If you are in the market for a new car, there are many things to consider. But one of the most important factors is reliability. No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a car that will give them headaches down the road. In this blog post, we will look at some of the most dependable cars in India. We will also explore what makes a car dependable, and the criterion used for ranking these “most dependable cars”.
What makes a car dependable?
In India, a car is considered ‘dependable’ if it can withstand harsh driving conditions and provide peace of mind in the long run.
The following are 3 main factors that make a car dependable in India:
- Sound suspension: A good suspension system is essential for making sure the ride is smooth, even on the roughest roads.
- Reliable engine: A dependable car needs an engine that can handle the stop-start traffic and dusty conditions of Indian roads. So, if you’re looking for a dependable car to take on India’s roads, make sure it ticks all of these boxes.
- Robust build quality: Indian roads are notoriously bumpy and potholed, so a dependable car needs to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
However thanks to a 2021 India Initial Quality Study (IQS) by J.D power, we can boil down all these factors to problems reported on a scale of per 100 vehicles (PP100). As the study identifies the number of problems experienced by owners of cars, a low score is indicative of higher quality. With this in mind, the cars mentioned below scored the lowest in their particular segment, making them the most reliable in their segment.
List of Most Dependable Cars In India
Car Name | PP100 Score | Price (ex-showroom) |
Hyundai Santro | 139 | Rs. 4.90 - 6.42 lakh* |
Maruti Ignis | 157 | Rs. 5.35 - 7.72 lakh |
Hyundai i20 | 136 | Rs. 7.07 - 11.62 lakh |
Hyundai Venue | 123 | Rs. 7.53 - 12.72 lakh |
Hyundai Creta | 122 | Rs. 10.44 - 18.24 lakh |
Bolero | 99 | Rs. 9.53 - 10.48 lakh |
*Note: Santro is now discontinued | ||
Most Dependable Compact Hatchback: Hyundai Santro – 139 PP100
Starting this list of most dependable cars, is the now discontinued Hyundai Santro. The Santro is quite an affordable car and is reliable thanks to the improvements made over the previous generation. The Santro was launched way back in 1998 to challenge the Maruti 800 and then the Alto. It was discontinued in 2015 before it was relaunched as an entry-level premium offering by Hyundai in 2018. The high dependability of the Santro makes it a good choice as a first car that won’t let you down. Even though the Santro is discontinued, you can get your hands on this dependable vehicle if you want to in the used car market.
Dependable Compact Hatchbacks:
- Hyundai Santro – 139
- Tata Tiago – 142
- Maruti Suzuki Celerio – 152
Most Dependable Hatchback: Maruti Suzuki Ignis – 157 PP100
The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the first car on this list which has an overall 157 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Being a Maruti, it is bound to be reliable! Overall, the car is known for its funky design, comfortable interior, and fuel efficiency. The interior build quality is respectable, and overall the car sticks to the basics and provides most of the basic essentials needed. Talking about the price the Maruti Suzuki Ignis starts at Rs. 5.17 lakhs.
Dependable Hatchbacks:
- Maruti Suzuki Ignis – 157
- Hyundai Grand i10 – 168
- Maruti Suzuki S-Presso – 172
Most Dependable Premium Hatchback: Hyundai i20 – 136 PP100
The Hyundai i20 is the most reliable premium hatchback from Hyundai’s stable. At 136 PP100, it leaves behind its rivals (including the popular Maruti Baleno) thanks to its platform design which has evolved over the years and retuned suspension setup during facelifts. In a nutshell, it’s a handsome, and fun to drive reliable hatchback to own! The price of the i20 starts at – 7.07 lakh.
Dependable Premium Hatchbacks:
- Hyundai i20 – 136
- Tata Altroz – 150
- Maruti Suzuki Swift – 175
Most Dependable Compact SUV: Hyundai Venue – 123 PP100
Moving on to the compact SUV category, the Hyundai Venue tops the list as the most dependable car. It is a compact SUV that comes with a host of features that make it a great choice for those looking for a mix of reliability and cost-efficiency. The Venue comes with a 1-litre turbo petrol engine that is punchy and fuel-efficient at the same time! With its recent facelift, it has an enhanced get up, and more features. The price of the Venue starts at – 7.53 lakhs.
Dependable Compact SUVs:
- Hyundai Venue – 123
- Renault Kiger – 124
- Nissan Magnite – 129
Most Dependable Midsize SUV: Hyundai Creta – 122 PP100
The third Hyundai on this list, Creta, is a mid-size SUV that received 122 PP100, beating the competition, including its own sibling – Seltos.
It has managed to do so thanks to its excellent quality levels, particularly in the interior. Apart from that, its engine and transmission options designed by Hyundai are tried and tested. In fact, many other cars use Hyundai’s transmission options in their cars (such as the Harrier, which borrows automatic transmissions from Hyundai).
Overall, the Creta is a very capable car perfect for city roads and can tackle almost all road potholes with ease. The price of Creta starts at – 10.44 lakh.
Dependable Midsize SUVs:
- Hyundai Creta – 122
- Mahindra Thar – 129
- Mahindra Scorpio – 130
Most Dependable MPV: Mahindra Bolero – 99 PP100
At 99 PP100, the Mahindra Bolero is the ideal option if you’re in the market for a MUV/MPV. One of the most dependable cars in India, it’s one of the SUVs that sticks to the basics. Since features/controls and displays have the most problems reported, (and the Bolero has less of that), it scores the highest among all cars on this list!
Nevertheless, it has a sturdy body and a time-tested engine. Overall it’s a reliable car with low maintenance costs and is known to have a long lifespan. Maybe that’s why it’s so popular in the rural market! The price of Bolero starts at – 10.48 lakh.
Dependable MPV/MUV:
- Mahindra Bolero – 99
- Renault Triber – 115
- Toyota Innova Crysta – 118
More About JD Power Initial Quality Study
This study measures problems experienced in two distinct categories: design-related problems, defects, and malfunctions. The study includes specific diagnostic questions covering eight problem categories including the likes of the exterior, overall driving experience, features, audio, engine, and more.
Some additional findings include:
- Cars that are driven by a single person have lesser average problems reported than two people driving the car. The problems further go up with the increase in the number of people. Owners with less than two passengers have a PP100 of 95.1, while those with more passengers have a PP100 of 183 on average.
- The most problematic category for design is features/controls/displays (FCD): With 12.9 PP100, the FCD category has the most niggles. The two main problems are delayed USB port charging and insufficient horn volume.
Conclusion
The JD Power study highlights the overall dependability of the cars currently sold in India. If you are looking for the most dependable car in India, then this list should be where you start your search. However, other factors like safety and cost of ownership are also important considerations when buying a car. Be sure to take all the factors that are important to you into consideration before making your final decision.
