If you want to get a car with almost all the features required but not spend an enormous amount, then cars under 10 lakh are your best bet. If you, too, are looking for a car at this price point, then you are at the right place. Here are your best picks:
The first in the list is the latest model from Mahindra, the XUV 3XO. This car significantly upgrades over the Mahindra XUV300 in almost all aspects. It has a fresh Front and rear design with new LED DRLs, a grille, a bumper on the Front, and an updated rear. The interior is also fresh, with a new 10.25-inch infotainment display and a first-in-class panoramic sunroof. The engine is the only Front where it hasn’t changed much, with the options of a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine. Both powertrains are mated with either a 6-speed manual or automatic. The Mahindra XUV 3XO starts at 7.49 lakh.
The siblings with different names but the same characteristics are coming in second: the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. They differ in styling, with the Fronx opting for a sporty appeal while the Taisor has a more subtle design. On all other fronts, they are almost the same car, with features like a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment, automatic climate control and cruise control. They offer the same engine options, such as a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with CNG in the front. Both engines have a 5-speed manual and optional automatic transmission, AGS for Fronx and CVT for Taisor. The Fronx starts at 7.51 Lakh while the Taisor comes at a premium of 22 thousand over it, starting at 7.73 Lakh.
The Tata Nexon has been one of the most selling SUVs in India for a long time. This is with good reason, as it provides a balance of features and looks and a good engine at its price. The latest Nexon gets modern looks with sleek headlights and DRLs on the Front, split tail lights on the rear, and new shades like purple, red and orange that also get a two-tone finish. The interior has a 10.25-inch infotainment, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, connected car tech and JBL 8-speaker music system. It scores very high on the safety front with a 5-star NCAP rating. Under the hood, you can choose a 1.2L Turbocharged 3-cylinder engine or a 1.5L Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. These get multiple transmission options like 5-speed, 6-speed, manual, and 6-speed AMT and a 7-speed DCA—prices of the nexon start at 7.99 Lakhs.
The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are similar on most fronts, just like the Taisor and Fronx. They, too, have different styling approaches, with the venue selecting a more boxy SUV look while the Sonet has a rugged and sporty design. Their feature list resembles an 8-inch infotainment, a digital driver pane, automatic climate control, cruise control, and safety features like six airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control. They offer similar engine options: a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (optional on both). Both can be had with a manual or automatic transmission. The venue gets an additional 1.5-litre diesel engine option. Prices of the Venue start at 7.94 Lakh while the Sonet starts at 7.99 Lakh.
The Altroz Racer is the only hatchback we have included in the list because it performs a compact SUV with the skill of a hatchback. Its racing stripes, 16-inch diamond cut alloys, blacked-out roof, A-pillars, and ORVMs look aggressively sporty. The sporty look continues inside with red accents on the dashboard, door handles and air vents. The same 1.2-litre powers it, a 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine used in the Nexon paired with a 6-speed manual. The fact that it won the Fastest Hatchback in India award from the India Book of Records is a testament to its performance. You can buy one at a starting price of 9.49 Lakh.
Moving to the only seven-seater in our list, we have the Ertiga. This MPV is your best bet if you have a big family you travel with often. It is known for its space on offer, fuel efficiency and the reliability of Maruti Suzuki. Its feature list is impressive, with features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and safety features like four airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control. It is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine known for its high mileage. You can also opt for a CNG variant.
No car is completed these days without an EV, right? The first pick we have in EVs is the little MG Comet. It is one of the best cars for city driving because of its small size and electric powertrain. It has a classy cabin with soft-touch materials, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, a digital driver panel, and connected car features. It offers a range of 230 km with its single motor powertrain that derives its power from a 17.3 kWh battery. You can buy the Comet at a starting price of 6.99 Lakhs.
The second EV on the list is the Tata Tiago EV. It has the subtle looks of a hatchback with blue elements to signify its electric nature. Inside, you get modern features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, and a digital instrument cluster. A 24 kWh lithium-ion battery powers it; the Tiago EV delivers a range of up to 315 km on a single charge. The price tag of the Tiago is 7.99 Lakhs.
All prices mentioned are ex-showroom.
Which car did you like the most?
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