Best MUV Cars In India Under 10 Lakhs: Affordable, Practical and Reliable

Author: Jeo GeorgePublished on: 12/31/20256 Minutes
Overview:India, a country that has always valued family and unity, has seen a strong demand for MUV cars under 10 lakhs. Providing an affordable means of mobility, the compact MUVs have been popular among the Indian masses for their practical design and low running costs. The idea of compact and affordable MUV cars in India under 10 lakhs gained popularity during the mid-2010s. However, strict emission and safety norms have had a deep impact on the pricing of compact MUVs in recent years. In this guide, we look at the limited options of MUVs that are still priced below the Rs 10 lakh mark.
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Key Highlights:

  • Maruti Suzuki is leading the affordable MUV race with Eeco and Ertiga.
  • The Renault Triber is another cleverly packaged compact MUV with no direct competition.
  • Not many carmakers have plans to develop compact MUVs in India.



What is an MUV?


MUV stands for Multi-Utility Vehicle and is commonly referred to as a people mover or MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). They are engineered to provide optimal space, comfort, and versatility, making them perfect for large families, travel enthusiasts, and commercial users.


MUVs generally include:

- Three-row seating

- Spacious cabin designs

- Elevated ground clearance

- Sturdy construction for rough terrains

- Ample luggage capacity


While they may lack the flashiness of SUVs or the compactness of hatchbacks, MUVs stand out in terms of practicality, passenger comfort, and cost-effectiveness.


Best MUV Cars in India Under 10 Lakh


Looking for an affordable MUV that offers an excellent combination of comfort, fuel efficiency, and practicality for large families and budget-conscious consumers? Listed below are the top MUV vehicles available in India for under ₹10 lakh.


Maruti Suzuki Eeco


Starting price: Rs 5.98 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi, for 6-seater)


A successor to India’s first-ever MUV, the Omni, the Maruti Suzuki Eeco began its life as Versa in the early 2000s. Due to its steep pricing, the Versa never managed to create an impact on the sales charts. It prompted Maruti Suzuki to go back to the drawing board and come up with an improvisation, which led to the launch of Eeco in 2010.


At present, the Eeco ranks as one of the highest-selling models from Maruti Suzuki in India. Over the years, the humble Eeco has received several mechanical revisions. In its latest update, the Eeco received an all-new engine and new safety features, including six airbags, complying with the latest emission and safety norms.


Maruti Suzuki offered the model in five-seater and seven-seater configurations. While the five-seater version continues to exist, the seven-seater version has been replaced by a re-engineered six-seater model, making it one of the most affordable MUVs in India.


Powertrain details

  • Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Maximum power: 80.7 PS @ 6,000 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 104.4 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
  • ARAI-Claimed fuel efficiency: 19.71 kmpl

Renault Triber


Starting price: Rs 6.15 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)


Motivated by the early success of the Kwid and Duster, Renault attempted to replicate the same strategy in the compact MUV segment in India – by manufacturing a car well-suited to Indian conditions. This led to the debut of Triber, a first-of-its-kind MUV under Rs 10 lakhs, in 2019. The Renault Triber is based on the same CMF-A platform as the Kwid, which was engineered for cost-effective entry-level cars for developing markets like India.


Unlike the Eeco, which feels too utilitarian in its approach, the Renault Triber has a more car-like appeal, featuring modern design elements, a contemporary interior, and well-appointed features. Despite its compact footprint, which is even smaller than some hatchbacks sold in India, the Renault Triber has a usable third row. This quality sets it apart from all entry-level cars under 10 lakhs. The Triber was also the first MUV in India to get a four-star rating in Global NCAP crash test ratings.


Powertrain details

  • Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual / 5-speed AMT
  • Maximum power: 72 PS @ 6,250 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 96 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
  • ARAI-Claimed fuel efficiency: 19 kmpl (manual) / 18.2 kmpl (AMT)

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga


Starting price: Rs 8.97 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)


Inarguably one of the most successful MUV cars in India under 10 lakhs, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga started its journey as a concept showcased at the 2010 Auto Expo. Based on the same platform as the Swift and Ritz, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga had a flying start after its debut at the 2012 Auto Expo. Since then, the Ertiga has been a consistent performer for Maruti Suzuki and currently ranks as the highest-selling MUV in India.


The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is one segment above the Eeco and Triber, with a more usable third row. Like the Triber, the second and third rows of the Ertiga have multiple folding patterns, making the cabin more versatile in its usage.   


The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga was initially launched with 1.5-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines — with a new 1.5-litre diesel engine joining the lineup for a few months. However, at present, the 1.5-litre petrol engine is the only powertrain for the Ertiga.


Powertrain details

  • Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual / 6-speed AT
  • Maximum power: 103 PS @ 6,000 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 139 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
  • ARAI-Claimed fuel efficiency: 20.51 kmpl (manual) / 20.3 kmpl (AT)

Ready to Buy? Here’s What You Should Know


With only three MUV cars in India priced under 10 lakhs, there are limited options in compact MUVs for car buyers, such as the Kia Carens, Maruti Suzuki XL6, Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus, and Mahindra Marazzo, which are more premium and understandably more expensive. However, Nissan is working on a budget-oriented MUV that will share its mechanicals with the Renault Triber, making it one of the most anticipated cars under 10 lakhs for the future.


Pro Tip: For budget-conscious buyers, the Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Renault Triber and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga are well-engineered and distinctive products in their approaches, fulfilling the requirements of MUV buyers. While the Eeco is more utilitarian in its approach, the Ertiga is a proper family car with a premium appeal. The Renault Triber, meanwhile, fits somewhere in the middle of these two offerings.


FAQs


1. Which is the best MUV car under 10 lakhs?
Currently, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the highest-selling MUV in India, with its prices starting below the Rs 10 lakh mark. The Maruti Suzuki Eeco and Renault Triber are two other popular MUVs under 10 lakhs.


2. Which is the cheapest MUV car?
With a starting price of Rs 5.98 lakh for its six-seater version, the Maruti Suzuki Eeco is the cheapest MUV car in India.


3. What is MUV's full form?
MUV stands for Multi-Utility Vehicle, an abbreviation for a vehicle that offers a seating configuration for more than five people with at least three rows of seats.