Often the first time car buyers, who don’t have any idea about the cost and maintenance required with a four-wheeler, are stuck on the issue of Petrol vs Diesel Car. Such people are very particular about the returns in the form of a better fuel economy and the prevailing prices of diesel and petrol in the market keep bothering them. After all, owning a car is not that simple as it seems to be. It’s not just about the looks, features, and shades, but the mechanical configuration is something which takes time to be studied.

Although there are a plethora of options available today including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrids and electric powertrain, the main dilemma definitely prevails in choosing either a petrol or a diesel car. Some might think that a petrol car would be good, while some may prefer the diesel variant. This is a never-ending topic which involves a lot of factors to be considered before any conclusion is drawn.

Petrol VS Diesel Car

Since we realize the value of your hard earned money and are concerned about the returns that you get, here’s a brief analysis about the topic- Petrol vs Diesel car so that you might get an idea about making a wiser decision after going through all the pros and cons. So, let’s get started! Wink!

Should I buy a Petrol or Diesel Car?

If you ask anyone whether buying a petrol car would be feasible or a diesel car would be more profitable, you won’t get a definite one-word answer. This is because before making any decision, one needs to closely study all the aspects of both the powertrains and thereby come to a final verdict.

Petrol-Engine-VS-Diesel-Engine

So, let’s take a look at the factors that altogether help in determining as to which option should be chosen:

Price Gap:

Usually, almost all the brands sell their models in both petrol and diesel versions and the former is always cheaper than the latter ones. So, if you wish to cut down the cost a little bit then buying a petrol car could help you save some bucks. For example: If you wish to own a Maruti Suzuki Swift, the ZXI (Petrol) is available at INR 6.4 Lacs, while the ZDI (Diesel) is tagged at INR 7.4 Lacs. So, we see that there is a gap of INR 1 Lakh between the two. And when you’ll compare the on-road prices of this variant, the difference could be around INR 1.28 Lacs.

Usage:

The rate at which you use your car, largely determines whether you should choose a petrol car or a diesel one. The more you travel, the more fuel you will need and hence mileage plays a big role over here. If your cars cover on an average 1200-1500 km in a month, then you should straight away choose a diesel engine.

Those residing in metro cities like Mumbai or Delhi have to travel a lot and hence for them, diesel would definitely be a suitable option. On the other hand, if you seldom drive around, or use your four-wheeler for short distances, then you can settle with a petrol engine.

Fuel Rate:

Even though diesel cars are pricier than petrol ones, but when you get to the petrol pump to get your tank full, you’ll end up paying more for petrol. This is because a lot of factors are responsible for fixing the fuel prices, which may differ from one state to another. However, due to the deregulation of diesel prices by the Indian government, the gap between the prices is shrinking day by day. As of March 1, 2016, the fuel prices in New Delhi stand at INR 46.43/Ltr (Diesel) and INR 56.61/Ltr (Petrol).

Miscellaneous Expenses:

When we own a 4-wheeler, it’s not just the on-road price that has to be paid, but several other costs are also involved in maintaining the vehicle. The car needs regular servicing and needs to be repaired in case of a defective part. Since no spark plugs are used in a diesel car, that cost can be surely eliminated. But, at the same time, they need investments regarding turbochargers, oil replacement, battery and clutch plate.

Resale Value of Petrol vs Diesel Cars

Being an Indian, we all can relate to this factor because re-selling existing commodities is something that we all are familiar with. We expect a favorable return when we sell out the already used stuff, even if it’s not in a proper condition. Tongue out! Well, coming back to the point, in India, the resale value of a diesel variant of a particular model is on an average more than 10% of the resale value of the same car in a petrol version.

However, due to some change in policies and the fact that government has eliminated the fuel subsidies, the gap between the prices of both the categories is decreasing continuously. In such a situation, after a few years, it won’t matter which category you choose because ultimately the gap will get filled. Today, in some countries, diesel is costlier than petrol.

Petrol vs Diesel: The Current Trend

It’s not always the buyers who are concerned about picking out one from petrol and diesel powertrain, but the automobile brands are equally particular about it. In today’s time, all the companies study the market closely and observe the demands of the customers. In fact, many brands offer diesel powertrains specifically for Indian buyers, which they don’t offer in other countries.

If we observe the current trend in the automobile market currently, we’ll notice that each category of the car has a different pattern. In order to understand this better, we have compiled the information for the popular segments as follows:

Hatchbacks

We all are well aware of the fact that petrol hatchbacks are quite popular in India. Maruti Alto 800, all new Kwid and even Baleno are some highly successful products in the market. However, gradually the diesel hatchbacks are also gaining fame. Examples like Maruti Swift and Chevrolet Beat can be quoted for this category.

Sedans

If we look at the best selling sedans in India, most of them are packed with diesel engines. For instance, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Swift Dzire, and Honda Amaze are all doing a commendable job owing to their features and for the kind of fuel efficiency that they deliver.

Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)

Since diesel engines are more powerful and are ideal for covering long distances, it gives a logical explanation that for SUVs, nothing could be better than a diesel motor. Although both diesel and petrol variants are gaining demand, it makes more sense to use the former one. Because SUVs are the vehicles which are used for long journeys, especially to travel in hilly areas, where a powerful engine is required.

Conclusion

After going through all the pros and cons and analyzing this issue of Petrol vs Diesel car, we can clearly see that both the engine options have their own significance and hence neither of these can be eliminated. If the cost factor is to be concerned, petrol wins the battle, but if you are ready to spend some extra bucks for a more massive output and an impressive fuel efficiency, you should go for a diesel car without any second thoughts. As simple as that! Wink!

So, now that you have read our analysis about Petrol vs Diesel car, we hope you have got all your answers. For any queries or feedback, do post your views in the comments section below.