Top 7 New Cars You Can Actually Buy for Under 10 Lakhs On-Road

Key Highlights)

• Entry-level EVs are gradually stealing the appeal of reliable first cars from petrol hatchbacks
• With stringent emission norms, diesels are becoming a rarity in the budget segment
• Taking test drives is crucial since the best car on paper may not always be the right choice to make

There are several great choices for those who wish to own a car with a tight budget of ₹10 lakh or under. However, making the right choice requires a significant amount of research, comparison and understanding of one’s personal driving needs. Of course, test drives are vital too. Let us see the 7 best cars in India that hit an on-road price of roughly ₹10 lakh or below!

Since final on-road prices vary with options, accessories, insurance policies, registration and state-level taxation, we are sharing only their ex-showroom prices. On-road prices are still expected to remain under ₹10 lakh, except for certain top variants.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

The ‘Alto’ nameplate has always been a favourite in the broadest reach of the Indian market. In fact, the original Maruti Suzuki Alto (launched in September 2000) was the first choice for several buyers in the 21st century, who could extend their budget beyond the iconic Maruti 800. It is worth mentioning that until a few years ago, the Maruti Suzuki Alto was consistently the highest-selling passenger car in the country.

Priced from ₹3.70 - 5.45 lakh ex-showroom, the current third-generation Maruti Alto is available only in 'K10' avatar. Its 1.0-litre K-Series NA three-cylinder petrol engine is good for roughly 67hp @ 5,500rpm and 89Nm @ 3,500rpm. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or its equivalent AGS (AMT). There is also a CNG variant on offer (reduces the seating capacity to four).

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

The era of subcompact sedans may have lost its previous charm, but the ever-reigning segment leader is still a popular choice (especially in fleet operations). Currently in its fourth generation, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire (previously dubbed ‘Swift Dzire’) is arguably the best-looking choice in its segment. It is no longer a Swift with a boot welded on, and the proportions give justice to the ‘sedan’ tag as well as its name. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹6.26 - 9.31 lakh.

Powering the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is a 1.2-litre ‘Z-Series’ three-cylinder NA petrol engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. Power and torque figures stand at about 82hp @ 5,700rpm and 111.7Nm @ 4,300rpm, respectively. A petrol-CNG Bi-Fuel variant is also offered, keeping fleet operators in mind.

Tata Punch

It is no secret that the Indian automotive market is greatly obsessed with subcompact crossovers or raised hatchbacks sold under the moniker ‘compact SUV’. This is particularly strengthened by the sales chart of 2024, wherein the Tata Punch hit the top rank. Available in petrol, CNG and electric formats, the Tata Punch is an appealing choice for several first-time car buyers. Prices for the petrol version start at ₹5.50 - 9.24 lakh ex-showroom. In total, there are close to 25 variants!

The Tata Punch is powered by a 1.2-litre Revotron three-cylinder NA petrol engine good for nearly 88hp @ 6,000rpm and 115Nm @ 3,250rpm. It is mated to either a 5-speed manual or its equivalent AMT. The Petrol + CNG version is offered only with a 5-speed manual and produces less output.

MG Comet

The MG Comet is a brilliant choice for the city. It is engineered to offer the best space efficiency, visibility and daily commutability. The MG Comet is a true microcar and cannot be compared with quadricycles such as the Bajaj Qute. It may not be everyone’s favourite due to limited interior storage, bumpy ride (equipped with 12-inch wheels), lack of fast charging and minimal road presence. Yet, it remains a good secondary option in an urban two-car garage.

Powering the Comet is a 17.3kWh battery pack that promises an MIDC range of 230km. It takes about five hours to charge from 10-80% via the standard 3.3kW AC unit (a faster 7.4kW charger is optional). The MG Comet generates 42hp and 110Nm, which are decent figures for the urban environment. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹7.00 to 9.78 lakh.

Citroen C3

The Citroen C3 Turbo is objectively the best car one can buy at around ₹10 lakh on-road. The AT variant may cost slightly more but is worth the stretch. Citroen India has revamped its entire line-up to rectify its initial mistake: marketing cheapness in the name of affordability. From being the most underequipped car in its class, the Citroen C3 now offers supreme value for money in terms of features as well as performance.

The Citroen C3 Turbo is powered by a 1.2-litre PureTech 110 three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that churns out 110hp @ 5,500rpm and 190Nm/205Nm @ 1,750rpm, while mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter automatic. The lesser 1.2-litre PureTech 82 three-cylinder NA petrol engine (available only with a 5-speed manual) is good for 82hp @ 5,750rpm and 115Nm @ 3,750rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from just ₹4.80 lakh to ₹9.05 lakh.

Nissan Magnite

Being the sole revenue-generating product in Nissan Motor India’s narrow portfolio, the Magnite had minimal freedom to compromise since its debut in December 2020. As part of this, the sub-four-metre crossover is offered with a 10-year warranty and 3-year roadside assistance as standard!

Ex-showroom prices of the Nissan Magnite start at ₹5.61 lakh and reach ₹8.48 lakh. There are two three-cylinder petrol powertrains on offer: 1) B4D 1.0-litre NA unit (mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT), which makes 72hp @ 6,250rpm and 96Nm @ 3,40Nm, and 2) HRA0 1.0-litre turbo engine good for 100hp @ 5,000rpm. Torque figures hit 160Nm @ 2,800rpm with the 5-speed manual and 152Nm @ 2,200rpm coupled to the CVT.

Renault Triber

Renault India has thoughtfully designed the Triber to carry 5-7 passengers with ample comfort. With the third row removed, the sub-four-metre MPV has a boot capacity of 625 litres. The roof rails can carry up to 50kg. In addition, the middle row is slidable, reclinable or foldable for added convenience. The powertrain is not very eager and has just enough oomph to calmly carry a family on a vacation. 

The Renault Triber’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine makes 72hp @ 6,250rpm and 96Nm @ 3,500rpm, while mated to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT. The 5-speed Easy-R AMT powertrain is available only in the highest ‘Emotion’ trim. Prices start from ₹5.76 lakh and touch ₹8.60 lakh ex-showroom.

Making the Right Choice

The Indian car market has always had tempting options in the affordable category. Inflation and market trends have shot up prices in the past two decades or so. However, the demand for personal mobility has improved drastically post-COVID and hence, buyers are willing to stretch their budget to meet their specific needs. Today, for a budget of ₹10 lakh, one can choose between a petrol, CNG or electric powertrain across multiple categories such as hatchback, subcompact sedan, crossover or MPV. Do keep in mind: the best choice on paper may not be the right choice, and hence, always go for a test drive.

FAQs

1. What is the best way to choose the right car under 10 lakh?
Determine priorities such as safety, mileage, space or features. Afterwards, shortlist models and take test drives. Compare ownership costs, service network and long-term reliability before making a final decision.

2. Are automatic cars available under 10 lakh?
Several models offer AMT, CVT or TC options depending on the brand. AMT is the most common choice owing to its minimal sophistication.

3. What features can one expect in a car under 10 lakh?
Touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear camera, automatic climate control, wireless charging, seat ventilation, TPMS, etc. Certain cars may offer something unique to have an extra edge in the segment.

4. Should we buy a petrol, diesel or a CNG under 10 lakh?
Petrol cars suit most city users. Diesel options are almost non-existent in this price range. CNG is ideal if one prioritises low running costs, provided CNG refilling stations are close.

5. Which car offers the best safety rating under 10 lakh?
Tata Punch and Maruti Suzuki Dzire are the safest (at least on paper), owing to their 5-star Global NCAP scores.