The Honest-to-God Indian Car Buyer's Guide

Updated on: Apr 16, 2017
The Straightforward Indian Car Buyer's Guide:

An actual buyer's guide. Not just dry numbers, but actual recommendation whether a particular variant of a particular car is worth buying, or not. If not, what should you buy instead?

Following is a list of all the Cars available in the Indian Market in ascending order of their Price (on road Delhi) and whether each and every variant of each and every car available in the Indian car market is the best possible alternative available at that price in the market, or not:

3.65 Lakh: Renault Kwid RXL - CONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED

4.10 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXI O CNG - CONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED
4.30 Lakh: Renault Kwid 1.0 RXL AT - RECOMMENDED
4.95 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Ignis Sigma Petrol - RECOMMENDED

5.10 Lakh: Tata Tiago XE O Diesel - CONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED
5.70 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma Petrol - RECOMMENDED

5.90 Lakh: Hyundai Xcent Base Petrol - CONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED

6.15 Lakh: Ford Figo Base Diesel - RECOMMENDED
6.20 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Ignis Delta AT Petrol - RECOMMENDED

6.45 Lakh: Ford Figo Ambiente Diesel: 6.45 Lakh - RECOMMENDED

7.00 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AT Petrol - CONDITIONALLY RECOMMENDED

7.75 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AT Petrol - RECOMMENDED

8.25 Lakh: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza LDi O Diesel - RECOMMENDED

Note: Cars without AC & Power Steering have been greyed out.

2.5 to 3 Lakh Rs:
Tata Nano GenX XE: 2.45 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Datsun Redi-Go D: 2.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 STD: 2.70 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 STD O: 2.80 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Tata Nano GenX XM: 2.85 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

3 to 3.5 Lakh Rs:
Renault Kwid STD: 3.00 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Tata Nano GenX XT: 3.05 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LX: 3.10 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Tata Nano emax XM CNG: 3.10 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Datsun Redi-Go A: 3.15 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LX O: 3.15 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Tata Nano GenX XMA AT: 3.25 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi: 3.35 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Datsun Redi-Go T: 3.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Renault Kwid RXE: 3.40 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi O: 3.45 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Datsun Redi-Go T O: 3.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Nano GenX XTA AT: 3.50 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

3.5 to 4 Lakh Rs:
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 VXi: 3.55 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Tata Tiago XB Petrol: 3.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Eon 0.8 D-lite: 3.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LX: 3.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Renault Kwid RXL: 3.65 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)

The very first car that we 'conditionally recommend' to our readers is the Renault Kwid RXL. It is the cheapest variant of the Kwid, which comes with AC & Power Steering and it is a comprehensively better vehicle than the Alto, Redi Go & Nano GenX. However, we only recommend it conditionally, because we urge you to instead save up just a little bit more, and opt for the Kwid's '1.0 RXT AMT' variant, which comes with the cutting-edge automatic transmission. It is a welcome relief for those who have to suffer through hours of rush-hour commutes everyday. It eliminates the need for incessant clutching-de-clutching and gear-rowing in city traffic, and thus eliminates at least half of the fatigue from your daily commutes. Shelling out ~15% extra for the added convenience of an automatic is absolutely worth the expense, which is why we sincerely urge you to avoid the RXL variant in favour of the '1.0 RXT AMT' unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 VXi O: 3.65 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LX Airbag: 3.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Redi-Go S: 3.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go D: 3.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LXi: 3.75 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LXi Airbag: 3.80 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Eon 0.8 D-lite+: 3.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Eon 0.8 D-lite+ Airbag: 3.95 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi: 3.95 Lakh - Don't Buy

4 to 4.5 Lakh Rs:
Datsun Go A: 4.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Eon 0.8 Era+: 4.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Renault Kwid 0.8 RXT: 4.05 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi CNG: 4.05 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXI O CNG: 4.10 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)

We recommend the Alto 800 CNG, only if you have a very peculiar usage pattern, with a 60-80 kilometer commute everyday, in a city like Delhi or Ahmedabad, where CNG stations are abundant in number and you plan to use the car for more than 6 to 8 years. For such a use case the Alto CNG makes perfect sense as it becomes a lowest cost commuting-weapon like no other. But if you plan to use it as a family car, then you would be better off with a Kwid, since the Alto CNG has no boot-space and a tiny, uncomfortable rear seat.

Hyundai Eon 0.8 Era+ Airbag: 4.10 Lakh - Don't Buy

Tata Tiago XE Petrol: 4.15 Lakh - Don't Buy

Renault Kwid 0.8 RXT O: 4.15 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi O: 4.15 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go A EPS: 4.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Renault Kwid 1.0 RXT: 4.25 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Renault Kwid 1.0 RXL AT: 4.30 Lakh - Buy (why?)
Hyundai Eon 0.8 Era+ LPG: 4.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XE Petrol: 4.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go Plus D: 4.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Eon 0.8 Magna+: 4.35 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi: 4.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Chevrolet Beat PS Petrol: 4.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XB Diesel: 4.40 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Renault Kwid 1.0 RXT O: 4.40 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi AT: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XM Petrol: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go T: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LXi CNG: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 0.8 Era+ LPG Airbag: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 0.8 Magna+ Airbag: 4.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

4.5 to 5 Lakh Rs:
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi AT Airbag: 4.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R LXi: 4.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LXi CNG Airbag: 4.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go Plus A: 4.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi ABS: 4.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XM O Petrol: 4.60 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 0.8 Magna+ LPG: 4.65 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 0.8 Sportz: 4.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi: 4.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go T O: 4.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Renault Kwid 1.0 RXT AT: 4.75 Lakh - Buy (why?)

The cheapest car available in the market that we truly recommend, is the Kwid 1.0 RXT AMT automatic. Firstly, it is one of the most well calibrated AMT cars in the market, in terms of smoothness, plus it is the easiest to prevent roll-back on steep inclines. Secondly, it is immensely more spacious, practical and more feature rich than the Nano AMT & Alto K10 AMT, in spite of being priced just marginally higher. It is without doubt the best car available in the market up to 4.75 Lakh Rs. and arguably better than any other offering in the market up to a Lakh Rs. more than it.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXi: 4.75 Lakh - Don't Buy
Chevrolet Beat LS Petrol: 4.80 Lakh - Don't Buy

Tata Tiago XT Petrol: 4.80 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 1.0 Magna Airbag: 4.80 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR LXi ABS: 4.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi AT: 4.90 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Sigma Petrol: 4.95 Lakh - Buy

Tata Tiago XE Diesel: 4.95 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)

The Tiago 'XE' is the cheapest diesel with AC & Power Steering available in the market today. For those who anticipate a useage of over 1.5 lakh kilometres in the next 5 years, with intra-city as well as inter-city usage, the Tiago is an ideal match. Thanks to its diesel appetite and excellent fuel efficiency, it works out have one of the lowest Overall Ownership Cost as well as the best possible mid-range punch in this price band, which comes in handy while overtaking on the highways. However, if you anticipate a lower usage of 60,000 to 75,000 kilometres, then the Kwid '1.0 RXT AMT' automatic is a much more practical and convenient option, which is why we only recommend the Tiago diesel 'conditionally'.

Ford Figo Base Petrol: 4.95 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi ABS: 4.95 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XT O Petrol: 4.95 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Eon 1.0 Magna O Airbag: 4.95 Lakh - Don't Buy

5 to 5.5 Lakh Rs:
Datsun Go Plus A EPS: 5.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Grand i10 Era Petrol: 5.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi: 5.05 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray LXi O: 5.05 Lakh - Don't Buy

Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi AT ABS: 5.10 Lakh - Buy
Tata Tiago XE O Diesel: 5.10 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)
Maruti Suzuki WagonR LXi CNG: 5.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXi ABS: 5.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tigor XE Petrol: 5.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi AT: 5.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift LXi: 5.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift LXi O: 5.25 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Figo Ambiente Petrol: 5.25 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXi AT: 5.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR LXi CNG O: 5.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio LDi Diesel: 5.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go Plus T: 5.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray VXi O: 5.35 Lakh - Don't Buy
Chevrolet Beat LT Petrol: 5.40 Lakh - Don't Buy

Tata Tiago XM Diesel: 5.40 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Tata Tiago XZ Petrol: 5.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi CNG: 5.45 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki LXi ABS: 5.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi AT ABS: 5.45 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio LDi ABS Diesel: 5.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray VXi AT: 5.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Datsun Go Plus T O: 5.50 Lakh - Don't Buy

5.5 to 6 Lakh Rs:

Tata Tiago XM O Diesel: 5.55 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi AT: 5.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi O: 5.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi CNG O: 5.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VDi Diesel: 5.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Delta Petrol: 5.60 Lakh - Buy only if
Hyundai Grand i10 Magna Petrol: 5.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXi AT O: 5.65 Lakh - Don't Buy

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma Petrol: 5.70 Lakh - Buy

Tata Tiago XT Diesel: 5.70 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi AT ABS: 5.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Figo Trend Petrol: 5.75 Lakh - Don't Buy
Volkswagen Ameo Trendline Petrol: 5.75 Lakh - Don't Buy

Tata Tiago XT O Diesel: 5.85 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Celerio VDi ABS Diesel: 5.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray: 5.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Chevrolet Beat LTZ Petrol: 5.90 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent Base Petrol: 5.90 Lakh - Buy only if
Tata Tiago XZA Petrol AT: 5.95 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tigor XT Petrol: 5.95 Lakh - Don't Buy

6 to 6.5 Lakh Rs:

Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi: 6.00 Lakh - Don't Buy

Ford Figo Base Diesel: 6.15 Lakh - Buy

Ford Figo Titanium Petrol: 6.15 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Grand i10 Sportz Petrol: 6.15 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Delta Petrol AT: 6.20 Lakh - Buy

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta Petrol: 6.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi ABS: 6.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tiago XZ Diesel: 6.30 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Hyundai Grand i10 Era Diesel: 6.35 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta Petrol: 6.40 Lakh - Buy
Ford Figo Ambiente Diesel: 6.45 Lakh - Buy

Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZDi O Diesel: 6.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

6.5 to 7 Lakh Rs:
Hyundai Grand i10 Magna AT: 6.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tigor XZ Petrol: 6.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift LDi: 6.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Volkswagen Ameo Comfortline Petrol: 6.55 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Grand i10 Asta Petrol: 6.80 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent S Petrol: 6.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Grand i10 Magna Diesel: 6.85 Lakh - Don't Buy
Nissan Micra XL AT Petrol: 6.90 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga LXi Petrol: 6.90 Lakh - Don't Buy

7 to 7.5 Lakh Rs:
Ford Figo Titanium Plus Petrol: 7.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift LDi ABS Diesel: 7.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Tata Tigor XZ O Petrol: 7.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta Petrol AT: 7.00 Lakh - Buy only if
Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi: 7.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent Base Diesel: 7.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Figo Trend Diesel: 7.15 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Figo Aspire Ambiente Diesel: 7.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma Diesel: 7.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent SX Petrol: 7.20 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta Petrol: 7.25 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Delta Diesel: 7.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga LXi O Petrol: 7.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi Diesel: 7.30 Lakh - Don't Buy
Volkswagen Ameo Trendline Diesel: 7.40 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Ford Figo Titanium Diesel: 7.40 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Grand i10 Sportz Diesel: 7.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Alpha Petrol: 7.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi Diesel: 7.45 Lakh - Don't Buy

7.5 to 8 Lakh Rs:
Honda Brio VX AT Petrol: 7.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Grand i10 Asta AT Petrol: 7.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent S AT Petrol: 7.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford EcoSport Ambiente 1.5 Petrol: 7.70 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AT Petrol: 7.75 Lakh - Buy only if
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta Diesel: 7.90 Lakh - Don't Buy

Hyundai Grand i10 Asta Diesel: 7.90 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta Diesel: 7.90 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Delta Diesel AT: 7.95 Lakh - Buy
Hyundai Xcent S Diesel: 7.95 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent SX O Petrol: 7.95 Lakh - Don't Buy

8 to 8.5 Lakh Rs:
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha Petrol: 8.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Volkswagen Ameo Highline Petrol: 8.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga LDi SHVS Diesel: 8.05 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza LDi Diesel: 8.10 Lakh - Don't Buy (why?)
Ford Figo Titanium 1.5 AT Petrol: 8.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Figo Titanium Plus Diesel: 8.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga LDi O SHVS Diesel: 8.15 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza LDi O Diesel: 8.25 Lakh - Buy (why?)

Hyundai Xcent SX Diesel: 8.35 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi Petrol: 8.35 Lakh - Don't Buy
Honda Jazz S AT Petrol: 8.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta AT Petrol: 8.40 Lakh - Buy
Maruti Suzuki Swift ZDi Diesel: 8.40 Lakh - Don't Buy

8.5 to 9 Lakh Rs:
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta Diesel AT: 8.50 Lakh - Buy
Volkswagen Ameo Comfortline Diesel: 8.55 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta Diesel: 8.60 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza VDi Diesel: 8.75 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VDi SHVS Diesel: 8.80 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Ecosport Ambiente Diesel: 8.85 Lakh - Buy only if

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Alpha Diesel: 8.90 Lakh - Don't Buy

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza VDi O Diesel: 8.90 Lakh - Buy (why?)

9 to 9.5 Lakh Rs:
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi Petrol: 9.00 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi CNG: 9.05 Lakh - Don't Buy
Honda City E Petrol: 9.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Hyundai Xcent SX O Diesel: 9.10 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha Diesel: 9.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZDi SHVS Diesel: 9.40 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford EcoSport Trend Diesel: 9.45 Lakh - Buy only if

9.5 to 10 Lakh Rs:
Volkswagen Ameo Highline Diesel: 9.50 Lakh - Don't Buy (why not?)
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi AT Petrol: 9.50 Lakh - Don't Buy
Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZDi AT Diesel: 9.65 Lakh - Buy

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi+ Petrol: 9.65 Lakh - Don't Buy
Ford Ecosport Ambiente Diesel: 9.70 Lakh - Buy only if

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza ZDi Diesel: 9.75 Lakh - Buy (why?)

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZDi+ SHVS Diesel: 9.80 Lakh - Don't Buy

Volkswagen Ameo Comfortline Diesel AT: 9.90 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)
Honda BR-V E Petrol: 9.90 Lakh - Buy only if

10 to 10.5 Lakh Rs:

10.5 to 11 Lakh Rs:
Volkswagen Ameo Highline Diesel AT: 10.85 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza ZDi Plus Diesel: 8.75 Lakh - Buy only if (if what?)

Here's a ready reckoner of some cars that we wholeheartedly recommend, till the time we compile a detailed guide:

Honda BR-V V AT Petrol: 14.05 Lakh - Buy

Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 GX AT: 19.15 Lakh - Buy

Mercedes Benz GLA 200 CDI Style: 38.4 Lakh- Buy

*Please bear with us, this article is still a work in progress, please check back after a few days.