Top 10 Cars in India

The Indian automobile industry has undergone a massive change in the last decade or so. Not only has the technology evolved, but car buyers’ preferences have evolved too, leading to more options to choose from. From a budget hatchback to premium SUVs, manufacturers have a wide range of offerings on sale and each one suits a particular set of requirements. All the same, with competitiveness at its all-time highest, some cars have garnered more consumer affinity than most others have, and usually emerge as the top cars in India on the sales chart. In this article, we list the top cars in India, that are the favourites of the most car buyers and have been consistently selling well of late.

List of Top Cars in India

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

A 26-years-long legacy. More than Millions of units sold. Longest-running Maruti car. 

All these facts spell out how dominant the reign of the Maruti Wagon R has been in the Indian passenger vehicles landscape. The hatchback has firmly cemented its place in the hearts of millions of car buyers and is among the top cars in India for several reasons. For starters, due to a boxy tallboy design, the Wagon R offers more headroom than its rivals, which makes the car look and feel larger than it actually is. Moreover, the Wagon R delivers class-leading mileage, which also puts it among the most fuel-efficient cars in India. Coupling such a mileage with remarkable practicality, the Wagon R is a favourite not only among the masses but also a staple across the fleet of cab companies.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1-litre petrol engine | 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 23.56 – 25.19 km/l (petrol) & 33.48 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Steering-mounted controls
• 4-speaker music system

Tata Punch

Launched in 2021, the Tata Punch became an instant hit and has been comfortably maintaining a winning streak. The Indian compact SUV punches above its weight and offers some of the most desired perks of a segment above. For example, it feels quite premium on the inside, rides almost as high as mid-size SUVs, and packs enough upmarket features, like a premium Harman sound system, to be more than it is. Moreover, with a competent suspension system, it facilitates a great bump-absorption calibre and delivers a comfortable ride. All these traits make the Punch a compelling package for its price and more than worthy of being called one of the top cars in India.

Tata Punch Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 18.8 – 20.09 km/l (petrol) & 26.99 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Connected car technology
• Semi-digital instrument cluster

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Since its launch in 2005, the iconic Maruti Suzuki Swift has been on a fascinating run, and even today, it’s showing no signs of slowing down. As always, the Swift is acclaimed as a tried-and-trusted family hatchback and offers an appealing package for most Indian requirements. To seat five passengers, it’s the most spacious car in its segment and packs ample comfort and features for a premium ride. At the same time, it’s favoured overwhelmingly by driving enthusiasts for its engaging handling and exciting nature. What elevates its appeal even higher is its pocket-friendly mileage, cheap maintenance cost, reliability, and fantastic resale value. For a package like this, the Swift continues to hold its place as one of the top cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 24.80 – 25.75 km/l (petrol) & 32.85 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Hatchback
• Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Wireless phone charger

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Today, on one hand, the sedan segment is ailing and on the other, there seems to be no problem for the Maruti Dzire compact sedan, which is one of the best-selling cars in India. With a comfortable atmosphere inside, a refined and fuel-efficient engine, and segment-leading space, the Dzire is a hot choice for a family car. Meanwhile, with unparalleled dependability, cheap maintenance cost, and the wide service network of Maruti, the Dzire is a favourite among the cab companies, much like its sibling Maruti Wagon R. Being an attractive family car for the masses as well as a commercially viable offering as a cab, the Dzire is truly one of the top cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 22.41 – 22.61 km/l (petrol) & 31.12 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact Sedan
• Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Cruise control
• Automatic climate control with rear AC vents

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The Maruti Baleno is not only one of the top cars in India, but also one of the most successful cars in Indian automotive history. For the longest time, the Baleno has been the car of choice in the premium hatchback segment and it leads this segment by a great margin. While there are several reasons India loves the Baleno so much, a pocket-friendly and class-leading fuel efficiency, an elegant design, and a refined ride are a few of them. Coupled with these traits, the Baleno brings an unmatchable resale value to the table and the trust of India’s number-one car brand. Since the Baleno became so successful, Maruti launched a compact SUV based on it, Maruti Fronx, which is turning out to be another success.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
• Mileage: 22.94 km/l (petrol) & 30.51 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Up to six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Premium hatchback
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Heads-up display
• 6-speaker Arkamys sound system

Tata Nexon

While the Tata Punch is leading the Tata cars sales today, the Tata Nexon was the one which sparked and drove the resurgence of the Indian carmaker in recent years. Even when the Nexon is no longer the best-selling compact SUV and the best-selling Tata car, it is pulling considerably strong volumes. The Indian compact SUV has indeed been a masterstroke by Tata for it offers a great package and meets most requirements of an average compact SUV buyer. It looks stylish, drives well, and delivers segment-leading ride comfort. Moreover, it’s one of the safest cars in India and in fact, it was the Nexon which raised the industry standards for passenger safety when it became the first car in India to score a 5-star G-NCAP rating. While the Nexon line-up has already been quite wide with petrol and diesel variants on sale, Tata has recently expanded it with the launch of the CNG-powered Tata Nexon.

Tata Nexon Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol | | 1.5-litre turbo diesel
• Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox & 6-speed AMT
• Mileage: 17.5 km/l for petrol, 24.08 km/l for diesel, 24 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel, & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 10.25 touchscreen infotainment system
• Ventilated front seats
• 8-speaker Harman Sound System

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

As the longest-running Compact SUV, the Maruti Brezza has a special veteran charm to it. In true Maruti fashion, the Brezza attracts buyers with its refined and frugal powertrains, comfortable space, and premium enough cabin that help it deliver the tried and tested ‘Maruti experience,’ which has been preferred by Indian masses for decades. While the Brezza is not as feature-rich as its rivals, it offers enough features to maintain its dominance as the best-selling compact SUV and be recognised as one of the top cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 6-speed torque converter automatic
• Mileage: Up to 19.89 km/l (petrol), 25.51 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Up to six airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Cruise control
• Wireless phone charging

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

As far as MUVs are concerned, the Maruti Ertiga has remained the pick of options for the longest time. Today, the Ertiga is one of the best-selling cars, which indeed is a remarkable feat for an MUV, because an MUV is not the body type every other individual buys. The Indo-Japanese MUV can easily accommodate seven passengers and ferry them around along while delivering an appealing mileage. This sounds ordinary, but frugally using fuel while driving seven passengers is not an easy task and shows Maruti’s masterful engineering. Moreover, the Ertiga drives smoothly and is equipped with enough features to deliver a comfortable and convenient ride experience. An impressive frugality, reliability, and comfortable accommodation for seven passengers present the Ertiga as one of the best family cars for large families as well as one of the top cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 6-speed torque converter automatic
• Mileage: Up to 20.51 km/l (petrol), 26.11 km/kg (CNG)
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 7
• Body Type: MUV
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Automatic climate control
• Cruise control

Hyundai Creta

Throned as the best-selling SUV and Hyundai’s best-selling car in India, the Hyundai Creta has remained one of the top cars in India since its launch in 2015. Its huge success revolutionised the Indian automobile industry as it offered the masses a premium and reliable mid-size SUV which made many upscale features accessible to the common public. To take on the likes of Creta, rival manufacturers filled the mid-size SUV segment with a slew of capable cars, making it the most crowded segment. Yet, Creta is the undisputed leader of the segment even today. As always, the Creta offers upscale features in spades and delivers a refined ride. Moreover, the latest iteration of the Creta has brought in the segment’s most powerful engine, which is a treat to driving enthusiasts.

Hyundai Creta Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5 litre petrol engine | 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine | 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT, CVT, 7-speed DCT, & 6-speed AT
• Mileage: 17.4 – 18.4 km/l for petrol & 19.1 – 21.8 km/l for diesel
• Airbags: 6 airbags as standard
• Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• 8-speaker Bose Sound System
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Mahindra Scorpio

There have been few cars in Indian history, which are as reputed as the Mahindra Scorpio. This legendary Indian SUV began its career in 2002 and was quick to become a status symbol thanks to its authoritarian road presence and rugged character. Even today, the Scorpio is one of the best-selling cars in India, which demonstrates that no matter how popular comfort-oriented SUVs like the Hyundai Creta have become, the traditional true-blue SUVs with ladder-frame chassis still have a solid fanbase. A couple of years ago, an even more capable version of the Scorpio, the Mahindra Scorpio N joined the Scorpio portfolio, making its lineup even more dominant. For the way Scorpio is maintaining its reign, it will go down in history as one of the most epic automobiles, let alone one of the top cars in India.

Mahindra Scorpio Classic Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2.2-litre diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission
• Mileage: 14.44 km/l
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 9
• Body Type: Full-size SUV
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Automatic climate control with second and third-row vents
• Cruise control

Mahindra Scorpio N Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2.2-litre diesel engine | 2 litre turbo petrol engine        
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT
• Mileage: 15-16 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 6 & 7
• Body Type: Full-size SUV
• 12-speaker Sony sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• Six-way powered driver seat

Summary

The Indian car market has substantially evolved over the past decade and today, it has more variety than ever. While there is a wide range of cars to meet different needs, some cars have become the overwhelming favourites and consistently emerge as the top cars in India. The Tata Punch, with its macho appeal and premium quotient at an affordable price, stands as one of the most preferred compact SUVs. The other Tata car, Tata Nexon, stands out for its safety, ride comfort, and versatility. The Maruti pack consisting of the Wagon R, Swift, Baleno, Ertiga, and Brezza continue to lead their respective segments, offering great mileage, practicality, and trusted brand value. The Hyundai Creta revolutionised the mid-size SUV space, while the Mahindra Scorpio remains the rugged favourite and a dominant status symbol.

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