Best ICE Cars to Purchase on a Budget in India in 2024

In contemporary times, due to the enormous variety of choices available, choosing the dream car that caters to one’s needs can be daunting. Whether you are looking for luxury, comfort, design, or all, here is a comprehensive list of some of the best cars to purchase that cater to every budget segment.

Cars under 30 Lakhs

For most of the Indian population, cars over 15 Lakhs are a luxury. Thus, a budget of 20 to 30 Lakhs provides for a lot of good options for cars, from Maruti’s Invicto and Toyota’s Innova Crysta, to Hyundai’s Tucson. We’ve listed the pros and cons of the best cars so you can make the right choice while purchasing.

Maruti Invicto (Rs. 25.31 Lakh)

Maruti Invicto has one of the greatest dimensions. It is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles, equipped with amenities such as a motorized tailgate, LED lighting, a powered driver’s seat, dual-zone air conditioning, and a panoramic sunroof.

The steering of this car is remarkably quick and silky.

Pros

• Phenomenal fuel efficiency of 23.24kmpl.
• High on safety features like six airbags, ABS, ESP,all-wheel brakes,3-point seatbelts, and TPMS.
• Powered by a Strong Hybrid powertrain, which is a 1987cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine and a 113 HP AC synchronous electric motor.
• Reassuring after-sales support.
• A high-end design, such as side body cladding, a large radiator grille, and a high-set bonnet.

Cons

• Limited only to a petrol engine.
• Crucial features like a tire pressure monitoring system, rear defogger, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera are missing in the basic models.
• Features like the JBL Sound System, a powered front passenger seat, front fog lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels are also unavailable.

Hyundai Tucson (Rs. 29.02 Lakh)

Hyundai Tuscon is a small crossover SUV with some standard features at an affordable price. With its smooth drive experience and very direct steering for ultimate control, it is a true value for money. The comfort level offered by a Tuscon is similar to that of a luxury car but at an affordable price.

Pros

• Top-Notch Warranty: you get a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty on every vehicle – including the Hyundai Tucson.
• Both petrol and diesel engine options are included.
• Tucson offers Level-2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
• This variant has 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, LED tail lights, a panoramic sunroof, motorized passenger seats, heated and ventilated seats, terrain modes, and a powered tailgate.

Cons

• The Tucson’s 2.0L regular petrol engine lacks power and torque output.
• Missing features like puddle lamps, rear window and windscreen window curtains, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Poor Acceleration From Base Engine.

Cars under 20 Lakhs

Finding the perfect car within a budget can be challenging which is why here is a comprehensive list of cars under 20 lakhs that cater to the diverse needs of their consumers whilst ensuring quality and quantity. Many of these vehicles can prove to be one of the best cars purchase owing to their efficiency, even on the lowest budget.

MG Hector Plus (Rs. 17.30 Lakhs) 

Its innovative layout and cost-effective pricing have driven its popularity in the Indian market, offering two-row (5-seater) and three-row (6- and 7-seater) body options. The luxury SUV boasts a strong presence, highlighted by substantial chrome accents.

Pros

• Improvements include cruise control, a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof.
• Moreover, it includes a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto with Apple CarPlay, ADAS Level 2 with Traffic Assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, adjustable and ventilated front seats and an automatic tailgate.
• There are several powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a choice of 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT or CVT automatic transmissions, as well as a standard 2.0-litre diesel engine. and 6. -speed manual..

Cons

• Limited After-Sales Network
• a lack of a diesel automatic combination in the MG Hector
• Lack of the Level-2 ADAS features in the diesel and petrol-manual variants of the Hector Plus.

Tata Harrier (Rs. 15.49 Lakhs)

Harrier is a powerful and feature-rich SUV and one of the best-looking cars in the Indian market. It has a dominant road presence. It has electric controls for the driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, new aerodynamic door mirrors, and an auto-dimming inner rear-view mirror.

Pros

• The Tata Harrier has a ground clearance of 205mm.
• A diesel-automatic option, as well as a claimed fuel efficiency figure, is provided by the Car.
• The mid and top variants are all available with an automatic transmission option.
• Includes various ADAS features.

Cons

• No Petrol Engine Option
• Multi-terrain modes in the Harrier are not practical 
• Adaptive Cruise Control is not included With Manual Transmission

Cars under 15 Lakhs

Ensuring a blend of affordability and comfort becomes crucial to ensure a list has been curated containing the best possible cars purchase at the lowest budget. These cars blend high-end features, comfort, and design and are cost-efficient, which shows they are the best purchase available.

Mahindra XUV700 (Rs. 13.99 Lakhs)

The Mahindra XUV700 is a sleek, world-class SUV with petrol and diesel engine choices and a five- or seven-seat configuration. Its rugged yet stylish design makes this car one of the best purchases because of its striking LED DRLS and multiple external body color options.

Pros

• Impressive Engine: The 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor produces 197 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque, while the 2.2-litre diesel unit produces 152 bhp and 450 Nm.
• Cabin features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen screen, an AndrenoX system with Alexa and Apple CarPlay support, an air purification system, a 12-speaker music system with Sony 3D sound, an electrically adjustable driver seat with memory function and a panoramic sunroof.
• High safety: This car is high on safety features with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, forward collision warning, auto emergency braking,lane-keep assist, and seven airbags

Cons

• Limites third row space
• The petrol variants do not get the All-Wheel Drive System.
• Lower power output in the Base MX Diesel Variant
• It has a lower mileage

Honda City (Rs. 11.16 Lakhs)

Honda City is a pioneer in small cars and sets new standards. It includes new features such as a large sunroof, a new multi-function steering wheel, a new windshield, and a larger 8-inch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility than the base model.

Pros

• Honda City is the first car to have Alexa remote control in India.
• Engine options will be extended to three powertrain options: manual gasoline, automatic gasoline, and hybrid automatic gasoline.
• Many safety features are standard on all models, including ESP, Traction Control (TC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), four airbags, electric headlights, rear fog lights, a rear camera, and a monitoring system.

Cons

• No Turbo Petrol Engine Option
• the new generation Honda City does not have a diesel automatic option 
• ventilated seats are missing in the model

Conclusion

Selection of the best car for your household while balancing budget and preferences is extremely important. Ensuring comfort and practicality whether you are looking for an SUV, a comfortable sedan, or a hatchback is crucial, which is why options can be explored from the best cars to purchase whether you require a car under 30 lakhs,20 lakhs or 15 lakhs.

By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you can decide which caters best to your needs and also gives you value for money.

A fan of Electric cars? Read about the upcoming electric cars in India.

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