A car is more than just a mode of transport and has to meet a variety of expectations to get chosen over another. While expectations differ from person to person, a car’s suitability usually depends upon some common measures such as design, fuel economy, space, comfort, features, after-sale service, and most importantly, safety. The car that delivers well on most of these factors, becomes a best-seller. Today, the Indian automobile market is full of best-selling cars and it’s only natural to get confused when you have a wide range of options to make a suitable pick. If you find yourself in a similar situation, this list of best-selling cars from best-selling brands will help you narrow down your options. To prevent Maruti from dominating our list, we’ve restricted the list to the two best-sellers from each brand.
Also Read – Top Automobile Companies In India
List of Best Cars in India
Car | Body type | Mileage | Ex-showroom Price |
Maruti Suzuki Swift | Hatchback | 22.56 km/l for petrol & 30.90 km/kg for CNG | ₹5.92 – 8.85 lakhs |
Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R | Hatchback | 23.56 – 25.19 km/l for petrol & 34.05 km/kg for CNG | ₹5.47 – 7.20 lakhs |
Tata Nexon | Compact SUV | 17.5 (petrol) | 21.1 km/l (diesel) | 312 km range (30.2 kWh) | 437 km (40.5 kWh) | ₹7.60 – 14.08 lakhs (ICE) ₹14.99 – 17.50 lakhs (EV Prime) ₹18.34 – 20.04 lakhs (EV Max) |
Tata Punch | Compact SUV | 18.97 km/l | ₹5.93 – 9.49 lakhs |
Hyundai Creta | Mid-size SUV | 17 km/l for petrol, 21 km/l for diesel | ₹10.44 – 18.24 lakhs |
Hyundai Venue | Compact SUV | 17.5 – 18.1 km/l for petrol, 23.4 km/l for diesel | ₹7.53 – 12.72 lakhs |
Kia Seltos | Mid-size SUV | 16.1 – 16.8 km/l for petrol, 21 km/l for diesel | ₹10.49 – 18.65 lakhs |
Kia Sonet | Compact SUV | 18.3 – 18.4 km/l for petrol, 19 – 24.1 km/l for diesel | ₹7.49 – 13.99 lakhs |
Mahindra Bolero | Utilitarian SUV | 17.5 km/l | ₹9.53 – 10.48 lakhs |
Mahindra XUV700 | Mid-size SUV | 13-14 km/l for petrol & 13.5 – 14.48 km/l for diesel | ₹13.45 – 24.95 lakhs |
Maruti Suzuki Swift
The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been ruling the sales chart for decades and is the go-to car for most Indians looking for a comfortable and fuel-efficient family hatchback. The Maruti Swift is the most spacious car in the segment, and its family-friendly interiors along with cosy seats make it one of the most comfortable cars for a family of five members. The smooth power delivery of the refined petrol engine and the sharp handling make it an ideal choice to manoeuvre through city traffic. Moreover, with 22.56 km/l petrol mileage and 30.90 km/kg CNG mileage, the Maruti Swift is among the most fuel-efficient cars in India.
Also Read – Sedan Vs Hatchback
Maruti Suzuki Swift Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre petrol | 1.2 litre petrol engine with CNG kit
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
- Mileage: 22.56 km/l for petrol & 30.90 km/kg for CNG
- Airbags: Dual front airbags
- Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: Hatchback
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Cruise Control
- Automatic climate control
Maruti WagonR
Maruti does have a knack for making family-friendly cars, and the Maruti WagonR is yet another example. The Maruti WagonR is one of the best-selling cars in India and always remains high in demand for its practicality. The boxy design, practical ergonomics, sufficient space and comfort, and decent load of features for its asking price make the Maruti WagonR a very attractive option for Indian families. What’s more, the Maruti WagonR is an effortless car to drive through start-stop city traffic. Making the WagonR even more practical is its frugal mileage of 23.56 – 25.19 km/l for petrol and 34.05 km/kg for CNG.
Also Read – 5 Seater Cars
Maruti WagonR Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre petrol | 1 litre petrol | 1 litre petrol engine with CNG kit
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
- Mileage: 23.56 – 25.19 km/l for petrol & 34.05 km/kg for CNG
- Airbags: Dual front airbags
- Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: Hatchback
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Four speaker music system
- Steering mounted controls
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon is one of the most successful Tata cars ever and has placed itself firmly on the list of best-selling cars in India. While its stylish design gives it an attractive road presence, its city-friendly dimensions help it easily tackle city traffic. The premium interiors and good amount of space make the Tata Nexon an attractive five-seater compact SUV, whereas the plethora of upmarket features further help it deliver a comfortable and convenient driving experience. Keeping such a comfortable ride completely safe is the robust construction that has earned Tata Nexon a 5-star G-NCAP safety rating.
Tata Nexon Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre turbo petrol | 1.5 litre turbo diesel | 30.2 kWh battery (EV) | 40.5 kWh battery (EV)
- Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed AMT | 1-speed automatic for EVs
- Mileage: 17.5 (petrol) | 21.1 km/l (diesel) | 312 km range (30.2 kWh) | 437 km (40.5 kWh)
- Airbags: 2
- Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel, & Electric
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: Compact SUV
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Ventilated front seats
- 8-speaker Harman Sound System
Also Read – Compact Suvs
Tata Punch
Being the safest car in India is the most attractive trait of the Tata Punch and has made it Tata’s second best-selling car in India. However, there is more to Tata Punch than just the 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. The premium interiors, the taller seating position, and a lengthy list of upmarket features make the cabin of Tata Punch feel like the cabin of a full-size SUV. What further lifts Tata Punch’s appeal is that it’s the most affordable compact SUV on sale, even more affordable than premium hatchbacks such as Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20.
Tata Punch Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre petrol
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox & 5-speed AMT
- Mileage: 18.97 km/l
- Airbags: Dual front airbags
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: Compact SUV
- Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Connected car technology
- Semi-digital instrument cluster
Also Read – Petrol Cars In India
Hyundai Creta
Being the most value-for-money offering in its segment makes the Hyundai Creta one of the best cars in India. The Hyundai Creta packs every feature one expects from a mid-size SUV such as ventilated front seats, a premium sound system, and the new favourite in India, a panoramic sunroof. Combined with a lengthy feature list and a roomy cabin for five occupants with cosy upholstery helps the Hyundai Creta deliver a premium passenger experience. To suit every taste, Hyundai makes the Creta available with a wide variety of powertrains that include petrol, turbo petrol, and diesel engines mated with manual, automatic, and iMT (clutchless manual) transmissions.
Hyundai Creta Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.5 litre petrol| 1.5 litre diesel | 1.4 litre turbo petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox, CVT automatic, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT automatic
- Mileage: 17 km/l for petrol, 21 km/l for diesel
- Airbags: up to 6
- Fuel type: Petrol & Diesel
- Seating capacity: 5
- Body type: Mid-size SUV
- 10.25-touchscreen infotainment system
- 8-speaker Bose sound system
- Panoramic sunroof
Also Read – Petrol Vs Diesel Mileage
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue is the go-to option for those looking for a Hyundai SUV on a budget. Just like Hyundai Creta, the Venue is a very attractive feature-packed offering for its price and serves premium comfort to five passengers in its sufficiently spacious cabin. Moreover, the Hyundai Venue comes with a refined set of powertrains that include petrol, turbo petrol, and diesel engines, and delivers a hassle-free drive experience with its agile transmissions and easy handling.
Hyundai Venue Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre petrol |1 litre turbo petrol | 1.5 litre diesel
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT automatic, 6-speed automatic
- Mileage: 17.5 – 18.1 km/l for petrol, 23.4 km/l for diesel
- Airbags: up to 6
- Fuel type: Petrol & Diesel
- Seating capacity: 5
- Body type: Compact SUV
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Four-way powered driver seat
- Electric sunroof
Also Read – Cars With Sunroof
Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos is the most preferred alternative to the segment leader Hyundai Creta. While the spacious cabin and comfortable seating of Kia Seltos provide a great passenger experience, the attractive abundance of features like ventilated front seats, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, and electric sunroof to name a few further enhance the experience in the car. What’s more, Kia has equipped the Seltos with 6 airbags as standard, making it a fairly affordable option with 6-airbags safety as compared to Hyundai Creta. A wide variety of powertrains makes the Kia Seltos versatile to cater to a range of fuel type and transmission preferences.
Kia Seltos Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.5 litre petrol | 1.5 litre diesel | 1.4 litre turbo petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox, CVT automatic, 6-speed torque converter automatic, 6-speed iMT, and 7-speed DCT automatic
- Mileage: 16.1 – 16.8 km/l for petrol, 21 km/l for diesel
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
- Seating capacity: 5
- Body type: Mid-size SUV
- Head-up display
- 8-speaker Bose sound system
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Also Read – 6 Airbags Cars
Kia Sonet
What Hyundai Venue is to the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Sonet is to the Kia Seltos: affordable alternatives to their elder siblings. Unlike most of its rivals, the Kia Sonet is due a facelift, but its popularity ensures it is one of the best-selling cars in India for the value it delivers. The Korean compact SUV offers ample space and comfort for five passengers, and a slew of features that include front ventilated seats, a 6-speaker Arkamys sound system, wireless charger that makes for a convenient as well as entertaining ride experience. As it shares its powertrains with Hyundai Venue, the Kia Sonet also offers a range of powertrain options to cater to diverse requirements.
Kia Sonet Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.2 litre petrol |1 litre turbo petrol | 1.5 litre diesel
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT automatic, 6-speed automatic
- Mileage: 18.3 – 18.4 km/l for petrol, 19 – 24.1 km/l for diesel
- Airbags: up to 6
- Fuel type: Petrol & Diesel
- Seating capacity: 5
- Body type: Compact SUV
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Ventilated front seats
- Wireless charger
Also Read – 7 seater cars
Mahindra Bolero
The rugged Mahindra Bolero is the star of rural India where driving conditions are not quite favourable to most cars. The 7-seater Indian SUV is amply spacious for all passengers and has great off-roading capability to tackle challenging road conditions with ease while travelling with 7 passengers in decent comfort. With most of the focus given to its mechanical strength, Mahindra has equipped Bolero with a rather simple selection of features such as a Bluetooth-enabled music system with AUX and USB connectivity, power windows, and power steering, among others.
Mahindra Bolero Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 1.5 litre diesel
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox
- Mileage: 17.5 km/l
- Airbags: Dual front airbags
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 7
- Body Type: Utilitarian SUV
- Digital instrument cluster
- Power windows
- Manual AC
Also Read – Diesel Cars In India
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra XUV700 has been a game-changer from the Indian carmaker and is among the most demanded cars at present. With a complete package of safety, comfort, and performance, the mid-size SUV bagged the 2022 Indian car of the year award. While the 5-star G-NCAP rating is a testament to its formidable infrastructure, a premium passenger experience is ensured by spacious seating for all 7 occupants and a host of upmarket features such as 12-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and others. Moreover, the Mahindra XUV700 has been equipped with Level-2 ADAS safety features, as well as all-wheel drive on the higher variants for those looking for some off-roading adventure.
Mahindra XUV700 Specifications & Key Features
- Engine: 2 litre turbo petrol | 2.2 litre diesel engine
- Transmission: 6-speed manual & 6-speed torque converter automatic
- Mileage: 13-14 km/l (petrol) | 13.5 – 14.48 km/l (diesel)
- Airbags: up to 7
- Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5 & 7
- Body Type: Compact SUV
- Panoramic sunroof
- Level-2 ADAS safety suite
- 12-speaker Sony Sound System
Also Read – 6 Seater Cars
Best cars in India: Summary
Since there are a number of capable cars in the Indian automobile market, choosing the one that fits a specific set of requirements can be perplexing. Every car has its own merits and limitations, for example, the Tata Punch is not as fuel-efficient as the Maruti Swift, while the Maruti Swift is not as safe as Tata Punch. Before coming to a conclusion while buying a car, it is best to familiarise yourself with the most demanded cars in the market, as they are the ones that are satisfying most needs. With this list of best cars in India, you have the necessary information to start the search for the car that matches your needs.
FAQ about Best Cars in India
Q. Which cars are best for long drives?
The Mahindra XUV700, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta are the best cars for long drives. These cars offer exceptional comfort and an attractive wealth of features to keep long drives entertaining.
Q. What are the best cars in India that offer value for money?
The Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV700 offer the best value for their asking prices.
Q. What are the best cars for the family?
The best cars for a family are Mahindra XUV700, Tata Nexon, and Kia Seltos. These cars are abundantly spacious for families and offer great safety.
Q. Which are the most popular cars in India?
The most popular cars in India are Mahindra XUV700, Tata Nexon, Maruti Swift, Maruti Wagon R, & Hyundai Creta.