Ashok Leyland Dost + vs Ashok Leyland Saathi
Price, payload and mileage compared, with running cost, on-road price and EMI.
Updated
Quick answer
Buy the Ashok Leyland Dost + for more payload (1,500 kg) and more power per tonne.
Buy the Ashok Leyland Saathi for a lower price (from ₹5 lakh), higher ground clearance and a tighter turning circle for city lanes.
Both need only an LMV licence.
₹7.75-8.25 Lakh ex-showroom
- Payload
- 1,500 kg
- Mileage
- 20 km/l
- EMI from
- ₹13,792/mo
₹5-6 Lakh ex-showroom
- Payload
- 1,120 kg
- Mileage
- 20 km/l
- EMI from
- ₹8,898/mo
Ashok Leyland Dost + vs Ashok Leyland Saathi: the verdict
The Ashok Leyland Saathi costs less to buy: it starts at ₹5 lakh ex-showroom against ₹7.75 lakh for the Ashok Leyland Dost +, about ₹2.75 lakh less. Each tonne of payload costs ₹4.91 lakh on the Ashok Leyland Saathi against ₹5.33 lakh on the Ashok Leyland Dost +. The right pick depends on your work.
Choose the Ashok Leyland Dost + if you
- regularly carry loads close to 1,500 kg
- drive ghats, flyovers or highways fully loaded
Choose the Ashok Leyland Saathi if you
- want the lower purchase price and a smaller loan
- work in narrow city lanes, where its tighter turning circle helps
Ashok Leyland Dost + and Ashok Leyland Saathi: pros and cons
Ashok Leyland Dost +
Pros
- 1,500 kg payload, 380 kg more per trip
- 70 HP and 170 Nm, more power for its weight
Cons
- Wider 6 m turning radius
- Lower ground clearance (190 mm)
- Costs more per tonne of payload (₹5.33 lakh)
Ashok Leyland Saathi
Pros
- Lower starting price at ₹5 lakh
- Tighter 5.2 m turning radius for city lanes
- 250 mm ground clearance for rough roads
- Cheaper per tonne of payload (₹4.91 lakh)
Cons
- Lower payload (1,120 kg)
- Less power for its weight (19.7 HP per tonne)
Which should you buy? Answer 3 questions
The suggestion updates as you answer.
1 · How much do you usually carry per trip?
2 · Where do you mostly drive?
3 · How far do you drive in a day?
Either will do
On your answers the two come out even. Compare on-road prices and dealer distance below.
- Dost +You’re close to the limit. The Dost + leaves 500 kg spare against 120 kg on the Saathi.
- SaathiIts tighter turning circle (5.2 m against 6 m) makes narrow lanes and markets easier.
Ashok Leyland Dost + vs Ashok Leyland Saathi: comparison table
Only the figures that differ by more than a few per cent. The better figure is marked in green.
| Feature | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.75-8.25 Lakh | ₹5-6 Lakh✓ better | Saathi: ₹2.75 lakh less |
| Payload | 1,500 kg✓ better | 1,120 kg | Dost +: 380 kg more |
| Turning radius | 6 m | 5.2 m✓ better | Saathi: 0.8 m tighter |
| Power per tonne of GVW | 25 HP✓ better | 19.7 HP | Dost +: 5.3 HP more |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm | 250 mm✓ better | Saathi: 60 mm more |
| Price per tonne of payload | ₹5.33 lakh | ₹4.91 lakh✓ better | Saathi: ₹0.42 lakh less |
| Overall length | 4,630 mm (15 ft 2 in) | 4,406 mm (14 ft 5 in) | Dost +: 0 ft 9 in longer |
Running cost: what you’ll spend on diesel
Fuel cost at today’s Delhi price (6 Nov 2026), on each maker’s claimed mileage. Change the numbers to match your work.
Working days a month
150 litres · ₹4.76 per km
150 litres · ₹4.76 per km
The fuel bills come out the same at these numbers.
Real mileage depends on load, route and driving. Fuel prices differ by state; see today’s fuel prices for yours.
Will it pay for itself? Earnings, payback and 5-year cost
Uses 3,000 km a month. Set your freight rate and driver cost.
Who drives?
Ashok Leyland Dost +
- Freight earned
- ₹66,000
- Loan EMI
- − ₹13,792
- Fuel
- − ₹14,280
- Driver salary
- − ₹15,000
- Service and repairs
- − ₹1,333
- Tyres
- − ₹1,200
- Insurance
- − ₹2,250
- You keep each month
- ₹18,145
Ashok Leyland Saathi
- Freight earned
- ₹66,000
- Loan EMI
- − ₹8,898
- Fuel
- − ₹14,280
- Driver salary
- − ₹15,000
- Service and repairs
- − ₹1,000
- Tyres
- − ₹1,200
- Insurance
- − ₹1,500
- You keep each month
- ₹24,122
The Saathi leaves you about ₹5,977 more a month, or ₹71,725 a year.
Estimates only: service about ₹16,000 (Dost +) and ₹12,000 (Saathi) a year, a new set of tyres every 60,000 km, insurance at about 3.5% of the ex-showroom price a year, and resale of 60–65% after 3 years and 45–50% after 5 years. EMI uses the down payment and loan period you pick under On-road price and EMI.
On-road price and EMI in your city
City
Down payment
Loan period
Ashok Leyland Dost +
₹8.31 L onwards
5 years at 12%
Ashok Leyland Saathi
₹5.36 L onwards
5 years at 12%
The Saathi EMI is ₹4,894 a month lower.
On-road figures add an estimate of RTO and insurance to the lowest ex-showroom price. EMI is on the ex-showroom price at 12% a year. Dealers quote exact figures.
Can you get a loan for it?
A quick check using the rule many lenders follow: all your EMIs together should stay within about half your monthly income.
Ashok Leyland Dost +
Loan needed ₹6.20 L · EMI ₹13,792 a month
Likely eligible
The EMI fits within half your monthly income.
Ashok Leyland Saathi
Loan needed ₹4.00 L · EMI ₹8,898 a month
Likely eligible
The EMI fits within half your monthly income.
Documents you’ll usually need
- Aadhaar card and PAN card
- Address proof
- Last 6 months’ bank statements
- Income proof or ITR, if you have one
- Business or transport contract, if any
This is a rough guide. Banks and NBFCs decide using your credit score, income proof and the truck’s use.
Ashok Leyland Dost + vs Ashok Leyland Saathi: full specifications
Price
| Specification | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.75-8.25 Lakh | ₹5-6 Lakh |
| Price per tonne of payload | ₹5.33 lakh | ₹4.91 lakh✓ better |
| EMI (20% down, 12%, 5 years) | ₹13,792 a month | ₹8,898 a month✓ better |
Engine and power
| Specification | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 1,478 cc | 1,478 cc |
| Power | 70 HP✓ better | 45 HP |
| Torque | 170 Nm | 110 Nm |
| Power per tonne of GVW | 25 HP✓ better | 19.7 HP |
| Emission norm | BS6 | BS6 |
| Gearbox | 5-speed Manual | 5 F + 1 R Manual |
Payload and weight
| Specification | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi |
|---|---|---|
| Payload | 1,500 kg✓ better | 1,120 kg |
| Gross vehicle weight (GVW) | 2,805 kg | 2,288 kg |
| Kerb weight | 1,305 kg | 1,168 kg |
| Tyres | 4 tyres | 4 tyres |
| Axle configuration | 4x2 | 4x2 |
| Licence needed | LMV | LMV |
Dimensions
| Specification | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 4,630 mm (15 ft 2 in) | 4,406 mm (14 ft 5 in) |
| Overall width | 1,620 mm (5 ft 4 in) | 1,663 mm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Overall height | 1,930 mm (6 ft 4 in) | 1,833 mm (6 ft) |
| Wheelbase | 2,510 mm (8 ft 3 in) | 2,250 mm (7 ft 5 in) |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm (7 in) | 250 mm (10 in) |
| Turning radius | 6 m | 5.2 m |
Mileage and range
| Specification | Ashok Leyland Dost + | Ashok Leyland Saathi |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed mileage | 20 km/l | 20 km/l |
| Fuel cost per km | ₹4.76 | ₹4.76 |
| Fuel tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Distance on a full tank | about 800 km | about 800 km |
Ashok Leyland Dost Strong
Sits closest to both on payload and price: ₹7-8 Lakh, 1,375 kg payload, 20 km/l.
Where these figures come from
- Specifications, payload and mileage are the makers’ published figures.
- Fuel cost uses the Delhi fuel price on 6 Nov 2026 and each maker’s claimed mileage.
- On-road prices add an estimate of RTO and insurance to the lowest ex-showroom price. EMI assumes 12% a year.
- Ownership figures (service, tyres, insurance, resale) are our estimates, marked as such where they appear.
Ashok Leyland Dost + vs Ashok Leyland Saathi: FAQs
Neither is better for every buyer. On the figures, the Ashok Leyland Dost + suits buyers who regularly carry loads close to 1,500 kg, while the Ashok Leyland Saathi suits buyers who want the lower purchase price and a smaller loan. The verdict at the top of this page sets out the price, payload, running cost and power differences.
The Ashok Leyland Saathi costs less to buy: it starts at ₹5 lakh ex-showroom against ₹7.75 lakh for the Ashok Leyland Dost +, about ₹2.75 lakh less. On-road prices add RTO and insurance, which vary by state; this page shows Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Fuel cost per km is about the same, near ₹4.76 at today's Delhi prices. Claimed figures come from the makers; real mileage depends on load, route and driving.
The Ashok Leyland Dost + carries more: 1,500 kg of payload against 1,120 kg, or 380 kg more per trip. Loading past the rated payload invites fines, faster tyre wear and costly repairs.
Both need an ordinary LMV licence. Their GVW is within 7,500 kg, so they count as light motor vehicles.
The Ashok Leyland Dost +, on paper: it has 25 HP per tonne of GVW against 19.7 HP on the Ashok Leyland Saathi, which shows on climbs at full load. The Ashok Leyland Saathi has more ground clearance, though, 250 mm against 190 mm.
About ₹8.31 lakh for the Ashok Leyland Dost + and ₹5.36 lakh for the Ashok Leyland Saathi, for the base versions. That adds an estimate of RTO and insurance to the ex-showroom price; dealers quote the exact figure.
With 20% down and a 5-year loan at 12%, the EMI starts near ₹13,792 a month for the Ashok Leyland Dost + and ₹8,898 for the Ashok Leyland Saathi. Change the down payment and loan period in the price section above.
Get 3 dealer quotes on either truck
Dealers quote against each other, with a written on-road breakup. Free, and no obligation to buy.