Top 10 Small Cars in India for 2024: Best Compact Picks

Saying that the Indian car market is diverse would be an understatement. There are a range of body styles on offer: hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, MPVs, pickup trucks, and within each of those segments are premium and budget offerings, various sizes, and a wide-ranging price bracket. Unsurprisingly, though, small cars have consistently been a part of the top-selling cars list in India.

Thanks to our road infrastructure, and the sheer number of cars on our roads, the utility of a compact vehicle cannot be ignored. These are cars that can easily squeeze into tight parking spaces, and can effortlessly navigate traffic thanks to light controls. Given that, it’s no surprise that small cars do so well in India. It’s also not surprising to see that Maruti Suzuki has the most diverse set of options in the small car segment (6 out of the 12 cars on this list are Marutis).

In our list of the 12 smallest cars in India, we do a deep dive into cars that feature the best combination of compact proportions, ease of driving, efficiency, and affordability. If what you’re on the lookout for is a car that ticks all those boxes, or simply the smallest car in India, this list will help narrow down your options.

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1. Maruti Suzuki Swift | Length: 3860 mm

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is one the most popular hatchbacks not just for the brand, but also for the segment as a whole. Its blend of affordability, compact proportions, ease of driving, and good design make it an obvious choice for a great city runabout.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 80 bhp and 112 Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, and it’s efficient as well, with it returning up to 25.7 kmpl. The Swift features light controls, which not only make it easy to drive in the city, but also when it comes to navigating tight parking spots.

There are cars on this list that have a cabin that’s more spacious, but the Swift can manage up to five passengers without a fuss for city commutes. It’s hard not to consider the Swift if what you’re after is a compact car with a modern design, ease of driving, and one that’s affordable (₹6.4 lakh starting price, ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Swift Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Swift Key Features

• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Cruise control

2. Tata Punch | Length: 3827 mm

The Tata Punch is a versatile, compact, and fuel-efficient SUV that’s ideal for city commutes. Aside from its proportions, the Punch’s biggest highlight is the fact that it scores a five-star GNCAP safety rating.

It comes powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 87 bhp and 115 Nm, which is more than adequate for tackling urban conditions. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, the latter making it a boon for people looking for a stress-free driving experience in densely populated areas. What also goes in the Punch’s favour is that its SUV-like proportions help liberate plenty of space on the inside, so five onboard for city commutes can be done with ease. The Punch’s ride quality is also quite absorbent, so tackling bumps and potholes won’t be a concern.

With a starting price of ₹6.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Tata Punch is one of the most competent small vehicles on sale today.

Tata Punch Key Specifications

Tata Punch Key Features

• Sunroof
• 6-speaker Harman sound system
• Automatic climate control

3. Hyundai Exter | Length: 3815 mm

The Hyundai Exter is one of the newer entrants on this list. Launched in 2023 as a micro-crossover, the Exter is ideal if you want the compact proportions of a hatchback, but with the added flexibility of an SUV form factor.

A direct consequence of its tall-boy design is that cabin space receives a shot in the arm, so ferrying up to five passengers won’t be a concern. It also makes enough power. There’s just one engine option: a 1.2-litre petrol unit that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter being a convenient pick if you deal with heavy traffic situations often.

The Hyundai Exter also makes a mark by offering some unique features in its segment. The highlights are a factory-fitted two-way dashcam, a sunroof, and even paddle shifters for the AMT-equipped variants. On the whole, the Exter stands out as a great compact option that’s comfortable, spacious, efficient (up to 27.1 kmpl) and affordable (starting ex-showroom price of ₹6.1 lakh. 

Hyundai Exter Key Specifications

Hyundai Exter Key Features

• Dashcam
• Sunroof
• Paddle shifters with AMT

4. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Length: 3815 mm

The smallest Hyundai model in India, the Grand i10 Nios is a great option to consider if you want a compact car that can do it all. It’s compact, but spacious enough for up to five passengers on the inside, comes with plenty of features, and is easy to manoeuvre in urban driving conditions.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm, which is a considerable amount more than most other cars on this list. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter making it easy to drive even for beginner drivers. Efficiency is respectable too, with the Grand i10 Nios returning up to 26.2 kmpl.

The Grand i10 Nios also marks itself out as one of the few cars on this list to get features like cruise control, wireless phone charging and up to six airbags. With a starting price of ₹5.9 lakh, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios comes across as an affordable, comfortable, spacious, efficient and easy to drive car in the compact car space.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Specifications

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Features

• Cruise control
• Wireless phone charging
• Up to six airbags

5. Tata Tiago | Length: 3765 mm

The Tata Tiago is a great option to consider in the compact hatchback segment, which only measures 3765 mm in length. The Tiago is if you’re in the market for a well-designed, affordable, and compact-yet-spacious car.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 84 bhp and 113 Nm, and you get two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The Tiago is available in five variants: XE, XM, XT (O), XT and the range-topping XZ+. In terms of features, you get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fully digital instrument cluster, auto climate control and a cooled glovebox, among others.

Safety features include ABS with EBD, two airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners for the front seats. The Tiago’s boot space, at 242 litres, isn’t the most generous, but the rear seats are comfortable, and seating five in the Tiago is possible.

The Tiago’s price starts at ₹5.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and comes across as well-rounded package in the compact car space. 

Tata Tiago Key Specifications

Tata Tiago Key Features

• Digital instrument cluster
• Auto climate control
• 8-speaker sound system

6. Renault Kwid | Length: 3731 mm

Since its launch in India in 2015, the Renault Kwid has always been a popular (if slightly left-field) option to pick in the compact car segment. As far as small city runabouts go, the Kwid has a lot going for it.

In terms of dimensions, it’s slightly larger than rivals like the Alto K10 and the S-Presso, but that doesn’t take away from the ease with which it’s able to navigate dense traffic conditions. Powering it is a 999cc petrol engine that makes 67 bhp and 91 Nm, and you can pair it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. One of the Kwid’s highlights is that it has light controls, so navigating tight parking spots or dense traffic isn’t stressful. It also rides well, so bumps and potholes aren’t a concern.

The Kwid is also quite efficient, returning up to 22 kmpl. And with a starting price of just ₹4.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Kwid makes for a strong contender as a compact, efficient, easy-to-drive, and affordable city runabout.

Renault Kwid Key Specifications

Renault Kwid Key Features

• Reverse camera
• Rear power windows
• Rear armrest

7. Maruti Suzuki Ignis | Length: 3700 mm

If quirky styling, compact proportions, and a driving experience that’s easy and fun are your priorities, then the Maruti Suzuki Ignis should be high up on your considerations list.

Admittedly, the Ignis hasn’t lived up to the full potential that Maruti Suzuki would have liked for it (in terms of sales numbers), but the Ignis still comes across as a worthy offbeat option to the other hatchbacks on sale. It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 82 bhp and 113 Nm, which is more than enough for city conditions. The Ignis’s controls are light, so navigating dense traffic is easy to do. What also helps is that it gets the option of a 5-speed AMT (there’s also a 5-speed manual option), so you can give your left leg a break during drives.

Cabin space is good enough for five passengers, but four aboard will be more comfortable for longer distances. The Ignis is also fairly efficient, with it returning up to 20.89 kmpl. Finally, with a starting price of ₹5.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Ignis makes for an interesting choice thanks to its compact proportions, ease of driving, and affordability.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Features

• LED projector headlamps
• Maruti Suzuki customisation options
• Dual airbags, ABS with EBD standard across the range

8. Maruti Suzuki Celerio | Length: 3695 mm

If a compact city car is what you’re on the lookout for, few bring as competent a package together as the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. It’s effortless to drive, can fit anywhere thanks to its compact proportions, affords great visibility from behind the wheel, and is a well-rounded package for the money.

It features a 998cc petrol engine that makes 66 bhp and 89 Nm, and it’s paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The latter is a great option for those who are just learning how to drive. The Celerio is also very efficient, returning up to 34.4 kmpl. The cabin is also spacious enough to seat up to five passengers, making it a great option if you need to ferry people within city limits.

Once you factor in the Celerio’s starting ex-showroom price of ₹5.3 Lakh, it’s hard to ignore the overall value it brings as a compact, affordable, practical and efficient city runabout.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Features

• Passive keyless entry
• Idle engine start/stop
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment

9. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R | Length: 3655 mm

The 3655 mm long Wagon R has been one of the standout performers for Maruti Suzuki, and comes across as a versatile hatchback. Its tall-boy design helps it liberate some very useful space in the cabin, and it also features comfortable ride quality, a decent amount of features, and great fuel efficiency.

The Wagon R is available in two petrol options, a 1.0-litre and a 1.2-litre. Only the ZXi and ZXi+ variants get the latter, though. There’s also a CNG option that helps boost efficiency. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT. 

Features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, steering mounted controls for the infotainment, rear wiper, defogger, and outside rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators. As for safety, the Wagon R comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP, and also rear parking sensors and a hill-hold assist function.

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R packs in a lot of value as a comfortable, easy to drive, and practical city runabout, especially once you factor in its price (₹5.5 Lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Features

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• 60:40 split rear seat
• ABS with EBD

10. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso | Length: 3565 mm

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso definitely comes across as one of the brand’s more quirky offerings. It might not have sold as many units as Maruti would like to admit, but the fact is that the S-Presso is a competent, comfortable, and compact everyday city runabout. Measuring in a maximum length of 3565 mm, the S-Presso is the smallest crossover SUV on sale in India.

What’s important about the S-Presso is that while it has compact proportions, it doesn’t impact the cabin space negatively. At a push, you can squeeze in five passengers and a bit of luggage if it’s required. What’s also great about the S-Presso is that it makes enough power to tackle city conditions. There’s a 998cc petrol engine that makes 56 bhp and 82 Nm, and you can pair it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. It’s also very efficient (with up to 32 kmpl if you opt for the CNG version), and is easy to manoeuvre, especially in dense traffic conditions.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Features

• 7-inch touchscreen
• Steering-mounted control

11. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 | Length: 3,530 mm

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is one of the most recognisable cars on Indian roads. The Indian carmaker has had an incredibly successful run with the Alto brand name, thanks to its combination of affordability, practicality, and efficiency.

As far as compact daily runabouts go, it’s hard to overlook the venerable Alto K10. Its proportions (its length is well under the sub-4-metre mark at 3,530mm) make it the smallest ICE-powered car you can buy in India. On top of that, the light controls make it easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and ideal if you’re a new driver.

The Alto K10 also makes a decent amount of grunt. A total power output of 56 bhp and 82.1 Nm from a 998c petrol engine may not sound like world-beating figures, but thanks to the Alto K10’s low kerb weight, it feels sprightly in city conditions. What also helps is that the Alto K10 is offered in two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the latter once again being handy for first-time drivers.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Features

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
• AGS automatic transmission

12. MG Comet EV | Length: 2974 mm

The MG Comet stands out from the rest of the cars on this list as the only electric vehicle. It’s also one of the funkier-looking cars on this list, and the Comet also features the tiniest proportions of the lot by far, especially in terms of length. At just 2,974mm, the MG Comet is the smallest car you can buy in India.

But while it may look compact on the outside, the Comet EV manages to surprise with the amount of cabin space on offer. While the second row isn’t exactly the most spacious here, the front manages to offer plenty of room. What’s also surprising is the boot space of 350 litres, and the plush and feature-rich interiors.

The Comet EV comes powered by a 17.3 kWh battery that makes 41 bhp and 110 Nm. Its output may not be something to write home about, but the Comet EV has adequate grunt to tackle urban conditions. The ride quality is also absorbent, despite it getting tiny 12-inch tyres, so bumpy roads won’t be an issue.

As for its range, the Comet EV is rated at 230 km on a full charge, which is more than adequate for a city runabout. The Comet EV has a starting price of ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which might make it the most expensive on this list, but it’s still an overall affordable, competent, and compact city runabout that’s well worth considering.

MG Comet EV Key Specifications

MG Comet EV Key Features

• Dual 10.25-inch screens
• LED head- and tail-lamps
• Reverse camera

Conclusion

There is no dearth of small cars in India. Once you consider just how busy our cities are, and how difficult parking spots are to come by, the demand for compact cars is justified. However, what’s noteworthy is just how far the segment has progressed since the days of a compact car being equated to a bare-bones vehicle.

The options on this list prove that compact cars today are easy to drive, practical, efficient, affordable, and afford a good amount of features too. The MG Comet EV naturally stands out because it’s the only EV (and understandably the most expensive), but the rest of the options all offer great value too.

FAQs

Q. Which one is the smallest car in India?

The MG Comet EV is one of the smallest cars on sale in India today. It has a length of 2974 mm, a width of 1505mm, and a height of 1640mm.

Q. Which is the safest small car in India?

The Tata Tiago, with a 4-star GNCAP safety rating, is one of the safest small cars to buy in India.

Q. Which is the cheapest small car in India?

The cheapest small car in India is the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, which has a starting ex-showroom price of ₹3.9 lakh.

Q. Which small car has the most power?

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, equipped with its 1.2-litre engine that makes 89 bhp and 113 Nm, is one of the most powerful small cars in the Indian market.