India has seen many successful cars. These cars sold like hotcakes and led their manufacturers’ businesses remarkably. While becoming a successful car is hard, popularity is something different. To earn popularity, a car does something radical and goes beyond expectations in serving their owners. Popular cars set off everlasting sensations and almost everyone knows about them, even if they don’t buy them. For example, not everyone buys a Mahindra Thar, but everyone recognises it as soon as they get its glimpse. Today, the Indian automobile industry is at the stage where the market has a number of popular cars, and some of them have been on sale for more than a decade. If you want to own a car that doesn’t need an introduction, here is a list of the most popular cars in India.
Maruti Suzuki’s Most Popular Cars in India
In India, no carmaker has produced as many popular cars as the Maruti Suzuki has. Whether it was the iconic “People’s Car” Maruti Suzuki 800, or the exciting Maruti Suzuki Swift, which is still on sale, the Indo-Japanese auto-giant has given many cars that earned enormous consumer affinity. Here are some of the most popular cars in India from the most popular car brand.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
‘Lord Alto.’ A moniker netizens have recently coined for the Maruti Alto. It happened after the clips of the Alto easily driving uphill and on rough patches went viral. However, this is just a small part of Alto’s calibre and the craze of the Alto is not new for it has been one of the most popular cars in India for decades. The entry-level hatchback from Maruti has been the first car of millions of Indians and even today when someone looks for their first car, the Alto is usually the first name they are suggested. This is because the Alto is an appealing little car for a small budget-conscious family. Its small engine is peppy enough for its size and weight. Moreover, it offers a practically crafted cabin, a decent feature list, low maintenance cost, and high mileage.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
Slightly larger and more premium than the Alto, the Maruti Wagon R is another peach of a family car from the Indo-Japanese auto-giant. With over two decades long legacy, this hatchback is the longest-running Maruti car and understandably so, one of the most popular cars in India. In fact, the popularity of the Wagon R is not limited to private owners and their families, but also cab companies. This is because, in terms of economy and value, the Wagon R fits the bill very well. It feels more spacious than its rivals with its rather simple design. Moreover, its fabulous mileage, Maruti’s cheap maintenance cost, and wide service network keep the running cost as low as possible.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
If ‘Popularity’ were a car, it would be the Maruti Swift. Launched in 2005, the legendary hatchback has reigned supremely throughout its career and even today, it remains invincible among the most popular cars in India. What led the Swift to such a huge success is its unique position in Maruti’s lineup. The Swift offers a more sporty feeling as compared to Maruti’s more practical offerings, making it more appealing to the youth. While it has a sporty aesthetic, the Swift still offers ample space for five passengers, high fuel efficiency figures, and a low maintenance cost. With all these traits, the Maruti Swift comes in as a magnetic family hatchback.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
There is no doubt that the first premium hatchback in India, the Hyundai i20 garnered enormous success. However, it’s the Maruti Suzuki Baleno which revolutionised the game of premium hatchbacks and made them appealing options as mainstream family cars. Many times, the Baleno has emerged as the best-selling car and has remained one of the most popular cars in India since its launch in 2015. The charm of the Baleno starts with its elegant design and on the inside, it feels premium and sufficiently spacious. Moreover, the Baleno delivers class-leading mileage, which is a truly desirable perk with a premium hatchback and also puts it among the most fuel-efficient cars in India.
Hyundai’s Most Popular Cars in India
The second largest carmaker in India, Hyundai, is also the oldest foreign car brand in India, running its business on Indian soil since 1996. Over the years, Hyundai has delivered many popular cars such as the Hyundai Santro, Accent, Verna to name a few. Following are a couple of Hyundai’s most popular cars in India which are still on sale.
Hyundai i20
As mentioned, the Hyundai i20 is the first premium hatchback in India. Launched in 2008, the i20 came in when India struggled with recession, yet the Korean hatchback succeeded in carving a niche for itself. Swiftly and steadily, the i20 rose to become one of the most successful Hyundai cars, in addition to being one of the most popular cars in India. Its stylish design was what instantly connected it with the masses, this is still one of its chief highlights. Moreover, as always, the i20 is the most spacious and feature-rich car in its segment, and with reliable underpinnings as well as powertrains, it has proven itself as a dependable family hatchback.
Hyundai Creta
When it comes to popularity, the Hyundai Creta is topper of toppers. It’s the most successful Hyundai car in India and apparently, will long remain one of the most popular cars in India. The grand success of the Hyundai Creta set the standards for the mid-size SUV and as the best-selling SUV and one of the best-selling cars, it’s maintaining its benchmark status for its segment. The Creta is by far the most appealing package of features, space, comfort, performance, and refinement as compared to its rivals. In addition to that, the Korean SUV offers unparalleled dependability and reasonable maintenance cost, presenting it as a tried and trusted offering.
Tata’s Most Popular Cars in India
The esteemed Indian carmaker, Tata Motors, has been responsible for many auto innovations and some of the most iconic cars in Indian history. The journey of Tata Motors gave us the first fully indigenous car, the Tata Indica, the legendary Tata Safari, the ahead-of-its-time Tata Sierra and many other cars that led to huge transformations in the industry. Here are a couple of Tata’s most popular cars in India, which are currently on sale and like their ancestors, have transformed the industry to a great degree.
Tata Punch
Launched in 2021, the Tata Punch became an instant hit and its success opened the gates for the Maruti Fronx and Hyundai Exter. The Punch created the category of the more compact SUVs, which has found great fame in India. Today, the Punch is the best-selling Tata car and stands tall as one of the most popular cars in India. The reason the Punch sells so well is simple: it looks stylish, feels of a class above on the inside, is well-equipped with features, and most importantly, it’s reasonably priced. All the same, what makes the Punch stand out is its strong body which has scored a full 5 stars in the Global NCAP crash test, testifying it as one of the safest cars in India.
Tata Nexon
We have mentioned Tata Punch has scored a full 5 stars in the Global NCAP safety test. Many other cars also have done the same. This significantly positive trend began when the Tata Nexon became the first car in India to score a 5-star in the Global NCAP safety test in 2018. Overnight, the Indian compact SUV became one of the most popular cars in India and elevated the safety standards of the industry. Along with top-notch safety, the Nexon brings many other perks to the table, such as an attractive design, a host of upmarket features, and the segment-best ride comfort. Moreover, Tata has recently added the CNG-powered variants to the Nexon’s line-up, extending its range to buyers looking for a fuel-efficient compact SUV.
Mahindra’s Most Popular Cars in India
Mahindra & Mahindra is one of the leading car brands in India’s automobile industry. With impeccable commercial vehicles, the Indian carmaker has contributed a great deal to the Indian development and alongside, has built some of the most popular cars in India. While Mahindra Scorpio and the Mahindra Bolero have become almost essential according to Indian demands, here we list the car, which beats both in terms of popularity.
Mahindra Thar
If you are an ardent automobile enthusiast, you must have often heard “Thar is not just a car but an emotion.” It’s true indeed. Here is an example, recently when bookings for the Mahindra Thar Roxx opened, it received over 1.76 lakh bookings within the first hour. That’s the level of following the legendary Mahindra Thar has in India. Innately, the Mahindra Thar is a lifestyle off-roader and its lineage began from the Willy CJ-3B Jeep launched in 1953. This makes the Mahindra Thar almost as old as India and the cult it has built over the years has made it one of the most popular cars in India. While most buy the Thar for its status and unmatched road presence, it is an adept off-roader capable of challenging far more expensive off-roaders. As mentioned, Mahindra has recently launched the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which is a 5-door version of the Thar, while the standard 3-door Thar has been on sale since 2010.
Honda’s Most Popular Cars in India
Honda has spent a long time in India and the famous Japanese carmaker once dominated every segment it had a car in. While Honda is not pulling good volumes these days, it has produced some of the most popular cars in India in the past. Here is a look at Honda’s most epic car in India.
Honda City
It won’t be wrong to declare the Honda City the most successful premium sedan in India. The iconic Japanese sedan has been on sale for over 26 years and never in its career has it let any of its rivals surpass it on the grounds of comfort and all-round performance. Even today, the Honda City is the best family sedan under Rs. 20 lakh and is acclaimed as one of the most popular cars in India. It offers a class-leading balance of space and comfort and a legendary i-VTEC engine, which has proven itself as one of the most potent and reliable petrol engines in the Indian automobile industry. While the City is not selling in high numbers today, it once was an aspirational car that almost every millennial wished to own.
Most Popular Cars in India: Summary
The Indian passenger vehicle market is home to many popular cars and this article covers the top ten of them. The entries from the market leader, Maruti Suzuki, include the first car of millions of Indians, the Maruti Alto, the iconic Maruti Swift, the economical and practical Maruti Wagon R, and the best-selling premium hatchback, Maruti Baleno. Whereas, the largest foreign car brand, Hyundai, has the best-selling SUV, Hyundai Creta, and the pioneer premium hatchback Hyundai i20. Among the Indian carmakers, Tata Motors boasts the game-changers Tata Punch and Tata Nexon which upped the safety standards of the industry, while Mahindra has the legendary Mahindra Thar. Lastly, epic Honda City holds the Japanese flag high with over 26 years-long illustrious legacy.
Most Popular Cars in India: FAQs
Which are the most popular cars in India?
The most popular cars in India are Maruti Suzuki Alto, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, Hyundai i20, Mahindra Thar, and Honda City.
Which of the most popular cars in India are sedans?
Honda City is the only sedan among the most popular cars in India.
Which hatchbacks are among the most popular cars in India?
Maruti Suzuki Alto, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Hyundai i20 are the hatchbacks among the most popular cars in India.
Which SUVs are among the most popular cars in India?
Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, and Mahindra Thar are the SUVs among the most popular cars in India.
Which are Maruti Suzuki’s most popular cars in India?
Maruti Suzuki’s most popular cars in India are Maruti Suzuki Alto, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and Maruti Suzuki Baleno.
