Best Made in India Cars 2024

How often have you checked the manufacturing place of the products you use? Not many of us do it but whether it is cars or any other product, where it is being manufactured is important to all of us. The reason behind this is simple. Unlike imported cars, made in India cars are free of import customs duty and do not have any transportation cost hiking their prices. Moreover, their spare parts are cheaper and more easily accessible as compared to what the case would have been if they were imported. Last but not least, putting money on a made in India car is a vote of confidence for India’s manufacturing prowess.

There was a time when many foreign carmakers would import their cars but today, most of them have their manufacturing units in India. Even luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW manufacture their cars locally to keep their cost down. So, if you are looking to buy a car that is manufactured domestically, here is a list of 10 Made in India cars that have managed to strike the fancy of the Indians quite successfully.

Kia Sonet

Following its parent brand, Hyundai’s footsteps, Kia has also set up a manufacturing plant in India. Currently, among all made in India cars from the Korean carmaker, Kia Sonet is the best-selling one. True to its Korean tradition, the Sonet attracts buyers with its technological upper hand over its rivals and the refined set of engines. It is also quite a versatile car with an extensive variant line-up and a slew of engine and transmission combinations. Moreover, the Sonet houses all this in a beautiful body that catches many eyes as it drives down the roads.

Kia manufactures Sonet at its manufacturing plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.

Kia Sonet Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol engine, 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, 1-litre turbo petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed MT, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT, 6-speed DCT
• Mileage: Up to 18.83 km/l (petrol) & up to 22.3 km/l (diesel)
• Airbags: 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• Level-1 ADAS features
• 4-way powered driver seat
• Ventilated front seats

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

While the Maruti Brezza is expectedly made in India, it is also the first Suzuki-branded car which was designed and developed entirely in India. The Brezza has turned out to be one of the most successful Maruti cars and is the arch-rival of the segment leader Tata Nexon. Preferred for its practicality and frugal mechanicals, Brezza agrees well with most requirements of an ideal compact SUV for Indian conditions. Moreover, it is the safest Maruti car and with the badge of India’s number one car brand, it brings unparalleled reliability and high resale value.

Maruti Suzuki manufactures Brezza at its manufacturing plant in Manesar, Haryana.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza 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

Tata Nexon

Tata Nexon has etched its name among the most successful cars in Indian history. One of the strongest reasons behind this is the fact that the Nexon became the first made in India car to score a full 5 stars in the Global NCAP safety test. The ground-breaking success of Nexon sparked the arrival of many more safe cars that have earned a 5-star G-NCAP rating and thereby promise solid passenger safety. However, the Nexon offers way more than a formidable body. It is good-looking, packs many upmarket features, and delivers the segment best ride comfort. All of this makes Nexon the most value-for-money car in its segment.

Tata manufactures Nexon at its manufacturing facility in Ranjangaon village in Pune district, Maharashtra.

Tata Nexon Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine | 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine
• EV Battery: 30 kWh & 40.5 kWh
• Transmission: 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, 6-speed AMT, and 7-speed DCT automatic
• Mileage: 17.44 km/l (petrol), 23.23 km/l (diesel)
• EV Range: 325 km & 465 km
• Airbags: 6 airbags as standard
• Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel, and electricity
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Compact SUV
• Ventilated seats
• Single pane sunroof
• 8-speaker Harman sound system

Volkswagen Virtus

While sedans are not as popular as they used to be, Volkswagen Virtus is one of those cars that are keeping them alive in the game. Virtus is underpinned by the MQB A0 IN which is made in India and is built for Indian conditions. This platform also underpins other German cars such as Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Slavia, and Skoda Kushaq and facilitates 95 percent localisation of manufacturing to price them competitively. At competitive prices, the Virtus has a lot to offer. Its attraction starts with a spellbinding design which makes it one of the most beautiful cars in India. Moreover, its turbocharged petrol engines, especially the larger 1.5-litre TSI have proven itself as a great perk for driving enthusiasts. Last but not least, with a 5-star G-NCAP safety rating, the Virtus is one of the safest cars in India.

Volkswagen manufactures Virtus at its manufacturing plant in Chakan town near Pune, Maharashtra.

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 City

This car is not only made in India but also loved in India. Launched in 1998, the iconic Honda City has been the longest-running car in Indian automotive history and still is the best sedan for Indian family requirements. Established as the gold standard for creature comfort and overall ride quality, the Honda City packs sophisticated interiors and all modern-day essentials for a relaxing drive. What complements its family-friendly character is its legendary i-VTEC engine which is acclaimed as the best naturally aspirated petrol engine across mainstream cars.

Honda manufactures City at its manufacturing plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan.

Honda City Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & CVT
• Mileage: 17.8 – 18.4 km/l
• Airbags: 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size sedan
• Single-pane sunroof
• Cruise control
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kushaq has been the first car from Skoda to be based on the MQB A0 IN platform. With competitive prices due to heavy localisation, this German SUV competes in the most in-demand segment of mid-size SUVs. Like most Skoda cars, it offers a sturdy body and exceptional premium quality interiors that we have come to expect of German cars. Meanwhile, with a 5-star G-NCAP rating, the Kushaq is the safest offering in the segment. Moreover, its larger 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine benefits from a cylinder-deactivation technology which shuts off two of its cylinders at cruising speeds and enhances mileage.

Skoda manufactures Kushaq at the manufacturing plant in Chakan town near Pune, Maharashtra.

Skoda Kushaq 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: 18.09 – 19.76 km/l
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Single-pane sunroof
• Powered and ventilated driver’s and front passenger’s seats
• Single-pane sunroof

Hyundai Creta

As mentioned, mid-size SUVs are the most in-demand segment. What led this segment to such a high position is the radical success of Hyundai Creta and today this Korean (but made in India) SUV is the benchmark for mid-size SUVs. As always, Creta is the most value-for-money car in the segment. Along with being one of the most feature-rich cars in the segment, Creta brings a wide variety of powertrains that deliver a refined ride experience. With that being said, it has further risen technologically after its recent facelift it has come at par with rivals, adding the Level-2 ADAS safety suite to its package.

Hyundai manufactures Creta at its production facility at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

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

Mahindra Scorpio Classic

The pride of the Indian carmaker, Mahindra Scorpio is one legendary automobile which has been ruling the roost for decades. This made in India car is tough as nails and looks delightfully traditional with its boxy attire. Esteemed for its rugged character, the Scorpio easily drives through the stretches which can dent the integrity of most urban cars. Even with all this aside, today, the Scorpio is a status symbol and has an unmatchable reliability. This is why the Indian SUV is a common sight among police cars and convoys of politicians. In the recent past, an even more capable version of Scorpio named Scorpio N was launched and now Mahindra sells both Scorpio Classic and Scorpio N under the same Scorpio badge.

Mahindra manufactures Scorpio at its manufacturing plant in Chakan town near Pune, Maharashtra.

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

MG Hector

As a British product made in India, MG Hector Indianizes the state-of-the-art character that British cars are known for. With its cutting-edge features, the Hector is one of the most tech-advanced cars under Rs 30 lakh. Not only is it high on technology, it offers higher levels of comfort as compared to most of its rivals. Moreover, since it was the first MG Motors car in India, Hector has captured larger space than its siblings and is the best-selling MG Motors car.

MG Motors manufactures Hector at its production facility in Halol, Gujrat.

MG Hector Specifications & Key Features

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine | 2-litre turbo diesel engine
• Transmission: 6-speed MT & CVT
• Mileage: 13.79 km/l (petrol) & 15.58 km/l (diesel)
• Airbags: Up to 6 airbags
• Fuel Type: Petrol & Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: Mid-size SUV
• Panoramic sunroof
• 14-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system
• Level-2 ADAS safety suite

Jeep Compass

In nearly seven years of its run, Jeep Compass has garnered a grand reputation in India. The American SUV with its immaculate fusion of upscale nature and robust build quality appeals to those who have no place for mediocrity in their preferences. Combined with this, the Compass embodies the legendary off-roading calibre that has made it a revered off-roading global brand.

Jeep manufactures Compass at its production plant in Ranjangaon village in Pune district, Maharashtra.

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

Summary

The Indian automobile market sees fierce competition and keeping the prices of cars down is something every carmaker aims for. Since cost-cutting attempts that water down the quality of cars are hard to hide in today’s world, manufacturing cars locally is the best option for carmakers to price their cars reasonably. Today, every carmaker which has mass-market cars on sale has at least one manufacturing plant in India. While this article covers the best made in India cars, the siblings of these cars are also manufactured in India. With more and more choosing to manufacture their cars locally, that day is not far when India will not need to import any cars.

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