Best selling small cars in India

A small car under a budget, what more can a consumer ask for? Today the small car market is like a bee hive with ample of choice among the cars under Rs 4 lakhs. Global or local, any car manufacturer is ready to try their hand in the entry-level segment quite keen on targeting this particular segment. What more, almost all the low cost cars are as appealing as any other car plying on the car. If there is any Achilles’ heel, the interiors are slightly on the shabbier side and the lack of diesel variant are the only ones one could point out to. One can ask, why can’t a car manufacturer simply introduce a diesel variant in the entry level segment. Higher investment costs go into diesel technology increasing the prices of the car. Let me cite you an example. A car with Rs 3.50 lakh price tag, if launched with a diesel heart, the price will easily go up by Rs 1 lakhs. This will make it look like an overpriced car with the same allure it had before moreover, the same features as well.  The investment of an additional Rs 1 lakh upfront might look a tad too high for a commoner. Here we are going to talk about five such cars, where a lack of diesel engine did not seem to make a slight bit of difference in their sales.

‘Cheap’ is the word that comes into the mind when we think of Tata Nano. But, it is the pride of the nation and Tata Motors and one should never forget that. Launched way back in 2009, Tata Nano had made a lurch for the market share right from the beginning. The fuel economy of 23.6 kmpl and the Rs 1 lakh price tag has worked wonders in the car industry. However, with few ups and downs the car has survived so far with particularly negative track record in the past two years. The reference of the fire accidents goes without saying. Whatever is the history, whats done is done. The car manufacturer has now introduced the 2012 Tata Nano to make up for all the drawbacks it ever had. The tweaked engine stands foremost in the entire makeover. The 624 cc petrol engine is worthy of generating better power output of 38 PS and there is a boost in the torque output as well. The high torque figure now stands at 51 Nm. The top speed is another area touched, which sees a new high of 105 kmph from 100 kmph and a phenomenal mileage of 25.4 kmpl.  Apart from the air-conditioner which is thrown in as an optional feature, I would say the interiors are something which are really worked upon. The beige tones in the top LX variant, rich black finish of the CX variant and the soothing graphite hue of the standard variant quite easy on eye. The decent cloth of covering over the ugly protruding rear engine comes in form of extended bumper in the behind. The driver and the passenger side rear view mirrors are the other basics covered in the revamped version. And makeover did  not an extra buck, Tata Nano price is just the same as ever at Rs 1,27,064.  A diesel variant of the Tata Nano is expected to be launched some time very soon.

Maruti Alto has always been the frontrunner in the A segment hatchbacks. Compact form, leading fuel economy numbers and the top of all, the most economic price tag; Maruti Alto is a born leader. With most practical approach and just including the bare essentials, the car has always been the consumers first choice. Fearing from the new competition, Hyundai Eon, Maruti India has decided to save its grace by launching the special edition Xplore variant right before the Eon launch. Not just one or two, but 10 features have made their way into the variant including the much needed audio system with Bluetooth and USB port and the leather seat covers for those who are crazy about the authentic leather upholstery. The inclusion of power windows and air conditioner is the big advantage over the other its competitors, while the Maruti Alto price remains as low as Rs 2.32 lakhs. The cream of Maruti Alto, the Xplore variant delivers a high power of 68 PS from the 998 cc K10 engine coupled with a 5 –speed manual gearbox. An impressive mileage is another strong point with 20.3 kmpl on the board.  Maruti Alto despite its longer presence is thoroughly a new generation car complying with all the BSIV norms with its latest K10 engine.

Truest competitor of Maruti Alto in every sense is our latest small car from Hyundai India, the Eon. With the grey, black interiors and lustrous sporty exteriors the car is unmatched its own segment and the one above. The ‘Fluidic’ design sets its class apart from the rest and is beyond anybody’s expectation inside out. The car is literally fraught with all the essential features including the airbags and air-conditioner which are not introduced across the board, but gradually equipped in the higher variants. With the in-vogue 2-Din music system with the USB and Bluetooth connectivity, the car is for the fashion conscious people who want to have some peppy music accompany them during the drive. The lower capaicity engine is a slight drawback, which is otherwise comparable with the higher segment cars like Chevrolet Spark or Beat. The 814 cc petrol engine churns out slightly disappointing  56 Bhp peak power and a 76 Nm peak torque. Now again, the mileage figure will make up for the only drawback in the car. With the 21 kmpl  mileage on the board, the car has every bit of strength to fightback against Maruti Alto’s dominance in the segment. Hyundai Eon price is however a little high than Alto at Rs 2,69,999 which is easily ignorable considering its fresher appeal it carries.

Getting away from its usual bored stiff premium car image, Toyota India has launched the Etios Liva hatchback inspired by the small cars success in India. After moving heaven and earth together, the effort by the Japanese car manufacturer did not go into the drain after all. In fact, the Toyota Etios twins are known to turn around the sales for the auto major. More than the petrol variant, it is the diesel Etios Liva that has grabbed the attention of many. The class leading fuel economy figures and the Toyota brand value has worked nothing short of miracles for the car. If one overlooks the under furbished interiors, the car has its own superior berth in the segment. The offer of the safety features begins right from the base variant and works all the way up to the top variant including a couple of attractive features in each step. The top variant is beyond reproach providing  maximum comfort and luxury with the steering mounted audio controls and the alloy wheels to add to its charm. The 80 PS 1.2 L petrol engine offers a decent mileage of 18.3 kmpl, while the 1.4 L diesel engine delivers impressive figures of 23.59 kmpl fuel efficiency. The jaw-dropping Toyota Etios Liva price is to mark the distinction at Rs 3,99,900 from the petrol base variant.

The cheapest car yet from Honda India is Honda Brio. With the distinct styling and the media hype it has got, the small car from Honda Motors is bound be a success. The lack of diesel cars in its line-up did not urge the car manufacturer to introduce diesel model. Sticking faithfully to the petrol engine, the auto major has wished for a champion and Brio is that very car. With the prime objective of launching a low priced car, Honda India is slightly side-tracked from its high on safety image. The airbags are the only safety features in the base variant, however, ABS and EBD are generously added as we go higher towards the top variants. The 1.2 L SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine quite easily churns out an 88 Bhp top power and 109 Nm top torque. Honda Motors has dropped a bombshell in the industry with a Honda Brio price of Rs 3,95,000 to surprise many with the smart price tag.

Chevrolet Spark is the blessing in disguise from the General Motors in the domestic car market. After the recent plunge in the small car segment with the Chevrolet marque, there is no turning back. The auto major could have done better to spruce up the exteriors which are slightly on the dull side. But as the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, let us leave the exterior appeal to the consumers to decide. The low Chevrolet price tag and the features put it far above its closest competitors. Fraught with state-of-the-art technology, the car has enough potential to take its competitors single-handed. Despite its compact form, the interiors space is something to boast about. The spacious interiors are well-laid out with enough legroom for the rear seat occupants as well. The car width is the only sore point if one can think of. The 1.0L 995 cc engine is again quite efficient to place it well ahead of its competitors. The 63 Bhp high power and 93.3 Nm peak torque from the Smart –Tec engine woth mentionable. The Chevrolet Spark price of Rs 3,05,958 makes it the cheapest car with the Chevrolet badging so far.