Tata launched the much-awaited JTP twins in the Indian market recently. The Indian manufacturer launched the high-performance versions of both the Tiago and the Tigor in the market and they both have become the most affordable hot versions in the market.

Even though Tata has released the priced and the specifications of both the vehicles, they are yet to reach dealerships across the country. However, new pictures show that Tata has started dispatching the Tigor JTP to the dealerships and the hot sedan was spotted at a dealership in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The dealers have started receiving the display units of the Tigor JTP and the test-drives are expected to start soon.

Tata launched the JTP twins last month. The Tata Tiago JTP is priced at Rs. 6.39 lakhs while the sedan Tigor JTP is priced at Rs. 7.49 lakhs, both prices ex-showroom Delhi. The Tiago JTP can do 0-100 km/h in just 9.95 seconds while the Tigor JTP can hit the ton from a standstill in 9.95 seconds. Tata is selling the product in only limited cities that includes Kolkata, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kannur, Thrissur, Mumbai and Cochin.

The Tigor JTP and the Tiago JTP are powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that also powers the Tata Nexon. The engine generates a maximum of 114 Bhp at 5,000 rpm and 150 Nm of peak torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpms. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission but the gear ratios have been altered to ensure quicker acceleration.

There are multi-drive modes in the performance vehicles that can alter the vehicle’s output. Mechanically, the vehicle has been upgraded with stiffer suspension set-up and the body comes down by millimetres for better handling. However, the ground clearance remains the same at 166mm, which ensures that there is no problem clearing the speed breakers and potholes.

The Tigor JTP and the Tiago JTP get a lot of visual updates too. Both the vehicles get vented bonnet, new front and rear bumpers, new front grille design, body kit including side skirts and blacked out mirrors. There are also rear spoilers, new alloy wheels and twin barrel headlamps. There are changes on the inside too, the vehicles get an all-black interior with new fabric on the seats.

The seats also get contrasting red stitching. The regular pedals have been replaced with new aluminium ones for the sporty look. Both the vehicles also get an 8-speaker system with voice command and navigation infotainment system. Tata started taking the bookings at Rs. 11,000 and said that the deliveries would start by this month.

Source

Also Read: Ambani's new Bentayga to Bachchan's Lexus: SWANKY new cars of India's rich & famous

The Indian celebrity fraternity loves to travel in luxury. There are luxury vehicles that are added to the Indian celebrity garages on a regular basis and our rich and famous celebrities keep on upgrading their garages from time to time. Here are all the latest vehicles from the celebrity fraternity in India.

Mukesh Ambani

Bentley Bentayga

The richest family of India knows their way around vehicles and recently they bought home a second Bentley Bentayga. This is powered by a V8 engine unlike the W12 engine green Bentayga that they already have in their garage. It seems like the Ambani’s son uses the vehicle most of the times and the vehicle was recently spotted in a chrome wrap moving around the town.

Shilpa Shetty

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

Shilpa Shetty has a range of exotics including a BMW i8 and a Bentley. Recently, her husband, Raj Kundra gifted her a Land Rover Range Rover Vogue on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. The vehicle seems to be a pre-owned one because of the Big Boyz Toyz branding all around but a Range Rover is built for life. The Range Rover Vogue is one of the most common vehicles used by Bollywood celebrities.

Amitabh Bachchan

Lexus LX570

The Bachchan family has one of the swankiest car collection in Bollywood. Their garage houses vehicles like Rolls Royce Phantom and Bentley Continental GT among a Maybach S600! Aishwarya Rai posted a picture of her husband and father in law in front of a Lexus LX570, which is their latest addition in the garage. Lexus SUVs look radical and offer sharp looks. However, they cost quite a lot. The Lexus LX 570 comes with a price tag of around Rs. 2.3 crores in India.

Vivek Oberoi

Mercedes-Maybach S600

Vivek Oberoi may not be a regular person on the silver screen but he has a great love for automobiles. Vivek has a few superbikes including a Ducati 998 and recently gifted a Mercedes-Benz GLS to his father. Vivek has been spotted recently in a brand new Mercedes-Maybach S600 in white colour. He sure knows his vehicles and how to travel in style.

Bobby Deol

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Bobby Deol bought the luxury SUV Land Rover Range Rover Sport after the success of his movie – Race 3. The Range Rover Sport is one of the most capable SUVs in the world and can reach the most difficult terrains without much problem. He got the 3.0-litre diesel version of the vehicle that comes with a price tag of around Rs. 1.2 crores.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

MINI Cooper S convertible

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is known for his extremely off-beat roles in the Bollywood. The brilliant actor moves around in a Mercedes-Benz GLS most of the times but recently he also got home a MINI Cooper S convertible for his wife. The family has been spotted in it quite a few times in recent times.

Also Read: Ambani's new Bentayga to Bachchan's Lexus: SWANKY new cars of India's rich & famous

If you are in the market looking for a new car and have a budget of Rs 8 lakh, be ready for a long list of options! From hatchbacks to compact sedans and even sub 4 meter SUVs, there is no limitation in terms of sheer variety available.

In terms of fuel choices, you can pick from petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG and even an electric option from the house of Mahindra. Both manual and automatic transmissions options are available and for adventure seekers, the Gypsy and Thar have the answers to their off-road needs.

Please note that we have not included cars with extremely poor sales – these include the Mahindra Verito Vibe, Fiat Linea, Nissan Sunny, ICML Rhino and the Tata Nano.

1) Cars under Rs 8 lakh : Alto 800

Price: Rs 2.87 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: Upto Rs 30,000 cash, upto Rs 30000 exchange bonus (November)

Launched in 2000 as the replacement for the good old Maruti 800, the Alto is India’s most affordable car (Tata Nano’s production has been halted) and the largest selling car in small towns and rural markets. Maruti has sold 35 lakh (yes, 35,00,000) Altos since then in the Indian car market. There is no denying the fact that the Alto 800 is a car for the masses! Bullet proof reliability, low running costs and ease of driving is that the little Alto offers. Powered by a 800cc engine and mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Alto 800 offers surprisingly brisk performance for city runs. Maruti also offers a company fitted CNG kit for even lower running costs – nothing beats this combination.
The cabin, though not as spacious as the Nano, offers a clean design with durable materials. Higher spec models offer integrated audio system, front power windows, keyless entry and a driver side airbag is optional across all trim levels. You can even personalise the car with accessories online and get the same delivered via your nearest showroom.
At this price, the Alto 800 offers an unbeatable package. Its long in the tooth but is still winning thousands of hearts across India each month.

Pros: 

• Value for money, factory fitted CNG option
• Driver airbag optional across all versions
• Light controls make it easy to drive
• Efficient and cheap maintenance cost

Cons:

• Not a good highway companion
• Not as spacious as say the Nano or redi-GO
• Average road presence

Sales (not available as figures are clubbed with Alto K10)

Latest update: Alto Utsav edition launched in October 2017

2) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Datsun redi-GO

Price: Rs 2.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts:1st Year Insurance + 1 Gram Gold Coin (800 cc) / 2 Gram Gold Coin (1 Litre) + Rs 10K Exchange Benefits + 3 Year Road Side Assistance (November)

India’s most affordable automatic car comes from Datsun and is available in two versions of T(O) and S. At an on road price of under Rs 4.3 lakh (considering the discounts), the redi-GO AMT offers shattering value for money considering the features it comes equipped this. This includes power steering, air-con with heater, drive computer, audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, driver side airbag, front power windows, keyless entry etc.
The redi-GO looks pretty nice for a small car and with generous dimensions, manages to stand out in the crowd of hatchbacks on the road. It even gets slim DRLs or day time running lights up front! You can also pick the limited edition that comes with sportier sticker work, black n red theme for wheel caps and other panels, a roof wrap and black-red inserts on the inside as well! While the manual version comes with both 800cc and 1000cc engines, the AMT gets the latter. Its good for 68 PS of power and 91 Nm of torque and has a rated fuel economy of 22.5 kmpl. We like the way this AMT set-up works and this combined with a light steering and high seating makes this a very sorted urban car. It gets a creep function which allows the car to move ahead by releasing the brake – very useful for slow moving traffic. As expected, you can also take over the automated shifts by shifting the lever to the left while in D mode.
On the inside, the redi-GO gets an all black color theme that is broken well by silver inserts at places. Practical points include open space above the glove box, under the air-con and multiple cup holders. That said, all four doors do not offer any storage space at all. However Datsun claims the redi-GO has the roomiest interiors for the segment. Overall, the redi-GO is a very good automatic urban car that can handle the occasional highway duties too.

Pros:

• Most affordable automatic
• Modern interiors
• Easy urban car (tall seating, good visibility, light steering)
• Peppy and fuel efficient

Cons:

• High speed manners
• Interior fit and finish
• Limited network, poor resale value
• Cost cutting evident (single front wiper, non retractable belts)

Sales:
Aug: 1674
Sep: 1658
October: 1151

Latest update: Limited edition model launched in Sep 2018

3) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Renault KWID

Price: Rs 3.02 onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 50% Off on 1st Year Insurance + Rs 15000 Exchange Bonus + 4 Year Warranty on Select Model (November)

Launched in September 2015, the KWID has been Renault’s largest selling car in India for several years. SUV inspired design has gone down well with buyers and the car looks upmarket, from a higher segment. There is even a funkier looking version, the CLIMBER. The cabin too excels over rivals when it comes to a premium feel, ditto for class leading features like a touch-screen infotainment interface, full LCD speedometer console, rear arm-rest, rotary knob for gear selector (AMT version) et al. Though the rotary knob does away with a gear lever and hence frees up space, you cannot shift gears manually unlike other AMT cars.

Renault offers the KWID with a choice of two engine options. These include a 800cc and a larger 1000cc motor: the latter is also offered with an optional automatic transmission option. The KWID rides like a mature, much larger hatchback and this ups the comfort quotient by a good margin. Renault has been on their toes to launch limited edition versions and new trim levels every few months and this has kept the KWID fresh in the market. With 8 versions on sale today across a price difference of 2 lakh, this car manages to attract a wide set of buyers and remains our pick in the lower end of the Indian car industry.

Pros:

• Multiple engine and transmission options
• Baby SUV looks go down well with buyers
• Segment leading ride quality
• Segment first features (rear arm-rest, touch-screen etc)

Cons:

• Small tank: only 28 litres
• Huge turning radius of 5m!
• No visual difference between base and top-end
• Lowering market demand = poor re-sale

Sales:
August: 5541
September: 5529
October: 6035

Latest Update: 2018 edition with added features

4)Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Datsun Go

Price: Rs 3.68 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Current Offers: None

Datsun recently rolled out a heavily revised version of the Go hatchback with improvements done across all parameters. The car indeed has improved massively and retails for less as compared to the outgoing model. This includes dual airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors being standard across all versions – a segment first. The Datsun Go looks much better on the outside with revisions done to both bumpers, new DRLs and inclusion of larger alloy wheels.

And there are even more changes on the inside – the entire cabin is redesigned and looks nice for a Rs 4-5 lakh car. The hand brake lever is back to its conventional position, cabin quality has improved massively, you get a proper glove box with a lid and feature list has improved. Higher trims also get a segment leading touch screen interface that sounds good and works well to inputs. Space up front is nice though at the back, cars like the Santro fare better.
We like the way the Go drives and the reason for this is the 1198cc engine : this is bigger than all other rivals in the price band and similar in capacity to the Tata Tiago. Sadly, no optional AMT is offered and the engine is about 15-20% less efficient than other cars.
The Go also feels slightly better on the move in terms of ‘solidness’ and Datsun claims they have worked on the structure too. The Go comes with a 5 year warranty set-up and 2 years of ’Datsun Care‘ comprehensive all-inclusive car service package that offers peace of mind to customers.

Pros:

• Looks great for a small car
• Feature on offer : dual airbags, ABS standard
• Powerful engine
• Revised cabin looks upmarket

Cons:

• High speed manners
• Engine gets rough / vibey at higher revs
• Limited network, brand appeal
• Not as efficient as rivals, no auto option

Sales:
August 2018: 490
September 2018: 597
October 2018: 857

Latest update: Launch of new Go model in September 2018

5) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti Alto K10

Price: Rs 3.71 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 20,000 cash and upto Rs 35,000 exchange bonus (November)

Maruti’s most affordable automatic car is the Alto K10. This current generation K10 got a major facelift in 2014 and even four years down the line, looks fresh and appealing for this price. Not as tall as the KWID or the redi-GO, but in smaller towns, the K10 is quite popular. The AMT version gets the same 1.0-litre three cylinder engine as the MT one. This one puts out 67 PS of power and 90 Nm of torque, more or less similar to that of the other two cars in the same price band. However, it feels a tad smoother at idle and on the move. The AMT too seems to have been calibrated better here in the K10, making it perform the best here. Fuel economy too is similar to the other cars.
The cabin of the Alto K10 is a weak point. It isn’t as modern as the rivals and the AMT gear lever takes up a lot of space which means this version comes without cup holders up front – storage space is lacking here.
In terms of space, the Alto K10 cannot match up to the rivals either. Likewise, the AMT is available in one version only and this comes without features like front fog lamps, keyless entry, body coloured outside mirrors and even side moulding. ABS too is missing. This is one area where the rivals score higher points. The only point going in favour of the Alto K10 is Maruti’s widespread network and long term peace of mind factor.

Pros:

• Peppy and efficient
• Peace of mind, resale value
• AMT works better than rivals
• Best high speed manners here

Cons:

• Cabin design is outdated
• No storage space due to AMT lever console
• Limited cabin design
• Missing features (fog lamps, keyless entry etc)

Sales : Alto K10 (not available separately, is always combined with Alto 800)

Latest update: Alto K10 Plus launched in March 2017

6) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Hyundai Eon

Price: Rs 3.71 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: Rs 45K Cash + 10K Exchange Bonus (November)

A flat cash discount of 45,000 makes the Eon an irresistible purchase in the segment. It continues to look cute and charming in a way with the angular bumper, huge headlamps and even roof rails! The cabin design is still one of the best in the price band. Well laid out with high quality materials, the dual tone theme is broken well with the massive central console with silver inserts. That said, space is not in the league of other spacious small cars like the redi-GO but has practical touches like ample storage spaces, generous front door pads, open space above the dashboard and even a 15.75cm touchscreen interface with phone link. It even features a tilt adjustable steering which its expensive sibling, the Santro does not.

The Eon comes with both 800cc and 1000cc engine options. The latter is recommended as it provides ample performance to match the big car feel of the Eon and even fuel economy is satisfactory. Hyundai also offers a factory fitted LPG option, a rare find in this segment of cars. Sadly, unlike rivals, Hyundai is not offering an optional automatic with this car and even the driver informational display is basic. The ride quality is impressive and the car feels like a much larger hatchback on the move. No agile handler this but does the job of a small family car. Light steering, easy clutch and good visibility works well.
Hyundai is also offering 3 years of warranty (for 1,00,000km) along with 3 years of roadside assistance. However, with rivals getting better, the Eon is finding it hard to get private buyers in place.

Pros:

• Looks great even 7 years of launch
• Modern interiors, well laid out
• Comfortable ride quality
• Unique LPG option

Cons:

• No automatic option
• Limited passenger space inside
• Low demand means poor resale value
• Missing features: driver info display, alloy wheels, dual airbags, ABS

Sales:
August: 3916
September: 5309
October: 5

Latest update: Sports edition launched in April 2017

7) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Hyundai Santro

Price: Rs 4.44 lakh onwards onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: None

The Santro brand name has made a come back after four years. This time around, its an all-new product and has almost no resemblance with the model that was discontinued in 2014. Launched from Rs 3.8 lakh onwards, Hyundai aims to set their foot strongly in the small car market and also enjoy a first mover advantage in front of the upcoming all-new WagonR. The new Santro is longer and wider than before and has a new design language that would appeal to a wider customer base. It isn’t as tall as before though. It gets an entirely new cabin that certainly doesnt belong to a small car. It not only offers segment best quality, but a practical no-nonsense cabin with features like a IGNIS lookalike speedometer console, large touch screen interface, retro-modern side air-con vents, rear vents et al.
Space is a major highlight here and Hyundai clearly wants to keep their target audience’s families happy. The old 1.1-litre petrol motor makes a comeback but has been revised heavily for increased performance and far lower emission levels : the Santro also offers the most affordable four-cylinder engine in India. Available in five versions, Hyundai is also offering their first ever AMT gearbox here on two mid level versions fo Sportz and Magna. There is no doubt that till the new WagonR arrives, this is the car to buy under Rs 5 lakh.

Pros:

• Best in class cabin design and quality
• Superior 4-cylinder is very smooth
• Good mix of ride and handling
• Segment leading features

Cons:

• Not as efficient as rivals
• Conservative styling not to everyone’s liking
• Expensive higher spec models
• Missing features (alloy wheels, DRLs, steering adjust, driver seat height adjust etc)

Sales:
October: 8535

8) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Tata Tiago

Price: Rs 3.79 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 1st Year Insurance @ Rs 7400 + Rs 10K Exchange (November)

The Tiago makes up for almost 50% of the total passenger car sales for Tata Motors. Priced just above small entry level hatchbacks, the Tiago offers you more bang for your buck than any other similarly priced model. And we aren’t just talking about the design that looks upmarket but the interiors that would look at home on a Rs 6 lakh hatchback! Available in no less than 12 versions, 2 engine and 2 transmission options, the Tiago comes feature packed including multiple safety aids.

And then there is supple ride quality that betters most rivals. Drive this car over bad city roads and you will come back with a smile on your face. It also scores over others in terms top notch driving dynamics, good city handling and excellent brakes. The 1.05 diesel and 1.2 petrol engines put out more than ample performance for the segment, while delivering excellent fuel economy figures. If you have the budget, take a look at the JPT version that puts out 33% more power and higher torque and is the only car under Rs 10 lakh to have a proper blow off valve sound from its turbo petrol motor. It also gets revised styling with new bumpers, larger alloy wheels and even functional twin tail pipes and hood air-intake. Definitely one of the most fun to drive cars in the price segment given that the suspension too is tuned to deliver better handling.

Pros:

• Interior design and quality
• Ride and handling package
• No of variants on offer
• Powerful and efficient engine options

Cons:

• Petrol engine not as smooth as rivals
• Tata’s small cars are known for long term niggles
• Rear headroom isn’t impressive
• Rivals have better resale value

Sales:
August: 9277
September: 8377
October: 7549

Latest update: Tata Motors launched the performance oriented JTP version of the Tiago at Rs 6.39 lakh

9) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti WagonR

Price: Rs 4.63 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 40,000 cash and upto Rs 30,000 exchange bonus

One of the oldest brand names on sale in the segment is still enjoying massive popularity. The tall boy WagonR is the second largest selling car under Rs 5 lakh in India and though the all-new model is due for a launch next year, the current one continues to sell well, thanks to massive discounts and popularity in the fleet segment. The design has aged well and frankly, this is not a good looking hatchback. The top end model (earlier known as StingRay) does look far better with a bolder stance, projector lamps, gunmetal grey alloy wheels and a little body kit.

The car surely is practical and this is evident the moment you step inside the car. Not only is Ingress and egress good, you get a feeling of space. Dashboard design is not beginning to feel a bit old but the new limited edition brings in a fresh air. Stylish seat covers, styling kit with wooden finish and a double DIN audio system do help a bit.
Comfort is good if not excellent though the car lacks features like a digital display for speedometer console, touchscreen interface or rear air-con vents. The WagonR gets a 1.0-litre petrol unit with both MT and AMT options along with a factory fitted CNG kit – this makes it very popular in the commercial segment. The engine itself is peppy, efficient and reliable. However, if you are in the market for a car in this segment, either look at the Santro or wait for the all-new Wagon R due in early 2019.

Pros:

• Value for money
• Factory fitted CNG, AMT option
• Fuss free and easy to drive
• Proven product, reliable in the long run

Cons:

• All-new model is due early next year
• Lacks features that rivals offer
• Design is certainly not attractive anymore
• Interiors now feel dated for the price

Sales:
August: 13658
September: 13252
Wagon R: 10655

Latest update: Limited edition launched in October 2018

10) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti Celerio

Price: Rs 4.66 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 35,000 cash, upto Rs 30000 exchange bonus (November)

And finally the Celerio, the fourth Maruti in this list. Priced similar to the WagonR, it offers a slightly better cabin, a more comfortable ride quality and even a cross version called the ‘Celerio X’! Not many know but this car is way more efficient than similarly priced cars like the new Hyundai Santro and Datsun Go / Go Plus. It uses the tried and tested 1000cc K10B motor that also powers the Alto K10 and WagonR. This hatchback is sold in both manual and automatic gearbox options with safety features like dual airbags and ABS in the higher versions. It even gets a steering height adjust which more expensive cars like the Santro lack!
We like the way the Celerio looks : it has aged well and continues to sell in great numbers. The drive is easy and thanks to a lower height, centre of gravity is lower which in turn makes this stable in terms of handling. A total of 12 different versions are on offer including two powered by factory fitted CNG kits.

Pros:

• Well packaged cabin : good space and practical
• Maruti’s excellent network and peace of mind
• Higher discounts and offers in the market
• Features on offer : alloy wheels, dual airbags, steering adjust etc

Cons:

• Pricier than other options here
• Brand image : lot of Celerios on road with a commercial plate

Sales
August: 9503
September: 9208
Celerio: 9260

Latest update: Celerio H2 Tour launched in Feb 2018

11) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti Ignis

Price: Rs 5.21 lakh onwards (on-road without discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash, upto Rs 25,000 exchange bonus (November)

The Ignis is the most unconventional hatchback in India. It was purposely designed to have a different character and that has gone down well with those looking at exclusivity. The wide grille, protruding wheel arches, a large C pillar and an old school rear design brings in a new trend into the segment. The Ignis can also pass off as a small cross over! The cabin is definitely a highlight, being modern with its design and features on offer. It also gets body coloured elements on the inside to up the bling quotient. No shortcomings here, save for the limited shoulder room at the back. Infact, given the small external dimensions, you will be amazed with the space on offer for four adults.

Geared towards the millennials, the Ignis got off to a good start but with passing time, sales have fallen drastically. Save for the Gypsy, it is the lowest selling Maruti model in India now and also the most affordable Nexa offering. The diesel version was discontinued in mid-2017. Make no mistake, its a great (and fun) hatchback to drive and offers a host of personalisation options at the dealer level. It is the lightest Maruti car to use the 1.2-litre petrol motor and this means performance is terrific. It also gets an optional AMT ‘box across the top three versions which makes this a very good urban car. Add in the ever increasing offers and the Ignis turns into a recommended buy for the young at heart. Even our Senior Editor Bunny has one in his garage of cars and swears by it!

Pros:

• Unique design
• Personalisation kits on offer
• 1.2 petrol is peppy and very efficient
• Modern interiors, features

Cons:

• Unconventional design
• Poor resale value
• Rear shoulder space

Sales
Aug: 3043
September: 2648
October: 2253

Latest update: Limited edition launched in Sep 2018

12) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Honda Brio

Price: Rs 5.24 lakh onwards (on-road without discounts)
Discounts: 1st year insurance free (November)

One of the lowest selling hatchbacks in India is the Brio and its a shame. A few years back, this was a great little package but Honda hasn’t done much to update it. The Amaze for example has been updated over the years and is a hot seller but the Brio has been a neglected child. Its still a hoot to drive for enthusiasts but lacks in every other department including the design. For the asking price, it looks small, comes with average interiors, lacks features and cabin space. No touch screen interface, no safety on base model, no rear air-con vents, tiny boot and the list goes on. No wonder, Honda sold only 64 units in September 2018.
If you are in the market for a Rs 5-6 lakh hatchback, its best to ignore the Brio. It does offer a proper automatic though but even thats way expensive at Rs 7.66 on-road. Tip: look for cheap used examples in the market and pick one you want affordable thrills!

Pros:

• Is fun to drive
• Comfortable ride and yet agile
• 1.2-litre petrol engine loves being revved
• One of the few small cars to offer a proper auto (not AMT)

Cons:

• Essential features missing
• Cabin space is tight
• Poor resale value
• Expensive for the size

Sales:

August: 157
September: 64
October: 27

13) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra KUV1OO

Price: Rs 5.29 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 43,000 cash / Upto Rs 29,000 exchange bonus (November)

Mahindra’s most affordable passenger car (no, the Supro doesn’t cut it for us) comes in the form of KUV, a hatchback on steroids. Truth be told – the KUV is not a SUV, not even close. Mahindra has tried hard to market it as one but its more like a cross or grown up hatchback. Its wide, widest than all other cars and by a good 45mm as compared to say the similarly priced Grand i10. Likewise, its 135mm taller than cars like the Baleno but surprisingly Mahindra designers cramped it into a length of just 3700mm, making it smaller in length than cheaper cars like the Celerio. Weird dimensions aside, the KUV’s design is clearly LOUD, busy and overdone. But believe it or not, it works in smaller cities and B-towns. 
Mahindra gave the KUV a major update with the NXT model line-up that introduced larger wheels (15-inch) and few cosmetic updates that made it look much better in flesh.

One of the USPs of the KUV is the space on offer. Getting in and out is easy, there is ample space for five well build adults and this is one of the most practical cars in the segment with multiple (and clever) places to keep your knick-knacks. Mahindra is known to make large diesel engines for SUVs / MPVs and their first attempt at small capacity engines paid off well. Both the 1.2-litre units, petrol and diesel, have ample poke for daily use. The NXT version also brought in added features and given the massive discounts (flat 43k cash in November 2018), the KUV does make for an appealing buy. Just don’t expect it to follow SUVs into the wilderness! Do note that for Rs 8 lakh (on-road), you can buy any of the petrol trims but only K2, K4, K6 of the diesel model.

Pros: 

1. Large size can massage owner’s ego
2. Surprisingly smooth engines – superb NVH
3. Offers a good ride

Cons:

1. Lower versions look awkward (no alloys for example)
2. Engines aren’t as efficient
3. Poor resale value
4. Brand appeal in front other cars in the same price

Sales:

August: 1173
September: 1171
October: 1244

14) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Hyundai Grand i10

Price: Rs 5.45 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 50,000 cash and Rs 20,000 exchange bonus (November)

One of the most value packed cars in the segment is the Grand i10. Thanks to huge discounts, the Grand i10 is hard to resist and no wonder then, it is the second largest selling Hyundai offering. The Grand i10 is not a stunning looking car but still very pleasing to the eyes thanks to diamond cut alloy wheels, front LED day-time running lights and even working front air curtains inside the bumper! But the cabin is what keeps us smiling : upmarket feel, dual tone theme and very practical. Ergonomically, the Grand i10 is a great car and major credit for this goes to the slightly front mounted gear lever that makes city driving an easy affair. As expected, Grand i10 gets steering control, including for voice commands, a 17.64cm screen with multiple connectivities, smart keyless with push button start, rear air-con vents and even climate control. There is good space for five adults though boot space is average at 256 litre.
Powering the Grand i10 are a pair of 1.2-litre engines in two fuel types of petrol and diesel. While the petrol is a 4 cylinder set-up, the same that powers the Xcent and i20, the diesel is a 3 cylinder unit but surprisingly very smooth and vibration free. The Grand also gets a proper auto ‘box (not an AMT) and performance is good. Overall, the Grand i10, given the discounts, is very good value for money in the segment. Hyundai also offers a dedicated low cost model for the commercial segment.

Pros:

• Interiors are upmarket and look good
• Excellent feature list (rear air-con vents, rear camera, push button start)
• Peppy petrol and smooth diesel
• Dual airbags and ABS standard across the range

Cons:

• Expensive automatic
• Rivals have a better diesel unit
• Not exciting to drive (Swift is better)

Sales:
August: 11,489
September: 11,224
October: 11,820

Latest update: Safety features made standard in September 2018

15) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti Swift

Price: Rs 5.55 lakh (onroad, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 20,000 cash / Upto Rs 25,000 exchange bonus (November)

India’s largest selling hatchback now is the Swift! Believe it or not but the all-new model has improved massively, thus translating into higher sales than ever before. The new Swift looks much better now and the lower, wider stance surely makes it look oh so sporty. Step inside and there is a sea of change in the design and quality parameter. We love the flat bottom steering and round dials for air-con controls and charging / USB outlets. The all black theme works well and the new Swift improves massively on the space front. Higher versions come with technologically advanced features like smart keyless with start-stop button, SmaryPlay infotainment and even LED front and rear lights. The new Swift offers slightly more passenger room though boot, at 268 litres, remains one of the smallest in the segment.

The new Swift gets a new, lighter platform and the reason why both performance and fuel economy have improved over the earlier version. The petrol engine has a certified economy of 22 kmpl while the diesel comes with a rated figure of 28.4 kmpl! AMT (automatic) is available with both petrol and diesel engine options and even the base versions come with dual Airbags and ABS as standard. Both the engines offer excellent performance and the diesel motor now has minimal turbo lag and a flatter torque curve. Given the lower weight, the Swift is one of the quickest accelerating cars in the price band.

Pros:

• New design is better, Swift looks sportier now
• More space on the inside, base Lxi gets dual airbags
• Lighter architecture means better performance and economy
• High resale value and fun to drive

Cons

• Still not as spacious as rivals like the Grand i10
• Ride quality isn’t very comfortable over broken roads

Sales
Aug: 19115
September: 22228
October: 17215

Latest update: AMT versions launched in top-spec trim

16) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Nissan Micra

Price: Rs 5.57 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Cash Benefits up to ₹34 500/-, Interest rate at 7.99%, Insurance of ₹20 000/- @₹1/-, Assured 3g Gold Coin (November)

Before we start, do remember that the Micra is offered in two versions of Active (older) and the revised new version. The Active version looks dated and comes in only two versions of XL and XV. Given the massive discounts that add up, you can buy the XV version for just under Rs 6 lakh. This one comes with dual Airbags, a 6.2 inch touch screen interface, ABS, rear sensors etc. That said, the interiors cannot match upto to modern day rivals in terms of design, space or features – no climate control, no smart keyless entry with start-stop, no rear vents etc.

If you have a higher budget, the current gen Micra petrol is the one to opt for – this one got a major facelift a few years back and looks aesthetically better. It only comes with a CVT automatic option with the petrol motor and this is indeed a superior unit as compared to the AMT / AGS transmissions of rivals. It also gets more features than the Active version with a better looking dashboard.
The Micra continues to get the tried and tested 1.2-litre 3 cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox for the Active or a CVT for the regular model. The diesel unit, only offered on the new Micra (not Active) is the tried and tested 1.5 dCi engine that also does duty in cars like the Duster, Captur, Lodgy, Terrano, Sunny etc, though in different states of tune! The Micra also offers a good ride without compromising on stability or highway manners.
Overall though, given its low demand, sober design and dated cabin, you can stay away from this model as rivals are much better in almost all parameters.

Pros:

• Sorted chassis – good mix of ride and handling
• Reliable and peppy 1.2-litre petrol
• Reliable and torquey 1.5-litre diesel

Cons

• Rivals offer better engines in terms of performance / economy
• Limited cabin room for the segment
• Sober design, dated interiors
• Poor resale value

Sales:
Aug: 302
Sep: 232
Oct: 249

17) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Tata Bolt

Price: Rs 5.58 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

The Bolt was launched with much fanfare and came across as a promising mid-size hatchback. However, with the Tiago now in the Tata Motors’ family, popularity of the more expensive Bolt has come down and sales are at an all time low now. That said, it looks large for the price and offers a very spacious cabin. The interiors were designed from scratch for the Bolt and still look nice. However, it lacks practicality – single cup holder up front, narrow door pads etc. That said, seats are very comfortable and the segment first climate control do keep you happy. Even the audio quality is terrific!

The Bolt comes with an option of two engines – the petrol is the same 1.2 litre Revotron that we see in the Tiago, Tigor and Nexon. In the Bolt it comes with a turbocharger and puts out 90PS of power and ends up offering excellent performance. No AMT on option but we love the way the petrol Bolt drives. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.3 unit that delivers 75 PS of power.
The Bolt also drives well in terms of ride and handling. Minimal body rolls and excellent highway manners. All said and done, poor resale, lack of essential features and poor ergonomics put it off the list of prospective buyers. For this price, buyers today have a lot of good options in the market.

Pros

• Good ride and handing
• Pair of great engines
• Very spacious interiors
• Looks substantial for the price

Cons

• Lack of essential features
• No AMT offered
• Poor resale value

Sales:
August: 127
Sep: 218
Oct: 137

18) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Tata Tigor

Price: Rs 5.75 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of  Rs 6899 + Rs 20K Exchange (November)

Slightly more expensive than the Bolt is its sedan sibling, the Tigor. This is also the most affordable compact sedan in India. Available in both petrol and diesel engine options, it is also the only one that comes in a performance variant, the JTP avatar. Tata recently updated the Tigor with minor changes and called it the new 2018 version.
It does look smart up front and Tata has done well to give it a flowing back end design, something that most other compact sedans cannot manage. Space on the inside, being a Tata product, is generous and this compact sedan offers 419 litre of boot space, as much as larger and more expensive sedans.
The petrol Tigor comes in two stats of tune – the normal 84 bhp versions and the turbo charged 112 bhp model. The 5-speed manual transmission remains common though ratios are revised in the latter and if you can stretch your budget just a bit, we highly recommend this version! Called the JTP Tigor, it comes with revised sporty bumpers, larger alloy wheels, lowered suspension and sportier interior trim. And it drives as fast as a Rs 10-12 lakh Honda City! The diesel Tigor gets a 1.05-litre turbo diesel unit belting out 69 horses. Though it is very efficient, like the 3 cylinder petrol, this one too exhibits unwanted vibes and roughness associated with such a set-up.
Where the Tigor does excel is in the ride and handling department. It does manage to absorb bad roads rather well and scores high on comfort. Tata Motors is very confident of the product and at this price, we couldn’t have asked for more!

Pros

• Value tag
• Fuel efficient diesel, peppy JTP petrol
• Features at this price point – dual airbags standard
• Looks great in our opinion

Cons

• 3-cylinder engines aren’t as smooth
• Tata’s after sales service cannot match Maruti and Hyundai
• Not as spacious (at the back) as Amaze / Dzire
• Only 2 years warranty (rivals offer 3 or 5 standard)

Sales
August: 1646
September: 1843
October: 2927

Last update: Launch of Tigor JTP

19) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Ford Freestyle

Price: Rs 5.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10K Cash Discount + Dealer End Insurance Benefit at Slight Lower Prices (November)

Ford’s cross-over hatch is doing brisk business with an average of over 2000 units on a monthly basis and the main reason is its value packaging. For example, even the base petrol/diesel models come with air-con, power steering, ABS, dual airbags, keyless entry and front power windows! The Freestyle also looks great with sculpted bumpers, raised height and body cladding all around. The same can said for the interiors too where quality and comfort remain high though we aren’t a fan of the color combination for the dual tone theme. The Freestyle is also a practical car with lot of storage areas and good driver ergonomics and has among the best touch screen interface for the price band.

The Freestyle comes with a pair of excellent engines. It gets the new 1.2 litre Dragon series engine that puts out impressive figures – 96 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque. No auto option but the 5-speed manual works well in terms of shift quality. The engine itself delivers ample poke and is a delight to drive fast without burning a hole in your pocket in terms of fuel economy. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.5 unit that is also seen in the EcoSport and Aspire and excels in terms of low end torque that is necessary for city driving. Infact, the Freestyle is one of the fastest diesel cars under Rs 8 lakh! Complementing the engine is the suspension set-up : this Ford loves being pushed around corners or a set of hills.
Overall, for this price, the Freestyle remains a highly recommended car in our opinion.

Pros:

• The rugged design works well
• Spacious and comfortable interiors
• Peppy petrol, smooth gear shifts
• Comfortable and yet agile in terms of handling

Cons:

• No auto yet
• Petrol engine nowhere as efficient as rivals

Sales
Aug: 2564
Sep: 2302
Oct: 1929

20) Cars under 8 lakh: Maruti Baleno

Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 cash, Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

Among India’s top 5 selling cars and also the largest selling Nexa model, the Baleno has been a runaway success for Maruti. Competing in the premium hatchback segment, the Baleno outsells the i20 and Jazz combined together. While the design is still subjective, where the Baleno scores top marks is inside the cabin. Passenger space is surprisingly very good and it even gets the second largest boot space for any hatch in India. The Baleno comes loaded with all features possible at this price – segment unique TFT speedometer display and steering adjustment for both reach and height for example. However cabin quality isn’t as good as the Hyundai i20’s.
The Baleno comes with both a 1.2-lite petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel unit – both these engines are seen on the Swift and Dzire in similar states of tune. While the diesel gets a manual only, the petrol is offered with both a manual and a CVT auto option. The latter performs far better as compared to the popular AGS / AMT transmissions. Great engine performance aside, we like the way the Baleno rides over city roads, offering an excellent ride quality. High speed manners are mature and for performance seekers, there is also a RS variant – but well over Rs 8 lakh on road.
In a nutshell, if you are in the market for a Rs 6-8 lakh car and do not like the idea of a compact sedan, the Baleno should be your pick.

Pros

• Excellent ride and handing
• CVT-Petrol works very well. Diesel is peppy (though noisy)
• Feature loaded – we loved the TFT screen for example
• Surprisingly very spacious for 5 adults and luggage

Cons:

• Exterior design is subjective and not to everyone’s liking
• Cabin looks nice but quality isn’t on par with the Hyundai i20
• Pan India reach is limited due to Nexa network
• Though very spacious, rear headroom is limited

Sales
August: 17,713
September: 18,631
October: 18,657

Latest update: Limited edition launched in September 2018

21) Cars under 8 lakh: Hyundai i20

Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash and Rs 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

Hyundai’s largest selling car in India is the Elite i20. True to its name, this is a perfect example of a premium hatchback, one that looks appealing in design and offers upmarket, high quality interiors. The Elite i20 got a minor facelift in early 2018 and the top spec model with large alloy wheels does stand out. Step inside and you will continue to be impressed with the quality of materials, far better than that on the Maruti Baleno. And while both cars come feature loaded, the i20 ups the game by providing as many as six airbags, a slide adjustment for front arm-rest, cluster ioniser for the air-con and dual USB ports.

The i20 comes with a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel unit. The petrol offers good low end grunt for city runs though is not as rev happy as say the Baleno. We love the gear shifts from the manual ‘box though Hyundai also offers an optional CVT. The diesel unit is a gem, offering 90 bhp of power and 220Nm of torque. Mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, it is smooth, has low NVH levels (lower than Baleno and Jazz) and this combined with a mature ride quality makes the i20 diesel an excellent package. It may not be an enthusiast’s car but certainly is a recommended, stylish all-rounder. Do note that for Rs 8 lakh, you cannot buy the top spec petrol models and only Era / Magna of the diesel engine.

Pros:

• Looks great, especially the top spec models
• High quality cabin with unique features
• Excellent diesel engine, is smooth too
• Hyundai’s proven after sales support

Cons:

• Still not an enthusiast’s tool
• Like the Baleno, this one too has limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 11475
September: 12380
October: 13290

Latest update: CVT option launched in May 2018

22) Cars under 8 lakh: Volkswagen Polo

Price: Rs 6.12 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Special pricing for various trims, benefits of over Rs 50,000

As much as we like the Volkswagen Polo for the driving pleasure it offers, we are surprised to see the relatively low sales figures in comparison to other cars in the same price band. And this inspite of numerous engine options – the 1.0-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. While the 1.0 and 1.5 come with a manual ‘box, the 1.2 is offered with a segment best automatic gearbox, the DSG set-up – however, it carries a sticker price of over Rs 8 lakh, on-road. Volkswagen keeps making minor aesthetic changes to make sure the Polo looks fresh. For example, the recently introduced Connect Edition that gets new design for the alloy wheels, Connect branding and even a rear spoiler.
Likewise the cabin continues to look solid – no bling or funky design but pure German precision and high quality materials. The Polo indeed feels solid on the inside and newer models get an advanced touchscreen infotainment with VW Connect app, Cruise Control, Rain sensing wipers and even a central arm-rest. While its a very comfortable car, space at the back is limited.
We aren’t a fan of the 1.0-litre petrol but the 1.2-litre turbo petrol is absolutely hoot to drive and the 7-speed DSG does what it is meant to be. And then the torque monster 1.5 diesel that puts out 90 PS of power and 230 Nm of toque, even more than the i20 diesel. The Polo, as expected from a VW, remains a pleasurable car to drive, thanks to a well tuned suspension, lighter and yet direct steering and excellent handling capabilities. If you want a car that can make you smile each time you drive, it has to be the Polo. Sadly, in a budget of Rs 8 lakh, while you can get mid versions of the 1.0 petrol, you can only get the base of the 1.5 diesel. The 1.2 TSI remains an expensive buy.

Pros:

• Handles like a dream
• Has solid build quality
• 1.2 TSI and 1.5 TDI offer solid performance
• Massive discounts on offer

Cons:

• Poor resale value
• Long term after sales support
• Cabin space
• 1.0 petrol is a dull performer

Sales:
August: 1899
September: 1583
October: 1588

Last update: Launch of Connect Edition

23) Cars under 8 lakh: Toyota Etios Liva

Price: Rs 6.13 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 20K Toyota Genuine Accessories (November)

The Etios Liva is one of the oldest models here and unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t done much to keep it ahead of rivals. True the dual tone edition looks smart and the Cross model adds a bit of muscle but rivals have moved the game ahead further. And the same holds true for the cabin – feels like a generation or two older in the segment. The cabin design, like its sedan sibling, feels dated – the audio system for example is an eye sore, looks more like an after market add-on. Features aren’t as good as rivals either – no rear air-con vents, no smart entry with push button start or no driver information display.

However one area where the Liva scores high is the ride quality and rear seat comfortable – two important parameters which make it stand out and a popular choice in the commercial segment. The 1.2 petrol is surprisingly very good for city runs though not as efficient. The 1.4 diesel offers bullet proof reliability, low running costs and a very good torque spread. Do you know the same engine, in different state of tune, is used in the much expensive Corolla Altis as well?
All said and done though, the Liva needs a proper update with massive changes. Private buyers can keep away in our opinion. Note that for Rs 8 lakh, you can only get the lower two trims of the diesel model.

Pros:

• Proven reliability
• Spacious and comfortable
• Excellent ride quality

Cons

• Dated cabin design
• Lack of features
• No auto option
• Lower brand value due to commercial use

Sales:
Aug: 1891
Sep: 1493
October: 1696

Last update: Dual tone limited edition launched in Aug 2018

24) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Tata Zest

Price: Rs 6.15 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 45K Cash Discount + 20K Exchange. Additional Rs 15K Cash Discount on Zest Premio (November)

Tata’s other sedan is the Zest and is widest car in the segment which means seating three abreast at the back isn’t an issue. The Zest is also one of the few cars that Tata Motors exports to countries like South Africa. It was launched in 2015 and was their all-new sedan in years and erased all our past memories related to the Indigo and the Manza. While the design clearly laid emphasis of its past association with cars from Tata’s stable, everything else was a huge step forward with modern technology – for example the turbo charged petrol motor, a great infotainment system with multiple customisation options, a near perfect ride and handling package among others. You can get the 1.3 diesel in two states of tune : 75 and 90 PS.

However today, with the competition having taken the game ahead by leaps and bounds, the Zest does not come across as a much recommended package. True it is spacious, feels like a well built car, has excellent ride quality and good engines, but for personal usage, given the brand appeal in front of rivals, the Zest will not make for a compelling buy. That said, with discounts, it offers the most affordable diesel-auto set up in the segment. Dwindling sales numbers reflect a sad story : not a bad car per se, but the competition is so much better now.
Do note that in Rs 8 lakh, you can only get the petrol line-up or the lower 75PS diesel versions.

Pros:

• Build quality is solid (heavy)
• Excellent ride quality
• Features (driving modes, voice commands, touchscreen etc)
• Powerful engines (turbo petrol, 90PS diesel)

Cons:

• Poor in-cabin storage
• Subjective exterior design
• Poor re-sale value
• Brand appeal isn’t as strong

Sales
August: 964
September: 1722
October: 896

Last update: Premio edition launched in March 2018

25) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Ford Aspire.

Price: Rs 6.15 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: None

As competition became better in the compact sedan market, Ford engineers had to re-visit their tables and come up with a heavily updated version, the new 2018 Aspire. This new facelift model manages to make improvements across all parameters. The new grille, revised bumper and better looking fog lamp inserts might be subtle changes but go a long way in making it look fresh and premium. The new, larger 15-inch alloy wheels gel along well with the positioning of the car. The rear gets minor updates but as you step inside the cabin, you are greeted with a host of additions.

The biggest highlight on the inside is the new SYNC3 interface that not only offers you segment best touch reception, but also comes bundled with navigation, reverse camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its a breeze to use, even for new users and was first seen in the Freestyle and the recently updated EcoSport. Moving on, you also get a push button start-stop feature, auto headlamps and auto wipers. The diesel engine is a carry over but it is mated to a new 5-speed gearbox that is lighter and improves fuel economy marginally. It continues to offer one of the best combinations of performance and economy in the compact sedan segment and is offers better NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) levels than the Honda Amaze. The big news however is the arrival of the 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine in the Aspire. It offers 9% more power and 7% higher torque while being way more efficient too. The automatic continues to get a 1.5-litre petrol but this time around, Ford has ditched the DCT or dual clutch transmission for a more conventional torque converter. Do note that in a budget of Rs 8 lakh, you can get the lower and mid versions of the petrol and only the lower trims of the diesel model.

Pros:

• Build quality is solid (heavy)
• Excellent ride quality – comfortable too
• Better value than ever before – prices slashed
• Both engines offer good driveability

Cons:

• Surprisingly no rear air-con vents
• Relatively lower resale value
• Petrol automatic is simply too expensive

Sales
August: 523
September: 1640
October: 2520

Last update: New 2018 version launched

26) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Maruti Dzire.

Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 27.5 cash (special edition) and 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

India’s largest selling sedan garners as many numbers as the next four ‘largest selling’ sedans combined together. This has been the most popular sedan from day one of its launch and the latest version has improved massively. It looks better, though still cant be termed as beautiful, has surprisingly good amount of cabin space and comes with an affordable sticker price. The current Dzire is an all-rounder but remember, the sales figures include the commercial model, Tour, that is very popular with Ola and Ubers of the world. Even then, for private use, its a not a bad deal at all.
The Dzire gets two of the most trusted engines from Maruti’s family – the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre FIAT sourced diesel unit. Both the engines are known for their trouble free performance and Maruti offers optional AMT with both fuel types.
With the current generation Dzire, Maruti has also improved on the ride and handling parameter tremendously. The steering is light, car agile and yet at higher speeds, the Dzire remains composed. Maruti is even offering ABS and dual airbags as standard across the range. If you want a reliable sedan with space and comfort at this price, look no further. In a budget of Rs 8 lakh, you can get the lower and mid trims of the petrol (including the AMT VXI) or the base model of the diesel engine.

Pros:

• Spacious, larger than average boot too
• Highest resale value in the segment
• Peppy petrol, torquey and efficient diesel
• Impressive features, auto in both petrol / diesel

Cons:

• Base L versions is feature stripped
• Rivals offer better warranty or lower running costs
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image

Sales
August: 21,990
September: 21,296
October: 17404

Last update: Special edition launched in Aug 2018

27) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Hyundai Xcent

Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 85000 worth of benefits (November)

The fourth largest selling sedan under Rs 10 lakh is the Xcent. However, trust us, a large chunk of these get sold in the commercial market and that does dent its brand value a lot. Its not a bad car per se, delivering a good mix of cabin space, upmarket feel, features and a good drive. The Xcent gets both a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre diesel unit with the latter being a 3-cylinder set-up. The latter offers (surprisingly) good NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) levels. Sadly though, Hyundai is yet to offer an automatic option with this compact sedan.
The Xcent does end up offering good comfort for passengers. This is due to a mix of space, high quality cabin and a good suspension set-up. That said, its not an enthusiast’s car in the way it delivers performance and handling. What sets the ball rolling in its in favour are the massive discounts, as much as 85,000 including cash and exchange bonus benefits. If you want a no nonsense comfortable compact sedan and dont have an automatic on the wish list, the Xcent does make a lot of sense. Given the massive cuts, you can pick any of the petrol models for under Rs 8 lakh on-road. For the diesel line-up, you can pick from the lower or mid trims.

Pros:

• Good fit and finish in cabin
• Huge discounts make it a value deal
• Low NVH levels, this is a smooth operator
• Neutral ride and handling

Cons:

• Average engine performance and efficiency
• Poor resale value
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image
• No automatic option

Sales
August: 4981
September: 4105
October: 3143

Last update: Dual airbags and ABS made standard from August 2018 onwards

28) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Volkswagen Ameo

Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 50,000 cash, 30,000 exchange and 15,000 corporate discount(November)

Volkswagen’s first compact sedan is outselling the larger Vento month on month. And why not? Its priced similar to the smaller Polo and with a boot, gives owners an ego massaging ownership experience. Build quality is solid and we love the way the Ameo feels on the go. Talking of which, it has excellent ride and handling package, something that only larger sedans offer. This is one compact sedan that doesn’t feel ‘flimsy’ on the move!
Even the 1.5 litre diesel engine is impressive, offering almost 110 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque. Mated to a DSG gearbox, it is the best diesel-auto under Rs 10 lakh. However the same cannot be said about the petrol unit. It has the lowest displacement here, just 1000cc, and offers very average performance with the least fuel economy. Do remember that for Rs 8 lakh, you can only pick the entry and mid level of petrol unit and only the base trim of the diesel model.
The Ameo comes across as a feature loaded car. From cruise control to automatic wipers, you also get auto dimming rear review mirrors, rear air-con vents and a cooled glovebox. Current discount and offers are among the highest in this list and so are the warranty packages – 2 years unlimited mileage, 2 side road side assistance, 3 years paint warranty and 6 years anti-perforation warranty. VW recently introduced the Connect model but sadly, that cannot be had in under Rs 8 lakh.

Pros:

• Solid build quality
• Priced on par with the Polo hatchback
• Only compact car to offer DSG gearbox
• Excellent ride and handling package

Cons:

• Petrol motor has average performance and economy
• Poor resale value
• Limited space at the rear and in the boot
• Long term maintenance costs

Sales
August: 721
September: 1034
October: 923

Last update: Ameo Sport launched in July 2018

29) Cars under Rs 8 lakh: Honda Amaze

Price: Rs 6.35 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Additional Extended Warranty of 4th & 5th Year (November)

Honda launched the all-new Amaze early in 2018 and it has gone to become the second largest selling sedan in India. Being an all-new generation model, the Amaze excels in all parameters as compared to the outgoing model. It looks new and wears a mature look up front – it is still under 4 meters in length but looks larger in real life. Cabin remains its strongest point, offering one of the most spacious cabins under Rs 8 lakh. Honda has worked hard to impart a premium feel with a dual tone theme and high quality materials and it shows. Interior remain plush for the segment and offer excellent comfort for five adults.

The Amaze continues to come with the same 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel units though this time around, both the engine options get optional CVT set-up, a segment first. A CVT transmission is much better as compared to the now common AMT / AGS set-up and offers less lag during gear changes. Fuel economy remains high and Honda claims running cost of just 35 paise for petrol and 49 paise for diesel in the long run. Honda has also made the steering larger and heavier in terms of its weight – even the shaft size has gone up from 22 to 33 mm. This in turn calls for less effort from the driver and though I would not call it feather light, it works well for slow speed driving. Honda is offering a standard warranty of 3 years / unlimited km along with extended warranty options of 4 and 5 years, again with unlimited usage. This is segment best. For under Rs 8 lakh, you can get the E, S or V trims with petrol or only the base E with the diesel engine.

Pros:

• Spacious and upmarket cabin : we love the layout
• Only car under 10 lakh to offer diesel-CVT set up
• Low running costs, upto 5 years / unlimited mileage warranty
• Good ride, mature looks, Honda brand

Cons:

• Diesel engine is still noisy with vibrations
• Rear headroom is limited
• No rear air-con vents

Sales
August: 9644
September: 8401
October: 5542

Last update: Amaze crosses 50,000 mark in October 2018

30) Cars under 8 lakh: Mahindra e2O Plus

Price: Rs 6.78 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

Yes, you can own an all-electric car for under Rs 8 lakh in India. Mahindra updated the old e2O a few years back into what you see here. It gets two more doors, proper seating for four, a more powerful electric motor and a lot more. Top speed is now rated at 80 km/h and you can go as much as 140 km on a full charge.
The controversial design aside, everything about the e2O is good. Take for instance the cabin that is surprisingly very good for four adults and offers a long list of features. Being an electric car, it has an automatic transmission, you get power steering, climate control, digital cluster, reverse camera etc. The best part is the smart phone connectivity that helps you control various aspects like remote cooling (switching on the air-con remotely) as well as knowing the nearest charging stations and car’s health. The little e2O is indeed a clever car.
While performance is brisk for city usage, don’t expect it to do highway runs due to limited to speed and driving range. You will also need a dedicated parking slot at home (for charging) but the shockingly low running costs cannot be ignored. If you can work out an arrangement for charging it each night, the e2O indeed is a very good, clean and affordable urban car.

Pros:

• Its clean!
• Easy to drive – auto ‘box, instant torque
• Extremely low running costs
• Features on offer

Cons:

• Limited range
• Extremely poor resale
• Limited performance
• Subjective looks

Sales: N/A

31) Cars under 8 lakh: Tata Nexon

Price: Rs 7.12 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of Rs 13000 + Rs 15K Exchange

Moving on from hatchbacks and sedans, you can even look at purchasing a SUV under Rs 8 lakh. Though only the base XE and one up XM can be had in this budget, the latter gets wheel covers, infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, steering controls, driver info display, dual airbags, ABS, air-con, electric outside mirrors, keyless entry and even multiple power outlets. The Nexon itself looks big for a sub 4 meter vehicle, essential to massage to the owner’s ego. It also gets a very spacious cabin and Tata has worked hard to deliver the comfort factor. Drive this vehicle over bad roads and you will be impressed with its composure!
The petrol Nexon comes with a 1.2 litre turbo charged petrol motor that delivers 110 PS of power and is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox – these figures are on par with say the EcoSport petrol. An AMT is available but that costs over Rs 8 lakh. The engine gets driving modes and though isn’t very smooth, offers reasonably good performance for the heavy Nexon. Do note that the Nexon is the safest SUV in its segment as per recent NCAP tests.
With the Nexon, you get to own a good looking large vehicle at a value based price. Tata has ironed out niggles and their cars now come with great after sales support too. The Nexon no doubt makes for a good purchase.

Pros:

• Looks nice for a compact sub 4m product
• Space on the inside, comfort levels
• Drives nice – the modes do work!
• Safe and solid product from Tata

Cons

• Petrol engine isn’t as refined

Sales:
Aug: 4499
Sep: 4297
Oct: 4608

Latest update: Kraz edition launched in Sep 2018

32) Cars under 8 lakh: Maruti Gypsy

Price: Rs 7.13 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

India’s most affordable 4×4 is also part of the list here. The good old Maruti Gypsy is still a hit in various 4×4 groups and why not? With a peppy 1.3 litre petrol motor and light weight, the Gypsy gets good performance for both on and off-road usage. It gets a manual 4×4 transfer case with low ratio as well for extreme off-roading. Bare to the bones, the Gypsy is not your everyday car but one that can serve you for over a decade without requiring any major maintenance at all. The design has largely remained unchanged since its launch and so have the interiors. Basic, utilitarian and made for a purpose, there are no creature comforts at all, so be prepared for this surprise
This is one area where Maruti has made no effort to make an every 4×4 for Indians. The new Suzuki Jimny was highly anticipated but Maruti has made no official statements about its launch in India. Till then, to satisfy 4×4 fantasies of adventure seekers, the Gypsy is the only petrol option in India and will seat as many as 8 people with the side facing rear jump seats.

Pros:

• Go anywhere capability
• Peppy petrol, reasonably efficient too
• Long term reliability and maintenance
• Relatively lower price as compared to other 4x4s

Cons

• Uncomfortable – hard ride quality
• No creature comfort at all

Sales:
August: N/A
September: 283
October: 228

33) Cars under 8 lakh: Maruti Ertiga

The all-new Ertiga will be launched on 21st November and we will update this space accordingly.

34) Cars under 8 lakh: Toyota Platinum Etios

Price: Rs 7.7 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: 20K Toyota Genuine Accessories (October)

The Etios manages to outsell cars like the Tata Tigor and Ford Aspire and a major chunk of the sales come with the commercial segment. There is a reason for this : the Etios offers one of the best comfort levels at the back seat, long term reliability and good mix of torque and efficiency from the engines. Toyota even offers a dedicated fleet model that comes with ABS, dual airbags, cooled glovebox and even power windows. Toyota offers special benefits for peace of mind to cab operators.

Now while the Etios may not be a great looking car and certainly does not have a modern cabin, if you want a chauffeur driven sedan and a fuss free long term ownership experience, do give this one a serious look.
As a self driven car though, the Etios fails to impressive. We aren’t a fan of the centrally located speedometer console and the one in the Etios lacks any sort of driver information. It is also one of the few sedans under Rs 10 lakh that does not offer an optional automatic. Further, there is no touch screen infotainment or smart keyless entry with start-stop feature. However, being longer than 4 meters means it comes with a massive boot – almost 600 litres of space in here. Overall though, stay away if you want a car for personal needs on a daily basis. Do note that for Rs 8 lakh, you will only get the base petrol but that surprisingly comes with air-con, power steering, all four power windows, cooled glovebox, driver seat height adjust, rear armrest, keyless entry, dual airbags, ABS, etc.

Pros:

• Spacious cabin with a massive boot
• Low running costs, Toyota’s legendary peace of mind factor
• Excellent rear seat comfort
• Neutral ride and handling

Cons:

• Feature stripped – touchscreen interface, driver info display etc
• No automatic option
• Taxi image keeps customers away
• Old school cabin design

Sales
August: 2387
September: 2058
October: 1677

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

The Mahindra Bolero has been one of the best selling UVs in India for years now. This is mostly due to its ruggedness, bulletproof and grunty engine, low maintenance costs and affordable pricing. However, the big issue with the Bolero is its design, which looks rather dated. However, DC Design decided to fix that issue and in the video below courtesy Inspired Brahmin on Youtube, we take a look at why this Bolero costs a whopping 17.5 lakhs.

Most Bolero modifiers tend to turn to one car for inspiration when tweaking the utilitarian UVs – The Mercedes G-Wagen. However, DC decided not to follow the path of the G-Class and instead has given this modified Bolero its own personality with a redesign that is rather unique.

Up front, the DC Design Bolero, which bears the name Inceptor ditches the stock headlights, grille and front bumper for custom units. The stock headlights have made way for round units which are flanked by Vertical LED daytime running lights underneath which sit the turn signals.

The new grille features five white rectangles placed together instead of the usual Jeep-style grille and the chunky front bumper just adds to the rugged look of the Inceptor as does the faux skid plate attached to it. The bumper also plays host to what appears to be a set of lights that are tinted orange Another interesting feature seen up front are what appear to be grab handles on the flattened bonnet.

From the sides, there are more changes to be seen including the flared out wheel arches which play host to snazzy alloy wheels shod with all-terrain tyres. Also seen on the sides of the modified Bolero is the Inceptor name on the driver’s door and a more upmarket set of ORVMs. The blacked out window frame for the final set of windows give this Bolero a more upmarket look..

The rear end of the Bolero has also been tweaked with custom-made taillights and a handle on each side of the tailgate similar to the ones seen on the bonnet of this utility vehicle.

The interiors of this Bolero have been tweaked as well though the changes aren’t that many. The last two rows of seats have made for captain seats. All the seats have been upholstered in leather and feature diamond stitching. The new seats and upholstery give the Bolero a more upmarket feel, though we do wish there were a few more changes made.

There is no news about any changes under the hood, so it can be safe to assume that this Bolero uses the stock 1.5-litre diesel engine with 70 bhp and 195 Nm of torque that is found in the current UV.

The modified Bolero Inceptor is priced at Rs 17.5 lakh, which we feel is quite pricey as owners have to pay around Rs 10 lakh extra to get these changes. At that price, you can get more premium SUVs like the Jeep Compass and Mahindra’s own XUV500, which we know to be more premium and powerful offering compared to the Bolero. However, if a modified Bolero is all you’ve ever wanted, then the Inceptor may be the one for you.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

A lot of cars these days are now being offered with a keyless entry and start/stop setup. What happens if the battery for your car for some unfortunate reason dies on you. In the video seen below, Youtube channel Powerstroke PS shows how you can start your keyless entry car even if the key fob battery dies.

The video starts with the youtuber showing the regular process getting inside the car when the battery is still working. He presses a button on the door handle of the Nexon with the key fob inside his pocket and gets inside. He then tosses the key into storage space just ahead of the gearstick and then pushes down the clutch ( if you’re driving an automatic, press the brake pedal) and presses the start/stop button to start the Nexon.

To demonstrate what happens in case a battery dies out, the youtube locks the Nexon’s doors and then removes the battery from the key fob. Now with no power going to the key fob, the small button on the door handle no longer recognises the key and refuses to open. He then uses the regular key blade that is present on the key fob to get inside.

He then gets the key fob near the antenna for the centre console’s receiver setup for the keyless setup and the Nexon’s alarm setup goes off. Instead of panicking, the youtuber presses down on the clutch and then presses the start/stop button three to four times and the Nexon’s engine rumbles into life.

He then proceeds to switch off the engine to try and do it one more time. He then presses the clutch pedal and pushes the start/stop button two times and the key fob telltale light starts glowing on the instrument cluster of the Nexon, which is due to the fact the signal from the smart key takes longer to be detected due to the lack of a battery to help push out the signal. He then depresses the start/stop button twice more and the Nexon comes back to life once again.

*Please Note: The method has only been tested on the Tata Nexon by the Youtuber and could vary from car to car.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Car companies are offering humongous discounts on their products to reap the maximum benefit. Let’s now see what Renault-Nissan are offering in terms of offers this November.

Renault Discounts

Renault Kwid

The smallest car in the company’s product portfolio is also the main volume driver for Renault. Currently, it is being offered with a 50% deduction on the cost of 1st Year Insurance along with an Exchange offer of Rs. 15,000. There is also a 4 year warranty available on select Models of the car.

Renault Duster

The once-popular Renault SUV, the Duster is now awaiting to be replaced by a newer version. Currently, the CVT transmission variant is offered with a special introductory price of Rs. 9.95 Lakh. Also, the 110 PS models are being given away with a free 1st year insurance along with a Rs 60,000 cash discount. The AWD variant, however, is not covered under this scheme.

Renault Lodgy

The Lodgy is a good but slow-selling MPV from Renault. The spacious car is currently having good discounts on it. This includes a Rs. 30,000 cash discount which is available on the Standard and Rxe variants. Then there’s a free first year insurance available only with the Stepway model. The car, however, is now facing rougher days than ever because of the launch of the new Mahindra Marazzo.

Renault Captur

The Renault Captur is among the best looking crossovers out there. The striking design is matched by french flair on the inside too. However, it never became a success story for the company and to gain some sales, Renault is offering massive discounts on the car. The previous year model (2017) are being offered with a massive Rs. 2 lakh discount. However, the current year model makes do with a free first year insurance.

There is a special corporate discount being offered too with Renault cars, applicable on select models only.

Nissan-Datsun Discounts

Datsun RediGo

The smallest car in the Nissan-Datsun lineup, the RediGo, is available with a free 1st-year insurance and a 2 Gram Gold Coin upon purchasing the car. There is also a Rs. 12,000 exchange benefit available on the car. Another offer you get is the 3 Year Road Side Assistance warranty, which can be a boon if you are a frequent highway traveler.

Nissan Micra

The Micra is among the better performing Nissan cars in terms of sales. Currently, the car is available with a free first-year insurance along with free 3 gram gold coin. Apart from this, there’s a Rs. 15,000 exchange offer available on the car too. Micra sales have been dwindling lately in the face of competition like the Maruti Swift among others.

Nissan Sunny

The Nissan Sunny is known for its spacious and comfortable cabin. The sedan is available with big discounts this season. This include a free first-year insurance and a free 3 gram gold coin. The exchange offer is valued at Rs. 30,000 upon exchanging your old car. These offers make the Sunny a pretty good value for money package.

Nissan Terrano

Nissan’s answer to Hyundai Creta, the Terrano is also available with free first-year insurance. However, there is a gold coin weighted 6 grams on offer too, up from 3 grams offered in other Nissan cars. The Exchange offer is also great and is valued at Rs. 40,000 upon exchanging your old car.

Apart from all these, Nissan is also offering Special Celebration Offer for Teachers and Doctors. It starts from Rs 20000 (Micra Active), Rs 22000 (Micra), Rs 30000 (Sunny), Rs 40000 (Terrano)From Rs 20000 (Micra Active), Rs 22000 (Micra), Rs 30000 (Sunny) and Rs 40000 (Terrano)

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Apple had recently launched the new iPhone variants some time back and as expected, they are priced par belief. Every other September, Apple unveils a new iPhone which sees the price of the old one drop and existing customers rush to the showrooms to purchase the latest avatar. However, for much less than Rs. 1 lakh, here are 10 cars you could rather buy and enjoy years of driving/modding.

Tata Nano

Cheap to buy, run and maintain

It is no surprise that the cheapest car available in the market is available in the used car market for such a cheap rate. Though the Nano wasn’t really successful when it came to numbers, the Nano is actually a very good car for the city. It has adequate space, tiny dimensions and a peppy 624 cc engine. The version we found was selling for just Rs 30,000.

Link: Nano

Maruti 800

Reliable, easy to drive

Price: Rs 25,000

The Maruti 800 is one of the oldest hatchbacks in the market. The vehicle was available for more than 2 decades. The best part about the 800 is that it is extremely reliable, cheap to run and maintain and real fun to drive. This has certainly been a first car for many people and also holds sentimental value for them and hence it still has decent resale value. We found a 2004 model for Rs 25,000.

Link: 800

Maruti Zen

Fun to drive and high mod potential

Price: Rs 65,000

The Zen was the first fun hatchback that was introduced by Maruti. It came with a 1 liter 50 Bhp engine with more power, was more spacious and more fun to drive as well. In its time, it was also one of the first few driver oriented hatchbacks in the market. The biggest advantage of the Zen is the fact that it can easily swallow an Esteem engine or make do with a turbo charger making the car extremely mod friendly. We found a 2005 example for Rs 65,000.

Link: Zen

Maruti Wagon R

For the family guy who needs space and practicality

Price: Rs 50,000

The Wagon R was the choice of those people who wanted a practical family car with a lot of space. Thanks to its tall boy design, it offers a lot of head room and Maruti also managed to extract a lot of room inside the cabin as well. Also, being a Maruti means reliability is not a problem and even if something does go wrong, parts are inexpensive. We found a 2005 Vxi model for Rs 50,000.

Link: Wagon R

Tata Indica

For the rear seat lover

Price: Rs 40,000

The Indica was Tata’s first attempt at a hatchback. The vehicle was so highly anticipated that Maruti cut prices of the Zen just a few hours before the launch of the Indica. They wanted to offer a large and spacious hatchback which was frugal and economical.

The Indica has been very popular in the cab segment. Why? Due to the large space at the back and the ride comfort. If you are looking for a chauffeur driven hatchback, this is the best bet. We found one for Rs 40,000.

Link: Indica

Hyundai Getz

Those looking for a premium hatchback

Price: Rs 70,000

The Getz was a vehicle a little too early for its time. It was a premium hatchback that offered a lot of space and was good to drive as well. But due to people not wanting to buy a large hatchback at that time, the Getz wasn’t very successful. If you are looking for a cheap premium hatch now, the Getz is a good idea. We found a 2006 model priced at Rs 70,000.

Link: Getz

Maruti Esteem

Cheap to buy and run as well as high mod potential

Price: Rs 59,000

The Esteem is one of the first sedans from Maruti. It was an extremely popular vehicle as it was reliable, cheap to run, had adequate space and was extremely fun to drive as well. In the earlier days and even now, the Esteem is used for racing and rallying. The vehicle is very capable and has a lot of mod potential and hence is chosen by enthusiasts who want a cheap project car. We found a top of the line Vxi version for Rs 59,000.

Link: Esteem

Ford Ikon

Fun to drive sedan

Price: Rs 40,000

Ford has always been known to make fun to drive cars. The Ikon is no exception. In its segment, it was the most fun to drive vehicle, especially the 1.6 one. It had a wide variety of engine options on offer and also was well reputed due to its strong build quality. It was known as the ‘Josh machine’. We found a 2003 1.6 liter model for Rs 40,000.

Link: Ikon

Maruti Baleno

Good large sedan, great acceleration

Price: Rs 60,000

The Baleno was a premium sedan offering from Maruti. It had a lot of space and was launched to take on the Lancer and the Honda City. However, it was priced on the higher side initially and Maruti could never do well in terms of sales. The car is nice to drive and has the old Japanese car feel to it. It’s rev happy and can do 100 Kph in second gear. Like the Esteem, the Baleno too is used for rallying due to its mod potential. We found a 2004 model for Rs 60,000.

Link: Baleno

Honda City

Reliable and comfortable sedan

Price: Rs 90,000

was well known for its looks and its fun to drive nature, the Dolphin variant appealed to those people who wanted a comfortable, practical and efficient sedan. Initially this version came with only a 77 bhp motor which was good in the city but wasn’t anywhere as fun to drive as the Type Z. We found a 2004 City for sale a very low Rs 90,000.

Link: City

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Korean auto behemoth Hyundai is among the biggest car companies in India. It comes second only to Maruti Suzuki which is the industry leader in terms of sales. The company had recently launched the much awaited Santro hatchback and the car has already taken a headstart with a large number of bookings under a month’s time.

Today, however, we bring you a advertisement released by the company highlighting the need of responsible driving in India.

This advertisement is Hyundai’s attempt to create awareness among the masses regarding traffic rules and road usage. The video is titled ‘Be the better guy’ and even has a social media hashtag of the same name. Superstar Shahrukh Khan, who had his birthday recently and is the brand ambassador of Hyundai, is also featured in the advertisement.

In the video we see a man bidding loving farewell to his family and going out in his Hyundai Creta. During the course of his ride, it is highlighted that he always wears a seatbelt whenever driving. ‘Be the Better Guy’ in the advertisement means be a guy who follows all traffic rules and is a responsible driver.

Other aspects of careful and lawful driving highlighted in the video are no drunk driving, giving way to pedestrians at zebra crossings, no over-speeding and no phone calls while driving. The video also shows that one should follow the rules even if alone on the road. All these things which are shown in the advertisement are really important and contribute towards a healthy driving atmosphere for all.

However, towards the ending of the video we see that despite driving responsibly, one can still get involved in unfortunate accidents due to folly of others. Therefore, true road safety will be achieved only then when everyone has the same sense of responsibility towards driving and traffic rules. The same is emphasized by Shah Rukh in his short appearance at the end of the video.

Therefore, Be The Better Guy, for your own safety as well as others safety.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Modifying a car is not just about enhancing its looks or power. Rather, for most people who modify their cars, its an extension of their emotions towards the car. It’s more like personalizing your ride and giving it a distinct character. Then there are some cars, which respond better to the modifications than others and show a good deal of compatibility too.

So today, we bring you a list of eight such cars on sale in India currently which show amazing mod potential and are modification friendly.

Maruti Swift

The Swift is one of the best cars in its segment that money can buy. It offers frugal engines, nice handling, good looks and enough space to ferry four people around easily. Since its first launch in 2005, the car has been a hot favorite among modifiers. The car responds very well to the mod job done on it and being a Maruti, damaged parts can be sourced easily and economically. The one seen above has been given the name of Bumblebee owing to its yellow and black paint scheme.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen was among the last wave of automakers to enter India. The company made its foray into the market in 2007 with the Passat but tasted success only in 2012, when it brought the Polo to our shores. The Volkswagen Polo is a hands down drivers car and gets equally excellent engine and gearbox options. This along with that timeless look, you now know why it’s a modders favorite. The one seen above has been tuned my Modsters Garage and has been named as F-86 Sabre. It’s inspired by North American F-86 Sabre transonic jet, or Sabrejet, therefore the name.

Octavia

The Octavia is another car which is a modifiers wet dream. The vRS version was the regular Octavia on steroids and was a completely crazy  car, so much so that we even doubt how did Skoda management let it pass into the regular sleepy Indian market. Nonetheless, we are glad it happened and so are number of people out there who have modified there Octavia into a hot ride. The one pictured above gets a low body kit, glossy black paint shade and cool five spoke rims shod to low profile tires.

Mahindra Thar

The latest iteration of the legendary jeep line-up from Mahindra, the Thar is everything it was expected to be and then some. We agree that a bit more power could have done wonders and there are some issues which the company needs to resolve as early as possible, but man, this is a pure masculine machine. The 4×4 beast has so many types of modifications done on it that we doubt if anyone could have a stock version of it. What’s more is that more the work put into the Thar, the more beautifully it turns out to be, given that the work done is good. The one featured here sports a popular design type which many Thar SUVs sport. Big tires, LED roof lights, hard top, winch, remodeled front fascia etc are common among most of the Thar modifications.

Maruti Gypsy

Maruti will soon discontinue the current generation Gypsy from India owing to the upcoming BSVI emission norms, which the car does not meet. However, the rugged Gypsy has seen its golden days and is a a hot favorite among off road enthusiasts and modifiers. The simple and rugged frame of the car offered a host of options to try on the car. The one you see above is among the more hardcore versions of the Gypsy in our country.  It gets huge wheels, highly raised double spring suspension and a whole lot of other off road optimizations.

Force Gurkha

The Force Gurkha is one of the cheapest four wheel drive SUV you can buy today. Unlike others in its price category, it is a serious mud plugger and can give other expensive SUVs a run for their money. It features a boxy design  and an 2.2-litre diesel unit that makes 140hp and 321Nm, sourced from Mercedes Benz. The one featured here gets a custom bumper, wide fenders, special offroad tires and a snorkel. Other things like the LED light bar at the top and side steps also deserve a mention.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is a huge vehicle. Its made to look even more intimidating with the enormous ground clearance it has. Even without any modification, this SUV looks menacing. The V-Cross is among the few pickup trucks our country has and it is a true off road beast along with being a modifier’s delight. The one pictured above gets special offroad tires, custom bumpers, LED bar mounted on top along with a rear skeleton frame.

Toyota Fortuner

If any car makes offroading sound as good a luxury in one breath, it has to be the Fortuner. This SUV has got everything, ranging from a fully functional 4×4 off road system to an automatic climate control. Though on a bit expensive side, it can be your daily family vehicle and would not disappoint you on weekend off road trips too. The one featured here gets mesmerizing six spoke rims shod with low profile tires, a new grille along with other subtle touches.

Image Source- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

London-based Sikh Entrepreneur Reuben Singh earlier this year took to Twitter to share his epic response to a comment by an Englishman who mocked his turban by calling it a ‘bandage’. Singh responded by making a bet for charity with the originator of the comment where he was challenged to match the colour of his Turbans to his cars for an entire week. Mr Singh responded in style, matching the colour of his turbans to his fleet of Rolls Royces for the entire week of the challenge.

Images of Mr Singh’s response to the challenge set for the bet went viral on various social networking sites including Twitter and over the year have become a matter of pride for the Indian community across the world with many hailing his epic response to turban challenge.

Reuben Singh was once called the British Bill Gates and today is the CEO of AlldayPA, a British contact centre company that he founded in 2005. He is also the CEO of Isher Capital, a boutique private equity firm. However, Mr Singh’s journey to his current levels has been a topsy-turvy one.

Singh started Miss Attitude when he was just 17 and it became a popular fashion chain in the Uk during the 1990s. Unfortunately, the debt-ridden nature of his business empire forced him to sell off Miss Attitude for what is believed to be just £1 (Rs 94.56 in today’s money).

Singh then started AlldayPA in 2005, but he was forced out from his company after being declared bankrupt in the year 2007. Once out of bankruptcy a year later, Reuben Singh built himself back up and took back control of AllDayPA and was appointed CEO of the Call Answering Service company in 2015. The company now employs 500 people.

While his story is indeed a topsy-turvy one, Mr Singh’s return to the top of the pile has been nothing short of impressive. The rise from ashes once again also helped him give an answer to a racist quip regarding his turban with unmatchable style and ensured that a charity gained some extra help to carry out its tasks.

The Rollers showcased by Mr Singh in his Challenge range from the Ghost Series II to the Phantom VII Drophead, which was once India’s most expensive car with a price tag of Rs 8.38 crore. That title now belongs to the Phantom VIII LWB which currently retails for Rs 11.35 crores.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Hyundai has just given the Verna sedan a bunch of new variants. This should make the sedan better equipped to fight its key rivals – the Maruti Ciaz and Honda City. The Hyundai Verna gains new automatic variants at the top-end and a new cut price, 1.4 liter diesel engined variant at the bottom end. These changes are expected to make the car more attractive to buyers, and in turn boost sales.

The 1.4 liter diesel engine on the Verna is the same unit that’s found on the Hyundai Creta and Elite i20. Tried and tested, this engine puts out 89 Bhp-220 Nm, and has ample performance for regular driving. It’s mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox. The Verna 1.4 Diesel is available in two variants – E and EX. While the E variant is priced at Rs. 9.29 lakhs, the EX variant is priced at Rs. 9.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

The two other newly introduced top-end automatic trims of the Hyundai Verna are petrol SX+ and diesel SX (O). While the petrol SX+ variant is priced at Rs. 11.52 lakhs, the diesel SX(O) costs Rs. 14 lakhs. The petrol engine is a 1.6 liter unit with 122 Bhp-151 Nm while the diesel is a 1.6 liter turbocharged motor with 126 Bhp-260 Nm. 6 speed torque converter automatic gearboxes are offered with these engines.

Talking of the features that are available in the SX+ Petrol Automatic trim, the Hyundai Verna gets projector headlamps with LED DRL and positioning lamps, LED tail lamps, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, powered wing mirrors with folding function, leather-clad steering wheel and gear knob, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an electric sunroof, automatic boot lid opening, keyless entry, start/stop button, wireless phone charging slot, twin airbags and ABS.

As for the SX(O) variant, curtain airbags and side airbags are notable safety feature inclusions taking the total number of airbags on offer to 6. This trim also gets additional features in the form of leather trim for the doors, adjustable rear seat headrests, leather clad ventilated seats and telescopic adjustment function for the steering.

As is evident, the Hyundai Verna is a luxurious, feature packed car, and with the addition of new variants, it’s more attractive than ever before. Both the Maruti Ciaz and the Honda City are a notch below the Verna in terms of the sheer features offered. Also, the Maruti Ciaz and Honda City are less powerful than the top-end Verna trims.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

The Indian car market is booming and manufacturers are bombarding the market with new launches. While many vehicles get minor updates in the form of minor tweaks, many manufacturers launch all-new vehicles in the segment. This year, the market has already seen quite a few all-new launches including the Mahindra Marazzo, Honda Amaze and the Hyundai Santro.

There will be quite a few launches in the coming weeks too. Here are all the upcoming all-new cars in the Indian market.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Launch: November 2018

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is one of the most popular MUVs in the Indian market. The 7-seater MUV is the best-seller in the segment and soon Maruti will launch the all-new model. The all-new Ertiga would be much lighter in weight as it would be based on the HEARTECT platform that also underpins the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Dzire. The all-new Maruti Ertiga would grow in size and will offer a roomier cabin space. It would also get the all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine with SHVS mild hybrid system similar to Ciaz. The diesel 1.3-litre Multijet engine will remain unchanged.

Mahindra Alturas

Launch: November 2018

Mahindra officially revealed the name of the Y400 SUV as the Alturas in the Indian market. It is a rebadged version of the SsangYong Rexton G4, which is already available in the international markets. The Alturas will become the flagship vehicle of the brand and will compete with the likes of Honda CR-V in the Indian market. It will be available in two versions G2 and G4 and would be available only with an automatic transmission. The SUV would be powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged engine that generates a maximum of 187 Bhp – 420 Nm. The 7-seater will get an AWD option with features like 9 airbags, ABS+EBD, traction control, ESP, hill hold and more.

Tata Harrier

Launch: January 2019

The Harrier is undoubtedly the most awaited SUVs of the recent time. The Harrier gets an all-new OMEGA ARC platform which is derived from the Land Rover’s platform. The SUV looks extremely good and close to the H5X concept model. The Harrier will get a few segment first features including an 8.8-inch infotainment system. It is being said that Tata will only launch a 4X2 version with the 2.0-litre diesel engine initially and will introduce the 4X4 option and petrol engine at a later time. Tata Harrier would take on the likes of Jeep Compass in the Indian market.

Nissan Kicks

Launch: January 2019

Nissan will revive the Indian line-up with the launch of all-new Kicks SUV in the market. The Nissan Kicks in India would be quite different from the international models and gets the same platform as the Renault Captur. Nissan has made the vehicle bigger for the Indian market and the ground clearance is expected to be more than 200mm too. The Nissan Kicks would take on the Renault Captur and upcoming Harrier in the Indian market and gets a stylish exterior design. The Kicks would also get a few segment-first features like the 360-degree exterior camera.

Mahindra S201

Launch: January 2019

Mahindra will soon launch the sub-4-meter compact SUV, which is codenamed as S201. It would be based on the SsangYong Tivoli compact SUV. The S201 would be the most powerful SUV in the segment and will be positioned as a premium product in the line-up. The compact SUV will get a 1.5-litre diesel engine that generates s maximum of 120 Bhp and 250 Nm, There will be a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine too, which generates a maximum of 140 Bhp. It would be a 5-seater SUV and will later get a 7-seater long wheelbase version with 7-seats.

Honda Civic

Launch: January 2019

The premium sedan from Honda was one of the first D-Segment cars launched in India. The beautiful design of the car turned many heads on the road. Honda. The Civic is all set to make a grand comeback in India. Honda announced during the 2018 Auto Expo that three all-new models will be launched in the Indian market. Two of which have been launched in the form of CR-V and the Amaze. The new Civic will be powered by 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine that produces massive 173 BHP.

Also Read: Honda Civic to Maruti Ertiga: Upcoming all-new cars & SUVs in India

Mahindra will soon launch the Alturas G4 in the Indian market. It will be the most expensive vehicle from the brand in the Indian market. It is one of the most awaited SUVs in the Indian car market. This is everything that you need to know about the upcoming Mahindra Alturas G4.

You can book one right now!

Mahindra has officially started taking the bookings for the Alturas G4 in the Indian market. Customers can book the vehicle online on a payment of Rs. 50,000 and can book their vehicle. It is not known if the Mahindra dealerships are taking the bookings offline too. The SUV can be booked on the official website – https://www.alturasg4.com

Your booking amount is fully refundable but…

…only till a certain date. The terms and conditions on the website say that the booking amount is fully refundable but only if you do it before 5th December 2018. Post that date, you may have to pay some fine but it is not mentioned how much per cent of the booking amount will be deducted.

 Test drive date revealed

The vehicles will start reaching the dealerships on 26th November. Customers can book their time slots for the test drives and experience the vehicle first hand. Almost all the dealerships across India would get the test drive vehicles by 26th November as per the website.

Love stick shift? None of it here

If you’re one of the enthusiasts who love driving a manual transmission vehicle and love the feel of the shifting gears on your left hand, you’re set to be disappointed. Mahindra will only launch the Alturas G4 with a 7-speed torque converter transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. There would not be a manual transmission at the time of the launch. However, we may see a manual transmission version at a later time. It should be noted that all the competitors including the Toyota Fortuner gets a manual version.

5 colour choices

Mahindra has revealed the five colour choices that will be available at the time of the launch. There will be the all-time favourite New Pearl White and the Napoli Black colour options available with the Alturas G4. Other colour choices would be Lakeside Brown, Dsat Silver and the flagship Regal Blue colour that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.

Only two versions

The Mahindra Alturas G4 will be available only in two versions. The name of the versions are not known but it is expected to be G2 and the G4. The G2 will be the 4X2 version and the G4 would be the 4X4 version. It will be a simple choice for the customers, which they surely miss out on the other Mahindra vehicles.

Won’t be kept with the other Mahindra models

The Alturas would be the most expensive vehicle in the Mahindra line-up in India. Mahindra would set-up special zones in the dealerships where the Alturas G4 would be parked and only a specially trained set of salespersons would attend the customers of the Alturas. We may see a Maruti Nexa dealership type zone created for the premium vehicle, which will allow customers to get a taste of the premium experience.

Loaded top-end version

Mahindra and Mahindra has specifically written that the top-end version of the Alturas would be loaded to the brim. It is not known which all features would be available with the Alturas but it is possible that Mahindra launches a stripped down base version to keep the base price in check and launch the fully-loaded top-end version to attract the customers. There will be a sunroof, 9-airbag system, ABS+EBD, ESP, leather seats, cooled seats and much more available in the top-end version. It will get a longer feature list than the Toyota Fortuner.

Roomier than the Toyota Fortuner

The Mahindra Alturas G4 would get very big dimensions. The vehicle measures 4,850mm in length, 1,960mm in width, 1,800mm in height, and 2,865 mm of wheelbase. The Toyota Fortuner measures 4,795mm, 1,855mm and 1,835mm. The wheelbase is much smaller at 2,745mm. The bigger dimensions with longer wheelbase would ensure a roomier cabin and extra leg space for the third-row occupants.

Not for petrolheads

The Mahindra Alturas would be powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates a maximum of 187 Bhp and 420 Nm of peak torque. No petrol engine would be available at the time of the launch. It may not be added at a later date too. The Toyota Fortuner offers a petrol engine too!

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

One of Mahindra’s enduring best-sellers – the Scorpio SUV – has just received a new variant called the S9. The  Mahindra Scorpio S9 slots below the S11 trim, and offers a wide range of features at a much more affordable price  tag. The Mahindra Scorpio S9 is priced at Rs. 13.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Bookings for the new SUV are now open across all Mahindra dealerships in India, and deliveries will begin soon.

Key features of the Mahindra Scorpio S9 include Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC), a 15 cm Touchscreen  Infotainment system with GPS navigation, Static-bending Projector Headlamps, LED Light Guides, wing mirrors with  integrated turn indicators, steering mounted audio & cruise control buttons and hydralic assist for the bonnet. Twin  airbags and ABS are standard safety features on this SUV.

Mechanically, the Scorpio S9 shares its engine and gearbox with the S3, S7 and S11 variants. What this means is, the  engine is the familiar 2.2 liter-4 cylinder, mHawk turbocharged unit with 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak  torque. A 6 speed manual gearbox drives the rear wheels. A four wheel drive system – which is offered as an option on the S11 trim – is not available on the S9 variant.

The S9 trim of the Scorpio also gets an idle stop system that Mahindra calls ‘micro hybrid’. This system, which can  be turned off if required, shuts off the engine when the vehicle is idling for more than about 15 seconds. Touching  the accelerator or clutch pedal brings back the engine to life. The idle stop system is meant to improve fuel  consumption and cut down on tail pipe emissions.

Speaking on the introduction of the S9 variant of the Scorpio, Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales and Marketing –  Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said,

Scorpio changed the landscape of the Indian Auto Industry & continues to be a dominant force in the SUV segment. The new Scorpio S9 offers a great feature package at an attractive price point making it a compelling buy for customers looking for a true-blue SUV, while retaining Scorpio’s core DNA of Power, Driving Thrill & Adventure.

The Mahindra Scorpio S9 retains a 7 seat layout, with two captain seats in the first row, a bench seat that can  accommodate three adults in the second row, and two side facing seats at the rear. The body-on-ladder chassis  equipped SUV is known for its torquey performance, ruggedness and tall driving position. Competition for the Scorpio chiefly comes from the Tata Safari Storme.

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

The Indian car market has over 45 different options under Rs 10 lakh and that can put a prospective like you in a sheer dilemma. The entire exercise of picking the best choice as per your preference of budget and body type can be a mentally challenging exercise. But fret not, as we have done the homework on your behalf to come up with the best cars you can buy for under Rs 10 lakh (on-road price) in India.

We filtered the list into different categories and pick a winner each depending on various parameters. Without waiting more time, here is our final list of top cars to buy under Rs 10 lakh, sorted by price:

Best Cars Under Rs 10 lakh : Small hatchbacks

Name: Renault KWID
Price: Rs 3.02 onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 50% Off on 1st Year Insurance + Rs 15000 Exchange Bonus + 4 Year Warranty on Select Model (November)

Launched in September 2015, the KWID has been Renault’s largest selling car in India for several years. SUV inspired design has gone down well with buyers and the car looks upmarket, from a higher segment. There is even a funkier looking version, the CLIMBER. The cabin too excels over rivals when it comes to a premium feel, ditto for class leading features like a touch-screen infotainment interface, full LCD speedometer console, rear arm-rest, rotary knob for gear selector (AMT version) et al. Though the rotary knob does away with a gear lever and hence frees up space, you cannot shift gears manually unlike other AMT cars.

Renault offers the KWID with a choice of two engine options. These include a 800cc and a larger 1000cc motor: the latter is also offered with an optional automatic transmission option. The KWID rides like a mature, much larger hatchback and this ups the comfort quotient by a good margin. Renault has been on their toes to launch limited edition versions and new trim levels every few months and this has kept the KWID fresh in the market. With 8 versions on sale today across a price difference of 2 lakh, this car manages to attract a wide set of buyers and remains our pick in the lower end of the Indian car industry. Icing on the cake comes in the form of the standard warranty that covers the car for 4 years or 1,00,000 km!

Pros:

• Multiple engine and transmission options
• Baby SUV looks go down well with buyers
• Segment leading ride quality
• Segment first features (rear arm-rest, touch-screen etc)

Cons:

• Small tank: only 28 litres
• Huge turning radius of 5m!
• No visual difference between base and top-end

Sales:
August: 5541
September: 5529
October: 6035

Latest Update: 2018 edition with added features

Best Cars Under Rs 10 lakh: Mid size hatchbacks

Name: Hyundai Santro
Price: Rs 4.44 lakh onwards onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: None

Hyundai entered the Indian car market twenty years back with the launch of the Santro. The model was taken off the production lines in 2014 but four years later, it makes a come back and how! The Santro got as many as 30,000 bookings in less than a month of its launch and is it already among the top 10 selling cars in India. Launched from Rs 3.8 lakh onwards, Hyundai aims to set their foot strongly in the small car market and also enjoy a first mover advantage in front of the upcoming all-new WagonR that will be launched in 2019. The new Santro is longer and wider than before and has a new design language that would appeal to a wider customer base. It isn’t as tall as before though and alloy wheels on top spec models are surely missing.

It gets an entirely new cabin that certainly doesnt belong to a small car. It not only offers segment best quality, but a practical no-nonsense cabin with features like a IGNIS lookalike speedometer console, large touch screen interface, retro-modern side air-con vents, rear vents et al. Space is a major highlight here and Hyundai clearly wants to keep their target audience’s families happy. The old 1.1-litre petrol motor makes a comeback but has been revised heavily for increased performance and far lower emission levels : the Santro also offers the most affordable four-cylinder engine in India. That said, it isn’t as efficient as some of the rivals. Available in five versions, Hyundai is also offering their first ever AMT gearbox here on two mid level versions fo Sportz and Magna. There is no doubt that till the new WagonR arrives, this is the car to buy under Rs 6 lakh and ticks all the right boxes for someone looking at a proper mid-size hatchback.

Pros:

• Best in class cabin design and quality
• Superior 4-cylinder is very smooth
• Good mix of ride and handling
• Segment leading features

Cons:

• Not as efficient as rivals
• Conservative styling not to everyone’s liking
• Expensive higher spec models
• Missing features (alloy wheels, DRLs, steering adjust, driver seat height adjust etc)

Sales:
October: 8535

Best Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh : Cross Hatchback

Name: Ford Freestyle
Price: Rs 5.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10K Cash Discount + Dealer End Insurance Benefit at Slight Lower Prices (November)

The cross-hatchback segment in India has multiple options. From the most affordable Celerio X to the top end Hyundai i20 Active. But if there is one car that comes across a great value package while being a true cross-hatch, it has to be the Freestyle. It is intact doing brisk business, selling about 2000 units each month. And why not? The Freestyle looks rugged, rides higher, has ample ground clearance of 190mm and even comes with usable roof rails that can support weight of upto 50 kgs – perfect for carrying cycles for example. On the inside, the Freestyle comes with spacious and a practical cabin though we aren’t a fan of the color theme. That said it scores high on storage areas, has great driver ergonomics and gets among the best touch screen interface for the price band.

The Freestyle comes with a pair of excellent engines. It gets the new 1.2 litre Dragon series engine that puts out impressive figures – 96 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque. No auto option but the 5-speed manual works well in terms of shift quality. The engine itself delivers ample poke and is a delight to drive fast without burning a hole in your pocket in terms of fuel economy. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.5 unit that is also seen in the EcoSport and Aspire and excels in terms of low end torque that is necessary for city driving. Infact, the Freestyle is one of the fastest diesel cars under Rs 8 lakh and given ample performance on tap, is good for your weekend drives too. Complementing the engine is the suspension set-up : this Ford loves being pushed around corners or a set of hills and yet can take you to off beat places.
Overall, for this price, the Freestyle remains a highly recommended cross-hatch in our opinion.

Pros:

• The rugged design works well
• Spacious and comfortable interiors
• Peppy petrol, smooth gear shifts
• Comfortable and yet agile in terms of handling

Cons:

• No auto yet
• Petrol engine nowhere as efficient as rivals

Sales
Aug: 2564
Sep: 2302
Oct: 1929

Best Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh: Premium hatchbacks

Name: Hyundai i20
Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash and Rs 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

A premium hatchback is supposed to offer more space, technologically advanced features, better looks and most importantly, a premium experience that comes from an upmarket cabin, a comfortable ride and classy design. The Elite i20, in our opinion, ticks all these boxes and justifies the word ‘Elite’ properly. Not that the Maruti Baleno isn’t good – but the i20 is just a bit better. Premium hatchbacks are mostly bought by those graduating up from a small car and they do expect a lot!

This is also Hyundai’s largest selling car and got a minor facelift in early 2018 and the top spec model with large alloy wheels does stand out. Step inside and you will continue to be impressed with the quality of materials, far better than that on the Maruti Baleno. And while both cars come feature loaded, the i20 ups the game by providing as many as six airbags, a slide adjustment for front arm-rest, cluster ioniser for the air-con and dual USB ports.

The i20 comes with a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel unit. The petrol offers good low end grunt for city runs though is not as rev happy as say the Baleno. We love the gear shifts from the manual ‘box though Hyundai also offers an optional CVT. The diesel unit is a gem, offering 90 bhp of power and 220Nm of torque. Mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, it is smooth, has low NVH levels (lower than Baleno and Jazz) and this combined with a mature ride quality makes the i20 diesel an excellent package. It may not be an enthusiast’s car but certainly is a recommended, stylish all-rounder.

Pros:

• Looks great, especially the top spec models
• High quality cabin with unique features
• Excellent diesel engine, is smooth too
• Hyundai’s proven after sales support

Cons:

• Still not an enthusiast’s tool
• Like the Baleno, this one too has limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 11475
September: 12380
October: 13290

Latest update: CVT option launched in May 2018

Best Cars Under Rs 10 lakh: Compact Sedans

Name: Maruti Dzire
Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 27.5 cash (special edition) and 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

Compact sedan is expected to be larger than your average hatchback and should feel like a big car. More features, a better ride, sense of safety, efficient and all this without give you headaches every few months during scheduled services. This is where Maruti knows the country very well and without any apprehensions, we can clearly say the Dzire is the best compact sedan around.

India’s largest selling sedan, it garners as many numbers as the next four ‘largest selling’ sedans combined together. This has been the most popular sedan from day one of its launch and the latest version has improved massively. It looks better, though still cant be termed as beautiful, has surprisingly good amount of cabin space and comes with an affordable sticker price. We are a fan of how the cabin looks with the black and beige theme, flat bottom steering, round dials and stand out, tab like central unit. The current Dzire is an all-rounder but remember, the sales figures include the commercial model, Tour, that is very popular with Ola and Ubers of the world. Even then, for private use, its a not a bad deal at all.
The Dzire gets two of the most trusted engines from Maruti’s family – the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre FIAT sourced diesel unit. Both the engines are known for their trouble free performance and Maruti offers optional AMT with both fuel types, a rare offering for the segment. Infact the top spec diesel automatic is a lot cheaper than its main rival, the Amaze diesel auto!
With the current generation Dzire, Maruti has also improved on the ride and handling parameter tremendously. The steering is light, car agile and yet at higher speeds, the Dzire remains composed. Maruti is even offering ABS and dual airbags as standard across the range. If you want a reliable sedan with space and comfort at this price, look no further.

Pros:

• Spacious, larger than average boot too
• Highest resale value in the segment
• Peppy petrol, torquey and efficient diesel
• Impressive features, auto in both petrol / diesel

Cons:

• Base L versions is feature stripped
• Rivals offer better warranty or lower running costs
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image

Sales
August: 21,990
September: 21,296
October: 17404

Last update: Special edition launched in Aug 2018

Best Cars Under 10 lakh: Compact SUVs

Name: Tata Nexon
Price: Rs 7.12 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of Rs 13000 + Rs 15K Exchange

Moving on from hatchbacks and sedans, you can even look at purchasing a SUV under Rs 10 lakh and there are quite a few options. But for us, the Nexon stands out. It is the safest SUV you can buy under Rs 10 lakh as per the latest crash test results and importantly, given the rising trend of automatics, offers the AMT with both petrol and diesel under the crucial 10 lakh mark, that too on-road price! That said, we agree, only the lower and mid level of the petrol and diesel models come under this price.

The Nexon itself looks big for a sub 4 meter vehicle, essential to massage to the owner’s ego. It also gets a very spacious cabin and Tata has worked hard to deliver the comfort factor. Drive this vehicle over bad roads and you will be impressed with its composure!
The petrol Nexon comes with a 1.2 litre turbo charged petrol motor that delivers 110 PS of power and is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox – these figures are on par with say the EcoSport petrol. The diesel unit is larger, being a 1.5 unit with 110 bhp on tap. Infact, in the compact SUV segment, the diesel Nexon is our pick. Whats more, its the only compact SUV to offer an optional AMT with both fuel types. Both the engines get driving modes and though aren’t very smooth, offers reasonably good performance for the heavy Nexon.
With the Nexon, you get to own a good looking large vehicle at a value based price. Tata has ironed out niggles and their cars now come with great after sales support too. The Nexon no doubt makes for a good purchase.

Pros:

• Looks nice for a compact sub 4m product
• Space on the inside, comfort levels
• Drives nice – the modes do work!
• Safe and solid product from Tata

Cons

• Petrol engine isn’t as refined
• Might not be as trouble free as the Breeza in the long run

Sales:
Aug: 4499
Sep: 4297
Oct: 4608

Latest update: Kraz edition launched in Sep 2018

Best Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh: Family MPV

Name: Maruti Ertiga (New)
Expected Price: Rs 7.2 lakh onwards

Maruti will be launching the all-new Ertiga on 21st November in Delhi. When we say all-new, we mean it as the new model not only looks entirely different, it is larger in dimensions and looks far better. The new Ertiga also gets an all-new cabin with new styling and more passenger space than ever before. The new Ertiga will get the same 1.5-litre petrol unit that we saw in the 2018 Ciaz, in addition to the good old 1.3 litre DDiS diesel motor. We will be driven the new Ertiga later this month and do watch this space for more details. But given how good the current Ertiga is, it goes without saying that new model will continue to be the best family MPV under Rs 10 lakh.

Pros / Cons: To be updated once we drive the vehicle

Sales: (old model)
August: 3515
September 3926
October: 1387

Best Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh: Mid-Size sedan

Name: Maruti Ciaz
Price: Rs 9.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 Corporate Discount, upto Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

The mid-size or C sedan market is a very difficult one for manufacturers. Not because of the sheer number of players but because it has two kinds of customers. First are those upgrading from a large hatchback and second are those who are ex-compact sedan owners. So expectations are really and under the important price barrier of Rs 10 lakh, the new Ciaz delivers a lot.

It is the largest selling car in its category and got a major facelift in August. The car wears a sleeker, more premium look and this is due to the new grille, tweaked lamps and LED set up for the lamps. The Ciaz is still the most spacious car in the segment and the new version gets additional kit in the form of faux wooden inserts on the fascia and the doors, cruise control and a new TFT screen in the speedometer console. This is only offered in the petrol line-up and gets new dials for the pods. Looks sporty!
The biggest change however is under the hood. The old 1.4 petrol has been replaced by the 1.5-litre K15B unit that not only offers larger displacement but churns out more power and higher torque. The icing on the cake comes in the form of better fuel economy than ever before, partially due to the Smart Hybrid tech, which is now being offered on the petrol Ciaz as well. The engine comes mated to a choice of transmission options, a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed Auto.
The engine is less powerful than the petrols offered by the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. This said, the real strength of the new motor is in the way it builds up speeds from lower engine speeds and this makes it a great city tool. In fact, in spite of the a 4-speed auto (as compared to 5 or 6 or CVT for rivals), the A/T Ciaz does not feel under-powered, nor does it run out of breath on open roads.
The new K15B engine also performs well when given the stick. While it will not be able to overshadow the Honda City 1.5 petrol or the Hyundai Verna 1.6 petrol, it will keep most owners happy, more so due to its frugal nature.
The Ciaz manages to play the pricing card rather well and with improvements across parameters, this new Maruti seems all set to remain the segment leader for months to come. Mind you, under this price (on-road) you can only pick the base Sigma or one up Delta but the latter does come feature loaded. This includes alloy wheels, cruise control, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, all four power windows, climate control (yes, auto a/c), front and rear arm-rests, ABS and dual airbags.

Pros:

• Unbeatable cabin space and comfort
• Minor updates make it look premium and sleek
• Segment leading fuel economy – new petrol is peppier
• Most feature loaded C sedan under Rs 10 lakh

Cons:

• Diesel motor is weak compared to City / Verna
• No automatic with diesel – surprise for the segment
• Missing feature – Sunroof, cooled seats, auto wipers etc
• Ingres / Egress plus limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 7002
September: 6246
October: 3892

Latest update: New Ciaz launched in August 2018

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

Toyota has just revealed the Fortuner TRD Sportivo 2. This essentially means that the sporty TRD makeover for the current-generation Fortuner SUV is in its second generation/version 2.0. There are a few key changes in the TRD Sportivo 2 kit.

The front bumper design has changed. The air dam is now wider and gets contrast red highlights. The fog lamp housings have also been redesigned. The front bumper and grille get brushed metal finish while the lower part of the grille dumps the blacked out finish for a body coloured paint scheme.

At the rear, the Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo 2 gets a new rear bumper, a new diffuser and brushed metal finish between the tail lamps. New 20 inch alloy wheels have been added to the kit. The roof and wing mirrors continue to get a contrast finish.

On the inside, the colour scheme of the previous TRD Sportivo kit is carried over with red higlights breaking the monotony of the black interiors and adding a hint of sportiness. As for mechanical changes, the suspension has received changes for sportier ride and handling.

Differences between the TRD 1 and 2 kits: On your left is the older TRD kit, and on your right is the latest TRD kit.

The engines remain unchanged though. The previous Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo was offered only with the 2.8 liter-4 cylinder GD turbocharged diesel engine, and the same is likely with the current version. Toyota is yet to announce a launch timeline for the Sportivo 2 version of the Fortuner in India, and neither do we have any clues into the potential pricing.

India’s best selling luxury SUV, the Toyota Fortuner finds about 2,000 homes every month on an average. To put things into perspective, these sales numbers are higher than those clocked by the likes of the Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Hexa. And the Fortuner is at least Rs. 10 lakhs pricier.

The main reasons why the Toyota Fortuner is so popular in India has to do with the SUV’s bomb proof reliability, macho image and low maintenance costs. Resale value is terrific and most Toyota dealers are doing a great job at after sales service.

All these factors are coming together to give the Fortuner an edge at the marketplace, and for nearly 8 years, the SUV has been on top of sales charts across generations.

Via HeadlightMag

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

The E30 3 series was the second-generation of the BMW luxury sedan to hit the streets and was offered with a bevvy of four and six-cylinder engines. And while many have done crazy engine swaps with different E30 models including the M3, none are crazier than this one by a group of Russian mechanics who swapped the German engine for one used by the MIG-23 fighter jet.

However, the engine used by the BMW is not the Tumansky R29 rated at 123 kN used by the MIG-23 jet to propel itself to insane speeds. Instead, the engine is the Auxiliary Power Unit used to start up the massive Tumansky jet.

The auxiliary power unit of the engine measures in at 80cm in length and 25cm in diameter and weighs in at 80 kilograms. The engine’s power output isn’t that great at just 84 Hp but apparently kicks out 400 Nm of torque, which is rather impressive.

The Russian engineers seem to be having a hell of a time with the engine, and the little monster does seem to respond rather brilliantly as it shoots out flames like crazy when started up all the while sucking massive amounts of air into its tiny turbine, which creates an insane noise whenever the sedan is on the move.

The Russian engineers behind the crazy jet engine swap then decide to test out the top speed of the insane BMW E30 3 Series. They send it through the roads near their workshop on a top speed run and achieve the astounding top speed of 87 km/h. Disappointing though the top speed maybe it just shows the insane amount of torque the tiny jet engine sends to the wheels of the BMW.

Despite the disappointing top speed achieved by the E30 BMW, the Russians decided to celebrate their achievement by doing a burnout for over 3 minutes that how the fine art of smoking a tyre can be. While this BMW E30 3 Series, may not be the fastest engine swapped car around in the world but you have to admit that this is the craziest car that you would to add to your dream garage.

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

If you are in the market looking for a new car and have a healthy budget of Rs 10 lakh in terms of on-road price, be ready for a long list of options! From hatchbacks to compact sedans and even sub 4 meter SUVs, there is no limitation in terms of sheer variety available. Even some of the mid-size sedans are available in this price bracket post the discounts. However do note that only base or lower trim levels will come under Rs 10 lakh, on-road price.

In terms of fuel choices, you can pick from petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG and even an electric option from the house of Mahindra. Both manual and automatic transmissions options are available and for adventure seekers, the Gypsy and Thar have the answers to their off-road needs.

Please note that we have not included cars with extremely poor sales – these include the Mahindra Verito Vibe, Fiat Linea, Nissan Sunny, ICML Rhino and the Tata Nano. Likewise we have left our MPVs like Maruti Omni, Maruti Eeco and Mahindra Supro as these are mainly geared towards commercial segment and rural markets.

1) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Alto 800

Price: Rs 2.87 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: Upto Rs 30,000 cash, upto Rs 30000 exchange bonus (November)

Launched in 2000 as the replacement for the good old Maruti 800, the Alto is India’s most affordable car (Tata Nano’s production has been halted) and the largest selling car in small towns and rural markets. Maruti has sold 35 lakh (yes, 35,00,000) Altos since then in the Indian car market. There is no denying the fact that the Alto 800 is a car for the masses! Bullet proof reliability, low running costs and ease of driving is that the little Alto offers. Powered by a 800cc engine and mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Alto 800 offers surprisingly brisk performance for city runs. Maruti also offers a company fitted CNG kit for even lower running costs – nothing beats this combination.
The cabin, though not as spacious as the Nano, offers a clean design with durable materials. Higher spec models offer integrated audio system, front power windows, keyless entry and a driver side airbag is optional across all trim levels. You can even personalise the car with accessories online and get the same delivered via your nearest showroom.
At this price, the Alto 800 offers an unbeatable package. Its long in the tooth but is still winning thousands of hearts across India each month.

Pros: 

• Value for money, factory fitted CNG option
• Driver airbag optional across all versions
• Light controls make it easy to drive
• Efficient and cheap maintenance cost

Cons:

• Not a good highway companion
• Not as spacious as say the Nano or redi-GO
• Average road presence

Sales (not available as figures are clubbed with Alto K10)

Latest update: Alto Utsav edition launched in October 2017

2) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Datsun redi-GO

Price: Rs 2.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts:1st Year Insurance + 1 Gram Gold Coin (800 cc) / 2 Gram Gold Coin (1 Litre) + Rs 10K Exchange Benefits + 3 Year Road Side Assistance (November)

India’s most affordable automatic car comes from Datsun and is available in two versions of T(O) and S. At an on road price of under Rs 4.3 lakh (considering the discounts), the redi-GO AMT offers shattering value for money considering the features it comes equipped this. This includes power steering, air-con with heater, drive computer, audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, driver side airbag, front power windows, keyless entry etc.

The redi-GO looks pretty nice for a small car and with generous dimensions, manages to stand out in the crowd of hatchbacks on the road. It even gets slim DRLs or day time running lights up front! You can also pick the limited edition that comes with sportier sticker work, black n red theme for wheel caps and other panels, a roof wrap and black-red inserts on the inside as well! While the manual version comes with both 800cc and 1000cc engines, the AMT gets the latter. Its good for 68 PS of power and 91 Nm of torque and has a rated fuel economy of 22.5 kmpl. We like the way this AMT set-up works and this combined with a light steering and high seating makes this a very sorted urban car. It gets a creep function which allows the car to move ahead by releasing the brake – very useful for slow moving traffic. As expected, you can also take over the automated shifts by shifting the lever to the left while in D mode.

On the inside, the redi-GO gets an all black color theme that is broken well by silver inserts at places. Practical points include open space above the glove box, under the air-con and multiple cup holders. That said, all four doors do not offer any storage space at all. However Datsun claims the redi-GO has the roomiest interiors for the segment. Overall, the redi-GO is a very good automatic urban car that can handle the occasional highway duties too.

Pros:

• Most affordable automatic
• Modern interiors
• Easy urban car (tall seating, good visibility, light steering)
• Peppy and fuel efficient

Cons:

• High speed manners
• Interior fit and finish
• Limited network, poor resale value
• Cost cutting evident (single front wiper, non retractable belts)

Sales:
Aug: 1674
Sep: 1658
October: 1151

Latest update: Limited edition model launched in Sep 2018

3) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Renault KWID

Price: Rs 3.02 onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 50% Off on 1st Year Insurance + Rs 15000 Exchange Bonus + 4 Year Warranty on Select Model (November)

Launched in September 2015, the KWID has been Renault’s largest selling car in India for several years. SUV inspired design has gone down well with buyers and the car looks upmarket, from a higher segment. There is even a funkier looking version, the CLIMBER. The cabin too excels over rivals when it comes to a premium feel, ditto for class leading features like a touch-screen infotainment interface, full LCD speedometer console, rear arm-rest, rotary knob for gear selector (AMT version) et al. Though the rotary knob does away with a gear lever and hence frees up space, you cannot shift gears manually unlike other AMT cars.

Renault offers the KWID with a choice of two engine options. These include a 800cc and a larger 1000cc motor: the latter is also offered with an optional automatic transmission option. The KWID rides like a mature, much larger hatchback and this ups the comfort quotient by a good margin. Renault has been on their toes to launch limited edition versions and new trim levels every few months and this has kept the KWID fresh in the market. With 8 versions on sale today across a price difference of 2 lakh, this car manages to attract a wide set of buyers and remains our pick in the lower end of the Indian car industry.

Pros:

• Multiple engine and transmission options
• Baby SUV looks go down well with buyers
• Segment leading ride quality
• Segment first features (rear arm-rest, touch-screen etc)

Cons:

• Small tank: only 28 litres
• Huge turning radius of 5m!
• No visual difference between base and top-end
• Lowering market demand = poor re-sale

Sales:
August: 5541
September: 5529
October: 6035

Latest Update: 2018 edition with added features 


4)Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Datsun Go

Price: Rs 3.68 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Current Offers: None

Datsun recently rolled out a heavily revised version of the Go hatchback with improvements done across all parameters. The car indeed has improved massively and retails for less as compared to the outgoing model. This includes dual airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors being standard across all versions – a segment first. The Datsun Go looks much better on the outside with revisions done to both bumpers, new DRLs and inclusion of larger alloy wheels.

And there are even more changes on the inside – the entire cabin is redesigned and looks nice for a Rs 4-5 lakh car. The hand brake lever is back to its conventional position, cabin quality has improved massively, you get a proper glove box with a lid and feature list has improved. Higher trims also get a segment leading touch screen interface that sounds good and works well to inputs. Space up front is nice though at the back, cars like the Santro fare better.
We like the way the Go drives and the reason for this is the 1198cc engine : this is bigger than all other rivals in the price band and similar in capacity to the Tata Tiago. Sadly, no optional AMT is offered and the engine is about 15-20% less efficient than other cars.

The Go also feels slightly better on the move in terms of ‘solidness’ and Datsun claims they have worked on the structure too. The Go comes with a 5 year warranty set-up and 2 years of ’Datsun Care‘ comprehensive all-inclusive car service package that offers peace of mind to customers.

Pros:

• Looks great for a small car
• Feature on offer : dual airbags, ABS standard
• Powerful engine
• Revised cabin looks upmarket

Cons:

• High speed manners
• Engine gets rough / vibey at higher revs
• Limited network, brand appeal
• Not as efficient as rivals, no auto option

Sales:
August 2018: 490
September 2018: 597
October 2018: 857

Latest update: Launch of new Go model in September 2018

5) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Alto K10

Price: Rs 3.71 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 20,000 cash and upto Rs 35,000 exchange bonus (November)

Maruti’s most affordable automatic car is the Alto K10. This current generation K10 got a major facelift in 2014 and even four years down the line, looks fresh and appealing for this price. Not as tall as the KWID or the redi-GO, but in smaller towns, the K10 is quite popular. The AMT version gets the same 1.0-litre three cylinder engine as the MT one. This one puts out 67 PS of power and 90 Nm of torque, more or less similar to that of the other two cars in the same price band. However, it feels a tad smoother at idle and on the move. The AMT too seems to have been calibrated better here in the K10, making it perform the best here. Fuel economy too is similar to the other cars.

The cabin of the Alto K10 is a weak point. It isn’t as modern as the rivals and the AMT gear lever takes up a lot of space which means this version comes without cup holders up front – storage space is lacking here.

In terms of space, the Alto K10 cannot match up to the rivals either. Likewise, the AMT is available in one version only and this comes without features like front fog lamps, keyless entry, body coloured outside mirrors and even side moulding. ABS too is missing. This is one area where the rivals score higher points. The only point going in favour of the Alto K10 is Maruti’s widespread network and long term peace of mind factor.

Pros:

• Peppy and efficient
• Peace of mind, resale value
• AMT works better than rivals
• Best high speed manners here

Cons:

• Cabin design is outdated
• No storage space due to AMT lever console
• Limited cabin design
• Missing features (fog lamps, keyless entry etc)

Sales : Alto K10 (not available separately, is always combined with Alto 800)

Latest update: Alto K10 Plus launched in March 2017

6) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Hyundai Eon

Price: Rs 3.71 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: Rs 45K Cash + 10K Exchange Bonus (November)

A flat cash discount of 45,000 makes the Eon an irresistible purchase in the segment. It continues to look cute and charming in a way with the angular bumper, huge headlamps and even roof rails! The cabin design is still one of the best in the price band. Well laid out with high quality materials, the dual tone theme is broken well with the massive central console with silver inserts. That said, space is not in the league of other spacious small cars like the redi-GO but has practical touches like ample storage spaces, generous front door pads, open space above the dashboard and even a 15.75cm touchscreen interface with phone link. It even features a tilt adjustable steering which its expensive sibling, the Santro does not.

The Eon comes with both 800cc and 1000cc engine options. The latter is recommended as it provides ample performance to match the big car feel of the Eon and even fuel economy is satisfactory. Hyundai also offers a factory fitted LPG option, a rare find in this segment of cars. Sadly, unlike rivals, Hyundai is not offering an optional automatic with this car and even the driver informational display is basic. The ride quality is impressive and the car feels like a much larger hatchback on the move. No agile handler this but does the job of a small family car. Light steering, easy clutch and good visibility works well. 
Hyundai is also offering 3 years of warranty (for 1,00,000km) along with 3 years of roadside assistance. However, with rivals getting better, the Eon is finding it hard to get private buyers in place.

Pros:

• Looks great even 7 years of launch
• Modern interiors, well laid out
• Comfortable ride quality
• Unique LPG option

Cons:

• No automatic option
• Limited passenger space inside
• Low demand means poor resale value
• Missing features: driver info display, alloy wheels, dual airbags, ABS

Sales:
August: 3916
September: 5309
October: 5

Latest update: Sports edition launched in April 2017

7) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Hyundai Santro

Price: Rs 4.44 lakh onwards onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: None

The Santro brand name has made a come back after four years. This time around, its an all-new product and has almost no resemblance with the model that was discontinued in 2014. Launched from Rs 3.8 lakh onwards, Hyundai aims to set their foot strongly in the small car market and also enjoy a first mover advantage in front of the upcoming all-new WagonR. The new Santro is longer and wider than before and has a new design language that would appeal to a wider customer base. It isn’t as tall as before though. It gets an entirely new cabin that certainly doesnt belong to a small car. It not only offers segment best quality, but a practical no-nonsense cabin with features like a IGNIS lookalike speedometer console, large touch screen interface, retro-modern side air-con vents, rear vents et al.
Space is a major highlight here and Hyundai clearly wants to keep their target audience’s families happy. The old 1.1-litre petrol motor makes a comeback but has been revised heavily for increased performance and far lower emission levels : the Santro also offers the most affordable four-cylinder engine in India. Available in five versions, Hyundai is also offering their first ever AMT gearbox here on two mid level versions fo Sportz and Magna. There is no doubt that till the new WagonR arrives, this is the car to buy under Rs 5 lakh.

Pros:

• Best in class cabin design and quality
• Superior 4-cylinder is very smooth
• Good mix of ride and handling
• Segment leading features

Cons:

• Not as efficient as rivals
• Conservative styling not to everyone’s liking
• Expensive higher spec models
• Missing features (alloy wheels, DRLs, steering adjust, driver seat height adjust etc)

Sales:
October: 8535

8) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Tata Tiago

Price: Rs 3.79 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 1st Year Insurance @ Rs 7400 + Rs 10K Exchange (November)

The Tiago makes up for almost 50% of the total passenger car sales for Tata Motors. Priced just above small entry level hatchbacks, the Tiago offers you more bang for your buck than any other similarly priced model. And we aren’t just talking about the design that looks upmarket but the interiors that would look at home on a Rs 6 lakh hatchback! Available in no less than 12 versions, 2 engine and 2 transmission options, the Tiago comes feature packed including multiple safety aids.

And then there is supple ride quality that betters most rivals. Drive this car over bad city roads and you will come back with a smile on your face. It also scores over others in terms top notch driving dynamics, good city handling and excellent brakes. The 1.05 diesel and 1.2 petrol engines put out more than ample performance for the segment, while delivering excellent fuel economy figures. If you have the budget, take a look at the JPT version that puts out 33% more power and higher torque and is the only car under Rs 10 lakh to have a proper blow off valve sound from its turbo petrol motor. It also gets revised styling with new bumpers, larger alloy wheels and even functional twin tail pipes and hood air-intake. Definitely one of the most fun to drive cars in the price segment given that the suspension too is tuned to deliver better handling.

Pros:

• Interior design and quality
• Ride and handling package
• No of variants on offer
• Powerful and efficient engine options

Cons:

• Petrol engine not as smooth as rivals
• Tata’s small cars are known for long term niggles
• Rear headroom isn’t impressive
• Rivals have better resale value

Sales:
August: 9277
September: 8377
October: 7549

Latest update: Tata Motors launched the performance oriented JTP version of the Tiago at Rs 6.39 lakh

9) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti WagonR

Price: Rs 4.63 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 40,000 cash and upto Rs 30,000 exchange bonus

One of the oldest brand names on sale in the segment is still enjoying massive popularity. The tall boy WagonR is the second largest selling car under Rs 5 lakh in India and though the all-new model is due for a launch next year, the current one continues to sell well, thanks to massive discounts and popularity in the fleet segment. The design has aged well and frankly, this is not a good looking hatchback. The top end model (earlier known as StingRay) does look far better with a bolder stance, projector lamps, gunmetal grey alloy wheels and a little body kit.

The car surely is practical and this is evident the moment you step inside the car. Not only is Ingress and egress good, you get a feeling of space. Dashboard design is not beginning to feel a bit old but the new limited edition brings in a fresh air. Stylish seat covers, styling kit with wooden finish and a double DIN audio system do help a bit. 
Comfort is good if not excellent though the car lacks features like a digital display for speedometer console, touchscreen interface or rear air-con vents. The WagonR gets a 1.0-litre petrol unit with both MT and AMT options along with a factory fitted CNG kit – this makes it very popular in the commercial segment. The engine itself is peppy, efficient and reliable. However, if you are in the market for a car in this segment, either look at the Santro or wait for the all-new Wagon R due in early 2019.

Pros:

• 
Value for money
• Factory fitted CNG, AMT option
• Fuss free and easy to drive
• Proven product, reliable in the long run

Cons:

• All-new model is due early next year
• Lacks features that rivals offer
• Design is certainly not attractive anymore
• Interiors now feel dated for the price

Sales:
August: 13658
September: 13252
Wagon R: 10655

Latest update: Limited edition launched in October 2018

10) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Celerio

Price: Rs 4.66 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 35,000 cash, upto Rs 30000 exchange bonus (November)

And finally the Celerio, the fourth Maruti in this list. Priced similar to the WagonR, it offers a slightly better cabin, a more comfortable ride quality and even a cross version called the ‘Celerio X’! Not many know but this car is way more efficient than similarly priced cars like the new Hyundai Santro and Datsun Go / Go Plus. It uses the tried and tested 1000cc K10B motor that also powers the Alto K10 and WagonR. This hatchback is sold in both manual and automatic gearbox options with safety features like dual airbags and ABS in the higher versions. It even gets a steering height adjust which more expensive cars like the Santro lack! 
We like the way the Celerio looks : it has aged well and continues to sell in great numbers. The drive is easy and thanks to a lower height, centre of gravity is lower which in turn makes this stable in terms of handling. A total of 12 different versions are on offer including two powered by factory fitted CNG kits.

Pros:

• Well packaged cabin : good space and practical
• Maruti’s excellent network and peace of mind
• Higher discounts and offers in the market
• Features on offer : alloy wheels, dual airbags, steering adjust etc

Cons:

• Pricier than other options here
• Brand image : lot of Celerios on road with a commercial plate

Sales
August: 9503
September: 9208
Celerio: 9260

Latest update: Celerio H2 Tour launched in Feb 2018

11) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Ignis

Price: Rs 5.21 lakh onwards (on-road without discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash, upto Rs 25,000 exchange bonus (November)

The Ignis is the most unconventional hatchback in India. It was purposely designed to have a different character and that has gone down well with those looking at exclusivity. The wide grille, protruding wheel arches, a large C pillar and an old school rear design brings in a new trend into the segment. The Ignis can also pass off as a small cross over! The cabin is definitely a highlight, being modern with its design and features on offer. It also gets body coloured elements on the inside to up the bling quotient. No shortcomings here, save for the limited shoulder room at the back. Infact, given the small external dimensions, you will be amazed with the space on offer for four adults.

Geared towards the millennials, the Ignis got off to a good start but with passing time, sales have fallen drastically. Save for the Gypsy, it is the lowest selling Maruti model in India now and also the most affordable Nexa offering. The diesel version was discontinued in mid-2017. Make no mistake, its a great (and fun) hatchback to drive and offers a host of personalisation options at the dealer level. It is the lightest Maruti car to use the 1.2-litre petrol motor and this means performance is terrific. It also gets an optional AMT ‘box across the top three versions which makes this a very good urban car. Add in the ever increasing offers and the Ignis turns into a recommended buy for the young at heart. Even our Senior Editor Bunny has one in his garage of cars and swears by it!

Pros:

• Unique design
• Personalisation kits on offer
• 1.2 petrol is peppy and very efficient
• Modern interiors, features

Cons:

• Unconventional design
• Poor resale value
• Rear shoulder space

Sales
Aug: 3043
September: 2648
October: 2253

Latest update: Limited edition launched in Sep 2018

12) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Honda Brio

Price: Rs 5.24 lakh onwards (on-road without discounts)
Discounts: 1st year insurance free (November)

One of the lowest selling hatchbacks in India is the Brio and its a shame. A few years back, this was a great little package but Honda hasn’t done much to update it. The Amaze for example has been updated over the years and is a hot seller but the Brio has been a neglected child. Its still a hoot to drive for enthusiasts but lacks in every other department including the design. For the asking price, it looks small, comes with average interiors, lacks features and cabin space. No touch screen interface, no safety on base model, no rear air-con vents, tiny boot and the list goes on. No wonder, Honda sold only 64 units in September 2018.
If you are in the market for a Rs 5-6 lakh hatchback, its best to ignore the Brio. It does offer a proper automatic though but even thats way expensive at Rs 7.66 on-road. Tip: look for cheap used examples in the market and pick one you want affordable thrills!

Pros:

• Is fun to drive
• Comfortable ride and yet agile
• 1.2-litre petrol engine loves being revved
• One of the few small cars to offer a proper auto (not AMT)

Cons:

• Essential features missing
• Cabin space is tight
• Poor resale value
• Expensive for the size

Sales:

August: 157
September: 64
October: 27

13) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra KUV1OO

Price: Rs 5.29 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 43,000 cash / Upto Rs 29,000 exchange bonus (November)

Mahindra’s most affordable passenger car (no, the Supro doesn’t cut it for us) comes in the form of KUV, a hatchback on steroids. Truth be told – the KUV is not a SUV, not even close. Mahindra has tried hard to market it as one but its more like a cross or grown up hatchback. Its wide, widest than all other cars and by a good 45mm as compared to say the similarly priced Grand i10. Likewise, its 135mm taller than cars like the Baleno but surprisingly Mahindra designers cramped it into a length of just 3700mm, making it smaller in length than cheaper cars like the Celerio. Weird dimensions aside, the KUV’s design is clearly LOUD, busy and overdone. But believe it or not, it works in smaller cities and B-towns. 
Mahindra gave the KUV a major update with the NXT model line-up that introduced larger wheels (15-inch) and few cosmetic updates that made it look much better in flesh.

One of the USPs of the KUV is the space on offer. Getting in and out is easy, there is ample space for five well build adults and this is one of the most practical cars in the segment with multiple (and clever) places to keep your knick-knacks. Mahindra is known to make large diesel engines for SUVs / MPVs and their first attempt at small capacity engines paid off well. Both the 1.2-litre units, petrol and diesel, have ample poke for daily use. The NXT version also brought in added features and given the massive discounts (flat 43k cash in November 2018), the KUV does make for an appealing buy. Just don’t expect it to follow SUVs into the wilderness!

Pros: 

1. Large size can massage owner’s ego
2. Surprisingly smooth engines – superb NVH
3. Offers a good ride

Cons:

1. Lower versions look awkward (no alloys for example)
2. Engines aren’t as efficient
3. Poor resale value
4. Brand appeal in front other cars in the same price

Sales:

August: 1173
September: 1171
October: 1244

14) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Hyundai Grand i10

Price: Rs 5.45 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 50,000 cash and Rs 20,000 exchange bonus (November)

One of the most value packed cars in the segment is the Grand i10. Thanks to huge discounts, the Grand i10 is hard to resist and no wonder then, it is the second largest selling Hyundai offering. The Grand i10 is not a stunning looking car but still very pleasing to the eyes thanks to diamond cut alloy wheels, front LED day-time running lights and even working front air curtains inside the bumper! But the cabin is what keeps us smiling : upmarket feel, dual tone theme and very practical. Ergonomically, the Grand i10 is a great car and major credit for this goes to the slightly front mounted gear lever that makes city driving an easy affair. As expected, Grand i10 gets steering control, including for voice commands, a 17.64cm screen with multiple connectivities, smart keyless with push button start, rear air-con vents and even climate control. There is good space for five adults though boot space is average at 256 litre.
Powering the Grand i10 are a pair of 1.2-litre engines in two fuel types of petrol and diesel. While the petrol is a 4 cylinder set-up, the same that powers the Xcent and i20, the diesel is a 3 cylinder unit but surprisingly very smooth and vibration free. The Grand also gets a proper auto ‘box (not an AMT) and performance is good. Overall, the Grand i10, given the discounts, is very good value for money in the segment. Hyundai also offers a dedicated low cost model for the commercial segment.

Pros:

• Interiors are upmarket and look good
• Excellent feature list (rear air-con vents, rear camera, push button start)
• Peppy petrol and smooth diesel
• Dual airbags and ABS standard across the range

Cons:

• Expensive automatic
• Rivals have a better diesel unit
• Not exciting to drive (Swift is better)

Sales:
August: 11,489
September: 11,224
October: 11,820

Latest update: Safety features made standard in September 2018

15) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Swift

Price: Rs 5.55 lakh (onroad, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 20,000 cash / Upto Rs 25,000 exchange bonus (November)

India’s largest selling hatchback now is the Swift! Believe it or not but the all-new model has improved massively, thus translating into higher sales than ever before. The new Swift looks much better now and the lower, wider stance surely makes it look oh so sporty. Step inside and there is a sea of change in the design and quality parameter. We love the flat bottom steering and round dials for air-con controls and charging / USB outlets. The all black theme works well and the new Swift improves massively on the space front. Higher versions come with technologically advanced features like smart keyless with start-stop button, SmaryPlay infotainment and even LED front and rear lights. The new Swift offers slightly more passenger room though boot, at 268 litres, remains one of the smallest in the segment.

The new Swift gets a new, lighter platform and the reason why both performance and fuel economy have improved over the earlier version. The petrol engine has a certified economy of 22 kmpl while the diesel comes with a rated figure of 28.4 kmpl! AMT (automatic) is available with both petrol and diesel engine options and even the base versions come with dual Airbags and ABS as standard. Both the engines offer excellent performance and the diesel motor now has minimal turbo lag and a flatter torque curve. Given the lower weight, the Swift is one of the quickest accelerating cars in the price band.

Pros:

• New design is better, Swift looks sportier now
• More space on the inside, base Lxi gets dual airbags
• Lighter architecture means better performance and economy
• High resale value and fun to drive

Cons

• Still not as spacious as rivals like the Grand i10
• Ride quality isn’t very comfortable over broken roads

Sales
Aug: 19115
September: 22228
October: 17215

Latest update: AMT versions launched in top-spec trim

16) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Nissan Micra

Price: Rs 5.57 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Cash Benefits up to ₹34 500/-, Interest rate at 7.99%, Insurance of ₹20 000/- @₹1/-, Assured 3g Gold Coin (November)

Before we start, do remember that the Micra is offered in two versions of Active (older) and the revised new version. The Active version looks dated and comes in only two versions of XL and XV. Given the massive discounts that add up, you can buy the XV version for just under Rs 6 lakh. This one comes with dual Airbags, a 6.2 inch touch screen interface, ABS, rear sensors etc. That said, the interiors cannot match upto to modern day rivals in terms of design, space or features – no climate control, no smart keyless entry with start-stop, no rear vents etc.

If you have a higher budget, the current gen Micra petrol is the one to opt for – this one got a major facelift a few years back and looks aesthetically better. It only comes with a CVT automatic option with the petrol motor and this is indeed a superior unit as compared to the AMT / AGS transmissions of rivals. It also gets more features than the Active version with a better looking dashboard. 
The Micra continues to get the tried and tested 1.2-litre 3 cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox for the Active or a CVT for the regular model. The diesel unit, only offered on the new Micra (not Active) is the tried and tested 1.5 dCi engine that also does duty in cars like the Duster, Captur, Lodgy, Terrano, Sunny etc, though in different states of tune! The Micra also offers a good ride without compromising on stability or highway manners. 
Overall though, given its low demand, sober design and dated cabin, you can stay away from this model as rivals are much better in almost all parameters.

Pros:

• Sorted chassis – good mix of ride and handling
• Reliable and peppy 1.2-litre petrol
• Reliable and torquey 1.5-litre diesel

Cons

• Rivals offer better engines in terms of performance / economy
• Limited cabin room for the segment
• Sober design, dated interiors
• Poor resale value

Sales:
Aug: 302
Sep: 232
Oct: 249

17) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Tata Bolt

Price: Rs 5.58 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

The Bolt was launched with much fanfare and came across as a promising mid-size hatchback. However, with the Tiago now in the Tata Motors’ family, popularity of the more expensive Bolt has come down and sales are at an all time low now. That said, it looks large for the price and offers a very spacious cabin. The interiors were designed from scratch for the Bolt and still look nice. However, it lacks practicality – single cup holder up front, narrow door pads etc. That said, seats are very comfortable and the segment first climate control do keep you happy. Even the audio quality is terrific!

The Bolt comes with an option of two engines – the petrol is the same 1.2 litre Revotron that we see in the Tiago, Tigor and Nexon. In the Bolt it comes with a turbocharger and puts out 90PS of power and ends up offering excellent performance. No AMT on option but we love the way the petrol Bolt drives. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.3 unit that delivers 75 PS of power. 
The Bolt also drives well in terms of ride and handling. Minimal body rolls and excellent highway manners. All said and done, poor resale, lack of essential features and poor ergonomics put it off the list of prospective buyers. For this price, buyers today have a lot of good options in the market.

Pros

• Good ride and handing
• Pair of great engines
• Very spacious interiors
• Looks substantial for the price

Cons

• Lack of essential features
• No AMT offered
• Poor resale value

Sales:
August: 127
Sep: 218
Oct: 137

18) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Tata Tigor

Price: Rs 5.75 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of  Rs 6899 + Rs 20K Exchange (November)

Slightly more expensive than the Bolt is its sedan sibling, the Tigor. This is also the most affordable compact sedan in India. Available in both petrol and diesel engine options, it is also the only one that comes in a performance variant, the JTP avatar. Tata recently updated the Tigor with minor changes and called it the new 2018 version.
It does look smart up front and Tata has done well to give it a flowing back end design, something that most other compact sedans cannot manage. Space on the inside, being a Tata product, is generous and this compact sedan offers 419 litre of boot space, as much as larger and more expensive sedans.
The petrol Tigor comes in two stats of tune – the normal 84 bhp versions and the turbo charged 112 bhp model. The 5-speed manual transmission remains common though ratios are revised in the latter and if you can stretch your budget just a bit, we highly recommend this version! Called the JTP Tigor, it comes with revised sporty bumpers, larger alloy wheels, lowered suspension and sportier interior trim. And it drives as fast as a Rs 10-12 lakh Honda City! The diesel Tigor gets a 1.05-litre turbo diesel unit belting out 69 horses. Though it is very efficient, like the 3 cylinder petrol, this one too exhibits unwanted vibes and roughness associated with such a set-up.
Where the Tigor does excel is in the ride and handling department. It does manage to absorb bad roads rather well and scores high on comfort. Tata Motors is very confident of the product and at this price, we couldn’t have asked for more!

Pros

• Value tag
• Fuel efficient diesel, peppy JTP petrol
• Features at this price point – dual airbags standard
• Looks great in our opinion

Cons

• 3-cylinder engines aren’t as smooth
• Tata’s after sales service cannot match Maruti and Hyundai
• Not as spacious (at the back) as Amaze / Dzire
• Only 2 years warranty (rivals offer 3 or 5 standard)

Sales
August: 1646
September: 1843
October: 2927

Last update: Launch of Tigor JTP

19) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Ford Freestyle

Price: Rs 5.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10K Cash Discount + Dealer End Insurance Benefit at Slight Lower Prices (November)

Ford’s cross-over hatch is doing brisk business with an average of over 2000 units on a monthly basis and the main reason is its value packaging. For example, even the base petrol/diesel models come with air-con, power steering, ABS, dual airbags, keyless entry and front power windows! The Freestyle also looks great with sculpted bumpers, raised height and body cladding all around. The same can said for the interiors too where quality and comfort remain high though we aren’t a fan of the color combination for the dual tone theme. The Freestyle is also a practical car with lot of storage areas and good driver ergonomics and has among the best touch screen interface for the price band.

The Freestyle comes with a pair of excellent engines. It gets the new 1.2 litre Dragon series engine that puts out impressive figures – 96 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque. No auto option but the 5-speed manual works well in terms of shift quality. The engine itself delivers ample poke and is a delight to drive fast without burning a hole in your pocket in terms of fuel economy. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.5 unit that is also seen in the EcoSport and Aspire and excels in terms of low end torque that is necessary for city driving. Infact, the Freestyle is one of the fastest diesel cars under Rs 8 lakh! Complementing the engine is the suspension set-up : this Ford loves being pushed around corners or a set of hills. 
Overall, for this price, the Freestyle remains a highly recommended car in our opinion.

Pros:

• The rugged design works well
• Spacious and comfortable interiors
• Peppy petrol, smooth gear shifts
• Comfortable and yet agile in terms of handling

Cons:

• 
No auto yet
• Petrol engine nowhere as efficient as rivals

Sales
Aug: 2564
Sep: 2302
Oct: 1929

20) Cars under 10 lakh: Maruti Baleno

Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 cash, Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

Among India’s top 5 selling cars and also the largest selling Nexa model, the Baleno has been a runaway success for Maruti. Competing in the premium hatchback segment, the Baleno outsells the i20 and Jazz combined together. While the design is still subjective, where the Baleno scores top marks is inside the cabin. Passenger space is surprisingly very good and it even gets the second largest boot space for any hatch in India. The Baleno comes loaded with all features possible at this price – segment unique TFT speedometer display and steering adjustment for both reach and height for example. However cabin quality isn’t as good as the Hyundai i20’s.

The Baleno comes with both a 1.2-lite petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel unit – both these engines are seen on the Swift and Dzire in similar states of tune. While the diesel gets a manual only, the petrol is offered with both a manual and a CVT auto option. The latter performs far better as compared to the popular AGS / AMT transmissions. Great engine performance aside, we like the way the Baleno rides over city roads, offering an excellent ride quality. High speed manners are mature and for performance seekers, there is also a RS variant with a turbo-charged petrol engine and slightly better aesthetics thanks a small body kit. 
In a nutshell, if you are in the market for a Rs 6-8 lakh car and do not like the idea of a compact sedan, the Baleno should be your pick.

Pros

• Excellent ride and handing
• CVT-Petrol works very well. Diesel is peppy (though noisy)
• Feature loaded – we loved the TFT screen for example
• Surprisingly very spacious for 5 adults and luggage

Cons:

• Exterior design is subjective and not to everyone’s liking
• Cabin looks nice but quality isn’t on par with the Hyundai i20
• Pan India reach is limited due to Nexa network
• Though very spacious, rear headroom is limited

Sales
August: 17,713
September: 18,631
October: 18,657

Latest update: Limited edition launched in September 2018

21) Cars under 10 lakh: Hyundai i20

Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash and Rs 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

Hyundai’s largest selling car in India is the Elite i20. True to its name, this is a perfect example of a premium hatchback, one that looks appealing in design and offers upmarket, high quality interiors. The Elite i20 got a minor facelift in early 2018 and the top spec model with large alloy wheels does stand out. Step inside and you will continue to be impressed with the quality of materials, far better than that on the Maruti Baleno. And while both cars come feature loaded, the i20 ups the game by providing as many as six airbags, a slide adjustment for front arm-rest, cluster ioniser for the air-con and dual USB ports.

The i20 comes with a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel unit. The petrol offers good low end grunt for city runs though is not as rev happy as say the Baleno. We love the gear shifts from the manual ‘box though Hyundai also offers an optional CVT. The diesel unit is a gem, offering 90 bhp of power and 220Nm of torque. Mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, it is smooth, has low NVH levels (lower than Baleno and Jazz) and this combined with a mature ride quality makes the i20 diesel an excellent package. It may not be an enthusiast’s car but certainly is a recommended, stylish all-rounder. You can also pick from the rugged looking i20 Active that comes with body cladding all around, higher ground clearance and slightly revised interiors. Does look big for a cross-hatch in our opinion.

Pros:

• Looks great, especially the top spec models
• High quality cabin with unique features
• Excellent diesel engine, is smooth too
• Hyundai’s proven after sales support

Cons:

• Still not an enthusiast’s tool
• Like the Baleno, this one too has limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 11475
September: 12380
October: 13290

Latest update: CVT option launched in May 2018

22) Cars under 10 lakh: Volkswagen Polo

Price: Rs 6.12 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Special pricing for various trims, benefits of over Rs 50,000

As much as we like the Volkswagen Polo for the driving pleasure it offers, we are surprised to see the relatively low sales figures in comparison to other cars in the same price band. And this inspite of numerous engine options – the 1.0-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. While the 1.0 and 1.5 come with a manual ‘box, the 1.2 is offered with a segment best automatic gearbox, the DSG set-up. Infact, the this 1.2 TSI Polo is the most fun to drive automatic under Rs 10 lakh (on-road) post all discounts and offers.

Volkswagen keeps making minor aesthetic changes to make sure the Polo looks fresh. For example, the recently introduced Connect Edition that gets new design for the alloy wheels, Connect branding and even a rear spoiler. 
Likewise the cabin continues to look solid – no bling or funky design but pure German precision and high quality materials. The Polo indeed feels solid on the inside and newer models get an advanced touchscreen infotainment with VW Connect app, Cruise Control, Rain sensing wipers and even a central arm-rest. While its a very comfortable car, space at the back is limited.

We aren’t a fan of the 1.0-litre petrol but the 1.2-litre turbo petrol is absolutely hoot to drive and the 7-speed DSG does what it is meant to be. And then the torque monster 1.5 diesel that puts out 90 PS of power and 230 Nm of toque, even more than the i20 diesel. The Polo, as expected from a VW, remains a pleasurable car to drive, thanks to a well tuned suspension, lighter and yet direct steering and excellent handling capabilities. Even the manual ‘box is a joy to use! If you want a car that can make you smile each time you drive, it has to be the Polo.

Pros:

• Handles like a dream
• Has solid build quality
• 1.2 TSI and 1.5 TDI offer solid performance
• Massive discounts on offer

Cons:

• Poor resale value
• Long term after sales support
• Cabin space
• 1.0 petrol is a dull performer

Sales:
August: 1899
September: 1583
October: 1588

Last update: Launch of Connect Edition

23) Cars under 10 lakh: Toyota Etios Liva

Price: Rs 6.13 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 20K Toyota Genuine Accessories (November)

The Etios Liva is one of the oldest models here and unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t done much to keep it ahead of rivals. True the dual tone edition looks smart and the Cross model adds a bit of muscle but rivals have moved the game ahead further. And the same holds true for the cabin – feels like a generation or two older in the segment. The cabin design, like its sedan sibling, feels dated – the audio system for example is an eye sore, looks more like an after market add-on. Features aren’t as good as rivals either – no rear air-con vents, no smart entry with push button start or no driver information display.

However one area where the Liva scores high is the ride quality and rear seat comfortable – two important parameters which make it stand out and a popular choice in the commercial segment. The 1.2 petrol is surprisingly very good for city runs though not as efficient. The 1.4 diesel offers bullet proof reliability, low running costs and a very good torque spread. Do you know the same engine, in different state of tune, is used in the much expensive Corolla Altis as well? 
All said and done though, the Liva needs a proper update with massive changes. Private buyers can keep away in our opinion.

Pros:

• 
Proven reliability
• Spacious and comfortable
• Excellent ride quality

Cons

• Dated cabin design
• Lack of features
• No auto option
• Lower brand value due to commercial use

Sales:
Aug: 1891
Sep: 1493
October: 1696

Last update: Dual tone limited edition launched in Aug 2018

24) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Tata Zest

Price: Rs 6.15 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 45K Cash Discount + 20K Exchange. Additional Rs 15K Cash Discount on Zest Premio (November)

Tata’s other sedan is the Zest and is widest car in the segment which means seating three abreast at the back isn’t an issue. The Zest is also one of the few cars that Tata Motors exports to countries like South Africa. It was launched in 2015 and was their all-new sedan in years and erased all our past memories related to the Indigo and the Manza. While the design clearly laid emphasis of its past association with cars from Tata’s stable, everything else was a huge step forward with modern technology – for example the turbo charged petrol motor, a great infotainment system with multiple customisation options, a near perfect ride and handling package among others. You can get the 1.3 diesel in two states of tune : 75 and 90 PS with the latter offering brisk performance for everyday use.

However today, with the competition having taken the game ahead by leaps and bounds, the Zest does not come across as a much recommended package. True it is spacious, feels like a well built car, has excellent ride quality and good engines, but for personal usage, given the brand appeal in front of rivals, the Zest will not make for a compelling buy. That said, with discounts, it offers the most affordable diesel-auto set up in the segment. The Premio edition looks superb with blacked out theme for roof, outside mirrors and lower bumper and also gets a tan colour middle part on the fascia – looks fab in our opinion. However dwindling sales numbers reflect a sad story : not a bad car per se, but the competition is so much better now.

Pros:

• Build quality is solid (heavy)
• Excellent ride quality
• Features (driving modes, voice commands, touchscreen etc)
• Powerful engines (turbo petrol, 90PS diesel)

Cons:

• Poor in-cabin storage
• Subjective exterior design
• Poor re-sale value
• Brand appeal isn’t as strong

Sales
August: 964
September: 1722
October: 896

Last update: Premio edition launched in March 2018

25) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Ford Aspire.

Price: Rs 6.15 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: None

As competition became better in the compact sedan market, Ford engineers had to re-visit their tables and come up with a heavily updated version, the new 2018 Aspire. This new facelift model manages to make improvements across all parameters including segment first 5 year warranty! The new grille, revised bumper and better looking fog lamp inserts might be subtle changes but go a long way in making it look fresh and premium. The new, larger 15-inch alloy wheels gel along well with the positioning of the car. The rear gets minor updates but as you step inside the cabin, you are greeted with a host of additions.

The biggest highlight on the inside is the new SYNC3 interface that not only offers you segment best touch reception, but also comes bundled with navigation, reverse camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its a breeze to use, even for new users and was first seen in the Freestyle and the recently updated EcoSport. Moving on, you also get a push button start-stop feature, auto headlamps and auto wipers. The diesel engine is a carry over but it is mated to a new 5-speed gearbox that is lighter and improves fuel economy marginally. With a hundred horses on tap, it continues to offer one of the best combinations of performance and economy in the compact sedan segment and is offers better NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) levels than the Honda Amaze. The big news however is the arrival of the 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine in the Aspire. It offers 9% more power and 7% higher torque while being way more efficient too. The automatic continues to get a 1.5-litre petrol but this time around, Ford has ditched the DCT or dual clutch transmission for a more conventional torque converter. That said, its still way ahead of the AMT / AGS options found on rivals.

Pros: 


• Build quality is solid (heavy)
• Excellent ride quality – comfortable too
• Better value than ever before – prices slashed
• Both engines offer good driveability

Cons:

• Surprisingly no rear air-con vents
• Relatively lower resale value
• Petrol automatic is simply too expensive

Sales
August: 523
September: 1640
October: 2520

Last update: New 2018 version launched

26) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Dzire.

Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 27.5 cash (special edition) and 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

India’s largest selling sedan garners as many numbers as the next four ‘largest selling’ sedans combined together. This has been the most popular sedan from day one of its launch and the latest version has improved massively. It looks better, though still cant be termed as beautiful, has surprisingly good amount of cabin space and comes with an affordable sticker price. We are a fan of how the cabin looks with the black and beige theme, flat bottom steering, round dials and stand out, tab like central unit. The current Dzire is an all-rounder but remember, the sales figures include the commercial model, Tour, that is very popular with Ola and Ubers of the world. Even then, for private use, its a not a bad deal at all.
The Dzire gets two of the most trusted engines from Maruti’s family – the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre FIAT sourced diesel unit. Both the engines are known for their trouble free performance and Maruti offers optional AMT with both fuel types, a rare offering for the segment.
With the current generation Dzire, Maruti has also improved on the ride and handling parameter tremendously. The steering is light, car agile and yet at higher speeds, the Dzire remains composed. Maruti is even offering ABS and dual airbags as standard across the range. If you want a reliable sedan with space and comfort at this price, look no further.

Pros:

• Spacious, larger than average boot too
• Highest resale value in the segment
• Peppy petrol, torquey and efficient diesel
• Impressive features, auto in both petrol / diesel

Cons:

• 
Base L versions is feature stripped
• Rivals offer better warranty or lower running costs
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image

Sales
August: 21,990
September: 21,296
October: 17404

Last update: Special edition launched in Aug 2018

27) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Hyundai Xcent

Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 85000 worth of benefits (November)

The fourth largest selling sedan under Rs 10 lakh is the Xcent. However, trust us, a large chunk of these get sold in the commercial market and that does dent its brand value a lot. Its not a bad car per se, delivering a good mix of cabin space, upmarket feel, features and a good drive. The Xcent gets both a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre diesel unit with the latter being a 3-cylinder set-up. The latter offers (surprisingly) good NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) levels. Sadly though, Hyundai is yet to offer an automatic option with this compact sedan.
The Xcent does end up offering good comfort for passengers. This is due to a mix of space, high quality cabin and a good suspension set-up. That said, its not an enthusiast’s car in the way it delivers performance and handling. What sets the ball rolling in its in favour are the massive discounts, as much as 85,000 including cash and exchange bonus benefits. If you want a no nonsense comfortable compact sedan and dont have an automatic on the wish list, the Xcent does make a lot of sense. Given the massive cuts, the Xcent is a tempting purchase.

Pros: 


• Good fit and finish in cabin
• Huge discounts make it a value deal
• Low NVH levels, this is a smooth operator
• Neutral ride and handling

Cons:

• Average engine performance and efficiency
• Poor resale value
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image
• No automatic option

Sales
August: 4981
September: 4105
October: 3143

Last update: Dual airbags and ABS made standard from August 2018 onwards

28) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Volkswagen Ameo


Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 50,000 cash, 30,000 exchange and 15,000 corporate discount(November)

Volkswagen’s first compact sedan is outselling the larger Vento month on month. And why not? Its priced similar to the smaller Polo and with a boot, gives owners an ego massaging ownership experience. Build quality is solid and we love the way the Ameo feels on the go. Talking of which, it has excellent ride and handling package, something that only larger sedans offer. This is one compact sedan that doesn’t feel ‘flimsy’ on the move!
Even the 1.5 litre diesel engine is impressive, offering almost 110 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque. Mated to a DSG gearbox, it is the best diesel-auto under Rs 11 lakh. However the same cannot be said about the petrol unit. It has the lowest displacement here, just 1000cc, and offers very average performance with the least fuel economy. Surely a turn off given the dynamics of the Ameo.
The Ameo comes across as a feature loaded car. From cruise control to automatic wipers, you also get auto dimming rear review mirrors, rear air-con vents and a cooled glovebox. Current discount and offers are among the highest in this list and so are the warranty packages – 2 years unlimited mileage, 2 side road side assistance, 3 years paint warranty and 6 years anti-perforation warranty. VW recently introduced the Connect model that gets additions in and out. These include stunning 16 inch Portage alloy wheels, boot spoiler, contrast stitch for seats et al.

Pros: 


• Solid build quality
• Priced on par with the Polo hatchback
• Only compact car to offer DSG gearbox
• Excellent ride and handling package

Cons:

• Petrol motor has average performance and economy
• Poor resale value
• Limited space at the rear and in the boot
• Long term maintenance costs

Sales
August: 721
September: 1034
October: 923

Last update: Ameo Sport launched in July 2018

29) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Honda Amaze

Price: Rs 6.35 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Additional Extended Warranty of 4th & 5th Year (November)

Honda launched the all-new Amaze early in 2018 and it has gone to become the second largest selling sedan in India. Being an all-new generation model, the Amaze excels in all parameters as compared to the outgoing model. It looks new and wears a mature look up front – it is still under 4 meters in length but looks larger in real life. Cabin remains its strongest point, offering one of the most spacious cabins under Rs 8 lakh. Honda has worked hard to impart a premium feel with a dual tone theme and high quality materials and it shows. Interior remain plush for the segment and offer excellent comfort for five adults.

The Amaze continues to come with the same 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel units though this time around, both the engine options get optional CVT set-up, a segment first. A CVT transmission is much better as compared to the now common AMT / AGS set-up and offers less lag during gear changes. Infact, for daily usage patterns, the CVT-Diesel offers the best roll-on timings or basically is the quickest in typical traffic conditions. Fuel economy remains high and Honda claims running cost of just 35 paise for petrol and 49 paise for diesel in the long run. Honda has also made the steering larger and heavier in terms of its weight – even the shaft size has gone up from 22 to 33 mm. This in turn calls for less effort from the driver and though I would not call it feather light, it works well for slow speed driving. Honda is offering a standard warranty of 3 years / unlimited km along with extended warranty options of 4 and 5 years, again with unlimited usage. This is segment best. For under Rs 10 lakh, you can pick any of the petrol or diesel variants and that indeed is good value!

Pros:

• 
Spacious and upmarket cabin : we love the layout
• Only car under 10 lakh to offer diesel-CVT set up
• Low running costs, upto 5 years / unlimited mileage warranty
• Good ride, mature looks, Honda brand

Cons: 


• Diesel engine is still noisy with vibrations
• Rear headroom is limited
• No rear air-con vents

Sales
August: 9644
September: 8401
October: 5542

Last update: Amaze crosses 50,000 mark in October 2018

30) Cars under 10 lakh: Mahindra e2O Plus

Price: Rs 6.78 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

Yes, you can own an all-electric car for under Rs 8 lakh in India. Mahindra updated the old e2O a few years back into what you see here. It gets two more doors, proper seating for four, a more powerful electric motor and a lot more. Top speed is now rated at 80 km/h and you can go as much as 140 km on a full charge. 
The controversial design aside, everything about the e2O is good. Take for instance the cabin that is surprisingly very good for four adults and offers a long list of features. Being an electric car, it has an automatic transmission, you get power steering, climate control, digital cluster, reverse camera etc. The best part is the smart phone connectivity that helps you control various aspects like remote cooling (switching on the air-con remotely) as well as knowing the nearest charging stations and car’s health. The little e2O is indeed a clever car. 
While performance is brisk for city usage, don’t expect it to do highway runs due to limited to speed and driving range. You will also need a dedicated parking slot at home (for charging) but the shockingly low running costs cannot be ignored. If you can work out an arrangement for charging it each night, the e2O indeed is a very good, clean and affordable urban car.

Pros:

• Its clean!
• Easy to drive – auto ‘box, instant torque
• Extremely low running costs
• Features on offer

Cons:

• Limited range
• Extremely poor resale
• Limited performance
• Subjective looks

Sales: N/A

31) Cars under 10 lakh: Tata Nexon

Price: Rs 7.12 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of Rs 13000 + Rs 15K Exchange

Moving on from hatchbacks and sedans, you can even look at purchasing a SUV under Rs 10 lakh. Though only the lower and mid level of the petrol and diesel models come under this price, clever strategy by Tata Motors has ensured that buyers can pick the AMT variants of any of the fuel types under Rs 10 lakh! The Nexon itself looks big for a sub 4 meter vehicle, essential to massage to the owner’s ego. It also gets a very spacious cabin and Tata has worked hard to deliver the comfort factor. Drive this vehicle over bad roads and you will be impressed with its composure! 
The petrol Nexon comes with a 1.2 litre turbo charged petrol motor that delivers 110 PS of power and is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox – these figures are on par with say the EcoSport petrol. The diesel unit is larger, being a 1.5 unit with 110 bhp on tap. Infact, in the compact SUV segment, the diesel Nexon is our pick. Whats more, its the only compact SUV to offer an optional AMT with both fuel types. Both the engines get driving modes and though aren’t very smooth, offers reasonably good performance for the heavy Nexon. Do note that the Nexon is the safest SUV in its segment as per recent NCAP tests and this is a strong selling point.
With the Nexon, you get to own a good looking large vehicle at a value based price. Tata has ironed out niggles and their cars now come with great after sales support too. The Nexon no doubt makes for a good purchase.

Pros:

• Looks nice for a compact sub 4m product
• Space on the inside, comfort levels
• Drives nice – the modes do work!
• Safe and solid product from Tata

Cons

• Petrol engine isn’t as refined

Sales:
Aug: 4499
Sep: 4297
Oct: 4608

Latest update: Kraz edition launched in Sep 2018

32) Cars under 10 lakh: Maruti Gypsy

Price: Rs 7.13 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

India’s most affordable 4×4 is also part of the list here. The good old Maruti Gypsy is still a hit in various 4×4 groups and why not? With a peppy 1.3 litre petrol motor and light weight, the Gypsy gets good performance for both on and off-road usage. It gets a manual 4×4 transfer case with low ratio as well for extreme off-roading. Bare to the bones, the Gypsy is not your everyday car but one that can serve you for over a decade without requiring any major maintenance at all. The design has largely remained unchanged since its launch and so have the interiors. Basic, utilitarian and made for a purpose, there are no creature comforts at all, so be prepared for this surprise 
This is one area where Maruti has made no effort to make an every 4×4 for Indians. The new Suzuki Jimny was highly anticipated but Maruti has made no official statements about its launch in India. Till then, to satisfy 4×4 fantasies of adventure seekers, the Gypsy is the only petrol option in India and will seat as many as 8 people with the side facing rear jump seats. And we are sure, like most owners, you will end up customising this capable 4×4 to your tastes.

Pros:

• Go anywhere capability
• Peppy petrol, reasonably efficient too
• Long term reliability and maintenance
• Relatively lower price as compared to other 4x4s

Cons

• Uncomfortable – hard ride quality
• No creature comfort at all

Sales:
August: N/A
September: 283
October: 228

33) Cars under 10 lakh: Maruti Ertiga

The all-new Ertiga will be launched on 21st November and we will update this space accordingly.

34) Cars under 10 lakh: Toyota Platinum Etios

Price: Rs 7.7 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: 20K Toyota Genuine Accessories (October)

The Etios manages to outsell cars like the Tata Tigor and Ford Aspire and a major chunk of the sales come with the commercial segment. There is a reason for this : the Etios offers one of the best comfort levels at the back seat, long term reliability and good mix of torque and efficiency from the engines. Toyota even offers a dedicated fleet model that comes with ABS, dual airbags, cooled glovebox and even power windows. Toyota offers special benefits for peace of mind to cab operators.

Now while the Etios may not be a great looking car and certainly does not have a modern cabin, if you want a chauffeur driven sedan and a fuss free long term ownership experience, do give this one a serious look. 
As a self driven car though, the Etios fails to impressive. We aren’t a fan of the centrally located speedometer console and the one in the Etios lacks any sort of driver information. Further, there is no touch screen infotainment or smart keyless entry with start-stop feature. However, being longer than 4 meters means it comes with a massive boot – almost 600 litres of space in here.

In terms of engines, it gets a 1.5 petrol and an equally large diesel motor. We have no complaints from the power plants but there is no option of an automatic in this modern day age! Overall though, stay away if you want a car for personal needs on a daily basis. Do note that for Rs 8 lakh, you will only get the base petrol but that surprisingly comes with air-con, power steering, all four power windows, cooled glovebox, driver seat height adjust, rear armrest, keyless entry, dual airbags, ABS, etc.

Pros:

• Spacious cabin with a massive boot
• Low running costs, Toyota’s legendary peace of mind factor
• Excellent rear seat comfort
• Neutral ride and handling

Cons:

• Feature stripped – touchscreen interface, driver info display etc
• No automatic option
• Taxi image keeps customers away
• Old school cabin design

Sales
August: 2387
September: 2058
October: 1677

35) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra Bolero

Price: Rs 8.57 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

Did you know the largest selling Mahindra in India is the Bolero? Drive outside the confines of your metro city into small towns and rural markets or towns based in mountains and you will be amazed with the number of Boleros on the road. This rugged MPV continues to bring in great revenues for Mahindra and is available in various body styles including pick-ups. However we will concentrate on the passenger version here, the latest sub 4 meter version which is called the Bolero+. Mahindra cleverly shaved off some length from the bumpers of the Bolero in order to get it under 4m in length. Next, they introduced a diesel unit with capacity of less than 1500cc. These two factors allowed the Bolero to enjoy small car tax benefits which means in terms of value for money, you can’t get a bigger 7 seater for your money. The top end version for example retails at an onroad price of Rs 9.7 and gets audio system with Bluetooth, a proper driver info display, air-con with heater, front demister, all four power windows and even voice massaging system!

The Bolero+ continues to look old school but this goes down well with a large set of buyers. Step inside and the same story continues – we dont remember the last time Mahindra updated the Bolero’s cabin. Space is good in the 1st rows but not so at the back – the last row also sees the vehicle using side facing jump seats. 
But the Bolero offers an easy drive for the size and comes with bullet proof reliability. Safety isn’t its fore (no ABS, no airbags) but as we said, this is one of the backbones of rural markets and smaller towns. The Bolero continues to set sales charts on fire…

Pros:

• Substantial vehicle for the price
• 1.5 diesel offers ample low end grunt
• NVH levels are superb on the inside
• Old school design works well for most

Cons

• No safety aids
• Limited passenger space
• Not an everyday personal vehicle

Sales
Aug: 6030
Sep : 7046
Oct: 7222

36) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Vitara Breeza

Price: Rs 8.69 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: None

One of the few cars in India that are high in demand and come with no discounts or offers whatsoever. Believe it or not, the Vitara Breeza was the fifth largest selling vehicle across India for the month of October 2018. For under Rs 10 lakh on-road, you can pick from the base LDi, VDi and even the automatic variants of AMT VDi. The Breeza, when launched, was a smart looking urban SUV and with time, Maruti has worked on aesthetics too. For example, the higher (and more expensive) versions get blacked out roof and black theme for the alloy wheels. The lower and mid versions however do look bland. Step inside and the Breeza feels like any other Maruti due to sharing of parts and a familiar design. The VDi does miss out on mood lights, touchscreen infotainment or the door armrest and does look sober in our opinion. However, comfort levels are high and space up front is nice. The 2nd row is more or less similar to other compact, sub 4 m SUVs which means good space for 5 adults. However, no rear air-con vents here.
The highlight here is the 1.3-litre DDiS motor, the most widely used diesel motor in India. Given the Breeza’s relatively lighter weight as compared to rivals, the Breeza offers very good performance and fuel economy. And we recommend the AMT version if you have a lot of city runs to do. The Breeza handles very well, more like a grown up hatchback and Maruti has tuned the steering and suspension very well for enthusiasts That said, ride quality is definitely not as good as the EcoSport’s.
Given its mass appeal, long term reliability and great dynamics, the Breeza is an excellent compact SUV. Just that the more expensive versions are the ones to pick, not the LDi / VDi trims.

Pros:

• Excellent dynamics
• Decent space, comfortable seats
• Reliable and peppy diesel motor
• High resale value, long term maintenance is low

Cons:

• No petrol option
• Cabin quality is not a match for the EcoSport
• Feature stripped LDi / VDi models
• To common on the roads (if that effects you)

Sales:
August: 13,271
September: 14,425
October: 15,832

Latest update: Brezza AMT launched

37) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Ford EcoSport

Price: Rs 8.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 25K Cash Discount + Dealer End Insurance Benefit at Slight Lower Prices (November)

The EcoSport is a hot looking compact SUV. However, in this list of Rs 10 lakh cars, only the base and one up version with the petrol or the base version with the diesel engine can be bought in this budget. Nevertheless, recent tweaks have made the EcoSport even more appealing and those gorgeous alloy wheels on higher trims look bling! The cabin remains a strong point, delivering an up-market feel with usage of high quality materials. Its a practical place to be in and the seats hug you well. The doors also close with a re-assuring thud, just what we need from our ‘larger’ cars.
The EcoSport comes with a 1.5 petrol and a 1.5 diesel unit – the former also gets an automatic but that is way too expensive to be in this list. What isn’t is the way this engine drives – we all know the shift towards petrol powered cars and the EcoSport is rewarding to drive for petrol heads. The diesel does not disappoint either, being smoother than the Brezza and quicker than the Nexon. So while you might just be able to get the base Ambiente but still gets ABS, dual airbags, rear parking sensors, all four power windows, electrically adjustable outside mirrors and even an audio system with Bluetooth. Impressive. Ford also claims one of the lowest running costs for the segment which indeed is the icing on the cake. We love this little American SUV!

Pros: 

• The updated EcoSport looks great
• Cabin quality, body hugging seats
• Power petrol, potent diesel
• Low running costs, solid build quality

Cons:

• More expensive than the Breeza
• Narrow rear seat is best for two adults
• No diesel auto unlike Breeza / Nexon

Sales: 

August: 4435
September: 3789
October: 3957

Latest update: EcoSport S Review

38) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Hyundai Verna

Price: Rs 8.90 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20K Cash + 20K Exchange (November)

The current generation Verna was launched in 2017 and has been managing to outsell its arch rival, the Honda City. It priced lower, has more features and you just can’t overlook the punchy diesel motor on offer. The Verna also looks elegant, with styling cues taken from the bigger Elantra. This is a big USP and so are the interiors – while the design might not excite you much, the quality certainly will. The dual tone theme works well and there is liberal use of silver inserts at places. It is also a very feature loaded cabin with segment first additions like cooled seats and even a hands free boot operation. You also get a sunroof and upto 6 airbags.

The Verna comes with a choice of four engine options, 2 each of diesel and petrol. You can also opt for an automatic with both the fuel types. There is no denying the fact that the more powerful 1.6 units should be the pick! In terms of dynamics, the Verna has improved a lot over the years and gets a good compromise of ride and handling. Infact, with superb NVH levels (and even a smooth diesel), the Verna is quiet on the move. Our only drawback on the move is the limited rear legroom, not in the league of cars like the City and the Ciaz. Note that post discounts, only the lower trim levels of Verna can be bought under Rs 10 lakh!

Pros: 


• Looks elegant – styling is a strong point
• Four engine options, automatic on both petrol and diesel
• Feature loaded – sunroof, cooled seats, hands free boot
• Refinement levels are high

Cons:

• 
Isn’t as spacious as rivals
• Petrol units aren’t as efficient as rivals
• Still not dynamically sorted like the Vento / Rapid

Sales
August: 3361
September: 3501
October: 3301

Latest update: Anniversary edition launched in September 2018

39) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Renault Duster

Price: Rs 9 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: N/A – website’s offer section shows 404 error

Priced as much as the EcoSport or the Breeza, the Duster is the most affordable 4m+ family SUV in India. But, the cheapest versions are petrol powered. Fret not, under Rs 10 lakh on-road, post discounts, you can buy the base 85 PS RxE model but that doesn’t excite us much. Buy this only if you have a monthly usage of say 1800-2000km or more. Otherwise, the 1.5 petrol does just fine. The RxL, in the Rs 10 lakh budget, gets air-con, tilt adjustable steering, all four power windows, audio system, rear arm-rest, electrically adjustable and foldable outside mirrors,  rear wash wiper, ABS and a driver side Airbag. The Duster’s shape hasn’t changed since its launch though updates to the bumper, grille and lamps have kept it fresh.
The Duster’s USP is the feeling of having a large SUV (as compared to sub 4 m options) and this is also evident once you step inside the cabin. It really is very spacious for five large adults and so is the massive boot. However, the cabin design is now beginning to feel dated and quality levels aren’t too impressive either. A highlight is the way this SUV rides over broken roads – the composure and ability to absorb bad roads is excellent.
The Duster makes sense for those who want a proper 5 seater SUV with a large boot at an affordable price. That said, there are a lot of shortcomings, no wonder sales are the least in the segment.

Pros: 

• Big car, small price
• Excellent ride quality
• Spacious cabin, large boot
• 1.5 petrol is smooth and punchy

Cons:

• The design is becoming too old
• Cabin design remains a sore point
• Poor resale value

Sales: 

August: 613
September: 616
October: 750

40) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Skoda Rapid

Price: Rs 9.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 50K Benefits + 50% Off on 1st Year Insurance. Starting from Rs 9999 EMI for 7 Years + Zero Loan PF, Prepayment, Foreclosure Charges from Skoda Finance (October)

Skoda has worked hard on the Rapid in the last one years, especially the limited edition and ONYX variants. Excellent benefits and finance schemes have also pulled in customers – as a result, the Rapid outsells its sibling, the Vento. No doubt, the Rapid looks nice and list of features is very impressive – from white headlight bulbs to black alloy wheels, cruise control to cooled glovebox, the Rapid is up there with the best cars in the segment. However, 6 airbags, sunroof, cooled seats and smart entry with push button start is still missing.
Space on the inside isn’t as much as say the Ciaz or the City but then again, the Rapid is marketed more as a sportier sedan than a spacious family companion. We also like both the engines on offer, the 1.6 petrol and the 1.5 diesel. The former is very peppy and gets an optional 6 speed automatic which the latter comes with segment best DSG option too. Its a big rough (the engine) but the combination makes it a great car to drive. This is also complimented by good handling characteristics – suspension is certainly geared towards handing than comfort. 
The Rapid gets a unique 4 year service care that comes with warranty, Skoda Assist and maintenance package for 4 years. Note that post discounts, only the lower trim levels of Rapid can be bought under Rs 10 lakh.

Pros: 


• Multiple versions / editions
• ONYX is a great pick : we love the way it looks
• Skoda’s 4 year service care pack
• Massive discounts and great finance offers

Cons:

• 
Not as spacious as rivals
• Poor re-sale value
• Ride quality isn’t a match to the Verna or Ciaz
• Missing feature – smart keyless, sunroof, cooled seats etc

Sales
August: 817
September: 931
October: 1205

Latest update: ONYX edition launched in September 2018

41) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Maruti Ciaz

Price: Rs 9.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 Corporate Discount, upto Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

The largest selling car in its category got a major facelift in August and this has translated into good sales figures as well. The car wears a sleeker, more premium look and this is due to the new grille, tweaked lamps and LED set up for the lamps. The Ciaz is still the most spacious car in the segment and the new version gets additional kit in the form of faux wooden inserts on the fascia and the doors, cruise control and a new TFT screen in the speedometer console. This is only offered in the petrol line-up and gets new dials for the pods. Looks sporty!
The biggest change however is under the hood. The old 1.4 petrol has been replaced by the 1.5-litre K15B unit that not only offers larger displacement but churns out more power and higher torque. The icing on the cake comes in the form of better fuel economy than ever before, partially due to the Smart Hybrid tech, which is now being offered on the petrol Ciaz as well. The engine comes mated to a choice of transmission options, a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed Auto.
The engine is less powerful than the petrols offered by the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. This said, the real strength of the new motor is in the way it builds up speeds from lower engine speeds and this makes it a great city tool. In fact, in spite of the a 4-speed auto (as compared to 5 or 6 or CVT for rivals), the A/T Ciaz does not feel under-powered, nor does it run out of breath on open roads.
The new K15B engine also performs well when given the stick. While it will not be able to overshadow the Honda City 1.5 petrol or the Hyundai Verna 1.6 petrol, it will keep most owners happy, more so due to its frugal nature.
The Ciaz manages to play the pricing card rather well and with improvements across parameters, this new Maruti seems all set to remain the segment leader for months to come. Note that only Sigma and Delta petrol versions can be had under Rs 10 lakh on-road.

Pros: 


• Unbeatable cabin space and comfort
• Minor updates make it look premium and sleek
• Segment leading fuel economy – new petrol is peppier
• Top end Ciaz is value for money wrt Verna / City

Cons:

• Diesel motor is weak compared to City / Verna
• No automatic with diesel – surprise for the segment
• Missing feature – Sunroof, cooled seats, auto wipers etc
• Ingres / Egress plus limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 7002
September: 6246
October: 3892

Latest update: New Ciaz launched in August 2018

42) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Renault Lodgy

Price: Rs 9.52 lakh onwards
Discounts: Rs 30,000 cash on Standard, RxE

If you want a vehicle that your family will love to be driven in, of all the cars we have discussed till now, its the Lodgy that makes the most sense after the Ertiga. However, in a budget of Rs 10 lakh, only the base RxE can be purchased. Fret not as even the so called base model comes with power steering, air-con and ABS as standard. It may not look as appealing as the more expensive Stepway variants but the Lodgy is more about the cabin space and comfort. The cabin is laid out well and emphasis is clearly on providing practicality, very essential when moving around with loves ones on board. Space across the three rows is impressive and so is the ride quality, definitely one of the strongest points about this Renault MPV. 
The base or the STD variants comes with a 85 PS version of the same 1.5 dCi motor that powers other Renault offerings like the Duster and the Sunny and even cars from Nissan’s stable – the Terrano and upcoming Kicks. Mated to a 5 speed manual ‘box, the engine offers better performance than other 7/8 seater vehicles like the Sumo and the Bolero and yet delivers 15-25% higher fuel economy. True the Lodgy has not been setting sales charts on fire but trust us, this remains a very capable family workhorse.

Pros:

• Cabin space and feeling of airiness
• Reliable and efficient diesel motor
• Super ride quality

Cons

• Poor resale value
• Base STD looks unappealing in terms of aesthetics

Sales
Aug: 97
Sep: 54
Oct: 25

43) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Mahindra TUV3OO

Price: Rs 9.59 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 38,000 cash, upto Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

The most rugged and butch looking compact SUV (SUV under 4m in length) is the Mahindra TUV3OO. The boxy design works well for a lot of owners and its the TUV that gives you the most ego massaging driving experience. It also looks larger than the EcoSport and Brezza and this works well in terms of road presence.
Getting inside is tough as compared to other SUVs but once seated, you are surprised with the fit and finish levels as well as above average cabin design. Given the massive discounts, you can pick from the base T4+ or the one up T6+ variant. The latter gets an infotainment system with 4 speakers, Mahindra BlueSense app compatibility, air-con, power steering, all four power windows, dual Airbags, ABS and even a rear was wiper. And unlike the EcoSport / Breeza, this one has a unique 3rd of seats that makes this a 7 seater. However, the last row is best for kids or adults not over 5.4 in height.
Powering the TUV is a 1.5-litre turbo charged diesel unit that offers excellent NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) levels – infact, on the move, the TUV is impressively quite on the inside. However, outright performance is lacking due to its weight and the TUV feels best under 3000rpm. There is also an optional AMT but will not fit in the budget mentioned here.
To summarise, the 7 seater TUV is a great product from Mahindra, comfortable and smooth but lacks the eagerness of rivals or a spacious 2nd row.

Pros: 

• Looks big – good for massaging owner’s ego
• Commanding driving posture
• Smooth diesel, NVH levels are excellent
• Body kits available at dealer level

Cons: 

• Extra weight hampers performance
• Cramped 2nd row
• Subjective looks
• Dynamically not as good as rivals

Sales:

August : 1966
September : 1786
October: 2113

Latest update: TUV300 Plus launched 

44) Cars under Rs 10 lakh : Volkswagen Vento

Price: Rs 9.6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 60K Cash + 40K Exchange Bonus + Rs 15000 Corporate (November)

Note that post discounts, only the lower trim levels of Vento can be bought under Rs 10 lakh. 
One of the lowest selling sedans in India is the Volkswagen Vento and that is a shame. Given Volkswagen’s prowess in the field of passenger cars, its time they came out with a new generation Vento all together. Sales are so low, the car has benefits to the tune of Rs 1.15 lakh! The recently launched Connect Edition tries to spruce up the design but fails. On the inside, though quality is high (we love the way the doors close with a reassuring thud), design is no more modern and feature list is half empty. From a sunroof to smart keyless entry and smart stop, cooled seats or basic things like a sunglass holder.
What goes in its favour is the ride and handling package which is sure to excite young buyers. The same goes for the 1.2 petrol and its DSG gearbox. This is a turbo charged motor and the 7-speed DSG manages to extract the best from the engine. The Vents also gets a 1.6 petrol (MT only) and a 1.5 litre diesel (MT and DSG). The diesel unit delivers good performance but is not as efficient as rivals and has a rough edge to it.
With massive discounts and the new Connect edition, the Vento might be tempting as a buy. But keep our word for it and stay away!

Pros:

• 
Brilliant 1.2 TSI petrol and DSG ‘box
• Feels sold – build like a tank!
• Sorted dynamics will keep enthusiasts happy
• Volkswagen advantage pack

Cons:


• Due for a replacement with a major facelift
• Not as spacious as rivals like City and Ciaz
• Missing features – Sunroof, cooled seats, smart keyless entry etc
• Poor resale value

Sales


August: 542
September: 430
October: 480

Latest update: Sport Edition launched in October 2018

45) Cars under Rs 10 lakh: Honda City

Price: Rs 9.75 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance + Rs 20k Exchange Bonus + 10K Accessories (November)

The most premium C segment sedan, one that has the highest brand value is the Honda City. The latest avatar looks sleek but remember, machined alloy wheels or LED lights are only the higher spec models. Step inside and cabin continues to impress – the sheer amount of space and comfort here is unmatched. Honda gets it right each time and from seats to ergonomics, no complaints whatsoever. It even gets a massive 510 litre boot.
 The City continues to get a 1.5 petrol or a 1.5 diesel unit. The petrol also comes with an optional CVT that makes it a breeze for urban runs. Its smooth, has enough punch and above average fuel economy. The diesel is very torquey but noisy at the same time and this takes away the pleasure of driving an otherwise fine car. The gearbox too fails to impressive with rough gear shifts.

However, the City makes up by offering a very good ride quality.
 Though the City is the most expensive C segment sedan, it does offer you a lot of kit. For example, a sunroof, smarty keyless entry with start-stop, LED lights, touch control panel for climate control, DIGIPAD 2.0 infotainment and a multi view rear camera display. Even the entry level version, at Rs 9.75 lakh, is loaded with dual airbags, ABS, LED DRLs, audio system with Bluetooth and 4 speakers, air-con with dust and pollen filter, powered outside mirrors, all four power windows etc!

Pros: 


• Continues to look nice with premium appeal
• Unbeatable space and comfort
• Feature loaded
• Petrol – CVT works well for daily runs

Cons:


• Low ground clearance
• Noisy diesel motor – no auto option with this either
• Top spec models are very expensive

Sales

August: 2790
September: 2564
October: 3612

Latest update: Honda City Edge launched in Aug 2018

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

The original Tata Sierra was the first India made SUV to be sold in the country. It was based on the hugely popular Tatamobile pickup truck, which was later on renamed as 207 DI. The Sierra had a unique three door layout which made it a looker but because of it, practicality also took a hit.

Well today, we are taking about it because a Sierra owner has modified his ride into an off road monster. Take a look at this modified Tata Sierra.

The Sierra seen here has been worked upon nicely which is quite evident also. The original SUV was meant to be more of a people hauler but it has been modified here to beat any sort of off road challenge. To let you know, the Tata Sierra was based on the Tata Mobile pickup truck, which was later renamed as Tata 207 DI. Therefore, the Sierra had a very able chassis which could take on the wild easily.

Coming back to the one featured here, the front gets a new off road style bumper complete with a winch, LED strip and auxiliary lights attached to it. The headlamps are wrapped around by a metal frame and the SUV also features a snorkel to help with water wading. The Sierra now rides on big off road wheels that also have given it more height than a regular Sierra. The car looks very intimidating especially with the high ground clearance it now has. It has been done in a shade of dark grey, adding more to the charecter.

The original Sierra had a Peugeot sourced, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter (1,948 cc) four-cylinder diesel engine that produced 63 Bhp of power. The engine was mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. However, in 1997, the power output was bumped to 90 Bhp by adding a turbocharger to the engine. It was the most feature rich car of its time, being the first car produced in India with electric windows, air conditioning, adjustable steering wheel and tachometer.

There have been rumors that the Sierra could make a comeback. Tata Motors’ design head, Pratap Bose, had revealed that the Sierra and Sumo are two cars he’d like to revive, but  with modern twists to make them acceptable in current market conditions. So if you were a Sierra fan, there are chances that the car could see the light of the day again.

Source

Also Read: Soon, Indian cars to get stronger, rust-free: Here's why!

Auto companies are leaving no stone un-turned to grab buyers this season. All the companies are offering hefty discounts and finance schemes along with aggressive marketing to get as many customers as possible to their dealerships. As SUVs are getting the most attention from buyers nowadays, most of them are on big offers. Therefore we bring you the 10 most discounted SUVs of this festive season. Read along to get the right one for you.

Mahindra TUV300

Max. Discount: Rs. 58,000

Mahindra’s most affordable SUV, or better to say compact SUV, the TUV300 is running on big discounts this season. It is getting discount benefits of a total Rs. 58,000, which includes Rs 38,000 cash discount along with Rs. 15,000 as exchange bonus. Apart from this, the company is offering corporate discount of Rs. 5,000 to top of the whole offer.

Honda BR-V

Discount up to Rs.1 lakh

The Honda BR-V has the features of both an SUV and a crossover. The Japanese automaker’s answer to the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross is coming with big discounts this November. Honda is offering the BR-V to customers with benefits of up to Rs 1 lakh which include first-year free insurance along with an extra Rs 50,000 in an exchange bonus and accessories worth Rs 16,000.

Mahindra TUV300 Plus

Max. Discount: Rs. 70,000

Bigger version of the TUV300, the Mahindra TUV300 Plus is an affordable family mover option. The car is currently being dished out with some big discount which go upto Rs. 70,000. This includes a Rs. 40,000 cashback on the price of the car along with a huge exchange discount of Rs. 25,000. Along with all this, the car also gets an additional corporate discount of Rs. 5,000 to top things off.

Renault Duster

Discount up to Rs. 1 lakh

The Renault Duster is among the first compact SUVs of the country and has enjoyed a successful run so far. It will soon be replaced by a newer version which will take on the competition with new features and design. Currently, the CVT transmission variant is offered with a special introductory price of Rs. 9.95 Lakh. Also, the 110 PS models are being given away with a free 1st year insurance along with a Rs 60,000 cash discount. The AWD variant, however, is not covered under this scheme.

Nissan Terrano

Discount up to Rs. 1.25 lakh

The Nissan Terrano is basically a cousin to the more popular Duster. The car rivals the Hyundai Creta directly and is on big discounts this month. It is also being offered with a free first-year insurance. But making the offer more lively is a gold coin weighted 6 grams, which is being given away as a festive gift. The Exchange offer is also great and is valued at Rs. 40,000 upon exchanging your old car. Along with all this, Nissan is also offering Special Celebration Offer for Teachers and Doctors which is valued at Rs 40,000.

Mahindra Scorpio

Discount up to Rs. 70,500

The Mahindra Scorpio is an excellent SUV for day to day use. Mahindra is currently offering total benefits of Rs. Rs. 70,500 on the Scorpio. The discounts includes Rs. 40,000 cash discount on S5, S7, and S11 variants. There is also an exchange bonus of Rs. 25000 and Rs 5,500 corporate discount, making the car an excellent value for money package.

Tata Safari Storme

Discount up to Rs. 75,000

Tata Hexa

Discount up to Rs. 98,000

The Tata Hexa is the flagship vehicle of the Tata lineup in India curretnly. The seven-seater crossover is also on big discounts this season. The Hexa is currently available with a discount of up to Rs. 98,000. The discounts include free insurance for the first year on the vehicle and a massive exchange bonus. The Hexa is available in 4×2 and 4X4 variants and also gets an automatic variant.

Mahindra XUV500

Max. Discount: Rs. 45,000

The updated XUV500 is one of the best options in its segment. It is a great looker and also offers good value for money. However, it’s soon to be challenged by another home brewed SUV, the Tata Harrier, which could prove to be a tough competitor. The car is currently being offered with Rs. 45,000 benefits It includes Rs. 10,000 as cash discount and another 25,000 as exchange bonus. Additionally, there is a corporate discount of Rs. 10,000 on the car going on currently.

Hyundai Tucson

Discount up to Rs. 1.3 lakh approx.

The most expensive vehicle from Hyundai’s lineup hasn’t exactly been a sales success for the company. The stylish SUV has a striking design and matching interiors. It is currently being given away with huge discounts benefits. In fact, it’s being offered with the best discount offer on this list. Hyundai is offering an exchange benefit of Rs. 30,000 on the car along with free first year insurance. However, there is a hefty Rs. 50,000 corporate discount on the car too which takes up the total sum to about Rs. 1.3 lakhs.

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