Best Premium Hatchback Cars in India

It is not news that SUVs are the trending body style all over the globe, especially in India. Most of this craze can be witnessed by the sheer number of SUVs on road and how various smaller segments of SUVs have spawned over the recent decade. One such segment is the subcompact or sub-4m SUVs. Priced aggressively, these SUVs are eating up the market share of sedans and premium hatchback cars in India. Although sedans aren’t quite at the top of the popularity game anymore, the best premium hatchback cars have always stood their ground.

India has never had a shortage of premium hatchback cars and as a matter of fact, followed by the SUVs, it is the premium hatchback segment that is subject to more action these days. Various carmakers have tasted success with premium hatchbacks as well. A premium experience and sound engine options in a compact form sound like the right body style for our tight urban spaces. What we have here is a list of the five best premium hatchback cars available in the country today. To make this list more practical we have not considered any luxury premium hatchbacks such as the Mini Cooper. 

Tata Altroz

A quick look at the price table would reveal how the Altroz happens to be the most affordable premium hatchback in the country today with a starting price tag of Rs 6.35 lakh (ex-showroom). Tata’s first-ever stint at a premium hatchback resulted in a well-rounded and well-built product that also features a striking design language helping it stand out from the crowd. The Altroz is one of the few hatchbacks in India that still offer a diesel engine. The main traits of this Tata hatchback are ride quality, handling, space on offer and the practicality it brings to the table.

On the technical front, the engine options include 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel mill. The former develops 86PS and 113Nm while the diesel puts out  90PS and 200Nm. However, the turbo petrol clearly leads here as it produces 110PS and 140Nm. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. Where the Altroz struggles in contrast to its rivals is the sheer performance of the diesel and petrol engines. 

Tata Altroz Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel, 1.2-litre turbo petrol 
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/6-speed automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol/Diesel
• Airbags: 2
• Safety Rating: 5-stars (GNCAP)
• Body Type: Hatchback

Tata Altroz Key Features

• Semi-digital instrument cluster
• Ambient lighting 
• Cruise control

Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20 has a long-standing history and in its current avatar, happens to be the most expensive of the premium hatchback cars in India. But, it offers the most number of features for its price and is a hatchback that you cannot go wrong with if the pricing works for you. Gone are the days when Hyundais were criticized for being boring to drive. The i20 handles well and does what it’s supposed to while also pampering you with goodies and radical styling. Apart from the pricing of the top-spec variants, it is hard to find fault with this hatchback. 

Under the hood, you get the option of three engines. The base 1.2-litre petrol makes 83PS and 114Nm and comes paired with a 5-speed manual or a CVT. The diesel is a 1.5-litre unit, 100PS and 240Nm with a 6-speed manual option. Last but not least, there is also a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine – 120PS and 172Nm coupled to either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Furthermore, Hyundai is also offering the i20 in a sportier N-Line package that gets better dampers, steering, exhaust and many more changes. 

Hyundai i20 Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel, 1.0-litre turbo petrol 
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/7-speed DCT/6-speed iMT/6-speed manual
• Fuel Type: Petrol/Diesel
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Safety Rating: 3-stars (GNCAP)
• Body Type: Hatchback

Hyundai i20 Key Features

• LED projector headlamps
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Fully digital instrument cluster
• Sunroof
• 4 wheel disc brakes
• 360-degree camera

Also read: Top Selling Hatchbacks in India

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The best-selling premium hatchback car in India has got to be a Maruti Suzuki, right? The Baleno is much ahead of the competition and takes up a good chunk of the market share. What works for the Baleno is the fact that it still offers the most value in the segment while also offering a spacious cabin with interesting features. Another talking point of the Baleno has to be the fuel efficiency it offers, arguably the highest in the segment. All of this along with the backing of a brand such as Maruti Suzuki and their stellar sales and aftersales support means the Baleno has always been the clear winner in terms of numbers. 

Under the hood is a 1.2-litre Dual Jet petrol engine developing 90PS and 113Nm mated to a 5-speed manual or a five-speed AMT. Maruti Suzuki also offers the Baleno in a CNG guise which produces 77PS and 98Nm with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The engine packs mild-hybrid tech and hence offers class-leading efficiency figures. Maruti claims the CNG variants can deliver up to 31km/kg. The lack of diesel and a sportier engine option is the only thing working against the Baleno. 

If you want to know more about the facelifted premium hatchback, we have a lot more on the Baleno for you.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol with mild-hybrid tech
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/CNG
• Airbags: Up to 6
• Safety Rating: Not tested (GNCAP)
• Body Type: Hatchback

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Key Features

• Heads-up display
• 360-degree camera 
• Arkamys music system

Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz can actually be credited for being one of the first premium hatchback cars in India. It has been around forever and is the safest option of the lot. It offers the most space in any premium hatchback and scores really high on practicality. The present generation was launched in 2015 and is slowly starting to show its age. The Jazz is only offered with one petrol naturally-aspirated engine option which is one downside to the hatchback considering how the competition offers new-age turbo petrol engine options. 

Power comes from a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 90PS and 110Nm with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a CVT. The engine happens to be the Jazz’ Achilles heel as it only offers adequate performance, especially with rivals having turbo petrol engines in their arsenal. At the same time, the Jazz also comes at a price that does not offer the best value in the present scenario. But, at the end of the day, if you want a hatchback that is reliable and will outlast another world war, the Honda Jazz is the car for you. 

Honda Jazz Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/CVT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 2
• Safety Rating: 4-stars (GNCAP)
• Body Type: Hatchback

Honda Jazz Key Features

• Paddle shifters
• Sunroof

Toyota Glanza

As you might already know, the Glanza is Toyota’s rebadged version of the successful Maruti Suzuki Baleno. With the recent update, Toyota has given the Glanza ample differentiation, which really helps make a strong case for the Glanza. The hatchback gets a revised front-end design that features a design language more in tune with Toyota. The added peace of mind that comes with the Toyota badge itself is a strong reason to consider the Glanza. Toyota is also offering more warranty periods for the Glanza. The hatchback also features a dual-tone interior in comparison to the Baleno.

Similar to the Baleno, power comes from a 1.2 petrol that puts out the same 90PS and 113Nm mated to a 5-speed manual or a five-speed AMT. There is also a CNG option available for the Glanza. However, the important factor to consider is the pricing. The Toyota carries a premium over the Baleno priced between Rs 6.59 – 9.99 Lakh (ex-showroom). There are four trims on offer: E, S, G and V.

Toyota Glanza Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol with mild-hybrid tech
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/CNG
• Airbags: Up o 6
• Safety Rating: Not tested 
• Body Type: Hatchback

Toyota Glanza Key Features

• Heads-up display
• Voice assistance
• 360-degree camera 

Best Premium Hatchback Cars in India Summary

Truth be told, all premium hatchback cars on this list are equally competent and excel in their own way. If you want the most premium hatchback with the best kit, the Hyundai i20 is what you are looking for. Meanwhile, if good ride quality is a strict requirement, the Tata Altroz is unbeatable as it pretty much flattens most undulations on road. The Jazz might not have anything special up its sleeve, but it really offers the most space and more space can never be a wrong thing, right? As for the Toyota Glanza and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the fact that these are the best-selling cars in India speaks loudly about how sorted they are as premium hatchbacks. 

FAQ On Best Premium Hatchback Cars In India