Top 5 Cars under 10 lakhs in India

There are many, many cars under the 10-lakh price bracket in India. This is largely due to the fact that most consumers in India are inclined towards budget cars, considering the economy of the country.

Therefore, manufacturers have, what we call, loads and loads of cars under different segments in the abovesaid space. But what are the top 5 listings amidst this large crowd? Well, to answer this very easy sounding yet difficult question, here’s a list of what we think deserves to be the best car in each segment under 10 lakhs. Here goes.

1.      Renault Kwid

Starting with the lowest end of the spectrum, the most affordable option – or rather our pick – in the sub 10 lakh department goes to the Renault Kwid. You can either pick the Renault Kwid with a small 800cc mill or a larger and slightly punchier 1.0-litre unit. We always recommend picking the latter, if budget is not a constraint.

Updated late last year, the Renault Kwid looks like a proper mini-SUV, unlike one of its mainstream rivals. Renault has done a fantastic job with the facelift from last year, which now gets a split headlamp treatment, something that we’ve only seen on relatively expensive SUVs till now. It also gets an updated cabin, which may not be the roomiest in the segment, fulfils well.

2.      Tata Tiago

Now, the Tata Tiago isn’t too far priced from the Kwid, but it lies in a different segment altogether. The Tiago, too, like the Kwid has undergone a mid-cycle update recently. With the BS-VI update, Tata has introduced its new design language at the front, which not only looks contemporary than before but also makes the Tiago compliant with the soon-to-be-enforced safety norms.

However, in the shift to the BS-VI compliance, the Tiago has lost its diesel engine, which means now that it solely runs on petrol power. For those unaware, the Tiago comes powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine – 84bhp and 113Nm of torque – and comes mated to a 5-speed manual or an AMT auto box.

3.      Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

The last and final hatchback in this comparison, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios – which was introduced by Hyundai last year as a direct rival to the likes of the Ford Figo and Maruti Suzuki Swift – is our pick in its segment. Where the Ford Figo shines with its dynamic prowess and the Swift shines with its punchy petrol engine and reliability, the Grand i10 Nios strikes a balance between two perfectly.

Being a Hyundai, the Grand i10 Nios is loaded to the gills. While its equipment list may just be as good as the Swift, it is far too better than the Figo. Moreover, the new chassis of the Grand i10 Nios makes it so much better to drive than its predecessor that it actually outshines the Swift in this department.

4.      Skoda Rapid

No, the Skoda Rapid isn’t just the only mid-size sedan that lies in the sub-10 lakh price bracket. The reason the Skoda has made it to the list is because of its impressively priced Rider variant, which makes it as much affordable as a sub-4m compact sedan. Although the design is a bit dated now, the Rapid still shines out on the road thanks to timeless lines. Moreover, the Rider variant is not just bare-bones, it’s actually quite nicely kitted with features like climate control and a 2-DIN Bluetooth system. However, the biggest advantage here lies under the hood, for the 2020 Rapid comes powered by a 1.0- litre TSI engine, which makes 109bhp and 175Nm of torque.

5.      Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue needs no special introduction. After all, it’s the winner of the prestigious ICOTY 2020 award. A blend of modern design, modern technological wizardry, and a vast number of powertrains make the Venue our choice in the segment. Sure, it does not entirely impress on the basis of its the overall dynamic prowess, but the small SUV from Hyundai is an all-rounder, which makes a lasting impression in terms of its build quality, segment-first features – as in the case with many Hyundai cars – and, of course, its connected-car technology.

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