It is not just flipping off the coin and let Head or Tail to decide for buying Petrol or Diesel car. There are several factors to consider before you make a move. As in current market scenario most of the Cars / SUVs available in their petrol and Diesel versions to serve different kind of buyers to suffice their needs and Taste.
Here I would share the difference between the Deisel and Petrol cars from technical and Cost point of view.
Max Power / Max Torque:
Most often the similar size of Petrol engine and Diesel engine have same Power but Diesel engine has almost 1.5 times of Torque.
Lets take an example of Swift Diesel and Swift petrol version. Look at the comparison below
| … | Engine Capacity | Power @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Efficiency |
| Swift Diesel | 1248 cc | 75 PS @ 4500 | 190 Nm @ 2000 | 18 Kmpl |
| Swift Petrol | 1197 cc | 85 PS @ 6000 | 113 Nm @ 4500 | 14 Kmpl |
As you see the Power of Diesel engine is slightly less than Petrol Engine, but Torque is significantly high. Torque is high in Deisel engine because of their high compression ratio.
The question here is what is the difference Power and Torque?
Physics defines Power as a the rate of work done, hence it is directly related to the speed/maximum speed. Torque is the amount of force applied to rotate something, means amount of force applied to achieve the same speed.
Somebody explained it with the act of reading, basically Power is how much you read and Torque is how you feel about it. Driving fun of Diesel cars are substantially higher than petrol one, specially on highways.
That is the reason why most of heavy transport vehicles (Trucks, SUVs etc) are fueled by Diesel to carry heavy weight easily with good amount of torque and small city cars are preferred for Petrol fuel to be more cost effective and cleaner.
Reliability:
Both types of engines are reliable, but Diesel engines are more robust in different atmospheric condition.
Maintenance:
Maintenance cost of Diesel engines are almost 20-30% higher than of Petrol engines.
Performance (Fuel Efficiency):
Diesel’s high octane value is the reason behind better fuel efficiency than petrol, but at the same time Diesel is less environ friendly.
Engine noise:
Diesel engines are more noisier than petrol one and generate more vibrations too, though there has been a lot technological advancements. The reason is same again higher compression ratio. In higher speed noise difference is negligible.
Diesel vs Petrol car economics:
If you are a die hard Deisel car lover then definitely you should not look at this part of comparison. But from money point of view you should look at the calculation below. In India Diesel is subsidized hence drive the operating cost of car.
- Generally Diesel cars are around 15-20% costlier than their petrol Counter part. For example Swift LDi (Diesel) is around Rs. 90k expensive than Swift lxi (Petrol)
- In normal conditions the expense of a hatchback diesel car is around 2 Rs/km and 3.5 Rs/km for petrol car. So after driving more than 50,000 kms you will be able to fill the GAP of cost of car, keeping the 90k extra investment in mind.
- One more factor which should be considered is the resale value of car. But that should be considered on the type of car, usage and future plans.
- But keep in mind the investment of 1L extra, because you can at-least get 7-9 % interest in this amount even in Fixed deposit without doing any thing
. And if you are taking a loan for car, it works in reversible manner.
Summary
- If on average you drive lesser than 15K in a year (average 40 km a day), then make sense to buy Petrol car.
- If your drive is around 15k – 20kms in a year ( around 50 kms a day) then you can choose either.
- If your average travel is more than 25K in a year (70 kms in a day) then Diesel cars makes sense.
- If you want to toss your vehicle in off roads or hills more often, then Diesel is better choice.
- Buying SUVs in Diesel engine is better choice, due to high torque is required for Big size vehicle.
- Ab
October 27th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Nice comparision and information rich. thanks to the writer. please update
April 6th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Good article. My new Swift petrol car is not so good in pick up (especially when it is full). After reading this article, I understand it is so because of less torque. Let me know if my understanding is wrong.
April 7th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
@Ramesh Thanks for the comment. There will be reduction in pick-up as the number of passenger increase and yes you are right it is because of torque the you feel lesser difference in pick-up in diesel model than petrol.
April 13th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Pls advise between sx4 petrol, cng or diesel, drive approx 50km n Delhi. presently hav cng fit wagonR since 2004 n pretty satisfied. I wil keep my new car for min 8-10 yrs, so pls guide me keeping n mind long engine life. Thnks!
April 14th, 2011 at 3:32 am
As per your usage CNG or Diesel are better options over Petrol, though Diesel is few thousands more expensive than CNG. Over all CNG will more cost effective including running cost than Diesel but again compromise is the driving experience, Diesel is more fun
.. If driving mostly within city I’d prefer CNG.
June 29th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
PETROL OR DIESEL CAR
It’s been a long debate over which car to buy a diesel or petrol. Almost all of us go through this when buying a new car. With lot of cars coming in both hatchback and sedan segment the question is becoming tough to answer. Diesel being cheap in costing is the very first reason to buy a diesel car but does it really suits you because the initial cost of a diesel car is way high then of its petrol version .let’s take a look on a few issues while choosing a petrol version or a diesel version. To simplify the difference lets study with some examples……
petrol v/s diesel – On road price (ex-showroom+reg+insurance)
1. Ford fiesta lxi v/s ldi – on road price
Lxi – Rs 6,30,642
Ldi – Rs 7,63,059
Difference in initial costing – Rs 1,32,417
2. Maruti swift dzire vxi v/s vdi – on road price
Vxi – Rs 6,15,425
Vdi – Rs 7,35,503
Difference in initial costing – Rs 1,20,078
3.Hyundai i20 magna petrol v/s magna diesel – on road price
Magna petrol – Rs 5,57,723
Magna diesel – Rs 7,12,759
Difference in initial costing – Rs 1,55,036
So we can easily deduce that on an average the difference between a petrol version and its diesel version ranges to 1,20,000to 1,50,000 and let’s take the average i.e. Rs 1,35,000 for further calculations.
Petrol cost – Rs 63.37/ltr *
Diesel cost – Rs 41.12/ltr *
Petrol car mileage – city – 14/ltr , highway – 18/ltr , average – 15/ltr
Diesel car mileage – city – 16/ltr , highway – 20/ltr , average – 17/ltr
*price in Delhi as on June 29, 2011
Case I – monthly run of 1000 kms or less (yearly – 12000)
• Consumption of petrol car in ltr – 12000/15=800 ltr (total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on petrol = 800 ltr * 63.37 Rs/ltr = Rs 50,696.
• Consumption of diesel car in ltr – 12000/17=706 ltr(total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on diesel = 706 ltr * 41.12 Rs/ltr = Rs 29,030.
So the difference in amount spent on diesel and petrol is Rs 21,666 per year.
In comparison to the amount you paid earlier for a diesel car is Rs 1,35,000 more.
Further if u took loan then you paid an extra interest on Rs 1,35,000 to bank for say a fiveyear loan i.e. @ 11.5%per annum so the extra interest u paid is 1,36,533. So a total of Rs 2,71,533.
Taking the saving per year and the extra cost I paid it will take 2,71,533/21,666 = approx 12.5 yrs.
Case II – monthly run of 1500 kms or less (yearly – 18000)
• Consumption of petrol car in ltr – 18000/15=1200 ltr (total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on petrol = 1200 ltr * 63.37 Rs/ltr = Rs 76,044.
• Consumption of diesel car in ltr – 18000/17=1059 ltr(total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on diesel = 1059 ltr * 41.12 Rs/ltr = Rs 43,539.
So the difference in amount spent on diesel and petrol is Rs 32,500 per year.
In comparison to the amount you paid earlier for a diesel car is Rs 1,35,000 more.
Further if u took loan then you paid an extra interest on Rs 1,35,000 to bank for say a fiveyear loan i.e. @ 11.5%per annum so the extra interest u paid is 1,36,533. So a total of Rs 2,71,533.
Taking the saving per year and the extra cost I paid it will take 2,71,533/32,500 = approx 8.5 yrs.
Case III – monthly run of 2000 kms (yearly -24000kms)
• Consumption of petrol car in ltr – 24000/15=1600 ltr (total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on petrol = 1600 ltr * 63.37 Rs/ltr = Rs 1,01,392.
• Consumption of diesel car in ltr – 24000/17=1412 ltr(total kms/km per ltr).
Total amount spent on diesel = 1412 ltr * 41.12 Rs/ltr = Rs 58,060.
So the difference in amount spent on diesel and petrol is Rs 43,332 per year.
In comparison to the amount you paid earlier for a diesel car is Rs 1,35,000 more.
Further if u took loan then you paid an extra interest on Rs 1,35,000 to bank for say a fiveyear loan i.e. @ 11.5%per annum so the extra interest u paid is 1,36,533. So a total of Rs 2,71,533.
Taking the saving per year and the extra cost I paid it will take 2,71,533/43,332 = approx 6.25 yrs.
Case IV – In case your car has a run of more than 3000 kms per month (yearly 36000 kms or a daily of 100 kms)
Diesel car is the one you should pick.
? Few other points also to be taken into consideration:-
1. The diesel car has a very high maintenance in comparison to a petrol car almost 1.5 times of that a petrol car and that keep on increasing after first three- four years.
2. The engine parts of diesel car is almost twice d cost of a petrol one e.g. a petrol car’s piston will long for bout say 15-16 yrs or say 2,00,000 kms or even more practically never and a diesel car’s piston has to be changed say every 6-7 years or every 80,000-1,00,000 kms.
3. The diesel engine no matter how high tech it may be is always noisy u can hear its irritating sound.
4. The subsidiary cost on petrol is at present Rs 4.00 and that on diesel is Rs 16.00 so in future chances of diesel price rise increases as now the companies are independent without the govt control.
5. The amount of pollution diesel car generates is also a lot higher in comparison to petrol car.
6. The second hand sale value of a diesel car is a lot less in comparison to petrol car even a diesel car almost zero’s its value after 90,000 kms or 7 yrs.
7. The lpg or cng gas kit are not compatible with diesel engines however they run very well on a petrol engine.
So wisely evaluate your needs before buying a new car a petrol or a diesel don’t go on what others are buying it’s your hard earned money invest smartly.
The writer is an expert on car and automobiles .
Note :- the on road price of cars may vary from state to state however the difference will almost remain the same.
June 30th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Great analysis, should help a lot! Thanks…
July 1st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Thanks Sahil!!! you rocks…..
July 4th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Hi sahil
great work, can you pls advise on below
my drive is about 2k per month and have shortlisted skoda fabia ambiente diesel and chevrolet aveo cng, both are almost same price after discount on aveo.pls advise which one should i choose.
July 5th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Thanks Sahil for your comment and very valuable and well articulated thoughts.
July 5th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
@Saleem, If i understand your needs correctly, I would recommend Aveo, a good stylish, spacious, sedan family car with a suitable price tag. In general Skoda maintenance & spares are expensive & Fabia is no exception plus additional cost of Diesel engine maintenace, but definitely Skoda is ahead in terms of safety features and build quality. And As I mentioned in my post driving diesel is different experience because of high torque but it seems you are not keen about that. I guess CNG is better option, only disadvantage of occupying some boot space in your car. The money factors are very well described by Sahil.
@ Sahil, What’s ur opinion?
July 24th, 2011 at 3:12 am
Ur information gives clear view to buy cars.., thanks friend
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Awesome comparsion and explanation. Examples are really helpful to decide Petrol vs Diesel …i have been searching for this kind of comparison since long time…… Thank you so much
August 12th, 2011 at 12:05 am
good analysis!!! made me really think what to buy? I want an entry level sedan… like swift dzire….. i do approx 12000 – 15000 a year. currently have a m800. seriously thinking of diesel… my other option are new swift,ritz etc.. sticking to maruti as i stay in a small town..pls reply..
August 12th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@ Sarbajit, As per your travel requirement petrol seems to be suitable. Why are you willing to choose Diesel? Good you want to stick with Maruti Suzuki, but you can have a look at Toyota Etios if you like it and service center is available in your town, Toyota service is hassle free. Ritz and existing Swift both share almost same cars internally and except exteriors. New Swift is definitely better in many aspect, Its in Europe already. Price point for Indian version of new swift is yet to see.
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Nice comparision and information rich. Lot of thanks.
October 21st, 2011 at 4:41 pm
My travel is approximately 15000 km/yr city limit. Planning to buy a Swift or Chevy Beat. Please suggest which one would be a better option in terms of cost of running & maintenance. Do let me know if you suggest any other car.
October 27th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@ Dipesh, for your need there are plenty of cars to choose in the Petrol hatchback segment. Swift and Beat are good choice, but Beat is Cheaper on the road, though its smaller than swift. New Swift is Stylish, bigger with some smart features. Have a look at Ford Figo For a balanced car with good space and seating comfort and cost as well. Toyota Etios Liva is a good buy, if looks are Ok with you.
October 31st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@Sahil…excellent analysis…i have been looking fo rone such breakup analysis….My monthly usage is < 1000KMs….i am confused to pick a petrol / diesel vehicle….everyone is advising me to go for Diesel.
But i know i woul dnot be driving so much and hence iam skeptical….
can u pls advise…by the way i am interested in SX4-ZXI…
thanks for ur response
November 12th, 2011 at 3:52 am
@Sahil really excellent analysis i planning to buy skoda rapid or fluidic varna petrol version for a monthly distace of about 1000 km. I request to suggest which one should perchase on the basis of servicing, cost of spare parts, emeragency service, features etc.
thanks for ur response
December 20th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
very nice comparison and useful to me.
December 21st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Now .. petrol cost 76 & deisel costs 46 per liter. (after petrol price decontrol)
Also heard that there is going to be a surcharge added for diesel cars near future. ( means … u might get a better resale value for deisel cars)
So.. in this new situation, any change in calculations ?
My yearly use would be less than 10K KM.
But I m planning to keep the vehcile for 1 Lakh KM. (my current 2001 VagonR reads odometer 110000 KM.)
So.. should I go for petrol or deisel ( panning to take Ritz) ?
I feel that..once I complete 30K KM, I will be beneficial.
Rest 70K KM I am going to have better smile.
December 24th, 2011 at 12:06 am
Johnsons, even though petrol prices are soaring, for your need petrol cars are more suitable. you yearly run is just 10K lesser than 1k per month, as per new calculation you will still be in profit with petrol car covering 10K per annum for 10 years, which is a long time to change the market dynamics with arrival of electric vehicle in flood. As said not only cost difference but maintenance and wear&tear in diesel engine is higher specially in shorter runs. Additionally put your extra 1.2L in FD to gain high interest of more then 9% in current market.