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Best Cars for First-time Buyers in India

Team AckoFeb 16, 2024

Buying a car is a major financial decision, especially for first-time buyers. If you identify with this situation, choosing a vehicle that fits your needs and budget becomes all the more important. Nowadays, be it small hatchbacks or luxury sedans, a wide variety of four-wheelers are easily available. This article will explore some of the best cars for first-time buyers in India and narrow down your search. So, if this is your first time buying a car, read ahead to find the ideal vehicle for you!

Contents

List of the top vehicles for new car buyers
List of the best cars for first-time buyers
Frequently asked questions

List of the top vehicles for new car buyers

Here are the top vehicles for new car buyers in a tabular format.

Sr. No.	Car name	Approximate price range
1.	Renault Kwid	Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh
2.	Maruti S-Presso	Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh
3.	Maruti Wagon R	Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh
4.	Maruti Ignis	Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
5.	Tata Punch	Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
6.	Tata Tiago	Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
7.	Hyundai Grand i10 Nios	Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
8.	Honda Amaze	Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
9.	Kia Sonet	Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh
10.	Tata Nexon	Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh

List of the best cars for first-time buyers

Here are some of India's top vehicles for first-time car buyers.

1. Renault Kwid

The Renault Kwid is a hatchback that has the appearance of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). It is a budget-friendly vehicle but has a spacious 300-litre trunk, high ground clearance, and excellent fuel efficiency. In addition to these impressive features, it also comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, voice recognition technology, and dual airbags for added safety.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 800 cc, 1000 cc
Power: 53 bhp
Torque: 72 Nm
Transmission: Automatic (AT)/Manual (MT)
Price: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh

2. Maruti S-Presso

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is a compact car with an SUV-like design. It delivers excellent fuel efficiency and comes loaded with features such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, remote keyless entry, and a gear position indicator. In terms of safety, it has dual airbags, a speed alert system, and rear parking sensors.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1000 cc
Power: 66 bhp
Torque: 89 Nm
Transmission: AT
Price: Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh

3. Maruti Wagon R

The latest version of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R boasts more interior space than any of its previous iterations. In addition to its roomy cabin, it also offers appealing features such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, remote keyless entry, and electrically adjustable Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs). When it comes to safety, it's equipped with a speed alert system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and reverse parking sensors.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1000 cc, 1200 cc
Power: 89 bhp
Torque: 113 Nm
Transmission: AT
Price: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh

4. Maruti Ignis

Stylish and ideal for small families, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a great vehicle. It is available with either a manual or automatic transmission and features an SUV-like appearance. It delivers decent driving performance and is suitable for both highway and city driving. Some of its features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a navigation system, and dual airbags.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1200 cc
Power: 82 bhp
Torque: 113 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh

5. Tata Punch

The Tata Punch is another SUV-styled hatchback that was introduced in India in 2021. It is currently available in four different variants: Accomplished, Adventure, Creative, and Pure. The Punch is characterised by its distinctive design, which includes a clark grille with LED DRLs, 16-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels, and square LED tail lights. Additionally, it offers a number of catchy features like an automatic climate control system, a cooled glove box, and a push start/stop button.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1200 cc
Power: 84 bhp
Torque: 133 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh

6. Tata Tiago

The Tata Tiago is a small hatchback that was launched in India in 2016. It has a roomy interior and can seat up to five people comfortably. Some of its features include a cooled glove box, speed-dependent auto door locks, and ABS with EBD. The Tata Tiago is currently offered in three colours: Flame Red, Pearlescent White, and Daytona Grey.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1200 cc
Power: 85 bhp
Torque: 113 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh

7. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

The most recent version of the Hyundai Grand i10, the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS, has a number of impressive features, including cruise control, a cooled glove compartment, and a wireless phone charging station. It also comes packed with safety features, including ABS with EBD, dual airbags, and a rear parking camera with sensors.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1000 cc, 1200 cc
Power: 82 bhp
Torque: 95 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh

8. Honda Amaze

The Honda Amaze is a Japan-manufactured car that sports a confident exterior with LED projector headlamps, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a shark fin antenna. It is currently available in five colour options: platinum lunar silver metallic, white pearl, golden brown metallic, radiant red, and modern steel metallic. The Amaze also comes with appealing features like keyless entry, automatic climate control, cruise control, dual airbags, and a digital touchscreen infotainment system.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1200 cc, 1500 cc
Power: 89 bhp
Torque: 110 Nm
Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)/MT
Price: Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh

9. Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is a compact SUV that comes equipped with stylish features such as LED headlamps with DRLs, crystal-cut alloy wheels, and heartbeat LED tail lamps. It also has attractive features like an electric sunroof, speed-sensing door lock, and brake assist. The Kia Sonet competes with other popular SUVs such as the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1000 cc, 1200 cc, 1500 cc
Power: 99 bhp
Torque: 240 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh

10. Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is a popular sub-4 metre crossover SUV in India that competes with other models such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonnet, and Nissan Magnite. The updated version of the vehicle, released in 2020, has a coupe-inspired aerodynamic shape, piano-black ORVMs, and signature tail lights. It also offers desirable features like an electric sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, and cruise control.

Specifications

Engine capacity: 1200 cc, 1500 cc
Power: 118 bhp
Torque: 170 Nm
Transmission: AT/MT
Price: Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the best cars in India for first-time buyers.

Which is better for a first car, a petrol or a diesel engine?

When deciding between a petrol or diesel car for your first vehicle, it's important to consider the pros and cons of each option. Diesel engines have the potential to deliver more power, but they may also be noisier and more expensive to maintain. Petrol engines, on the other hand, tend to be less expensive to purchase and maintain, but may not offer as much power. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific driving needs and how you plan to use the car.

Which hatchbacks are recommended for first-time buyers?

We recommend the following hatchbacks for first-time buyers.

Renault Kwid
Maruti S-Presso
Maruti Wagon R
Maruti Ignis
Tata Punch
Tata Tiago
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Do first-time car owners need to purchase auto insurance?

Yes, according to The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, you must have auto insurance to drive a car on a public road. Thus, you will need to buy auto insurance as a first-time car owner in order to satisfy this requirement and safeguard your finances in the event of an unfortunate accident.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.