The festive season is an auspicious time for many to become new car owners. Whether it’s Dussehra, Dhanteras, or Diwali, the festive season is the perfect time to bring a new car home. However, this year has proven to be challenging for many customers as long waiting periods and uncertain delivery dates are dampening the enthusiasm to buy a new car. This list features the cars with the longest waiting periods as well as equivalent alternatives that you should consider to make the most of this auspicious time.
List of Cars with Longest Waiting Periods
Car | Waiting Period |
Mahindra Scorpio-N | Up to 20-24 months |
Mahindra XUV700 | Up to 10-15 months |
Honda City eHEV | Up to 10 months |
Kia Carens | Up to 5-10 months |
Maruti Ertiga | Up to 6 months |
Kia Seltos | Up to 3-7 months |
Hyundai Venue | Up to 5 months |
Kia Sonet | Up to 3-5 months |
Hyundai Creta | Up to 2-5 months |
Mahindra Scorpio-N
Mahindra can be said to be suffering from success. The successful launch of the Mahindra Scorpio-N has put additional strain on Mahindra’s already struggling production capacity. While deliveries for customers have begun, if you are planning to book the Scorpio-N, expect a minimum waiting period of 20 months and a maximum of two years on some variants.
Mahindra Scorpio-N waiting period: 20-24 months
Alternative to Mahindra Scorpio-N: Tata Harrier
Unlike Mahindra’s other cars, there are few cars that match the Scorpio-N in terms of value. The only car that does come close in terms of value is the Tata Harrier. While the Harrier is a five-seater and diesel only, it comes equipped with a similarly powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine. In terms of road presence, there is no denying that the Harrier can hold its own against the Scorpio-N.
The Scorpio-N is being sold new starting from an ex-showroom price of Rs. 11.99 lakh and going up to Rs. 23.20 lakh for the top variant. The Harrier, on the other hand, has an ex-showroom price of Rs. 14.70 lakh to Rs. 22.20 lakh and has a shorter waiting period of up to two months. For an even more immediate delivery, consider a used Tata Harrier that will come in at a much more affordable price for the mid-level variants.
Tata Harrier waiting period: 1-2 months
Used Tata Harrier waiting period: Immediate availability
Mahindra XUV700
Before the Scorpio-N, it was the Mahindra XUV700 that commanded the longest waiting period. The launch of the Scorpio-N saw some buyers shift their bookings away from the XUV700. Despite this, the XUV700 still has a long waiting period that is going up to 15 months for the higher variants.
Mahindra XUV700 waiting period: 10-15 months
Alternative to Mahindra XUV700: Tata Safari
The closest rival to the XUV700 in terms of capability, space, and features is the Tata Safari. While the Tata 7-seater SUV misses out on petrol variants, ADAS features and a large touchscreen infotainment display, it matches the Mahindra SUV with its premium interiors, panoramic sunroof, and a powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The XUV700 is priced at Rs. 13.45 lakh to Rs. 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Safari is priced at Rs. 15.35 lakh to Rs. 23.56 lakh (ex-showroom), giving a good option to those looking to own a capable 7-seater SUV in the same segment. With a shorter waiting period of up to two months, it’s no wonder sales of the Safari have gone up in recent months. As with the Harrier, for an even faster delivery time, consider a used Tata Safari that will be price competitive against a new XUV700.
Tata Safari waiting period: 1-2 months
Used Tata Safari waiting period: Immediate availability
Honda City e:HEV
Hybrids are fast becoming the preferred choice for buyers looking to improve their fuel efficiency and get the most bang for their buck. The popularity of a hybrid sedan in the form of the Honda City e:HEV has pushed waiting times to up to 10 months. The City e:HEV highlights the demand for hybrid cars at an accessible price and should prove to be a case for other car makers to bring their hybrid offerings to India. At the moment, though, there is no direct alternative for the hybrid Honda City e:HEV, even though there are a number of alternatives for the regular Honda City.
Honda City e:HEV waiting period: Up to 10 months
Kia Carens
The successful launch of the Kia Carens has seen the 7-seater MUV make a place for itself in the crowded 7-seater car segment. Buyers have been impressed with the feature-packed Carens that includes six airbags as standard fitment on all variants in addition to a host of premium features. The high demand for the Kia MUV has resulted in a 10 month waiting period in many cities across India.
Kia Carens waiting period: 5-10 months
Alternative to Kia Carens: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
The value of the Kia Carens is extremely hard to match by any rival except one, and its a Maruti. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga offers the similar practicality as the Carens, with a focus more on fuel efficiency rather than headline features. the Ertiga also boasts Maruti’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs, which tip the favour towards the Maruti 7-seater for those who like certainty during their ownership.
The Maruti Ertiga also comes in to be slightly cheaper than the Carens, with a ex-showroom price range of Rs. 8.41 lakh to Rs. 12.79 lakh compared to the Kia’s price of Rs. 9.60 lakh to Rs. 17.70 lakh. However, the Ertiga also has a waiting period if you want to buy new, which means a used Maruti Ertiga is the way to go if you want to own a capable 7-seater car for the family.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga waiting period: Up to 6 months
Used Maruti Suzuki Ertiga waiting period: Immediate availability
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
It’s only natural that the best-selling 7-seater car and the best-selling MUV in India would have a long waiting period. The value-for-money Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has a waiting period of up to six months before delivery. Fuel efficient, spacious, and comfortable makes the Ertiga a irresistible car for many buyers who are willing to wait to own their own.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga waiting period: Up to 6 months
Used Maruti Suzuki Ertiga waiting period: Immediate availability
Alternative to Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: Renault Triber
There are few cars in the market that can match the value of the Ertiga. Apart from a used Maruti Ertiga, the only other MUV that is on par with the Maruti MUV in terms of efficiency and practicality is the Renault Triber.
The Renault Triber’s ex-showroom price of Rs. 5.92 lakh to Rs. 8.51 lakh undercuts the Ertiga ex-showroom price of Rs. 8.41 lakh to Rs. 12.79 lakh by a large margin. The Renault MUV can also be delivered in under two months or even immediately in some cities.
Renault Triber waiting period: Immediate availability or up to 2 months
Used Renault Triber waiting period: Immediate availability
Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos has gained in popularity in recent months as a direct consequence of growing interest in the midsize SUV segment. The feature packed Seltos is a popular choice for many buyers shopping in this segment and growing demand has pushed the waiting period for the Korean SUV to up to seven months.
Kia Seltos waiting period: 3-7 months
Alternative to Kia Seltos: Used Kia Seltos
The surge in demand for midsize SUVs has pushed waiting periods for all cars in this segment to a minimum of three months. Thus, as an alternative, your best bet is a used Kia Seltos that will see not compromise on the car you want, while also coming in at a lower price point for the higher variants. There is a lot to gain here by considering a Kia Seltos, immediate availability being a major positive.
Used Kia Seltos waiting period: Immediate availability
Hyundai Venue
In many ways, the Hyundai Venue is a compact Creta. You get the advantage of Hyundai’s feature-loaded package, along with the wide range of engine and transmission options to choose from. The appetite for SUVs and the recent facelift has increased demand for this compact SUV as well, with waiting periods for the Venue sitting at a maximum of five months from the date of booking.
Hyundai Venue waiting period: Up to 5 months
Used Hyundai Venue waiting period: Immediate availability for pre-facelift model
Alternative to Hyundai Venue: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
Maruti has introduced the Brezza compact SUV as the successor to the popular Maruti Vitara Brezza. While the new Maruti Brezza does have a waiting period, the previous generation is readily available in the used car market. A used Maruti Vitara Brezza might not match the Venue when it comes to flash but it was equipped with all the essential features as well as scoring a 4-star GNCAP safety rating. These make it a competent compact SUV to consider even with the new Brezza capturing the limelight.
Used Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza waiting period: Immediate availability
Kia Sonet
If the Hyundai Venue has a long waiting period, the Kia Sonet can also be expected to have similarly long waiting periods. Just as feature-loaded as its cousin, the Sonet is one of the most sought after compact SUVs in India. Waiting periods for the Sonet are as high as five months, with some variants available within three months of booking. As there has been no major facelift, a used Kia Sonet is the best way to own this Korean compact SUV without waiting.
Kia Sonet waiting period: 3-5 months
Used Kia Sonet waiting period: Immediate availability
Alternative to Kia Sonet: Renault Kiger
If your heart is set on a new car, the Renault Kiger is a capable compact SUV that offers a spacious cabin and a 4-star GNCAP safety rating. Additionally, the Kiger is available within 1 month in many cities, with the highest waiting period being as high as three months. The Kiger also undercuts the Sonet by up to Rs. 3 lakh on the top end variant.
Renault Kiger waiting period: 1-3 months
Hyundai Creta
Rounding off this list is the Hyundai Creta. As the best-selling midsize SUV in India, the demand and waiting period for the Korean SUV has been high throughout the year. While the situation has improved, a waiting period of up to five months does dampen the enthusiasm of buying a new Creta.
Hyundai Creta waiting period: Up to 5 months
Alternative to Hyundai Creta: Used Hyundai Creta
While the latest generation Creta brings many improvements in terms of features and a completely new design, the previous generation Creta is still a capable midsize SUV. While you do miss out on the attractive panoramic sunroof, the spacious cabin and wide range of engine and transmission options keep a used Hyundai Creta relevant today.
