps conquer steep inclines and off-road obstacles with ease, which makes it the perfect choice for most 4X4 SUVs.

Reliability and Resale Value: Diesel cars are considered to be highly reliable in the long term due to their simple electronics. Toyota has earned the reputation of being the most dependable car brand worldwide, largely thanks to its diesel engines. Moreover, the diesel engines’ added reliability also helps you get better value when you wish to sell your car in the used car market.

Although diesel cars have many attractive benefits, their future in India is now uncertain due to the recent rule change. Moreover, the introduction of BS 6.2 emission norms has made the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) issue more common, which has made running and maintaining diesel engines expensive. Additionally, diesel engines also tend to be significantly noisier and buzzy than petrol engines, which takes away from the overall driving experience.

Read More: 7 Upcoming Diesel Cars in India

Solution: Switch to Cleaner Powertrains

While diesel has reigned as the superior powertrain until now, we believe strong hybrid is the powertrain of the future. Offering the mileage and performance of a diesel engine while maintaining emissions to a minimum, a strong hybrid powertrain is the perfect bridge between ICEs and EVs.

Benefits of Hybrids

Best-in-segment Fuel Efficiency: The current crop of hybrids in the Indian market offers a claimed mileage of up to 27 kmpl making them more efficient than diesel engines. While diesels do offer better highway performance, they struggle in stop-and-go traffic. However, a hybrid car with its petrol engine and battery combination offers efficiency in stop-and-go traffic while also delivering punchy performance on the highway.

Smooth and Vibration Free: Unlike a typical diesel, hybrid engines are smooth and vibration-free. The electric powertrain delivers power from the get-go, eliminating the lag associated with a diesel engine. Additionally, a hybrid engine also emits less particulate matter when compared to a diesel engine helping keep the environment around clean.

So which powertrain will you prefer, diesel or strong hybrid?

Read More: Upcoming hybrid cars in 2024

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