Top 5 Diesel SUVs Under Rs 20 Lakh in India (2025) – Powerful, Efficient & Highway-Ready Picks

Top 5 Diesel SUVs Under Rs 20 Lakh in India : Diesel SUVs remain popular in India, especially among buyers who appreciate strong torque delivery and longer highway range paired with great performance on both urban and rural roads. While petrols and electrics are rising in prominence, many of India’s drivers see diesel engines as being unmatched in terms of power and fuel efficiency. What’s more, for a budget of under ₹20 lakh, if you’re hunting for a diesel SUV in 2025, here are the top 5 options to consider.

1. Mahindra Scorpio-N

The Mahindra Scorpio-N continues to reign supreme in the diesel SUV segment. It is powered by a grunty 2.2L mHawk diesel engine capable of producing anything between 172 bhp and 400 Nm of torque in both manual and automatic forms and 4×4 in higher variants. It feels rugged and spacious, with great city driving characteristics and off-roading fun on the side. With prices starting at around ₹13.5 lakh.

2. Tata Harrier

The Tata Harrier sees 2025 updated with modern-day features and an opulent feel. It packs in a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine with 170 bhp and 350 Nm of torque. Harrier feels matured, safe (5-star GNCAP rating), and gets equipped with things like a panoramic sunroof, ADAS, and a really big infotainment system. Its price starts from ₹15.5 lakh and is a value-for-money diesel SUV option.

3. Hyundai Creta Diesel

The Hyundai Creta diesel continues to be a favorite city choice for family buyers. Powering the Creta is a 1.5L diesel engine that produces 116 bhp and 250 Nm of torque along with both 6-speed manual and automatic options. It got a facelift for 2024 and is now more stylish. It comes equipped with some advanced new-age technology features like ADAS and a dual-screen dashboard. Pricing starts at approximately ₹13.5 lakh, for the diesel one.

4. Kia Seltos Diesel

The Kia shares its diesel engine with the Creta, giving the two SUVs almost identical performance. Whereas, the Seltos has a sportier design, and feels premium on the inside with safety features like 6 airbags and ADAS in higher variants. The ride quality is comfortable and has great fuel efficiency. The prices for the diesel variants start from ₹13.6 lakh.

5. Mahindra XUV700 

The Mahindra XUV700 is all about power and tech. Diesel variants start slightly below ₹17 lakh. It comes with a 2.2L engine that churns out 185 bhp, promising some thrilling driving. It also offers an unbeatable combination of segment-first features, safety, and future-ready design.