Small cars, which comprise a major chunk of the total four wheeler sales in India, rule Indian roads. When we say small cars, we’re referring to the ones that are under 4 metres in length. What this means is there are multiple body styles which fall under the small car category including hatchbacks, compact sedans and compact SUVs. Naturally, this highly lucrative segment attracts many automobile manufacturers. In the coming months, we will witness the launch of at least six new small cars under Rs. 6 lakh. Scroll down to know more about the New & Upcoming Small Cars in India Under 6 lakhs
Also See – Upcoming Cars in India 2015-16 | Upcoming SUVs in India
Upcoming Small Cars in India Under 6 lakhs
New Chevrolet Beat
The new Beat is the first of multiple new Chevrolet models on our list of upcoming small cars in India under 6 lakhs. The next 24 months will witness a whole host of new launches from Chevrolet in India. One of the firsts to arrive will be the new 2017 Beat. The new model is based on the current car. However, GM India has given it a thorough makeover in order to help it handle the competition better. Engine lineup might be carried over unchanged.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 ltr Petrol/1.0 ltr diesel |
| Power (estimated) | 79 bhp/57 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 108 Nm/150 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | July 2017 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | Rs. 4-6 lakh |
Chevrolet Beat Activ
Instead of launching the next generation Spark/Beat in India, GM has decided to bring in a heavily reworked version of the current car in order to keep costs in check. This new model will spawn multiple body styles, one of which will be the Beat Activ Crossover. It made an appearance in the concept form at the Auto Expo. And GM recently released images of the production-ready model. Expect a launch in the first half of 2017.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 ltr Petrol/1.0 ltr diesel |
| Power (estimated) | 79 bhp/57 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 108 Nm/150 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | First half 2017 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | Rs. 4.3-6.3 lakh |
Chevrolet Essentia
Chevrolet has three models on our list of upcoming small cars in India under 6 lakhs. The new Beat slated for launch next year will also spawn a compact sedan derivative called ‘Essentia’. Showcased at the Auto Expo in near production-ready guise, the Essentia will sit below the current crop of compact sedans on sale in India and will rival the upcoming Kite 5 compact sedan. Expect prices to start at INR 4.5 lacs.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 litre Petrol/1.0 litre diesel |
| Power (estimated) | 79 bhp/57 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 108 Nm/150 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | First half 2017 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | Rs. 4.5-6.5 lakh |
Tata Tiago Sport
Initially, Tata was planning to launch a performance version of the Bolt hatchback – Bolt Sport. However, due to poor demand for the hatch, they seem to have cancelled those plans. Instead, Tata Motors will launch a souped-up variant of the Tiago hatchback. Powering the Tata Tiago Sport will be a turbocharged 1.2-litre three cylinder engine. Max. power could be around 120 PS. We expect a price of Rs. 6-7 Lakhs. This is the same engine that will power the upcoming Nexon compact SUV. Tata Tiago Sport launch should happen sometime next year.
| Engine(s) | 1.2 L Turbo Petrol |
| Power | 120 PS |
| Torque | 146 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Expected launch date | End 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs 6-7 lakh |
Datsun Go Cross
Datsun is working towards bringing the Go Cross concept into production by the end of 2017. It was present at the Auto Expo in February and is based on the GO+ MPV on sale in India. With the decline in popularity of MPVs and rising demand for SUVs and crossovers, the GO Cross could turn out to be a big seller in our market.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 ltr Petrol |
| Power (estimated) | 67 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 104 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | Late 2017 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | INR 4.5 – 6.5 lakhs |
2017 Maruti Swift
The popular Swift hatchback looks set to get a replacement next year in the form of the next generation model. The 2017 Swift made its debut in Japan in December 2016 and should make it to India by the end of 2017 or early 2018. It will employ the same engines as the current model, but the diesel variants will benefit from Maruti‘s mild hybrid tech. Prices will increase slightly to around INR 4.8 lakhs for the base model.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 litre Petrol/1.3 litre Diesel |
| Power (estimated) | 87 PS/78 PS |
| Torque (estimated) | 115 Nm/190 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | Early 2018 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | INR 4.8 – 7.5 lakhs |
New Hyundai Santro
Yes, the Hyundai Santro is coming back! However, the launch will happen only 2018. It is very likely that the new Santro will debut at the Auto Expo 2018. Prices could start at Rs 4 Lakh. The earlier Hyundai Santro was powered by a 1.1-litre petrol engine. The new Hyundai Santro, however, is likely to get a 1.0-litre engine from the Eon.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.0 litre 3-cyl Petrol/CNG |
| Power (estimated) | 68 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 94 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Expected Launch Date | Second Quarter 2018 |
| Price (estimated) (ex-showroom) | Rs. 4 lakh |
| Upcoming Small Cars in India under 6 Lakhs | ||
| Model | Launch Date | Price |
| Tata Tiago Sport | Mid 2017 | INR 6-7 lakhs |
| 2017 Maruti Dzire | May 16, 2017 | INR 5.5-9 lakhs |
| New Chevrolet Beat | Second Quarter 2017 | INR 4-6 lakhs |
| Chevrolet Beat Activ | Second Quarter 2017 | INR 4.3-6.3 lakhs |
| Chevrolet Essentia | Second Quarter 2017 | INR 4.5-6.5 lakhs |
| Datsun Go Cross | Late 2017 | INR 4.5 – 6.5 lakhs |
| 2017 Maruti Swift | Early 2018 | INR 4.8-7.5 lakhs |
New Small Cars Under 6 Lakhs
2017 Maruti Dzire
The latest addition to the list of new small cars in India under 6 lakhs is the sedan derivative of the Swift. The launch of the new generation Dzire took place in March. The 2017 Dzire gets all-new exteriors and new interiors. The features list is also longer. However, engine options remain the same. Both diesel and petrol variant get optional 5-speed AMT. At 28.4 KMPL, the Maruti Dzire diesel is the most fuel efficient car on sale in India.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 litre Petrol/1.3 litre Diesel |
| Power | 84 PS/75 PS |
| Torque | 115 Nm/190 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT |
| Launch Date | May 16, 2017 |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs. 5.45-9.41 lakh |
Tata Tiago AMT
Tata launched automatic transmission variants to the Tiago in March 2017. For now, only the petrol Tiago gets the 5-speed AMT. Diesel variants with the AMT might come along later if Tata feels there is sufficient demand. Tata Tiago AMT is available only in the fully loaded XZA trim priced at Rs. 5.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Which is around 40,000 more than the standard XZ Petrol manual trim. Tiago AMT competes with the Maruti Celerio AMT and Wagon R AMT.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 litre 4-cylinder Petrol |
| Power | 74 bhp |
| Torque | 114 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed AMT |
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs. 5.39 lakh |
Hyundai Grand i10 Facelift
Hyundai’s popular Grand i10 hatchback received a facelift in February 2017. The updates included a revised front end with a new bumper and grille. There are new features such as LED DRLs, auto aircon, touchscreen AVN and new alloy wheels on offer. Prices of the new 2017 Hyundai Grand i10 start at Rs. 4.58 lakh. (ex-showroom Delhi).
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 litre Petrol/1.2 litre Diesel |
| Power | 82 PS/75 PS |
| Torque | 114 Nm/190 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic/5-speed manual |
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs. 4.58-7.33 lakh |
Maruti Ignis
Maruti Suzuki launched the Ignis in India in January 2017. It is sold through the Nexa sales channel and targets younger buyers. Engine options include a 1.2 L Petrol and 1.3 L Diesel that can be had with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT. Price of the Maruti Ignis start at Rs. 4.59 lakh for the base petrol variant. The top end diesel trim costs Rs. 7.80 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 ltr Petrol/1.3 ltr diesel |
| Power (estimated) | 83 bhp/74 bhp |
| Torque (estimated) | 113 Nm/190 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed manual |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs. 4.59-7.80 lakh |
Renault Kwid 1.0 L AMT
Renault has added an automatic variant to its popular new hatchback. The Kwid AMT features a new 1.0 L engine that is more powerful than the 0.8 L petrol. This new automatic transmission is a 5-speed AMT unit as seen at the Auto Expo in February. Kwid AMT features a gear selector knob placed below the aircon controls. It does not come with the option of manual gear changes. The Renault Kwid AMT is available only in the RxT(O) trim priced at Rs. 4.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Here’s our Renault Kwid AMT review.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.0 litre 3-cylinder Petrol |
| Power | 67 bhp |
| Torque | 91 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed AMT |
| Price (ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs. 4.25 lakhs |
Which of these upcoming small cars in India under 6 lakhs are you waiting for? Let us know via the comments section below and stay tuned to CarBlogIndia for more.
