Cars under 10 lakh in India
Cars Below ₹10 Lakhs in India - Most Competitive Budget Car
Every other day, we see new cars below ₹10 lakhs in India getting launched. Bare-bones hatchbacks once dominated this range, but today you can find safer cars, turbo-petrol engines, factory-fitted CNG and even entry-level electric cars. If your target is a car price under ₹10 lakh, you are no longer forced to compromise on essentials such as airbags, touchscreen infotainment, or build quality.
However, the expectations need to stay realistic. While ex-showroom prices look attractive, cars under ₹10 lakhs on road price can vary significantly depending on city, choice of variant and insurance premiums. This is why identifying the value variants is important when you are short-listing the best car to buy under ₹10 lakhs.
The new GST structure levies tax on the basis of a car’s length/engine capacity, thus if you look for a car under 4 metres in length with a 1200 CC or lower engine, then you will only pay 18% GST. This makes GST on cars above ₹10 lakhs higher if you choose variants that exceed these limits.
<p>These models are the most sensible and popular top cars under ₹10 lakhs, providing the combination of safety, features and ease of ownership.</p><p> </p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Model</strong></td><td><strong>Body Type</strong></td><td><strong>Ex-Showroom Price (Approx.)</strong></td><td><strong>Best For</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Tata Punch</td><td>Micro SUV</td><td>₹5.50–9.49 lakh</td><td>Safety & ground clearance</td></tr><tr><td>Maruti Suzuki Dzire</td><td>Compact Sedan</td><td>₹6.26–9.39 lakh</td><td>Mileage & family use</td></tr><tr><td>Tata Altroz</td><td>Premium Hatchback</td><td>₹6.30–9.89 lakh</td><td>Build quality & safety</td></tr><tr><td>Maruti Suzuki Baleno</td><td>Premium Hatchback</td><td>₹5.99–9.30 lakh</td><td>Comfort & resale</td></tr><tr><td>Mahindra XUV 3XO</td><td>Compact SUV</td><td>₹7.28–9.99 lakh</td><td>Performance & features</td></tr><tr><td>Renault Triber</td><td>MPV</td><td>₹5.76–8.75 lakh</td><td>Affordable 7-seater</td></tr><tr><td>Hyundai i20</td><td>Premium Hatchback</td><td>₹7.04–9.99 lakh</td><td>Interior quality</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p> </p><p>These cars are often listed among the top 10 cars under ₹10 lakhs in India and their demand consistently stays high. </p>
<p>One of the reasons why the cars in ₹10 lakh range are still so popular is body-style diversity.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Hatchbacks</strong></p><p>These cars are ideal for city use, they often have the lowest running costs and are the easiest to own. If you are looking for the best car in India within ₹10 lakhs for city use, models such as the Baleno, i20, the Swift and the <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/tata/altroz/">Altroz</a> dominate this space.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Compact SUVs & Crossovers</strong></p><p>This range brings road presence and better ground clearance. Buyers mostly shortlist from the Punch, Brezza or XUV 3XO. These are often regarded as the best car under ₹10 lakh on road price for both city and highway mixed use.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Sedans</strong></p><p>Sedans are still preferred by families, fleet operators and frequent highway drivers who want stability, boot space and ride comfort. Buyers here mostly take a closer look at options like the Maruti Dzire, <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/hyundai/aura/">Hyundai Aura</a> and Honda Amaze. </p><p> </p><p><strong>MPVs & Utility Vehicles</strong></p><p>Families who prefer practicality, comfort and flexible seating mostly align with MPVS like Renault Triber and utilitarian vehicles such as the <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/mahindra/bolero-neo/">Mahindra Bolero Neo</a>. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Electric & Budget Options</strong></p><p>When it comes to cars upto ₹10 lakhs, EV options are limited and most buyers only eye these models as a second vehicle. There are still a couple of options for city commutes here, such as the Tata Tiago EV and <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/mg/comet-ev/">MG Comet EV</a>.</p>
<p>If you are keen on shopping for cars below ₹10 lakhs, the ownership experience is far more important than outright features. At this price point, cars are often held for 6 - 8 years, sometimes longer, and this is where the depth of brand begins to show. <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/maruti-suzuki/">Maruti Suzuki</a> and Hyundai are the leading players here with the widest service reach. Parts are readily available and routine maintenance is predictable, dealer density is high and resale is strong almost by default.</p><p> </p><p>Other players such as Tata, Mahindra and Honda are also not far behind. However, when it comes to sheer practicality and stress-free ownership experience, they are still a bit far from Maruti and Hyundai. If you want the best car under ₹10 lakhs in India for the long term, it is important to choose the car that will cause the least friction after your purchase. The brand should offer warranty cover, spares must be available and service costs should be predictable. </p>
<p>Once you’ve narrowed down your priorities, it becomes easier to choose the best car under ₹10 lakh. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Best Mileage Cars Under ₹10 Lakhs</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/maruti-suzuki/dzire/">Maruti Suzuki Dzire</a> (Petrol for power + decent economy and CNG for sheer mileage figures) continues to be the default choice among the best cars below ₹10 lakhs.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Safest Cars Under ₹10 Lakhs</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/tata/punch/">Tata Punch</a>, Tata Altroz, XUV 3XO and the latest Dzire are highlights with good crash test ratings, making them good choices for safety-conscious families.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Best SUV-Style Cars Under ₹10 Lakhs</strong></p><p>The Tata Punch and <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/maruti-suzuki/fronx/">Maruti Fronx</a> deliver high seating and ground clearance. The XUV 3XO adds performance for those who want something more interesting.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Affordable Luxury Feel Under ₹10 Lakhs</strong></p><p>While true luxury cars under ₹10 lakhs in India do not exist, two cars that come close are Baleno and <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/hyundai/i20/">Hyundai i20</a> with their premium interiors, refined ride quality and modern features.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Best Family Car Under ₹10 Lakh</strong></p><p>The Dzire and <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/renault/triber/">Renault Triber</a> are still the best bet for family buyers as they deliver space, comfort and ownership peace of mind.</p>
<p>Before choosing a ₹10 lakh car, buyers need to understand their usage patterns. If your life is mostly in the city, then daily traffic then compact dimensions, light steering, and smooth low-speed drivability are more important than outright power. Hatchbacks such as Baleno and i20, compact SUVs such as the Punch or Fronx make daily life easier.</p><p> </p><p>When it comes to highway driving, stability, braking and engine composure at sustained speeds differentiate good cars from adequate ones. Sedans such as the Dzire and <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/honda/amaze/">Amaze</a> are still great long-distance weapons given this budget. For mixed-use, compromise is inevitable. Cars under ₹10 lakhs on road price hardly excel everywhere.</p>
<p>It is important to understand where a ₹10 lakh car does well and where it holds back before you make a choice. </p><p> </p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Pros</strong></td><td><strong>Cons</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wide availability in terms of body styles</td><td>Top trims are often above ₹10 lakhs</td></tr><tr><td>Maintenance and insurance costs stay low</td><td>Engine and transmission options are limited</td></tr><tr><td>Safety standards are improving</td><td>Ride comfort and also NVH levels may vary</td></tr><tr><td>Resale values are strong for popular brand models</td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<p>The best car in ₹10 lakh budget entirely depends on where and with whom you drive. Many cars under ₹10 lakhs in India now come with 6 airbags, 5-star safety ratings, infotainment screens and many other comfort features as standard. Hatchbacks like the i20 bring refined interiors and somewhat plush ride quality, compact SUVs like the <a href="https://www.cars24.com/new-cars/mahindra/xuv-3xo/">3XO</a> deliver premium features and strong safety credentials. At the same time, sedans like the Dzire still make sense for families who need the additional boot space, comfort and planted feel when driving on highways. </p><p> </p><p>If you are looking to own a car under ₹10 lakh for more than 5 years, it is important to focus on ease of ownership, service reach and go for trusted brands with strong resale value. When carefully selected, the best car under ₹10 lakhs can provide you with years of stress-free driving without feeling like a compromise.</p>
Frequently asked questions
<p>Tata Nano EV, MG Comet EV, Tata Tiago EV, Hyundai Inster EV, MG Bingo EV, Vinfast VF 3, Mahindra E Verito, Tata Punch EV & Tata Altroz EV.</p>
<p>Hyundai Venue Facelift.</p>