Petrol vs diesel car: Which car is best, petrol or diesel?

Published on 22 Sept, 2021, 11:12 AM IST

Updated on 27 Jun, 2024, 8:48 AM IST

Team Ackodrive

12 min read

Interesting Articles

Petrol or a diesel car? It is one of the most common questions that come to mind before purchasing a new car. To make an informed decision, you must know the key differences between petrol and diesel vehicles. For some, petrol cars may be a perfect choice, and for others, diesel cars might be the right option. It all depends on your requirements. This article highlights the key differences between petrol and diesel cars to help you select a suitable option. Read on to learn more about petrol vs diesel cars.

Contents

Which car is best for you, petrol or diesel?

There is no straightforward answer to this question. One has to account for several factors to end the confusion between diesel vs petrol cars. However, knowing the critical differences between petrol and diesel cars will make your job easier in selecting the right vehicle for your requirements. And that’s what we will address in the following sections of this article.

Difference between petrol and diesel cars

Fuel is not the only differentiating factor for petrol vs diesel cars. You need to understand several factors to know the overall difference between both categories of vehicles. The following parameters will give you a better understanding of the difference between diesel and petrol cars.

Petro car vs diesel car

Here are the key differences between a petrol car and a diesel car.

Parameters	Petrol car	Diesel car
Price	Petrol cars are more affordable than diesel cars.	Diesel variants are more expensive than their petrol counterparts.
Service and maintenance	The cost of service/maintenance is lower than diesel cars.	The cost of service/maintenance is on the higher side.
Fuel efficiency/mileage	Lower fuel efficiency than diesel variant.	Returns high fuel efficiency.
Refinement	NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels are low.	NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels are high.
Power	Good initial acceleration with linear power delivery.	Better pulling power than petrol cars due to the increased torque.
Eco-friendliness	Petrol engines produce less pollutant particulate matter. Hence, they are less harmful to the environment.	Diesel engines produce more pollutant particulate matter. Hence, they are more harmful to the environment.
Engine life	Petrol engines have a shorter lifespan due to fuel property, which wears out the engine components quicker.	Diesel engines last longer than petrol engines as the wear and tear is less pronounced due to fuel property.
Fuel price	Petrol is more expensive than diesel.	Diesel is comparatively cheaper than petrol.
Resale value	Resale value is low.	Resale value is higher than petrol cars.

Example: To give you a better idea about petrol cars vs diesel cars, let’s take an example of the Tata Nexon, which is available in both petrol and diesel variants.

Price difference

Tata Nexon Petrol (Base XE variant)	Tata Nexon Diesel (Base XE variant)
Rs. 8.15 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)	Rs. 9.99 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)

The diesel variant's price is higher than the petrol variant's. The diesel model demands a higher initial cost. Note that the price difference may vary from one manufacturer to another. The above example only indicates the difference in pricing concerning this particular make/model and variant.

Performance

Model	Variant	Power	Torque
Tata Nexon Petrol	Smart (O)	118 bhp	170 nm
Tata Nexon Diesel	Smart Plus	113 bhp	260 nm

The petrol variant produces more power than the diesel counterpart when it comes to petrol vs diesel car performance. That higher power translates to quick initial acceleration. On the other hand, the diesel model produces more torque, giving it more pulling power than the petrol model. Hence, the initial acceleration of the diesel model may not be as quick as a gasoline engine, but it packs a punch at the top end of the RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).

Fuel economy

Tata Nexon Petrol (1.2 Smart(O))	Tata Nexon Diesel (1.5 Smart Plus)
17.44 kmpl (As per ARAI)	23.23 kmpl (As per ARAI)

Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than petrol engines. This factor may play an important role when choosing between a petrol and diesel variant of a vehicle. However, remember that a diesel engine requires more maintenance than a petrol engine.

Difference between petrol and diesel engine

The engine is the heart of a car or any other automobile. It is the first thing you should look for when glancing through the specifications of a car.

Petrol vs diesel engine

The table shared below provides the key differences between a petrol and diesel engine.

Parameters	Petrol engine	Diesel engine
Working principle	Otto cycle	Diesel cycle
Air-fuel mixture	Air and fuel are mixed before the compression.	The air and fuel are mixed inside the combustion chamber.
Ignition of fuel	Fuel is ignited by a spark produced via spark plugs.	Fuel is ignited by the hot compressed air.
Compression ratio	Low	High
Power	Lower than a diesel engine.	Higher than a petrol engine.
Fuel	High volatile fuels such as petrol.	Low volatile fuels such as diesel.
Application	Light vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars.	SUVs and heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
Fuel economy	Low	High
Maintenance cost	Low	High

Both petrol and diesel engines are IC (Internal Combustion) engines. However, there are several differences when it comes to the working mechanism of both engines. Here are the details of both engines.

Also, read: Electric car vs petrol car

Petrol engine

Refer to the points shared below to understand the working mechanism of a petrol engine.

A petrol engine works on the Otto cycle.
It has a spark-ignition system to ignite the fuel.
It runs on volatile fuels such as petrol.
A petrol engine has a four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, combustion and exhaust.
During the intake stroke, the air-fuel mixture is drawn into the combustion chamber via the intake valve.
The piston compresses the air-fuel mixture during the compression stroke.
In the combustion stroke, the air-fuel mixture is ignited via a spark produced by the spark plug. The combustion generates power. Hence it’s also called a power stroke.
The exhaust gases inside the combustion chamber are pushed out via the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke.

Diesel engine

The below-mentioned points explain the working mechanism of a diesel engine.

A diesel engine works on the Diesel cycle.
It works on a compression-ignition system.
It has a four-stroke cycle: intake/suction, compression, power and exhaust.
In the suction stroke, the air is drawn into the combustion chamber via the intake valve.
In the compression stroke, the air is compressed by the piston. Due to compression, the air temperature increases.
Next, in the power stroke, the diesel fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber via injectors. The fuel ignites due to the hot compressed air and pushes the piston.
The exhaust gases are thrown out of the combustion chamber via the exhaust valve. It is called an exhaust stroke.

Pros and cons of a petrol car

Here are the advantages of petrol cars.

They are more affordable than their diesel counterparts.
Many options are available in petrol variants, from small hatchbacks to SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles).
Petrol engines offer better initial acceleration. Hence, they are more responsive than diesel engines.
NVH levels are well contained.
The cost of maintenance is lower than diesel cars.

Here are some of the disadvantages of petrol cars.

Lower fuel efficiency when compared to diesel cars.
Petrol engines cannot be used in heavy vehicles.
Low resale value in the used-car market.
The cost of petrol is high compared to diesel.

Pros and cons of a diesel car

Here are some of the advantages of diesel cars.

The running cost is low due to the lower fuel cost and higher fuel economy than petrol cars.
Diesel cars produce more torque.
Longer engine life.
Commands high resale value in the second-hand car market.
Performs better in high-altitude regions as there is no requirement of a specific air-fuel ratio.

Here are the disadvantages of diesel cars.

More expensive than petrol cars.
Small cars, such as hatchbacks, may not be available in diesel variants.
High NVH levels.
Maintenance cost is higher than petrol cars. Also, spares of a diesel engine command a higher price tag.
Diesel engines produce less power and are slightly more sluggish than petrol engines.
Diesel engines produce more harmful gases than petrol engines.
Difficult to start a diesel vehicle in extremely cold weather.

Petrol vs diesel: Fuel price

One of the crucial factors to consider when choosing between a diesel and a petrol car is the fuel price. Diesel is relatively cheaper than petrol. Hence, if you look at the fuel cost, diesel is the best choice. However, a diesel car commands a high price tag, and the maintenance costs are also high. So, you have to make an informed decision based on your requirements.

Diesel vs petrol price

The following table denotes the per litre price of diesel vs petrol.

Diesel	Petrol
Rs. 87.62 per litre (Delhi)	Rs. 94.72 per litre (Delhi)

Note: Prices as per the Indian Oil Corporation as of 23rd February 2023.

Petrol vs diesel car running cost calculator

Calculating the running cost of a petrol or diesel car is pretty simple. However, one has to account for several factors, such as driving distance, fuel efficiency and fuel price.

Here is an example of running costs calculation for the Tata Nexon SUV, available in both petrol and diesel variants. Note that we have considered the hypothetical driving distance and the ARAI fuel economy figures.

Tata Nexon XE (Petrol) and XM (Diesel) price (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol: Rs. 7.80 lakhs
Diesel: Rs. 8.58 lakhs

Fuel economy of Tata Nexon XE and XM variant

Petrol: 17.40 kmpl Diesel: 22.40 kmpl

Petrol vs diesel price in Delhi as of 1st May 2024

Petrol: Rs. 94.72/litre
Diesel: Rs. 87.62/litre

Assuming that the vehicle runs for 1,000 km in a month, here is the running cost for petrol and diesel variants.

Petrol variant running cost (Driving distance/Fuel economy x Fuel price)

1000/17.40 x 94.72 = Rs.5,443 per month

Diesel variant running cost (Driving distance/Fuel economy x Fuel price)

1000/22.40 x 87.62 = Rs.3,911 per month

The difference in running cost between petrol and diesel variant: Rs. 1,532

Now, if you purchase a diesel model, the time required to recover the extra Rs. 2.20 lakhs paid for the diesel variant is almost ten years. However, the calculation changes in favour of diesel cars with the increase in the monthly driving distance.

The shared calculation will give you an idea about which variant is better for your driving requirements. For instance, the diesel variant makes more sense if the driving distance is on the higher side.

Best-selling petrol and diesel cars in India

Here is the list of best-selling petrol cars in India.

Below is the list of best-selling diesel cars in India

Make an informed decision

So, which car is the best, petrol or diesel? Choosing between a petrol and diesel car may be a tricky task. But with a clear understanding of your requirements, you can make the right choice. Diesel cars have the upper hand due to their high fuel economy and low fuel cost. However, the service and maintenance of diesel cars can cost you dearly.

Hence, do not make your choice by considering only the fuel efficiency of a car. Instead, buy a car after calculating the approximate running cost and considering the tenure of the ownership.

A diesel car is the best choice if you wish to own a vehicle for a long time, and your average daily driving distance is around 80 km to 100 km. On the contrary, a petrol car makes more sense if the driving distance is less and you do not intend to own the vehicle for more than 3 to 4 years.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most common questions and their answers related to petrol cars vs diesel cars.

Are petrol cars more powerful than diesel cars?

Petrol cars are more powerful than diesel cars due to the higher RPM and initial acceleration. However, diesel cars have better-pulling power due to the higher torque the diesel engine produces.

Are petrol cars more reliable than their diesel counterparts?

Yes, petrol cars are more reliable than diesel cars. Diesel cars are more likely to break down when compared to petrol cars. The repair job is also complicated due to the complex mechanicals of a diesel engine.

Why does a diesel engine last longer than a petrol engine?

The diesel engine lasts longer than the petrol engine due to the property of the fuel. Diesel is a light volatile fuel that lubricates the engine parts when it burns inside the engine. It reduces wear and tear; hence, a diesel engine lasts longer than a petrol engine.

Which variant has higher fuel efficiency, petrol or diesel?

Typically, diesel cars have higher fuel efficiency than their petrol counterparts. Generally, diesel cars deliver 20 to 25% more fuel economy than petrol engine cars.

Is a diesel car suitable for city driving?

A diesel car is not an ideal choice if you drive only in the city and cover much less distance. In this scenario, a petrol car makes for a more sensible choice. Opt for a diesel model if your driving involves a mix of city and frequent long hauls on highways.

What is the main advantage of a petrol car?

The significant advantage of a petrol car is its cost. It is less expensive compared to diesel cars. Petrol cars are also easy to maintain.

Which car is better, diesel or petrol?

Diesel cars are better for high-mileage, long-distance drives due to their fuel efficiency and durability, especially on highways. Petrol cars excel in city driving with smoother acceleration and generally lower initial purchase costs.

Should I avoid buying a diesel car?

It depends on your driving needs and environmental priorities. Diesel cars can be a good choice if you travel long distances regularly, as they are more fuel-efficient for highway driving. However, with increasing environmental regulations and the rise of electric vehicles, consider how these factors might influence future usability and resale value.

Is it good to buy a diesel car?

Buying a diesel car can benefit frequent, long-distance drivers due to better fuel economy and robust engine performance. However, consider future trends like emission restrictions and the shift towards electric vehicles.

What are the disadvantages of a diesel car?

Diesel cars typically have higher upfront costs, are more expensive to repair, and face stricter emissions regulations, which could lead to higher taxes or bans in urban areas. They also tend to be noisier and emit more CO2 and particulates.

Should we buy a diesel car in 2024?

Anticipated usage, environmental considerations, and potential future restrictions should guide the decision to buy a diesel car in 2024. As cities and countries push for cleaner energy sources, the long-term viability of diesel cars could be impacted.

Do diesel cars have problems?

Diesel cars can face issues such as higher maintenance costs and more complex repairs due to the advanced technology in modern diesel engines. They are also susceptible to problems if not regularly driven on long trips where the engine can fully warm up.

What is the life of a petrol car?

The lifespan of a petrol car can vary but is typically around 3,00,000 km with proper maintenance. Petrol engines are less complex than diesel engines, which can mean fewer costly repairs over the car’s lifetime.

Are diesel cars good for the future?

The future viability of diesel cars is becoming more uncertain with the rapid advancement of electric vehicle technology and tightening emissions regulations. For those considering long-term environmental and regulatory trends, there might be better investments than diesel.

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Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making any related decision.