Here we have listed the top 5 hatchbacks under Rs. 5 lakh in India while explaining what makes them so popular in the crowded entry-level segment
The Indian auto industry has the volume-based budget cars as its backbone throughout its history and even though the premium segments have grown over the years, the contribution of affordable vehicles should never be undermined. They continue to make their mark by constantly pushing boundaries.
Maruti Suzuki has built its empire in the entry-level segments that played main role in the brand grabbing well over 50 percent market share. With customers’ preference changing there have been new cars from different brands welcomed but the popular names remained the same which led us to create this list.
These are the top 5 popular hatchbacks which are available in India for under 5 Lakh rupees:
1. Renault Kwid
There is no doubt in the fact that the Renault KWID is definitely the most popular choice amongst many young buyers who are looking to buy a hatch which stands out amongst the crowd. The KWID was launched back in 2015 in India and it became an instant hit amongst the buyers for its unique SUV kind of appearance and modern features offered inside the cabin.
This is also the first hatchback in its segment to feature a touchscreen infotainment system. The KWID is available in Indian market with two engine options. The smaller 0.8 Litre, 3 cylinder unit produces about 53 Bhp and 72 Nm of torque and is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The other more powerful engine on offer is the 1.0 Litre unit which produces about 67 Bhp of peak power and 91 Nm of torque. This engine too is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission while there is also an AMT transmission on offer as well.
Price range:– Rs. 2.65 – 4.60 lakh Ex-showroom Price, Delhi
2. Maruti Wagon-R
This has to be one of the most popular models that Maruti Suzuki launched in India after the 800 and Alto. The Wagon-R has introduced almost 19 years ago and its popularity has never faded after all these years of its existence.
Maruti is still not able to stop the production of this hatchback because it’s still very much in demand. The reason why the Wagon-R is still popular amongst the crowd is mainly that of its big car kind of a feel and interior space including the leg and headroom offered inside the cabin.
The current generation Wagon-R which is on sale at this moment gets a 1.0 Litre all aluminium lightweight K10B unit which produces a decent 50 kW of peak power at 6200 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. The engine is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission while there is also an automatic variant on offer as well.
Price Range:– Rs. 4.15 – 5.39 lakh Ex-showroom Price, Delhi
3. Maruti Celerio
Maruti loves to experiment with their products and they have experimented with the Celerio by introducing it with segment first Automatic gear shift technology called EZ drive. The hatchback is powered by a 1.0 Litre all aluminium K10B engine which produces about 50 KW of peak power at 6000 rpm and 90 NM of torque at 3500 rpm.
Apart from the AGS, the engine is offered with a standard 5-speed manual transmission. Recently for the safety of the passengers, it is also being offered with dual airbags and ABS as well.
Price Range: Rs. 4.21 lakh – 5.40 lakh Ex-showroom Price, Delhi
4. Tata Tiago
Tata Tiago became an instant hit when it was introduced in India in 2016. Based on the X1 platform which also supported the Indica and Bolt previously the hatchback surprisingly provided a decent room for the passengers inside. The Tiago was also introduced in the Indian market with a brand new Revotron and Revotorq three-cylinder petrol and diesel units which also happens to be this hatchbacks advantage over its rivals.
The Tiago hatchback features quite an upmarket looking interior and also features plenty of useful safety features making it one of the safest cars in its segment. Last but not least the hatchback also gets an AMT transmission alongside the standard 5-speed manual transmission.
Price Range: Rs. 3.4 – 6.05 Lakh Ex-showroom Price, Delhi
5. Hyundai Eon
Hyundai Eon introduced back in 2011 was one of the finest looking hatchbacks of its segment. Offered with a single 814 cc, three-cylinder unit the Eon definitely was responsible for the low sales figures of the Maruti Alto back then. The hatchback looked premium in the flesh than its biggest rival at that moment offered better and loaded interior and even a slightly more powerful engine.
The 814 cc unit produced about 56 Ps of peak power and 75 Nm of torque and was paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Later the South Korean manufacturer also introduced a more powerful 1.0 Litre unit as well which produced a healthy 69 Ps of peak power and 91 Nm of torque. Although it may not remain as popular now compared to the time when it was launched but can be a good option for those who are looking for a budget hatchback under 5 Lakh rupees.
Price Range: Rs. 3.33 – 4.66 lakh Ex-showroom Price, Delhi