Petrol vs Diesel Automatic Cars: Which Is Best for You?

An automatic car is a boon in today’s day and age of ever growing traffic volume and serpentine rush-hour queues. Choosing to buy a car with an automatic gearbox is a wise decision. Now that you’ve decided on one, you will find there are choices to make. First, do you choose petrol or diesel? Second, what kind of automatic transmission is the best for you? In this article, we help you find the differences between petrol automatic cars and diesel automatic cars you can buy.

The debate about which automatic car is better, diesel or petrol, has been going on for ages, with each fuel type having its set of loyalists for various reasons. However, it is important to understand your needs to find the best automatic car for your use.

Understanding Petrol and Diesel Automatics

There are several types of automatic transmissions and some functions available on one type may or may not be available on another type. An automatic car may have an AMT, DCT, CVT or torque-converter AT. This depends on the size of the car, fuel type and delivery, drive type, and the segment it is offered in. Be it petrol or diesel, the function of an automatic car remains the same, basically offering two pedals instead of a manual car’s three. While all kinds are popular in petrol cars, diesels use AMT or AT, with notable exceptions being the previous-generation Honda Amaze diesel CVT and the new Tata Nexon diesel DCT.

Petrol Automatic Cars

Petrol automatic cars are a convenient solution for those looking for an easy driving car in the city. Since they are more affordable, they are offered in various bodystyles from hatchbacks and sedans to MUVs and SUVs small, medium and large. Furthermore, petrol cars feel very refined and smooth to drive. In India, petrol automatic cars generally use AMT transmissions, however, torque convertors, CVTs and DCT are also used by various manufacturers.

Compact petrol automatic cars, such as the Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Hyundai i10, are also affordable and ideal to drive in cities, and short distance urban use. Larger and more powerful petrol automatic cars like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are also capable of extended highway drives. 

Diesel Automatic Cars

Diesel automatic cars are an excellent choice for someone who covers a lot of distance often, but they are just as good in the city. Although, the diesel automatic pairing is offered only in the SUV body style. Diesel cars are great for those who do not want to change their car often and just want a reliable workhorse to go the distance. Diesel engines have better low-end performance which means they are the most efficient automatic cars. 

Diesel automatic cars are more expensive than petrol automatic cars. Generally, diesel cars in India usually use torque converter automatic transmissions, however, there are some exceptions. The most affordable automatic diesel models are the Tata Nexon diesel AMT and the Kia Sonet diesel automatic. While automatic diesel cars are the most expensive variants, used diesel automatic cars are more affordable.

Key Comparison Factors: Petrol Automatic vs Diesel Automatic

There are a number of factors that should be considered before deciding on which automatic car to buy.

Petrol Automatic vs Diesel Automatic - Comparison Chart

Pros and Cons of Petrol Automatic Cars

Petrol automatic cars have a number of advantages but also some disadvantages. Here are the key points to remember.

Advantages:

• Cheaper to buy
• All body styles available in various sizes
• More refined and smoother to drive
• More options of new and used cars including petrol hybrid

Disadvantages:

• Not efficient, especially large cars, or when under load
• Low-rpm response is not as strong as diesel

Pros and Cons of Diesel Automatic Cars

Diesel automatic cars have numerous advantages but there are also some disadvantages to take into account.

Advantages:

• More fuel efficient with a cleaner exhaust stream
• Strong low-rpm engine performance
• Robust engine manufactured to last long
• Better load-lugging capability

Disadvantages:

•  More expensive than petrol cars
• Limited to SUV body style of cars
• Perception of diesel fuel today based on older less clean technology not relevant today

Who Should Buy a Petrol Automatic Car?

Petrol automatic cars are great for those on a budget who need to get a convenient personal vehicle for moving around the city. Of course, there are many kinds of petrol automatic cars from the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Celerio as well as the Nissan Magnite which start below ₹ 7 lakh to much larger and more expensive cars such as the Hyundai Creta and even the Toyota Innova Hycross. Smaller cars are ideal in the city for dealing with urban traffic and tight parking spaces. Larger petrol automatic cars and SUVs are great for those who want a quieter cabin and who simply don’t want a diesel. People who change cars periodically should also look at petrol automatic cars as they will benefit from better resale value based on future market trends and expectations.

Who Should Buy a Diesel Automatic Car?

Diesel automatic cars are best suited to those who have high running or often travel long distances. For those who travel with more people or luggage on board, and need the added convenience, diesel automatic cars are the best solution. Since the implementation of BS6, manufacturers have discontinued small diesel engines as they are economically unviable. Diesel automatic cars start from ₹ 13 lakh. Those who frequently encounter rough terrain or rural areas with steep ascents and descents would also benefit from buying a diesel SUV.

Popular Petrol and Diesel Automatic Cars in India

There are several automatic cars to choose from no matter which body style you are looking for. The top three selling cars with petrol automatic models over the past three months were the Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback, the Ertiga MUV, and the Hyundai Creta SUV. The top selling cars with diesel automatic transmission options were the Hyundai Creta SUV,  Here are some of the most popular ones.

List of Petrol automatic cars

List of Diesel automatic cars

New car prices mentioned are ex-showroom for only the automatic variants.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Choosing a petrol automatic car or a diesel automatic car is a matter of preference and the decision should vastly be based on your usage patterns. There are many factors on driving habits, budget, and what sort of features and equipment you are looking for. Though petrol automatic cars offer more variety in terms of body style, there are automatic cars of all shapes and sizes available to suit every need and budget and particularly cost-effective deals on used automatic cars.