Thanks to stricter emission norms, many car manufacturers have completely moved away from diesel engines. While diesels made a lot of sense for buyers who had higher monthly running, the stringent emission norms were making it difficult for brands to keep up. Despite the challenges, there are a few brands that are still offering diesel engines in their SUVs. Here, we have a list of six such diesel SUVs that are launching in the market soon.
Tata will be launching an updated version of the Curvv coupe SUV in the market in the next couple of days. As part of the update, Tata will be rejigging the variants of the Curvv and launching the X trims. Tata will also be adding a couple of features and making the SUV a lot more accessible to customers by introducing affordable variants.
The SUV will remain the same in terms of design on the outside, and Tata will continue to offer it with both turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engine options. The diesel version uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit that produces 118 PS and 260 Nm. The engine is offered with manual and DCA gearbox options.
The official launch of the Kia Sorento is scheduled for September 4. The Sorento will be Kia’s flagship SUV and is expected to rival the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Fortuner in the segment. Unlike some of its rivals, Kia will be offering the Sorento with both petrol and diesel engine options. The Kia Sorento will feature the same design as the international version.
The diesel version of the Sorento will use a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that generates 202 PS and 440 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission. As per recent reports that have surfaced online, the Sorento diesel will be offered in both FWD and AWD configurations. Kia will also be offering a 1.6-litre strong-hybrid turbo-petrol engine variant with the Sorento.
The Mahindra Thar is a popular 3-door lifestyle SUV in India. Mahindra is working on a facelift for the Thar, and as part of the latest update, Mahindra will be offering a revised front grille, Roxx-like projector headlamps with integrated LED DRLs, new or revised tail lamps, and new alloy wheels.
On the inside, Mahindra is expected to offer a digital driver display, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, and ADAS. The SUV will remain mechanically unchanged. It will continue to draw power from the same 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine options. Mahindra will continue to offer 4×4 on select variants.
The Fortuner has been the undefeated king of this segment for decades. Toyota is currently working on the next-generation Fortuner, and test mules have also been spotted abroad. The new Fortuner is expected to make its debut by late 2026 or early 2027. It will be based on the updated IMV ladder-frame platform.
The SUV is expected to get a Hilux-inspired front fascia featuring redesigned LED headlamps, a new grille, and a revised bumper. Inside, the cabin is likely to get a more premium layout with several new features. The SUV will be offered with a 2.8-litre diesel mild-hybrid engine. A 4×4 system will continue to be offered on select diesel variants. A 2.7-litre petrol engine will also be offered with the SUV.
Mahindra’s upcoming sub-4-metre SUV, the Vision S, based on the new NU-IQ platform, is currently undergoing testing in different parts of the country. It is expected to be a rugged, boxy-looking SUV with a host of premium features that buyers in this segment look for. The production version is expected to retain several design elements from the concept and could be launched next year.
The Vision S is expected to offer features such as a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, leatherette upholstery, a large touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, and more. It is expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine along with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine.
Mahindra recently unveiled its almost production-ready lifestyle pick-up truck, the Scorpio Lifestyler, which is scheduled to be launched next year. The pick-up truck is based on the same platform as the Scorpio N, with a slightly longer wheelbase to accommodate the luggage bed and dual-cab configuration.
It gets a rugged-looking exterior with LED headlamps, L-shaped DRLs, a massive front grille, 18-inch wheels, thick cladding, and Mahindra branding at multiple places.
On the inside, Mahindra will be offering a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a single-pane sunroof, ventilated seats, rear AC vents, an electronic parking brake, automatic hill hold, selectable terrain and drive modes, and Level 2 ADAS.
It is expected to be offered with the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines as the SUV. Both 2WD and 4×4 versions will be offered in the market.