Best Cars under 20 lakh

Did you ever notice that the list of top 10 selling cars in India always features cars that cost under Rs. 20 lakh? The majority of Indians do not cross this price point while buying cars, making this range the most crowded and competitive one in the Indian car market. With most cars in the market priced under Rs 20 lakh, there is a plethora of options for buyers and one can easily get confused while selecting the most suitable one. All the same, what can make this choice simpler, is narrowing down your options to the cars that have demonstrated their competency or been well-received by the masses. Primarily with this criterion, this list of best cars under Rs 20 lakh will help you learn about the cars that meet the most needs of an average Indian buyer.

Note: This article features the best cars under 20 lakh and if you don’t want to exceed the range of 15 lakh, here are the best cars under 15 lakh.

List of best cars under 20 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Launched in 2022, the Maruti Grand Vitara became a runaway success and today stands strong among the best-selling SUVs in India. Making the Grand Vitara one of the best cars under 20 lakh is a list of appealing traits. For starters, the Indo-Japanese SUV delivers premium ride comfort and packs a host of upmarket features that make it a formidable challenger to the most feature-rich cars of the segment i.e. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. However, when it comes to the running cost, which is a huge aspect of every car, the Grand Vitara outshines rivals big time with a mileage of up to 27.97 km/l. Moreover, the Grand Vitara and its Toyota version, the Hyryder are the only mid-size SUVs in India to be available in CNG variants. In addition to being one of the most fuel-efficient cars in India, the Grand Vitara comes with the trust of the number one carmaker that has the widest service network and is reputed for its after-sale services.

Maruti Grand Vitara Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol mild-hybrid engine| 1.5-litre petrol strong-hybrid engine
• Transmission: 5-speed MT, 6-speed AT, & e-CVT
• Mileage: Up to 21.11 km/l for mild-hybrid, up to 27.97 for strong-hybrid, and 26.6 km/kg for CNG.
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & CNG
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• Head-up display
• Ventilated front seats

Hyundai Creta

In this day and age, the mid-size SUV is the most crowded segment in the Indian car market, and the main reason behind this is the ground-breaking success of the Hyundai Creta. Launched in 2015, the popular Korean SUV redefined the narrative of how buyers saw SUVs and went on to become the best-selling Hyundai car in India. In competition with several capable rivals, the Creta, which is established as the benchmark, offers the pertinent balance of space and comfort. Along with this, Hyundai’s trademark qualities such as a refined set of powertrains and a host of premium features, unequivocally place the Creta among the best cars under 20 lakh. That said, Hyundai has recently launched the 2024 Hyundai Creta facelift, adding the coveted ADAS safety suite, dual-zone climate control and a 360-degree camera to its feature list.

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

Hyundai Verna

For decades, the Hyundai Verna has remained the second-most-popular name after the Honda City in the mid-size sedan segment. With an attractive wealth of features and a refined drive, the Hyundai Verna presents itself as a desirable family car. Last year, the Verna entered its fifth-generation last, taking the technological standards to the next level, and became the first Hyundai car in India to score a 5-star G-NCAP rating. Along with the addition of the Level-2 ADAS safety suite, the latest-generation Verna has heightened its sportiness with a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which is the most powerful engine in the segment. As a result, the Verna is the fastest car in the segment, making itself an appealing offering for driving enthusiasts.

Hyundai Verna Specifications & Key Features

•  Engine: 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine | 1.5 litre NA petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT, CVT, & 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.6-20.6 km/l
• Airbags: 6 airbags standard
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating capacity: 5
• Body type: Mid-size sedan
• Ventilated and heated front seats
• 8-speaker Bose sound system
• Single-pane sunroof

Volkswagen Virtus

A car that is a feast for the eyes, also delivers a premium passenger experience and safeguards passengers with one of the strongest car bodies in the Indian automobile market. The Volkswagen Virtus has proven itself as a fitting successor to the illustrious Volkswagen Vento, despite the waning popularity of sedans. As stunning as the Virtus is, its main strength lies in its build quality which has earned a full 5-star G-NCAP rating and the overall premium feel that we have come to expect of the esteemed Volkswagen Group. Moreover, this German sedan also has a sporty front. With a powerful 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine mated to a slick 7-speed DCT automatic the Virtus GT line delivers a thrilling drive that makes it one of the best cars under 20 lakh for driving enthusiasts.

Volkswagen Virtus Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1-litre turbo petrol engine | 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT, 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.45 – 20.08 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size sedan
• Single-pane sunroof
• Powered driver and front passenger seats
• Ventilated front seats

Honda Elevate

Honda has long been a reputed car brand in India that has appeared to stagnate in recent years. Nevertheless, the resurgence that the Honda Elevate drove proves Honda is not going anywhere and may someday dominate the way it used to. Based on the iconic Honda City, the Honda Elevate is currently the best-selling Honda car in India given it offers the segment-best ride comfort similar to the Honda City. Moreover, while it is not the most feature-rich car in its segment, the Elevate features the coveted Level-2 ADAS safety suite and is head and shoulders above its rivals in terms of the overall premium feel of the cabin.

Honda Elevate Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & CVT
• Mileage: 15.31 – 16.92 km/l
• Airbags: 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Single-pane sunroof
• Automatic climate control
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Volkswagen Taigun

With the segment-best safety as its calling card, the Volkswagen Taigun stands out from the rest in the most hotly-contested arena in the Indian car market. However, the best passenger safety that is ensured by the 5-star G-NCAP rating, is not where Taigun’s attraction ends. Like its sibling Skoda Kushaq, the Taigun embodies the globally acclaimed German standards inside out and this is very much evident in the creature’s comfort and interior quality. Combined with this, the Taigun packs most features expected of a premium mid-size SUV, making itself an appealing deal under 20 lakh.

Volkswagen Taigun Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1-litre turbo petrol engine | 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT, 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.15 – 19.87 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Automatic climate control
• Ventilated and powered front seats

Honda City

If you are looking for a sedan for the family under 20 lakh, look nowhere else than the Honda City. For nearly 25 years, this reputed Japanese sedan has remained the benchmark for mid-size sedans and written its name among the most iconic cars in India’s automotive history. The balance the Honda City maintains between ride comfort and handling is still the best in the segment, and with exceptional reliability and durability, it is one of the cars with the best resale value in India. Moreover, the legendary i-VTEC engine of Honda City is by far the best naturally aspirated petrol engine available in the Indian passenger vehicle market and is still unparalleled in terms of all-round performance. As far as features are concerned, the Honda City is well-equipped, however, a prominent highlight is the Level-2 ADAS safety suite that has taken the safety quotient of the latest-generation Honda City to the next level.

Honda City Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & CVT
• Mileage: 17.8 – 18.4 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size sedan
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless phone charging
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Mahindra Scorpio Classic

A few cars in the history of automobiles have earned a status as high as that of the Mahindra Scorpio Classic. While its price makes it a rival of mid-size SUVs, the Mahindra Scorpio Classic does not really have any direct competitor and is in its own league. With a traditional SUV design that looks as commanding as ever, the Scorpio Classic comes with a sturdy body that is famous for its robustness. Moreover, an unparalleled durability and reliability have earned Scorpio a long-standing and revered reputation. All this perpetually keeps this 7- & 9-seater Indian SUV among the best-selling SUVs, despite being far behind of its contemporaries on the technological front.

Mahindra Scorpio Classic Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT
• Mileage: 15 km/l
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 9
• Body Type: Full-size SUV
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Cruise control
• Automatic climate control

Mahindra Scorpio N

The second car under the Scorpio badge is the Scorpio N, a more premium and more capable SUV than the Classic. The Mahindra Scorpio N was an instant hit and its leapfrogging popularity has put the Scorpio badge on the list of best-selling cars. Being technically larger than the SUV King, Toyota Fortuner, the Scorpio N is more than spacious in its both 6- & 7-seater layouts, and its 5-star G-NCAP rating makes it one of the safest cars in India. Moreover, like the Mahindra Thar, the Scorpio N promises serious off-roading capabilities under 20 lakh, while offering all the qualities of a capable family SUV.

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

Mahindra Marazzo

Positioned between the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta in the MUV segment, the Mahindra Marazzo is an excellent deal as a 7- & 8-seater family car. With a shark-inspired design, the Marazzo has a head-turning appeal, and on the inside, it packs more space than the higher-priced Toyota Innova Crysta. Courtesy of such wealth of space, ample features, and comfortable seats, the Marazzo offers a premium ride experience with astonishingly low NVH levels despite being powered by a diesel engine. Moreover, with a 4-star G-NCAP safety rating, the Marazzo is the safest MUV in India. A noteworthy fact about the Marazzo is that it is the first car in the world to be underpinned by a ladder frame chassis with front-wheel drive. Mahindra has done this to avoid the floor hump that eats into the legroom for passengers. Unfortunately, the Marazzo could not achieve the success it deserved, but that does not make it any less of the automotive gem that it is.

Mahindra Marazzo Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox
• Mileage: 17.3 km/l
• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7 & 8
• Body Type: MUV
• Automatic climate control
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Remote keyless entry

Summary

For the number of options available, 20 lakh is the most sensible and fitting budget for the Indian car market. However, you need to get your requirements organised before selecting the best car for you. For 5-seaters, you could go for either mid-size SUVs or sedans, but mind you, SUVs can not match the ride comfort of sedans, while sedans can not match the utility of SUVs. Or if you are looking for a car for larger families, you have quite capable options available in the form of Marazzo, Scorpio Classic, and Scorpio N. Being a MUV, the Marazzo is more angled towards the family-friendly comfort, while the Scorpio Classic and Scorpio N bring an unparalleled rugged character and off-roading calibre.

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