The small car segment, which comprises of the A-segment and B-segment hatchbacks, accounts for the biggest chunk of the total four wheeler sales in India. It is also the most crowded segment in India and still expanding at a rapid pace in terms of the number of models being introduced every year. Naturally, for a person looking to buy a small car in India, the decision-making process can get really nerve wracking. This is where we come in. We have compiled a list of the Best Small Cars to Buy in India based on price, running costs, looks, aftersales support and other crucial parameters. (List includes cars with price in the INR 4-7 lacs range)
Also See – Best Cars in India Below 10 lakhs | Best Mileage Cars in India
Ford Figo
Ford India launched the new Figo last year to replace the successful first generation model. It looks great and, as is the case with most Ford products, is good fun to drive. Powering the Figo is either a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre Petrol or a 1.5-litre Diesel. These engines come mated with a 5-speed manual, 6-speed DCT and a 5-speed Manual respectively. The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel units produce class leading power and are an absolute hoot to drive. Prices for the new Figo start at around INR 4.47 lacs making it a very good value for money proposition.
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.2 L/1.5 L Ti-VCT
(87 bhp-112 Nm/110 bhp-136 Nm) |
1.5 L TDCi |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/6-speed Dual Clutch AT | 5-speed MT |
| Mileage | 18.16 kmpl/17 kmpl | 25.83 kmpl |
| Price | INR 4.47-7.20 lacs | INR 5.56-7.61 lacs |
Tata Tiago
Tata‘s latest entrant’s place in the best small cars to buy in India list very well deserved. Although looks are a matter of personal taste, there is no denying the fact that the Tiago looks good from almost all angles. The dashboard is well laid out with decent levels of quality and fit and finish. It draws power from an all new set of highly fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines. However, the Tiago’s biggest selling point is the pricing, which makes it very very hard to ignore.
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.2 L Revotron (84 bhp-114 Nm) | 1.05 L Revotorq (69 bhp-140 Nm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT |
| Mileage | 23.84 kmpl | 27.28 kmpl |
| Price | INR 3.20-4.75 lacs | INR 3.95-5.54 lacs |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taTqP5EybCQ
Hyundai Grand i10
If it’s a reasonably priced, small, city runabout you’re looking for then the Hyundai Grand i10 fits the bill perfectly. It comes with a choice of either a 1.2-litre petrol or a 1.1-litre diesel. The former produces 87 bhp and 109 Nm, while the latter churns out 70 bhp and 160 Nm. Both engines come with a 5-speed manual. The petrol version also gets a 5-speed automatic variant. It is a comfortable, spacious hatchback with arguably the best cabin in its segment in terms of quality levels and premiumness. And it is backed up well by Honda’s impressive after sales and service support.
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.2 L VTVT (81 bhp-114 Nm) | 1.1 L CRDi (70 bhp-160 Nm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/5-speed AT | 5-speed MT |
| Mileage | 18.9 kmpl/16.95 kmpl | 24 kmpl |
| Price | INR 4.86-6.81 lacs | INR 5.76-6.98 lacs |
Maruti Swift
It has been years since the Maruti Swift has been on the list of best small cars to buy in India. Such stellar success hasn’t been without a reason. For the Swift looks good, is decent to drive and the higher level trims are feature rich. It is also on of the most value for money upper B-segment hatchback. The diesel variant draws power from a frugal 1.3 litre Fiat sourced Multijet engine which makes 74 bhp and 190 Nm torque. A fuel efficiency rating of 25.2 kpl means it is also easy on the pockets if average monthly running is very high. And ever since Maruti increased production, the waiting period has become virtually nonexistent. The only drawback is the not so generous rear seat space and boot space.
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.2 L (83 bhp & 115 Nm) | 1.3 L (74 bhp & 190 Nm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT |
| Mileage | 20.40 kmpl | 25.2 kmpl |
| Price | INR 4.72-6.33 lacs | INR 5.97-7.44 lacs |
Maruti Celerio
Maruti‘s Celerio is an honest little hatchback that does everything that is expected of it and more. It is available with either a 1.0-litre petrol or a 0.8-litre diesel. Powering the Celerio Diesel DDiS 125 is an indigenously developed 793cc, twin cylinder diesel which puts out 47 bhp and 125 Nm torque. The result is an impressive fuel efficiency rating of 27.62 kpl. The petrol variants are also available with an optional 5-speed AMT adding to the practicality of this competent little hatchback. Drawbacks of the Celerio bland looks and the fact that it is not a great highway car.
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.0 L K Series (67 bhp-90 Nm) | 793 cc (46 bhp-125 Nm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT |
| Mileage | 23.1 kmpl | 27.62 kmpl |
| Price | INR 4.04-5.24 lacs | INR 4.82-5.90 lacs |
Maruti Alto K10 AMT
Even though it is not the cheapest automatic hatchback on sale right now, it still makes for a very good buy in the budget end of the segment. Priced at INR 4.05 lakhs (ex-showroom), the Alto K10 is very good value for money. The latest iteration of the K10 might have lost out a bit in terms of looks, but it gets better interiors this time around. The fact that the AMT equipped Alto K10 comes only in the VXi trim and not the VXi(O) trim means that it misses out on certain features such as fog lamps and body coloured ORVMs. Powering the Alto K10 AMT is a 998 cc, 67 bhp petrol motor mated to a 5-speed easy shift AMT.
| Petrol | |
| Engine | 1.0 L K-Series (67 bhp-90 Nm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/5-speed AMT |
| Mileage | 24.07 kmpl |
| Price | INR 3.26-4.11 lacs |
Best Small Cars to Buy in India
| Model | Price (ex-showroom, DelhI) |
| Ford Figo | INR 4.47 – 7.61 lacs |
| Tata Tiago | INR 3.20 – 5.54 lacs |
| Maruti Swift | INR 4.72 – 7.44 lacs |
| Hyundai Grand i10 | INR 4.86 – 6.98 lacs |
| Maruti Celerio | INR 4.04 – 5.90 lacs |
| Maruti Alto K10 | INR 3.26 – 4.11 lacs |
Tell us what you think about our list of the Best Small Cars to Buy in India by commenting below. Which of these cars in our list of Best Small Cars to Buy in India do you like the most? Do stay tuned to CarBlogIndia for more features like the Best Small Cars to Buy in India list here.
