Top Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh in India

If you are in the market with a budget of Rs 10 lakh and need clarification about what car to buy, then you have landed on the right page. We have curated a list of top options in the Indian market under this budget. This will be a very diverse list, covering almost all the segments around this price range. 

- Top Hatchbacks in India Under Rs 10 Lakh

Let’s start with the small cars first. These cars are small in dimensions, making it easier for beginners to drive and park comfortably. 

1) Maruti Suzuki Swift

You can purchase the  2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift if you travel alone or mostly two people. If more than two people regularly travel, and that too, for long distances, then we would recommend you purchase a premium hatchback. 

If you are someone who cares about the build quality, then you should consider other options apart from the Swift. However, it is worth noting that the new generation Swift hasn't been crash-tested at Global NCAP. For reference, the international-spec Maruti Suzuki Swift has achieved a four-star safety rating at the Japan NCAP crash test. 

2) Tata Altroz

There are many good options like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20, etc., but the Tata Altroz offers many engine options and has the best safety rating in this segment. That said, the feature-loaded Altroz hatchback has a five-star safety rating, awarded by Global NCAP.

But, in terms of mileage, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno has an edge, as its mileage ranges between 22.35kmpl and 22.95kmpl. The Baleno CNG's mileage is rated at 30.61km/kg. These are ARAI-claimed figures. 

- Sub Compact SUVs Under Rs 10 Lakh

SUVs are becoming a popular pick amongst Indian buyers, as per a report more than 1,00,000 SUVs were sold in March 2024.

Many good options like the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Kia Sonet are available in this segment too, but we suggest you go for the recently launched Mahindra XUV 3XO. This facelifted XUV 3XO (formerly called, XUV 300) car is known to be a driver’s delight but has a little con. 

The boot space of the XUV 3XO is relatively small compared to its competitors, so if you frequently go on long road trips with friends and family, carrying four people’s luggage might be a little difficult.

In that case, you can take a look at the Tata Nexon, which is equally safe as the 3XO with a five-star GNCAP rating and has a bigger boot space of 382 litres as compared to 295 litres in the Mahindra XUV 3XO. 

- Micro SUVs Under Rs 10 Lakh

Most sub-compact SUVs are priced well over Rs 10 lakh for their top-end models. If you want a feature-loaded micro-SUV, you can consider the top-most variant of the Tata Punch. This vehicle can tick all the boxes because this is a safe car with a 5-star GNCAP rating and has a long list of necessary new-age offerings. 

The mileage-conscious people can also consider buying the Punch CNG. Another good option here is the Hyundai Exter. It is a good car, in terms of design and features, but we know nothing about its safety rating, as it's due for a test. However, the Hyundai Exter achieved the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2024 title.  

You can either choose the Tata Punch or Hyundai Exter. 

- Sedans Under Rs 10 Lakh

You will only get compact sedans under this price bracket and the Tata Tigor makes much more sense than its rivals here. The Honda Amaze is also not very safe, as it has a two-star safety rating from the GNCAP and the Maruti Dzire’s safety rating is also the same as the former. 

If you are planning to buy the current iteration of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, then we would recommend you to wait, as the new generation is on its way. The Dzire is among the top cars under Rs 10 lakh in India. 

However, our pick will be the Tata Tigor in this segment because it offers decently good features and fuel economy with its CNG variant and has a 4-star safety rating from GNCAP.

- EVs Under RS 10 Lakh

We all are living in the EV era, so the top cars list can’t be complete without any EV. There are two EVs on offer in this price range, the Tata Tiago EV and the other is the MG Comet EV. 

The MG Comet cannot be considered as your primary vehicle because of its size, albeit the Tiago EV and Comet have more or less the same pricing. But, the former offering should be a better pick, as it's a more practical electric family car. 

In addition, the Tiago EV has a 4-star safety rating, awarded by the GNCAP. The MG Comet, on the other hand, is due for a crash test.  

Closing Words

So, these were a few cars under Rs 10 lakh in India that can be added to your wishlist. All-in-all, these vehicles cater to different buyers with different preferences. It is, however, recommended to experience your shortlisted vehicles so that you can get a better idea, and perhaps a good deal on them.