Top 5 Luxury Cars Under 20 Lakh: Our Picks for High-End Features

Highlights:

1.     List of luxury cars under ₹20 lakh

2.     Tips on choosing cars under ₹20 lakh

3.     Types of cars under ₹20 lakh

4.     Features in cars under ₹20 lakh

 

In India, the ₹20 lakh segment is no longer just about a badge; it is a blend of plush interiors, big-screen tech, sunroofs, safety kit and refined engines. We have compiled an eclectic list of cars that pack a lot of luxury with performance. We hope this helps you make the right decision.

First, let’s look at what luxury cars in this segment truly stand for. If we analyse the cars we got about a decade ago, luxury meant beige seats, a basic music system and maybe a rear AC vent if you were lucky. But today, features like ventilated seats, panoramic sunroofs, ADAS, digital instrument clusters, leatherette upholstery and savvy interiors are a given in this segment of cars. A car devoid of these features would not stand a chance in this segment.

The features that were once only seen in an entry-level German sedan are now the basic features in cars in this segment.

Top Cars Under 20 Lakh

For our list, we have focused on cars that feel luxurious from the driver’s seat and rear bench. Our judgement criteria include soft-touch materials, big screens, refined engines, good safety kit and an overall “feel-good” factor, not just a low price tag. So, here are our top five luxury cars for ₹20 lakh.

1. Hyundai Creta

If you want a feature-loaded car, look no further than the Hyundai Creta. It has quietly become the default safe answer to this question. It is a comfortable family SUV, its cabin feels upmarket for the price, and it offers a layered dashboard design, soft-touch panels on higher variants and a large touchscreen with connected tech. Its interior design is something that makes it an instant hit with families, and its clean digital cluster gives you that luxury car appeal every time you enter it.

The higher trims of the car offer a panoramic sunroof, which is especially loved on highway drives and evening city cruising. Creta also offers ventilated front seats, wireless charging, a connected car suite, and a premium sound system.​

The car is not just rich in cosmetic features, it is also safety covered with multiple airbags, ESC, hill assist and an exhaustive list. This can be that one car that does it all – office commutes, family airport runs, weekend road trips and gives you the space, style, comfort and performance of a luxury car.

2. Mahindra XUV700: Big-SUV Feel, High-Tech Cabin

This car changes the definition of a luxury car under ₹20 lakh. The lower and mid variants of XUV700 are the only ones that come in this segment. These variants offer you serious big-SUV luxury on a budget. The interiors offer a dual 10-inch screen layout very much like any European car in the higher segments. It has wide, comfortable seats, generous space in the first two rows and a very good ride quality. This is one SUV in this space that gives you the most amount of space, given its size and dimensions. ​

To enhance the drivability and safety of the car, it adds ADAS features and a very comfortable suspension. It comes in both petrol and diesel options, and it is sure to give you the road presence that no other car gives in this segment.

3. Honda City

If you want the comfort of a business class ride with top-notch performance and reliability, and you are ok with venturing into the sedan space, then there is nothing like the good-old Honda City. The ride and classy interior space of this old workhorse still hold its own, and no car comes close in comfort and performance to the Honda City. The new hybrid variant is also great for those seeking economy.

The City cabin uses light colours, soft-touch textures and clean lines. A ride in a City feels more like a neatly put-together business lounge than a flashy gadget fest. If you are someone who will get driven around in the car, the rear seat comfort on this one is outstanding. ​

4. Skoda Kushaq

This is both an enthusiast’s car and a family car. As is with all Skoda cars, it is not on the flashy side, but drive it once, and it is obvious why enthusiasts rate it highly. The build quality of this car is good and sturdy, the steering feels and the suspension tackles bad roads well. Unlike the flashy interiors of other cars in this segment, Kushaq offers simple yet thoughtfully executed interiors that are stylishly minimal. It offers a fun turbo engine that adds to the overall appeal of the car.

Skoda is known for its high-end safety features that complement its build quality.

5. Kia Seltos

One of the most feature-packed cars in this segment is the Kia Seltos. It is known for doing two things very well: looking sharp and packing in a tonne of features for the money. The features list starts with connected twin-screen style (cluster + infotainment), ambient lighting and beautifully styled premium-looking material.

In the upper trims, you get ventilated seats, Bose audio, sunroof, connected and a lot more. It comes in multiple engine and gearbox combinations to give you a wide range of choices. It is the ideal car for buyers who like tech, design and a certain flash factor.

FAQs

1. What types of cars can I get for under 20 lakh in India?
This space is crowded with options in the Indian automotive segment. For under ₹20 lakh, you get midsize SUVs, premium hatchbacks, sedans, some 7‑seaters, and a few EVs. Cars like the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Nexon EV and MG Hector’s lower variant are available in this segment.
 
2. What safety features should I prioritise in a car under 20 lakh?
Over the past few years, safety has been a priority for buyers in India. Naturally, the most competitive automotive segment in the country has to offer good safety tech as standard today to be of any significance. Key features like six airbags, ESC, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, rear parking sensors and camera are coming in almost all variants in this segment.

3. How do I choose the best car under 20 lakh for my use?
For any car-buying decision, whether in this segment or another, understand your primary need. Identify if you need a car for the city, highway, large family, or occasional off‑roading. This will help you narrow down your research and come up with a short list. Then you further scrutinise your short list using parameters like on‑road price, safety rating, mileage or real‑world range, service network in your city, and waiting period before deciding.