Although diesel engines are experiencing a decline due to stringent emission norms, reliability continues to be their forte.
With the emission norms getting stricter year by year in India, diesel engines are going at the backfoot. This comes down to the cost involved in making these oil burners comply with the norms, as well as the integration of multiple sophisticated technologies to control the emissions. In addition to this, diesel engines command a significant premium over their petrol counterpart, which further puts them down on a buyer’s list. Still, diesel engines continue with their advantage of fuel efficiency and reliability. In this article, we will look at some of the most reliable diesel engines in India 2025.
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Toyota’s 2.8 Litre GD Series Diesel Engine: Fortuner & Hilux
Toyota introduced its new GD diesel engine lineup in 2015, and it was first introduced internationally with the Land Cruiser Prado J150. In India, the 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV turbo diesel engine was introduced with the launch of the Innova Crysta in May 2016, and it later debuted in the second-generation Fortuner in November 2016.
This engine, in its current state, produces 201 bhp and 500 Nm of peak torque, powering the Fortuner and Hilux in India. It is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic and a 6-speed manual gearbox option. The torque output is lower at 420 Nm with the manual gearbox.
This engine is easily one of the most reliable diesel engines in India as well as internationally. These are multiple examples of the engine doing over 5 lakh kilometres on the Fortuner and Innova Cryta. The reliable workhorse is known for its superior thermal efficiency, giving it an edge in the reliability department. Globally, the Toyota’s 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine is manufactured in Japan, India and Thailand.
Mahindra 2.2 litre mHawk Diesel Engine: Scorpio N, Scorpio Classic, XUV700, Thar & Thar Roxx
Mahindra introduced the all-new mHawk turbo diesel engine back in 2007 with the Scorpio, and over the years, it has powered multiple models, including the XUV500. This engine was sold in multiple states of tune, and the engine capacity was also tweaked according to the requirements, ranging from 2.0-litre to 2.2-litre. This is an in-house developed engine by the Indian SUV manufacturer.
Currently, the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine is in its Gen 2 guise, and it was introduced in the year 2020 with the second-gen Thar. This all-titanium engine is very refined and future-proof to comply with upcoming emission norms. It is available in multiple states of tune, right from 130 bhp to 185 bhp and torque output in the range of 300 Nm to 450 Nm.
The mHawk engine has proven its reliability over the last decade, and there are several examples of this engine clocking over 3 lakh kilometres without any trouble. This engine is mated to a 6-speed manual and an AISIN-sourced 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox option.
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Hyundai/Kia’s 1.5 litre CRDi Diesel Engine: Creta, Seltos, Venue, Sonet, Carens, Syros & Alcazar- Most Reliable Diesel Engines In India 2025
Hyundai/Kia introduced the new 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine in 2020 with the second-generation Creta. It was the downsized and BS6 complaint version of the erstwhile 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine. Currently, this engine comes only in a single state of tune, i.e. 115 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
This engine powers a range of Hyundai & Kia models in India as well as globally. It is also one of the few small-capacity diesel engines left in the Indian market. Known for its superior refinement and NVH levels, the 1.5-litre turbo diesel is very fuel-efficient in its manual transmission guise.
Taking a look at its track record of almost 5 years in India, there are several examples of this oil burner doing over 2 lakh kilometres with no major work, apart from regular maintenance. One of the highlights of this diesel engine is its consistent refinement levels even after doing over 1 lakh kilometres.
