Best Cars for Women in India – Price, Mileage, Specifications

We've witnessed numerous car brands introducing a long list of new cars in India in the last couple of years, catering to the diverse needs of buyers across various segments. 

While brands like Maruti and Tata maintain their dominance in the mass market segment with their value-for-money and practical offerings, brands like Hyundai and Mahindra have intensified the competition by launching multiple new cars with premium and feature-rich cabins. 

Amidst all this, many still wonder which cars are the ideal choices for women and which ones they should consider purchasing. In this comprehensive blog, we will take a closer look at some of the best cars for women in India in 2023.

1. Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Starting Price: ₹5.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

For those seeking a compact and stylish car with a quirky design and spirited performance, the new Maruti Ignis stands out among its direct competitors. It boasts a rich feature set and is powered by a peppy 1.2L K12C engine, making it an attractive choice. Enthusiasts will appreciate its stiff suspension and precise steering, making it a top pick among affordable hatchbacks in India.

With a starting price of ₹5.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the new Ignis is available through Maruti’s premium NEXA network, competing with rivals like the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch. While the cabin may not be overly spacious, it comfortably accommodates four adults. Its compact footprint and high ground clearance add to its practicality. Maruti's extensive after-sales support network and budget-friendly maintenance further make the new Ignis a practical option compared to its rivals.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Features

What’s Good:

• Peppy and refined engine
• High ground clearance and compact footprint
• Cheap service and parts

What’s Not Good:

• Not so spacious cabin
• No turbo petrol or CNG powertrain option
• Build quality is strictly average

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Suzuki Ignis Cars in India

2. Maruti Celerio

Starting Price: ₹5.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The new Celerio, introduced last year, offers a complete package, updated engines, and fresh exterior styling. Its cabin is loaded with all the bells and whistles expected at this price point. This car stands out as the most fuel-efficient petrol car in India, featuring two powertrain options: a 1.0L K10 petrol and a 1.0L Bi-Fuel CNG. The petrol variant can be paired with either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT, while the CNG variant is available exclusively with a 5-speed MT. 

The Celerio is a top choice for women, known for its ease of driving, especially in the city. Its compact footprint and impressive cabin visibility make it suitable for shorter adults. Moreover, it offers attractive features like push-button start/stop, idle start/stop, a SmartPlay infotainment system, and more. 

Maruti Celerio Key Specifications

Maruti Celerio Key Specifications

What’s Good:

• India’s most fuel-efficient petrol car
• Reliable powertrain options
• The compact footprint makes it an ideal city car

What’s Not Good:

• CNG only offered with the VXI variant
• Build quality is not as good as the rivals
• Missing features like rear-camera

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Celerio Cars in India

3. Renault Kwid

Starting Price: ₹4.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Positioned as a direct rival to cars like the Maruti WagonR and the Maruti S-Presso, the Renault Kwid is currently one of the most practical offerings for those looking for a spacious family hatchback. Priced from ₹4.69 lakh only, the Kwid is not only affordable but in addition to this, also offers a feature-loaded and spacious cabin.

Under the hood, the Kwid is offered with a 1.0L SCe petrol engine that is capable of delivering 67 bhp and 91 Nm of maximum torque. Two gearbox options are on offer for the buyers - a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. With a claimed fuel economy of over 20 km/l, the Kwid is also considered one of the most fuel-efficient cars in India right now. 

Renault Kwid Key Specifications

Renault Kwid Key Features

What’s Good:

• Smart and rugged exterior styling
• Spacious and comfortable cabin
• Sorted dynamics and high-speed stability

What’s Not Good:

• No CNG versions
• After-sales is a hit or a miss
• Inconsistent build quality

Check out our collection of Used Renault Kwid Cars in India

4. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Starting Price: ₹5.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, with a starting price of ₹5.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), is currently a top choice among female drivers in India. It's the most affordable Hyundai car in India and comes with two engine options: the 1.2L Kappa petrol and 1.2L Bi-Fuel CNG. The petrol offers both manual and AMT gearbox options, while the CNG variant is available only with a manual gearbox. 

Compared to rivals like the Maruti Swift, the new Grand i10 Nios stands out with a more premium cabin, better fit-finish levels, and build quality. It offers an array of features, including segment-first ones like a wireless charger and a cooled storage console. Hyundai also provides strong after-sales support and extensive warranty coverage for buyers. 

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Specifications

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Features

What’s Good:

• Feature-loaded
• Reliable and refined powertrain options
• Premium and comfortable cabin

What’s Not Good: 

• Not so frugal petrol engine
• Turbo engine is no more offered
• Not-so-great ride-handling balance

Check out our collection of Used Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Cars in India

5. Tata Tiago

Starting Price: ₹5.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Tiago is one of the safest cars for women in India and scored a four out of 5-star rating in the GNCAP safety crash tests. In addition to a strong build quality, the new Tata Tiago also boasts a well-tuned suspension setup that delivers excellent ride quality and impressive high-speed stability. The cabin of the Tiago too is spacious and offers a comfortable seating experience. 

The Tata Tiago offers two engine options in addition to an all-electric Ziptron powertrain. These include a 1.2L Revotron petrol and a 1.2L Bi-Fuel CNG. The petrol engine churns out a peak power and torque output of 86.5 bhp and 115 Nm respectively, while the CNG variant produces 72.4 bhp and 103 Nm of maximum torque. Both engines come paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the petrol variant additionally offers a 5-speed AMT transmission option. 

Tata Tiago Key Specifications

Tata Tiago Key Features

What’s Good:

• Excellent build quality and four-star GNCAP safety ratings
• Segment best ride quality
• Sorted dynamics and high-speed stability

What’s Not Good:

• Unreliable after-sales support
• Jerky AMT gearbox
• Not-so-refined petrol engine options

Check Out Our Collection Of Used Tata Tiago Cars In India

6. Tata Punch

Starting Price: ₹5.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Punch, a compact SUV, is gaining popularity among women in India for its stylish design and practicality. Its compact size makes city manoeuvring a breeze, and its bold and youthful aesthetics cater to various preferences. The Punch offers a commanding driving position, which many women appreciate as it provides a clear view of the road ahead.

Built on the same platform as the Altroz, the Punch delivers commendable high-speed dynamics. The Punch also passed the GNCAP crash tests with flying colours and scored a perfect 5-star rating with the bodyshell reported as stable.

With two powertrain options, the 1.2L Revotron petrol and the 1.2L iCNG Bi-Fuel, it offers strong low-end performance and excellent fuel economy. Equipped with dual airbags and ABS, the Punch provides added on-road assurance, making it a top choice in its segment. 

Tata Punch Key Specifications

Tata Punch Key Features

What’s Good:

• Impressive build quality
• Tried and tested powertrain options
• Spacious and comfortable cabin

What’s Not Good:

• No turbo petrol option 
• Fit-finish levels could have been better
• After-sales support is hit or miss

Check out our collection of Used Tata Punch Cars in India

7. Tata Nexon

Starting Price: ₹7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

With the launch of the new Tata Nexon facelift, the Indian carmaker is now offering a well-built and feature-rich package for those looking for a safe and practical compact SUV in India. Positioned against the likes of Maruti Brezza and the Hyundai Venue, the new Nexon boasts powerful engine options and impressive safety levels. The Tata Nexon is a compact SUV that has made a name for itself in the Indian market, particularly among women buyers who prioritise safety. It was one of the first Indian cars to receive a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.

Under the hood, the new Nexon is offered with two powertrain options – 1.2L Revotron turbo petrol and 1.5L Revotorq diesel. For those wondering, the petrol engine delivers a peak power and torque output of 118 bhp and 170 Nm respectively, while the diesel on the other hand boasts a maximum power output of 113 bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque. The Nexon is also offered with an all-electric powertrain and is currently the highest-selling electric car in India in 2023.

Tata Nexon Key Specifications 

Tata Nexon Key Features

What’s Good:

• Powerful and fuel-efficient powertrain options
• Practical and reliable electric powertrain
• Build quality and 5-star GNCAP safety rating

What’s Not Good:

• AMT is slow and jerky
• Fit-finish levels could be better
• After-sales support still needs a lot of improvement

8. Maruti Brezza

Starting Price: ₹8.29 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Maruti Brezza's compact SUV design is well-received by women who appreciate a commanding driving position, which enhances visibility on busy Indian roads. With a host of safety features, including dual front airbags and ABS, the Brezza provides peace of mind. The boot space is generous, making it suitable for shopping trips, family outings, or even weekend getaways. The straightforward layout of controls and user-friendly infotainment system adds to its practicality.

As far as powertrain options are concerned, the new Brezza is only offered with two engines - a 1.5L K15C Smart Hybrid Petrol and a 1.5L Bi-Fuel CNG. The petrol engine delivers 101.6 bhp and 136.8 Nm of maximum torque, while the CNG is claimed to produce 86.3 bhp and 121.5 Nm of peak torque output. The new Brezza also outshines most of the rivals with its cheaper maintenance and reliable ownership experience, making it one of the best SUVs for women in India in 2023. 

Maruti Brezza Key Specifications

Maruti Brezza Key Features

What’s Good:

• Reliable and efficient powertrain options
• Dependable after-sales support
• Attractive exterior styling and impressive build quality

What’s Not Good:

• No diesel engine option
• Automatic variants command a high premium
• Missing features like ventilated seats, drive modes, and auto wipers

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Brezza Cars in India

9. Hyundai Verna

Starting Price: ₹10.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The new Hyundai Verna embodies a sense of sophistication and elegance and is currently the most practical and comfortable sedan under ₹20 lakh in India. Its sleek and aerodynamic design, complemented by the Hyundai's signature cascading grille and sharp LED headlamps, makes a striking statement on the road. This sedan offers a level of aesthetic refinement that resonates with those looking for a touch of luxury in their daily commute. 

Under the hood, the new Verna is now offered with an all-new 147 bhp, 1.5L TGDi turbo petrol engine in addition to the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine. Hyundai's reputation for reliability and a strong service network ensures peace of mind for Verna owners. Additionally, the car's competitive pricing and low maintenance costs make it a compelling choice for women who want a dependable and stylish sedan without breaking the bank.

Hyundai Verna Key Specifications 

Hyundai Verna Key Features  

What’s Good:

• Premium and feature-rich cabin
• Refined and powerful engine options
• Dependable after-sales support and up to 7-years extended warranty

What’s Not Good:

• No diesel or hybrid powertrain option
• Missing features like a 360-degree camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, auto wipers, etc

10. Mahindra XUV700

Starting Price: ₹14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Mahindra XUV700 has swiftly gained popularity, thanks to its commanding and versatile SUV qualities. Its bold design exudes confidence, with a prominent grille and striking LED lighting that commands attention. 

This premium SUV offers powerful engine options, both petrol and diesel, with manual and automatic transmissions available. The smooth and fast automatic powertrain options make the new XUV700 one of the best automatic cars for ladies. 

Inside, the XUV700 boasts a luxurious cabin with a host of features, including a 10.25-inch instrument console, memory-function powered front seats, a rotatory controller for the centre screen, ADRENOX informatics, a Sony 12-speaker surround sound system, Alexa voice assistant, and more.

Safety is a priority with the XUV700 which is evident from its 5-star rating in crash tests. It also offers ADAS safety tech which includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and more.

Mahindra XUV700 Key Specifications 

Mahindra XUV700 Key Features 

What’s good:

• Stylish and bold exterior styling
• Comfortable and feature-rich cabin
• Powerful and dependable engine options

What’s Not Good:

• Cramped third-row seating and limited boot space
• After-sales support is a hit-or-miss
• Turbo petrol is not very efficient

Check out our collection of Used Mahindra XUV700 Cars in India

Conclusion

There is an abundance of cars for women in India, and the choice ultimately hinges on individual needs and preferences. For city driving convenience and compact size are important and cars like the Kwid, the Tiago, and the Punch fit the bill. On the other hand, cars like the Brezza and the Nexon offer practicality and a better overall package. 

Those looking for a premium and sophisticated experience might want to buy the Verna or the XUV700, depending on their preferences. The ultimate decision should be based on practicality, performance, in-cabin experience, and ease of driving in various situations. 

FAQs

Q. Which is the safest car for women in India?

The new Tata Punch, Tata Tiago, Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Mahindra XUV700 are a few of the safest cars for women in India in 2023. 

Q. Which is the cheapest and the best car for ladies?

The Renault Kwid and the Maruti Ignis are a few of the cheapest and best cars for ladies in India.

Q. Which is the best SUV for women?

The new Mahindra XUV700 is a great choice for anyone looking for a blend of performance, features, looks, and in-cabin experience.