If you are new to the whole driving experience and don’t want to spend a lot on your first car, the budget-friendly or entry-level segment is perfect for you. While it might be difficult to comprehend right now (given the fact that the latest iPhone costs Rs. 1.8 Lakh), there are cars out there that cost less than Rs. 5 Lakh and offer a lot in terms of performance, comfort, and looks. Maruti Suzuki is one of the dominant brands in this segment and they are always coming up with newer models to present to interested buyers. In the coming months, we are expecting a total of 3 cars under the Rs. 5 Lakh price point. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect.
| MODEL | EXPECDTED PRICE |
| Honda Brio 2020 | Rs. 5.00 Lakh |
| Maruti Suzuki Celerio 2021 | Rs. 5.00 Lakh |
| Maruti Suzuki Alto 2022 | Rs. 3.50 Lakh |
| Expected Launch Date | 6 December 2021 |
| Engine | 1.2L Petrol |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual, CVT |
While the Honda Brio made an instant impact when it was first launched back in 2011, a follow-up variant has taken an eternity – or so it seems. The second-generation Brio was first revealed at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show back in 2018 and the Japanese manufacturer has finally decided to make it available to India. This could be the perfect time for interested buyers to ready their RC transfer papers for one of the most anticipated hatchbacks this year. One of the major differences between the previous model and the upcoming one is that Honda has made it more spacious – something which was a negative point for interested buyers. Even the design of the new Brio has changed a lot with a more mature look as compared to the playful design on the current model. However, under the hood, the new Brio will still feature the same 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 90Ps of power and 110Nm of torque. Mated to the engine will be a standard 5-speed manual gearbox but Honda is expected to include a 7-speed CVT when the car is launched in India. In terms of features, the new Brio will come with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and Bluetooth-enabled audio which are just some of the latest additions. LED headlamps and taillights, ABS with EBD, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and dual airbags in front also make the list of new features.
| Expected Launch Date | 15 December 2021 |
| Engine | 1.0L Petrol, 1.2L Petrol |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual, 5-Speed Automatic |
Maruti Suzuki introduced the Indian public to the sensational Celerio hatchback in 2015 and people instantly fell in love with everything it had to offer. The car is still available in the market and is one of the biggest-selling cars from the Maruti Suzuki lineup. With so much success, it came as no surprise that the carmaker was ready to unleash the next-gen Celerio 2021 in the coming months. According to the latest news, it seems that the upcoming Celerio 2021 will still house the 1.0L petrol engine that is found in the current model and will still generate 68Ps of power and 91Nm of torque. As an upgrade, Maruti Suzuki is also expected to include the 1.2L petrol engine found in the current Wagon R. The larger engine produces 83Ps of power and 113Nm of torque. In terms of transmission, the Celerio 2021 is expected to feature both a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic option with talks of a CNG variant also in the making. Moving forward, the Celerio 2021 is expected to come with the latest features including a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, automatic climate control, a parking camera in the rear, and steering-mounted controls for audio and calling functions. In the safety department, the Celerio 2021 is expected to come with ABS with EBD, front airbags, parking sensors in the rear, and ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors.
| Expected Launch Date | 18 February 2022 |
| Engine | 0.8L Petrol, 1.0L Petrol |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
When you think of a budget Maruti Suzuki car, the Alto 800 has to be the first name on the list. For almost 10 years, the Alto 800 has been the go-to car for anyone looking to get on the road without having to burn through their savings. Now, finally, it seems that Maruti Suzuki is ready to bring the next-gen Alto to the market as prototypes of the model have been spotted in the car maker’s facility. Under the hood, the Alto 2022 is expected to come with the same 0.8L petrol engine that should be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox – just like the one sported on the current model. However, we can expect the 2022 model to come with an automatic transmission option as well. In terms of power, the Alto 2022 should also produce 48Ps of power and 69Nm of torque as is found on the current variant. There is also expected to be a CNG model that could generate 41Ps of power and 60Nm of torque. Lastly, there could also be a 1.0L petrol engine with an automatic gearbox in the making but will not be released anytime soon. We can expect the Alto 2022 to be built around the Heartect Platform that is seen on the Swift, WagonR, and other models from Maruti but with a slightly bigger size for added interior space. Some of the features we can expect on the Alto 2021 include ABD with EBD, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and air-conditioning, power windows in the front, remote locking, parking sensors, and dual airbags.
The budget segment in the Indian market has always and will always be one of the most dominant and most competitive segments in the industry. Offering the opportunity to pretty much everyone to buy their own car, the budget-friendly cars listed here should be extremely popular. As you can tell, the upcoming cars mentioned here, despite having low price tags, bring a lot to the table in terms of specifications and performance. So, which one of the cars would you be waiting for?
Q: Which is the cheapest car under Rs. 5 Lakhs?
A: Technically the cheapest car available right now under Rs. 5 Lakhs is the Bajaj Qute (RE60) which starts at Rs. 2.63 Lakh. The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 comes in at a close second and has a price tag that starts at Rs. 3.15 Lakh.
Q: What are the popular car under Rs. 5 Lakhs?
A: The most popular cars under Rs. 5 Lakhs currently are the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R (Rs. 4.93-6.45 Lakh), Tata Tiago (Rs. 4.99-7.04 Lakh), Renault KWID (Rs. 4.06-5.59 Lakh), the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 (Rs. 3.15-4.82 Lakh), and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio (Rs. 4.65-6.00 Lakh).
Q: What are the best mileage cars under Rs. 5 Lakhs?
A: The cars that offer the best mileage under Rs. 5 Lakhs are the Bajaj Qute (RE60) (35.0 kmpl), Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 (31.59 kmpl), Tata Tiago (23.84 kmpl), Renault KWID (22.3 kmpl), and Datsun redi-GO (22.0 kmpl).
Q: What are the best hatchback cars under Rs. 5 Lakhs?
A: The best hatchback cars under Rs. 5 Lakh are the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Tata Tiago, Renault KWID, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, and Maruti Suzuki Celerio.
Q: Which brands offer cars under Rs. 5 Lakhs in India?
A: The most popular brands that offer cars under Rs. 5 Lakhs include Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Renault, and Datsun.
