Best Cars Under 30 Lakhs

Considering the Indian economy and passenger vehicle market, Rs 30 lakh is the budget of buyers who have significantly high standards for their cars and want to stay far from mediocrity. This is a price point under which you can own top-notch quality on the grounds of looks, features, space, comfort, safety, and powertrains. And matching such standards, many cars under 30 lakh are the flagship models, and being the flag bearers of their manufacturers, they have been engineered with the best the respective car marker has to offer. Nevertheless, with every other car having multiple attractions, it is easy to digress from your priorities if you do not know these cars well. Therefore, in this article, we have curated the best cars under 30 lakh so that you can pick the best one for your needs.

Mahindra XUV700

Maintaining the legacy and status of the reputed Indian carmaker, the Mahindra XUV700 turned out to be a runaway success that elevated the standards of the industry. With the availability of 5-, 6-, and 7-seater configurations, the XUV700 offers a wide variety of seating. While the space on offer is ample in the first and second rows, the third row gets slightly less room and is suitable for average-size adults. The 6-seater version comes with captain seats in the second row, serving you a chauffeur-driven experience. Although, as exciting as the XUV700 is to drive with the segment’s most powerful engines, you might want to be in the driver’s seat and with the optional all-wheel-drive system you can also enjoy mild off-roading. On the technological front, the Indian SUV is well-equipped and delivers impressive ride comfort with negligible NVH levels, while a 5-star G-NCAP rating makes it one of the safest cars in India. All these traits and many more make the XUV700 the best all-round package under 30 lakh.

Mahindra XUV700 Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre turbo petrol engine | 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT
• Mileage: 15 km/l from petrol and 17 km/l from diesel
• Airbags: Up to 7 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5, 6, & 7
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• 12-speaker Sony sound system
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Tata Harrier

If it were not for the Tata logo on the front and back, the Tata Harrier could be easily mistaken for a luxury car. Such is its majestic appeal and its spell-binding beauty commands special attention on roads. Given it is nearly as large as the 7-seater Tata Safari, the Tata Harrier is the most spacious 5-seater car under 30 lakh and offers a hefty 445-litre boot space that feels more spacious in practical use. When such volumes of space get combined with premium interiors, upscale seating, a host of premium features, and aptly-tuned suspension, the Harrier delivers a ride comfort that has luxurious air about it. What makes this luxurious ride comfort even more appealing is the robust body that has earned a full 5-star rating in the Global NCAP safety test.

Tata Harrier Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT
• Mileage: 14.6-16.8 km/l
• Airbags: 6 airbags standard & up to 7 airbags in higher variants
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating capacity: 5
• Body type: Mid-size SUV
• 6-way powered driver’s seat & 4-way powered passenger seat
• 10-speaker JBL sound system
• Panoramic sunroof

Tata Safari

Looking for a premium SUV for a large family? The Tata Safari is where you can comfortably end your search at. Essentially a larger derivative of the Harrier, the Safari is the flagship model of the Indian carmaker and one of the best 7-seater cars available in the Indian automobile market. In addition to the commendable space and comfort across all three rows, the Tata Safari is well-laden with upmarket features, making itself an appealing SUV for large Indian families. Moreover, with a 5-star G-NCAP rating under its belt, the Tata Safari infuses passengers with a sense of robust safety as they enjoy a premium ride. If you like to be chauffeur-driven, the Safari’s 6-seater variants feature slightly higher positioned captain seats in the middle row, offering an authoritarian experience.

Tata Safari Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission
• Mileage: 14.5-16.3 km/l
• Airbags: 6 airbags standard & up to 7 airbags in higher variants
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating capacity: 7
• Body type: Full-size SUV
• 6-way powered driver’s seat & 4-way powered passenger seat
• Dual-zone climate control
• Panoramic sunroof

Honda City Hybrid

The car that has been acclaimed as the best family sedan for decades, the Honda City became available with a hybrid power plant a couple of years ago. Now, along with being an ideal family sedan, the Honda City Hybrid is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars in India. The hybridisation of the City’s legendary 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, paired with twin electric motors, has proverbially made it even more competent while increasing the mileage to 27.13 km/l. Along with unparalleled ride comfort, and astonishing mileage, a host of premium features that include the Level-2 ADAS safety suite, make the Honda City one of the best cars under 30 lakh.

Honda City Hybrid Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with twin electric motors
• Transmission:  e-CVT automatic
• Mileage: 27.13 km/l
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size sedan
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite
• Sunroof
• Automatic climate control

Toyota Innova Hycross

While many cars get launched to match the already set standards, it is the cars like the Toyota Innova Hycross that give new aspirations to the industry as well as buyers. Arguably, the most successful car launched in 2023, the Hycross MUV is the latest generation of Toyota’s best-selling car in India, Innova. Whether it is space, comfort, features, ride quality, or the overall premium feel of the cabin, the Hycross aces every department and is the most premium 7- & 8-seater MUV under 30 lakh. Making the Hycross even more appealing is its mileage, which is as high as 23.24 km/l and a good wealth of safety features that include the much-sought-after Level-2 ADAS safety suite.

Toyota Innova Hycross Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre petrol engine | 2-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor
• Transmission: CVT automatic & e-CVT automatic
• Mileage: 16 km/l for non-hybrid & 23.24 km/l for hybrid
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 8
• Body Type: MUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• Ottoman function for the captain seats
• Dual-zone climate control

Toyota Innova Crysta

Before the Hycross arrived, the Innova Crysta was the undisputed king of the MUV segment and is still very much in the game. Like the Hycross, the Crysta is available in 7- & 8-seater layouts, and over the years, the Japanese MUV has built a reputation for its exceptional comfort and space across all three rows. This is the reason why the Innova Crysta has long been the overwhelming favourite in the tourism industry. Other aspects that Innova Crysta is famous for are its durability and reliability, and its engine is said to be built for abuse. Moreover, unlike the Hycross which is available with only petrol engines, the Innova Crysta is available with a mighty diesel engine and is more exciting to drive.

Toyota Innova Crysta Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 5-speed MT
• Mileage: 14 – 16 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 7
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 8
• Body Type: MUV
• 8-way powered driver seat
• Automatic climate control
• Ambient lighting

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass comes from a brand that is globally acclaimed for making capable off-roaders. And rightly so, the Compass has most of its advantage in its off-roading capabilities and is available with an optional 4X4 drivetrain. Moreover, its 9-speed torque converter automatic has an exceptional potency and comes very handy while driving through start-stop traffic. Though the Compass is equipped with the same diesel engine as the Harrier and Safari, it drives relatively quieter as compared to those two. Combined with this, the 5-seater American SUV is tough-built, offers a comfortable and premium ride and packs as many features as required to make it a good deal for family travelling purposes.

Jeep Compass Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & 9-speed AT
• Mileage: 15 – 17 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• Dual-zone climate control
• Ventilated front seats

Isuzu V-Cross

As an affordable alternative to the legendary Toyota Hilux, the Isuzu V-Cross is an excellent pick-up truck under 30 lakh. Like the Hilux, the V-Cross is an amply spacious 5-seater and doubles up an adept off-roader that with its 4X4 drivetrain can drive through the most challenging stretches like a cakewalk. The loading bed of the V-Cross allows you to comfortably haul as much as 215 kg. On the feature front, the pick-up trucks are never the last word, however, the V-Cross is decently laden and features some modern-day essentials like leatherette upholstery, touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, and automatic climate control. Among the three variants of the V-Cross, the base variant is the bare-bone version and with its 4X2 drivetrains it is best suitable for small businesses or cargo delivery.

Isuzu V-Cross Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT
• Mileage: 14.4 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Pick-up truck
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Cruise control
• Power-foldable and adjustable ORVMs

MG ZS EV

The only EV on this list, the MG ZS EV has been around for a while and is the most value-for-money proposition in its segment. Very much in line with MG’s core traditions, the MG ZS EV packs a host of upmarket features that include a panoramic sunroof that is missing from its arch-rival Hyundai Kona Electric. Moreover, like its petrol-powered version, the ZS EV is high on comfort and at par with its segment standards as far as space is concerned. With its claimed range of 461 km, the ZS EV can be comfortably used for short road trips to nearby destinations in addition to being perfectly suited for city driving. Most importantly, the ZS EV has scored a full 5 stars in the Euro NCAP safety test which is a great testament to great passenger safety.

MG ZS EV Specifications & Key Features

• Battery: 50.3 kWh
• Range: 461 km
• Airbags:  6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Electric
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size electric SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• Wireless charger
• Powered driver seat

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Maruti’s flagship car, the Invicto MUV is Maruti’s version of the Toyota Innova Hycross. Being the most premium offering of Maruti’s premium subsidiary, NEXA, the Invicto is Maruti’s most feature-packed car that can ferry up to 8 passengers in exceptional comfort. Same as the Hycross, the space across the three rows is the best you can own under 30 lakh, while the panoramic sunroof does the rest in making the cabin feel airier. While the Invicto misses some Hycross features like the powered ottoman seats, JBL speakers, and the ADAS safety suite, it is equipped with more than enough to deliver a convenient and entertaining ride experience. Speaking of features, it is worth mentioning that the Invicto is the first Maruti car to feature a powered driver seat with a memory function and a powered tailgate.

Maruti Suzuki Invicto Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor
• Transmission: e-CVT automatic
• Mileage: 23.24 km/l for hybrid
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 8
• Body Type: MUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• Powered tailgate
• Ventilated front seats

Summary

To summarise, the best cars under 30 lakh are some of the best value-for-money cars in the Indian automobile market. Whether you like to be chauffeured around, want a premium car for large families, or have some fun behind the wheels, you can fulfil all these requirements under 30 lakh; sometimes in the same car like the Mahindra XUV700. There are options like the Toyota Innova Hycross and the Maruti Invicto that can easily live up to all the expectations of a perfect family car while delivering pocket-friendly mileage. Hopefully, this article will help you make the perfect choice for you and your family.

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