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Today we delve into India's top 10 small cars, their tentative prices, features, and specifications. So, if you are planning to purchase a compact car, this list of the best small cars in India will be resourceful.
Note: Prices in this list indicate the ex-showroom cost of a car in New Delhi. Therefore, the actual prices of vehicles are subject to vary from one city to another.
Without further ado, let’s get straight into the best small cars in India!
Popularly known as the miniature Renault Duster, Kwid offers the performance of an SUV in the body of a hatchback. This car has a rugged-looking, SUV-esque appearance with high ground clearance and a bold stance.
Powering this car is a 1.0l SCe 3-cylinder petrol engine, which cranks out 54 PS of power output and 72 Nm of torque. Kwid comes in several variants, such as RXL, Neotech, RXE, RXL AMT, among others.
One of the top-selling small cars in India, Maruti Swift, has been a roaring success over the years. In fact, the car is now in its third-generation avatar. It runs on a BSVI-spec 1.2-litre K12B 4-cylinder petrol engine, cranking up 81 BHP of power output and 113 Nm of torque.
Additionally, Swift rolls seamlessly on R15 alloy wheels, which takes its aesthetics up a notch. It also has rear parking sensors with a camera, crash sensor, anti-lock braking system, and hill-control assist for maximum safety.
Tiago is the most affordable product in Tata’s line-up. It runs on a Revotron 1.2l, 3-cylinder engine that churns out 86 PS of power output and 113 Nm of torque. Moreover, the car is explicitly designed to maximise your safety behind the wheel. Therefore, it comes with an anti-lock braking system with EBD and CSC, rear camera, impact sensing auto door unlock.
This car makes every ride all the more fun through a 7-inch Connectnext infotainment by Harman and 8 speakers. Additionally, it is also equipped with automatic climate control, a cooled glovebox, an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its variants are XE, XT, XZ, XTA, XZ+, and XZA.
This car functions on a 1.2l VVT petrol engine that produces 84BHP of power and 140 Nm of torque. Impressive exteriors, luxurious interiors, and appealing features sum up the Baleno. Interestingly, its windows are engineered with a UV cut glass that protects you from harmful UV radiations and keeps the cabin cooler.
When it comes to its appearance, Maruti Baleno marks its presence through distinctive project LED headlamps with LED DRLs, two-tone R16 alloy wheels, and higher ground clearance. Its variants include LXI, VXI, ZXI, and ZXI+.
This automobile outperforms other small cars in India by its best-in-segment features. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios comes with a 20.25cm infotainment system, driver rear-view monitor, keyless entry, digital speedometer, voice control, and navigation system. Moreover, you can pick your preferred model from several variants, like Era, Magna, Sportz, and Asta.
From premium interiors to fluid aesthetics and a modern appeal, the Hyundai Elite i20 has it all. It competes head-on with other small cars in India through its superior ergonomics, spaciousness, ample storage space, and matchless performance.
The car stands out visually by way of a radiator grille, rear combination lamps, wrap-around automatic headlamps. Additionally, this automobile is equipped with steering wheel remote controls, AUX and USB connectivity, a rear parking assist system (RPAS), a rear air ventilation system, and a rear camera display (RCD) system.
Next up on our list of the top 10 small cars in India is Tata Altroz. The marque designed this car with ALFA architecture that offers a comprehensive safety system. As a result, Altroz has also received a 5-star rating from Global NCAP. The car runs on powerful BS6 petrol and diesel engines as well as a 1.2l turbo engine.
Moreover, its exteriors exemplify athletic sharpness and interiors. Step inside, and you will spot several savvy features, like a 17.78cm touchscreen interface, an infotainment system by Harman. This car has several variants, namely XE, XM, XT, XZ, and XZ Plus.
This is another popular hatchback car from Maruti, which can be considered in a list of the best small cars. It has two engines mated with a five-speed manual. Additionally, it has gained popularity for having multiple features like a seven-inch touchscreen display, a four-speaker music system, and steering-mounted audio and phone controls. Moreover, there are ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, and a hill-hold assist for passenger safety.
Maruti Alto 800 stands among the oldest-running and best small cars in India. The marque remains a favourite in the Indian automobile industry and this automobile does not disappoint either. It has stood the test of time by adapting to the prevailing market through changes in design, specs, and features. You can choose from several variants of this car, such as LXI, VXI, VXI Plus, STD, etc.
Another star performer in Maruti’s line-up, Celerio, is preferred for its affordability and fuel efficiency. In terms of appearance, this car outshines others by way of an appealing front design and an elegant back-door garnish. It has dual-tone interiors equipped with pretensioner and force limiter seat belts, multi-info display, integrated audio with Bluetooth technology, and steering-mounted audio control.
The automobile rolls on a 1.0l three-cylinder engine producing 68 PS / 90 Nm on petrol and 60 PS and 78 Nm on CNG. Its available variants include LXI, VXI, and ZXI in petrol/CNG and manual/transmission options.
With two engine options, this model again comes under some of India's most popular small cars. The fuel-efficient engines and six-speed manual transmission aim to provide the best quality rider experience. Some popular features include height-adjustable driver seats, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a four-speaker sound system. In addition, it ensures safety with ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and dual front airbags.
Ignis is a popular small car coming from Maruti, with an efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine. Additionally, it has generated fame with its unique features and facilities. Some common ones are LED projector headlamps with DRLs, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 15-inch alloy wheels and automatic climate control. There are also ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors for passenger safety.
If you are listing the best small family cars in India, you should consider Maruti S-Presso. It comes in four trims, one with a CNG kit. This model will give your features and facilities like a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and keyless entry. Furthermore, this model will offer safety features like rear parking sensors, dual airbags, speed alerts, and a front seatbelt reminder.
Hyundai offers its Santro range as one of the top-selling small cars in India. It has a four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 5-speed MT. It also has a CNG kit with a manual transmission. Moreover, its popular features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a rear parking camera, and AC vents. In addition, its dual airbags and rear parking sensors look after passenger safety.
Honda Jazz can be the best value small car option with a single petrol engine. It also has the option for a seven-speed CVT. Among multiple features, you will get a single-pane sunroof, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED headlamps and fog lamps, cruise control, power-foldable ORVMs and auto AC. The safety features include a rear parking camera, rear parking sensors, and ABS with EBD.
On that note, we shall now conclude our list of India's best small cars in India. We hope this listicle offers you some clarity on which one of the small cars in India is well-suited for you. So, you can now head out to buy your preferred automobile without any worries!
Name of the Model |
Expected Ex-showroom Price of the Model (in Delhi, may vary across cities) |
Renault Kwid |
₹2.94 Lakh |
Maruti Swift |
₹5.19 Lakh |
Tata Tiago |
₹4.69 Lakh |
Maruti Baleno |
₹5.63 Lakh |
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios |
₹5.19 Lakh |
Hyundai Elite i20 |
₹6.49 Lakh |
Tata Altroz |
₹5.69 Lakh |
Maruti Wagon R |
₹5.47 Lakh |
Maruti Alto 800 |
₹2.94 Lakh |
Maruti Celerio |
₹4.41 Lakh |
Citroen C3 |
₹5.88 Lakh |
Maruti Ignis |
₹5.35 Lakh |
Maruti S-Presso |
₹4.25 Lakh |
Hyundai Santro |
₹4.90 Lakh |
Honda Jazz |
₹8.00 Lakh |