It could almost go without saying that the dominant players in the Indian car market are our own Maruti and the South Korean giant, Hyundai. Both car manufacturers have clocked high sales in the past few months.
Though Maruti and Hyundai totally dominate, other players such as Renault and Honda haven’t yet lost the race. While the new kid on the block, the Renault Kwid, grabbed the consumers’ interest, the big boy, the Honda City, retained its old charm among consumers in that segment.
But why haven’t the newcomers been able to strike a chord? There can be many reasons for this -wrong positioning, bad pricing, product glitches and weak branding are few.
Additional Reading: It’s All About Car Loans!
Who are the top players in the market?
Let’s take a closer look at the top-selling cars in the market:
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Looking for an entry-level hatchback which gives you a peppy ride across the city? Look no further. The Maruti Alto is your ride! Not many cars can match the Alto and its sales figures speak volumes about this.
The Alto’s commendable design, sporty appeal, spacious interiors and smooth performance make it a favourite among the style-conscious, budget-friendly consumer lot. It offers a mileage of 25-33 kmpl. Whoa! Ain’t that a reason enough to get the Alto? Adding to that, the Alto starts at a pocket-friendly Rs. 2.60 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
According to NDTV Auto, the Maruti Alto sold a whopping 22,101 units in March 2016, allowing this compact hatchback to hold on to the ‘best-selling car’ position. The Alto is also the most-sold product amongst Maruti’s offerings.
So, why does this mini car outsell the other cars in India? One of the contributing reasons could be consumer interest in entry-level hatchbacks which has started to peak yet again. Apart from this, the brand image, low maintenance cost, its value for money, the biggest dealer and service network in the country and laudable mileage add to the success of this mini car from Maruti’s den.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 4,475 at a fixed interest rate of 10.50%. You’ll save up to Rs. 16,045 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval on your Car Loan as well (from select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Maruti Suzuki Alto STD 800 CC and is subject to change.
Maruti Swift Dzire AGS
Stunning looks, luxurious interiors, and best-in-class mileage of 26.5 kmpl, the Maruti Swift Dzire is another top-seller from Maruti’s camp. Its success could be attributed to the introduction of Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), or as Maruti calls it ‘the AGS (Auto Gear Shift) system’. Though the Swift Dzire is one of the most expensive sub 4-metre sedans in India, its sales figures reveal that consumers weren’t deterred by it. You can get the Swift Dzire AGS for Rs. 8.64 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
So, why does the Swift Dzire rule the sub-compact sedan segment? For starters, it’s the AGS system. Also, the car itself delivers a desirable performance and provides excellent fuel efficiency. Add to this Maruti’s strong pan-India network, after-sales support and high resale value and you’ve got a winner all the way.
Need help financing? If you opt for a Car Loan for 3 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 14,720 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 22,812 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (from select banks).
Maruti WagonR
Oh! Another car from Maruti’s stable makes it into the popular cars list. The WagonR is another hot favourite among small hatchbacks. It is reported (as per NDTV Auto) to have sold 14,577 units in March 2016.
A consistent performer in the Indian market (since its launch), this hatchback boasts a tall-boy design, spacious interiors, high ground clearance and an unruffled performance. It brags a mileage of up to 21 kmpl. It’s decently priced too, starting from Rs. 4.3 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
This Maruti hatchback qualifies as a perfect car for small families. You get decent performance, lots of space to rest your legs comfortably, a spacious boot to accommodate all your shopping bags and Maruti’s exceptional service. No wonder this four-wheeler is a much sought-after vehicle by Indian consumers.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 7,245 at a fixed interest rate of 10.50%. You’ll save up to Rs. 26,555 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (for select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Maruti Suzuki WagonR LX and is subject to change.
Maruti Swift
The Maruti Swift is defined by its edgy, debonair style and powerful performance. If you’re looking for a spirited driving experience, you’d love driving this little beauty. You can expect a mileage of 23 kmpl (diesel) and 18 kmpl (petrol). Also, the Swift is an affordable offering. It starts from Rs. 4.9 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
What makes the Swift click in the Indian car market? The solid build and an exceptionally great driving experience. This Maruti hatchback is reliable and fairly cheap to maintain.
Besides, the ‘Maruti’ brand itself carries a lot of weight (as discussed earlier). The exceptional after-sales support network and high resale value make this car a worthy purchase.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 8,639 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 34,980 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (for select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Swift LXI 1197 CC and is subject to change.
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Renault Kwid
Oh! That’s not a Maruti. Well, finally!
This entry-level hatchback, the Renault Kwid, has enjoyed immense popularity in both the national and international markets. Almost 9743 units were sold in March 2016. Starting at Rs. 2.79 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai), it doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket too.
With the looks of a compact SUV, spacious interiors, highest ground clearance in its class and surprisingly high mileage of 25.17 kmpl (as claimed by Renault), this petite, sporty hatchback is sure to find a place in your heart and your garage.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 4,846 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 19,105 on EMIs and processing fees. The above-mentioned is applicable for the Renault Kwid STD 799 CC and is subject to change.
Hyundai Grand i10
The Hyundai Grand i10 flaunts a zesty exterior design (Hyundai’s fluidic design)! When it comes to looks, the Grand i10 is just fabulous. And you can’t deny that!
Oh! What about the mileage, you may ask? This smart-looking hatchback claims up to 18.6 kmpl mileage. The Grand i10 is an agile and peppy car to drive around. You won’t regret getting this mean machine from the Hyundai stable.
What’s great about it? Well, this Hyundai hatchback is a flawless, complete package – style, a variety of features, spacious cabin, smooth performance and a decent price tag of Rs. 5 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 9,061 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 36,450 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (from select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Hyundai Grand i10 Era and is subject to change.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
This mid-size hatchback from Maruti, the Celerio, has been quite popular among the buyers too, at least according to the figures. It has sold 8859 units (March 2016 data). The Maruti Suzuki Celerio starts from Rs. 4.1 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
What makes this hatchback a grand hit among buyers? Not one, but we can give you five reasons for the Celerio’s popularity. For starters, the auto-shift feature (part of the automatic variant) is a boon for today’s pathetic city-driving conditions. This feature is also a blessing for those who have just started driving.
Apart from auto-shift, other reasons for the car’s popularity include its competitive pricing, great mileage (23.1 kmpl), low maintenance technology and Maruti’s laudable after-sales service.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 6,954 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 28,115 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (from select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXI and is subject to change.
Hyundai Elite i20
This premium hatchback is still one of the most loved Hyundai vehicles. The Hyundai Elite i20 boasts a bolder style, improved driving dynamics and an affordable price tag. In March 2016, 8713 units of the Elite i20 have been sold, making it the best-selling car in the premium hatchback segment.
The starting price is Rs. 5.7 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai). The petrol engine promises a fuel efficiency of 18.5 kmpl, while the diesel engine gives up to 22 kmpl.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 9,693 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 38,880 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (from select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Hyundai Elite i20 Era petrol and is subject to change.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Meet Maruti’s entrant in the premium hatch segment – the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Conservative yet classy, the Baleno is attractive to the eye. Both the petrol and diesel trims top the fuel efficiency charts – 21 kmpl (petrol) and 27 kmpl (diesel). The Baleno starts from Rs. 5.4 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai). Pretty affordable, isn’t it?
Why should you opt for the Baleno? Well, there are quite a few reasons. In a nutshell, the Baleno is the complete package. It promises best-in-class mileage, looks smart, is well-priced, offers loads of features and comes with Maruti’s excellent after-sales service.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 9,061 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 36,540 on EMIs and processing fees. Apply on BankBazaar and get instant approval as well (from select banks). The above-mentioned is applicable for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma 1.2 and is subject to change.
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Honda City
The Honda City is the second sedan that makes it to the popular list (after the Swift Dzire). The City clocked a monthly sale of 5662 units in March 2016. The starting price for this Honda beauty is Rs. 8.3 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai). The petrol base variant promises a mileage of 17.8 kmpl while the diesel variant provides up to 26 kmpl.
As an overall package, the Honda City is a great family sedan that is worth the money you spend on it.
Need help financing? If you opt for a loan for 5 years, your EMI will be around Rs. 14,329 at a fixed interest rate of 10%. You’ll save up to Rs. 56,615 on EMIs and processing fees. The above-mentioned is applicable for the Honda City E MT Petrol and is subject to change.
Note: All rates and prices mentioned are of the base models of each car, prevalent at the time of this writing.