Looking for a diesel SUV but don't know where to start? We've listed five, compact SUVs that offer practicality and most of all, frugality. While all models are available used, there are a couple that are available new.
All of their consumption figures are based on real-life driving conditions while in the hands of AutoTrader team members, and the list is filtered with the most efficient models at the top. Click on the model name to be taken to its review:
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 DCI
The previous-generation Qashqai was a joy to drive, offering a high-quality cabin and driving experience, along with a very frugal 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine. Sadly, the new Qashqai models are no longer offered in diesel, but there are loads of diesel Qashqais on AutoTrader!
Here is an excerpt from my 2018 review of the flagship Tekna model:
Being a smallish diesel-engine, you do make more use of the lower gears for optimum power extraction - but that fuel tank needle just stayed put. The six-speed manual gearbox is only a pleasure to stir, slotting smoothly into its chosen position.
With usage of 4.8 litres per 100 km to only 5.8 litres (per 100 km) in town, you'd probably be able to squeeze around 1300 km out of a single tank. That's the superpower I was talking about! And then it's chock-full of all the good stuff too. - Ané Albertse, AutoTrader
Have a look on AutoTrader for a pre-loved, diesel Nissan Qashqai models here - high-mileage models are priced from R79 000!
If you filter your search to models with fewer than 100 000 km on the odometer, you're looking at pricing from about R160 000.
Related: Nissan Qashqai 1.3T Acenta Plus (2022) Review
Also consider: Ford EcoSport 1.5TDCI
Mahindra XUV300 1.5TD
GlobalANCAP awarded the locally-available XUV300 five stars for safety, so not only is the XUV300 ultra-light on fuel, it's perfect for everyday life and decidedly family-friendly if safety features are a dealmaker or breaker for you.
Once again, the diesel models are no longer available new, so used models are the way to go. The good news is that preloved Mahindra XUV300 models are highly affordable in the used-car market. Here is a quote from my article on the XUV300 1.5TD W8's efficiency:
The XUV300 1.5TD is well-known for its light diesel-sipping abilities and has performed exceptionally well in economy runs, making it one of SA’s most fuel-efficient SUVs. Consumption of 5.1 litres per 100 km on average is the going rate, rising to no more than 6.2 in town while in my care. 17 km per litre of fuel is not to be sneezed at while oil prices keep reaching for the stars. - Ané Albertse, AutoTrader
Look for a used diesel Mahindra on AutoTrader here, priced from as low as R209 000.
Related: Top 5 Mahindra XUV300 articles on AutoTrader
Renault Duster 1.5dCi
The Renault Duster is one of the brand's most successful models, and is also one of the most reliable Renaults. Its 4x4 prowess has also been proven time and again, but if you're not into heavy off-roading, the 2x4 variants will do nicely.
Want to go off the beaten track? Bear in mind that the four-wheel-driven models will be slightly heavier on fuel because of the higher weight, and because more power is required to propel four wheels instead of just two.
All Dusters in the current local lineup have diesel powerplants, and are available new from R357 999 (for the 1.5dCi Zen manual model), so no need to opt for a used Duster if you have the money for a brand-new one.
I drove the latest, 2022 Duster towards the end of last year:
The Duster's 1.5-litre turbodiesel has proven itself over the years and is definitely one of Renault's most reliable powerplants. With 80kW and 25Nm of power driven through the front wheels via an automated dual-clutch transmission, there's enough power to keep the little engine on the boil, without having to shed a tear every time your eye catches your average fuel consumption on the trip computer. In our case, it never went over the 5.2 litres per 100 km mark, which is fantastic. You fill up the engine and that fuel gauge doesn't seem to budge for many, many kilometres. Over 1100 km on one 50-litre tank is realistic if you don't drive like you have the devil in a red Ferrari behind you... - Ané Albertse, AutoTrader
Search AutoTrader for a used diesel Duster here. While we have a model listed for R69 000, pre-loved models are usually priced from around R120 000.
Related: Honda BR-V vs Haval Jolion vs Renault Duster - Which is the best value for money?
Hyundai Creta 1.5D
I'm sure you'll agree with me that the new Hyundai Creta, looking like a mini-Tucson, is way better looking than the previous Creta pictured above, however - looks aren't everything! There is no new diesel Creta model available, unless you opt for the Hyundai Grand Creta with seven seats. Fortunately we have a wide variety of pre-loved, 5-seater diesel Cretas on AutoTrader.
Sean reviewed the 1.5D Executive model in 2021 and titled it Frugality wrapped in a more premium package, and here is an extract of his review:
Having sampled both the new and previous iteration of the Creta fitted with an oil-burner, I can say with confidence that the newcomer is more frugal, with a consumption figure of just 5.3L/100km during my week with the vehicle, some 0.6L/100km lower than Hyundai’s claim. That means that despite sporting just a 50-litre fuel tank, the Creta offers nearly 1 000km of range on a single tank of diesel. - Sean Nurse, AutoTrader
Search AutoTrader for pre-loved diesel Creta models here. They're priced as low as R180 000!
Interested in the 7-seater Hyundai Grand Creta which is available with a turbodiesel engine? Read my Hyundai Grand Creta road-trip review here to find out what my usage was.
Related: BAIC Beijing X55 vs Haval Jolion vs Hyundai Creta: Which has the best infotainment system?
Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi
The Seltos is one of those cars that just feels right in every respect, and our car reviewer agrees with this statement. It's also rather spacious for a compact SUV, especially in the second row. The Seltos is available new from R327 995 for the 1.6 EX model, but if you want the diesel, you'll have to part with R457 995 for the 1.5CRDi EX - it's perhaps out of your price range but you can pay roughly R100k less if you buy used. AutoTrader reviewed the 1.5 CRDI EX in 2020:
Kia quotes an average consumption of only 5.1ℓ/100 km for the manual diesel Seltos, but a week’s worth of mixed-cycle driving without any particular effort to conserve fuel revealed a real-world average figure of 5.8 ℓ/100 km. That’s a highly commendable result for a vehicle of this size and weight, and really represents the upper limit of what buyers could expect in real-life usage.
Freeway cruising brings this number down to the low-5 ℓ/100 km range, making the Seltos 1.5CRDi an excellent cross-country cruiser as well as a nippy commuter. Hence this variant’s “Goldilocks” status: it’s neither too slow nor too thirsty, making it “just right” for the majority of usage cases. - Martin Pretorius
Search AutoTrader to find the pre-loved or new Kia Seltos of your dreams here, priced from R360 000.
Related: Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos vs. Opel Mokke: Which is the best value for money?
Some value-packed alternatives for the cash-strapped
Ford's EcoSport 1.5TDCI models are some of the lightest sippers around! And pricing for used models is as low as R105 000, so bagging a bargain is a no-brainer. Click here to search for diesel EcoSport models on AutoTrader.
The Renault Captur's diesel will also last forever and a day - search AutoTrader for used diesel Renault Captur models here from R178 440.
Need something bigger? Consider the spacious Ford Kuga 2.0TDCI - it's super affordable as a used model. And fear not, it was only a certain petrol model (the 1.6-litre EcoBoost, built between 2014 and 2016) that was problematic; the diesels did not have these issues. Search AutoTrader for pre-loved Ford Kuga modelspriced from only R159 000.
Ready to sell your current car? Use AutoTrader's Instant Offer tool, and sell it fast!
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