Customers will have the option to avail the innovative scheme of ‘Drive in 2022, Pay in 2023’, allowing them to buy a Honda car in 2022 and pay regular EMIs from 2023. This unique scheme will be available across all authorized Honda dealerships and branches of KMPL in the country.

Honda Cars India intends to enhance the consumer’s ease of buying experience and fulfil the desire to own a car of their choice, through this innovative scheme.

The special festive scheme ‘Drive in 2022, Pay in 2023’ is in force with immediate effect and is valid till October 31, 2022, for all variants of Honda City & Amaze. The finance will be available upto 85% of on-road cost of the car with negligible cost EMI for the first three months and regular EMIs from the fourth month onwards till the end of the tenure.

The service camp is a part of Honda Cars India's customer-centric initiatives to provide an enhanced ownership experience. It is scheduled to take place from 21 Sept to 30 Sept 2022.

Honda customers can avail attractive offers on Value Added Services such as Exterior, Interior enrichment, Anti-rust Treatment and many more. During periodic maintenance service, vehicle will be thoroughly inspected, consisting of a battery check-up, electrical system inspection, suspension inspection and other crucial components. HCIL technicians will also provide the best advice about the vehicle's health (diagnosis).

During the service camp, customers can take advantage of the fixed-price Periodic Maintenance service. Attractive offers are also available on customer-paid BP jobs and General Repair jobs.

Talking about the initiative, Mr Kunal Behl, Vice President Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “Honda Cars India is committed to offer the best of Honda services to all its customers. The nationwide mega service camp is a reaffirmation of our commitment. We want our customers to make the most of this initiative, get expert care for their cars and experience the joy of owning a Honda Car.”

Honda Amaze holds a strong position in India’s entry sedan segment and enjoys a preferred brand status among personal buyers. It is presently the largest selling model for HCIL accounting for more than 40% of company sales. Being an India-centric product, the Made in India Amaze from Honda’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan is sold in both domestic and export markets in different countries.

Developed and Designed as “One Class Above Sedan” with its bold design, sophisticated & spacious interiors, outstanding driving performance, advanced features and safety technologies, the Honda Amaze has created a strong customer base of young and aspirational buyers.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “It’s a proud moment for us to achieve the 5 lakh sales milestone for Honda Amaze. We would like to thank our customers for the love and acceptance they have shown for the brand and our partners for their continuous support. Honda Amaze is our strategic entry model in India and a key pillar of our business. Its popularity and acceptance in both big and small cities is a testament that the premium sedan not only matches the customer needs, but also exceeds their expectations.” He further added, “It’s our endeavor to offer the latest technology, class-defining products with outstanding comfort, safety and peace of mind. The success of Amaze is a reflection of our commitment to the market and our customers.”

Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “Honda Amaze is an important product for us and enjoys a strong market position in its segment. Amaze was specifically developed keeping Indian consumers in mind and the love and support it continues to receive from customers speak volumes for its wide acceptance. It drives volumes for our business and ranks among the country’s best-selling sedans. The delivery of the 2,00,000th unit of 2nd Generation Amaze is a proud moment for Honda Cars India family and reaffirms our commitment to keeping introducing more such class-defining products.”

Honda Amaze is a contemporary sedan that offers a One Class Above Sedan experience with its bold design, sophisticated & spacious interiors, outstanding driving performance, advanced features, and safety technologies. The car is powered by Honda’s well-acclaimed 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine and 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine, available in Manual and CVT versions for both fuel options.

The Amaze is Honda’s strategic entry model, specifically developed for the Indian consumer, and exclusively Made in India. Consistent focus and strong cooperation with its valuable suppliers based in India have helped HCIL to achieve more than 95% localisation for the Amaze.

The car embodies all the features, attributes and values associated with a Honda car. The Amaze has gained a strong presence and popularity in Tier 2 and 3 markets with 68% of model sales coming from these cities. The CVT variants contribute more than 20% share of Amaze sales and reflect the growing popularity of automatic transmission models among customers. True to its role of being the entry model in Honda’s line-up, about 40% of its customers are first time buyers as Amaze is a great choice as first car offering status of a much bigger sedan and great peace of mind with Honda’s famed durability, quality, reliability and low cost of maintenance.

The partnership will facilitate customers to avail custom-built financing solutions, on the purchase of Honda Amaze or Honda City; such as Low EMI, Flexi term, up to 100% ex-showroom funding and customised schemes for specific customer groups like farmers etc.

Also Read: Honda Amaze Facelift - What's New? - Exterior, Interior, Engine, Price

HCIL has tied up with multiple financiers including PSU Banks, Retail Financiers and NBFCs, with a keen focus on semi-urban and rural regions, to offer competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options to enhance customer convenience during their car purchase. Special schemes have also been offered to make the festive season even more attractive and rewarding. These schemes will offer easy-to-buy options for customers in the prevailing COVID scenario, where more and more customers are opting for personal mobility to keep themselves safe and healthy.

Commenting on this partnership and roll out of special schemes, Mr Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Limited, said, “The partnership with IndusInd Bank is an extension of our efforts towards making personal mobility more accessible and affordable to a diverse set of customers, both salaried and self-employed. We anticipate increased demand during the festive period, and with this partnership, we will be offering easy, hassle-free and personalised financing solutions designed to encourage the purchase and elevate car ownership experience.”

Also Read: Tata Motors & Bank of Maharashtra Launches 'Maha Super Car Loan' Offer

Earlier in Aug 2021, HCIL had also joined hands with Canara Bank to offer attractive and affordable finance schemes for customers. The partnership was to facilitate customers to avail easy financing options and hassle-free car loans from Canara Bank for the purchase of Honda Amaze, Honda City, Honda Jazz and Honda WR-V. Honda City is the entry-level model of Honda for the subcompact segment. The 5th gen has a sleeker exterior design and a revamped interior as well as updated in-cabin features. (Source: https://philkotse.com/honda-city-price-philippines)

Special schemes for the auspicious festivities have also been offered to make this buying season even more attractive and rewarding. Honda Cars India has been partnering with multiple banks to offer these schemes across the country with a special focus on semi-urban to rural regions.

Also Read: Honda Amaze Facelift - What's New? - Exterior, Interior, Engine, Price

Commenting on this partnership and rollout of special schemes, Mr Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Limited, said, “The partnership with Canara Bank is an extension of our efforts towards enabling easy and convenient financing solutions for our customers. We always endeavour to enhance customer experience right from the point of purchase through years of car ownership. We are confident that the tie-up with Canara Bank will help us meet the diverse finance requirements of our customers, especially during the upcoming festive season.”

Currently, Honda Cars India has 5 models in its catalogue for the domestic market. We have the 5th-gen Honda City which sits at the top of the brand’s Indian lineup with a starting price of INR 11.16 lakh. It is on sale beside the 4th-gen model that’s on sale from INR 9.29 lakh. Then there’s the Honda WR-V and Jazz whose prices start at INR 8.76 lakh and INR 7.65 lakh respectively.

Also Read: Tata Motors & Bank of Maharashtra Launches 'Maha Super Car Loan' Offer

Honda Cars India has recently launched the Honda Amaze facelift. To lure in customers and bring some freshness to the product, Honda has implemented certain changes to the updated model of the sedan. The pricing starts at INR 6.32 lakh for the base model and goes all the way up to INR 11.15 lakh for the top-end variant.

All prices are ex-showroom

Honda Amaze Facelift Exterior

The biggest changes in the Honda Amaze facelift have been made to the exterior. At the front, we have a new grille that is sleeker than before and also accompanied by two horizontal chrome slats at the bottom. Honda has also tweaked the front bumper and added chrome garnishing and fitted LED fog lamps.

The Honda Amaze facelift features automatic LED projector headlamps with integrated LED DRLs. We also have some chrome treatment on the door handles. The side profile of the updated sedan is also enhanced by the set of 15-in diamond-cut alloy wheels. The rear end flaunts new C-shaped LED taillights. The chrome touches on the rear bumper are also a nice touch.

Honda Amaze Facelift Interior

The interior of the Honda Amaze facelift is mostly the same, however, some changes have been made. For instance, chrome treatment on AC vent knobs, dust, and pollen filter. The gear lever knob is wrapped in leather and there are some silver accents on the dashboard. The updated model also features a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Honda Amaze Facelift Engine

The Honda Amaze facelift gets no mechanical changes. Engine options include a 1.2L petrol (90 HP, 110 Nm) with 5-speed MT or CVT and a 1.5L diesel that produces 100 HP and 200 Nm with the 5-speed MT and 80 HP and 160 Nm with the CVT.

Honda Amaze Facelift Price

There are 3 variants of the Honda Amaze facelift - E, S, and VX. The pricing starts at INR 6.32 lakh for the base model and goes all the way up to INR 11.15 lakh for the top-end variant. It is to be noted that the addition of new features varies depending on the variant.

All prices are ex-showroom

The new Honda Amaze exterior features have been revealed via a bunch of leaked images of the upcoming sedan’s brochure. While the silhouette of the car remains unchanged, a few changes and additions have been made to the styling for a refreshed look.

Also Read: 5th-Gen Honda City Now Available with Google Assistance

New Front Grille

One of the most prominent changes in the new Honda Amaze is the front grille. It has been slightly tweaked for an updated look. We still have the thick chrome horizontal slat that Honda is famous for, however, below it two thin horizontal slats have been added. Even though it is a minor alteration, it does enhance the front look of the car.

New LED Headlamps

For the updated Amaze, Honda is providing projector LED headlamps with integrated signature LED DRLs. When combined with the new grille, they impart an aggressive stance to the sedan. The new headlamps also feature light sensors that switch them on and off automatically depending on the outside lighting conditions.

LED Front Fog Lamps & Bumper

The new Honda Amaze also has LED front fog lamps that promise to offer increased road visibility in dark and low light conditions. They have sleek chrome garnish all around for a premium look. The front bumper has been mildly tweaked as well.

Rear Bumper and Taillights

Speaking of chrome garnish, it can also be found at the rear bumper that also features reflectors. The C-shaped LED rear combination taillights continue to provide the necessary styling at the back.

Also Read: Tata HBX Micro SUV & Volkswagen Vitrus Spied Testing Together - VIDEO

Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels

The new Honda Amaze has 15-inch diamond-cut multi-spoke alloy wheels with a dual-tone finish. They bring in the sportiness quotient to the car’s side profile.

These are the key exterior features of the new Honda Amaze. Which one of them do you find the most interesting? Let us know in the comments below.

Image Source

Speaking about the same, Mr. Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President & Director, Sales and Marketing Honda Cars India Limited, said:

After the successful ramp-up at our manufacturing plant streamlining supplies for all models, we have begun the mass production and despatches of the new Amaze to ensure the availability of cars across the network from the time of launch. We are confident, the new Amaze with its more premium & sophisticated offering will appeal to our customers and be the perfect choice for their families.

Also Read: 5th-Gen Honda City Now Available with Google Assistance

Only recently Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) had started accepting pre-bookings of the new Honda Amaze. The company had also released a press statement about the same. Interested buyers can reserve the new Amaze online via the company’s ‘Honda from Home’ platform on the official website by paying a token amount of INR 5,000. Honda is also accepting pre-bookings of the upcoming car at its authorised dealerships across the country. However, the booking amount, in this case, has been set at INR 21,000.

The new Honda Amaze is slated to be launched in the Indian market on 18 August 2021. It will feature an updated look, revised exterior styling, and improved interior. These changes would make the new sedan even more desirable than before. The current Amaze is Honda’s largest selling model in India and enjoys a diverse customer base. Known for its bold design, spacious interior, advanced features and safety technologies, the Amaze has two engine options - a 1.5L i-DTEC diesel mill and a 1.2L i-VTEC petrol motor - available in both manual gearbox and CVT options.

The new Honda Amaze will be launched in India on 18 August 2021. Pre-bookings for the upcoming sedan are now open. Interested buyers can reserve one online via the company’s ‘Honda from Home’ platform on the official website by paying a token amount of INR 5,000. Honda is also accepting pre-bookings of the new Amaze at its authorised dealerships across the country. However, the booking amount, in this case, has been set at INR 21,000.

Also Read: 5th-Gen Honda City Now Available with Google Assistance

Speaking in this regard, Mr Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President and Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said:

Since its debut in 2013, Honda Amaze has won the hearts of more than 4.5 lakh Indian customers making it one of India’s most preferred family sedans. We are extremely excited to add another chapter to the success story of the model with the launch of the new Amaze later this month. The new Amaze becomes even more premium, stylish and sophisticated. We are approaching the upcoming festive season with a fully refreshed line-up and hope to create fresh excitement in the market.

The new Honda Amaze will feature an updated look, revised exterior styling, and improved interior. All these changes would make the new sedan even more desirable than before. The current Amaze is Honda’s largest selling model in India and enjoys a diverse customer base. Known for its bold design, spacious interior, advanced features and safety technologies, the Amaze has two engine options - a 1.5L i-DTEC diesel mill and a 1.2L i-VTEC petrol motor - available in both manual gearbox and CVT options.

In June 2021, Honda Cars India sold 4,767 units in the domestic market. In the corresponding period last year, the brand had registered only 1,398 units amidst operational restrictions of the COVID-led national lockdown. On the other hand, the company has exported 1,241 cars last month. In June 2020, the export numbers stood at just 142. For reference, in March 2021, Honda Cars India had sold 7,103 units in the country whereas, in April, the figure increased to 9,072; which is a growth of 27.7%.

Also Read: Honda N7X Concept Looks Detailed in Real Life Images

Speaking on the business situation, Mr Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President and Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd, said:

Our June despatches were in line with our production output, which we maintained at below 50% of the pre-COVID level. With the unlocking of many states and the reopening of dealer outlets in most markets, we expect car sales to further pick up from this month onwards and will accordingly ramp up our daily production. We hope that this positive momentum will continue thereby helping the industry to recover, however, challenges of COVID related disruptions and rising ownership costs due to higher raw material prices remain.

Currently, Honda Cars India has 5 models in its catalogue for the domestic market. We have the 5th-gen Honda City which sits at the top of the brand’s Indian lineup with a starting price of INR 10.99 lakh. It is on sale beside the 4th-gen model. Then there’s the Honda Amaze that is available at a starting price of INR 6.22 lakh. The remaining two models include the Honda BR-V and Jazz whose prices start at INR 8.62 lakh and INR 7.55 lakh respectively.

All prices are ex-showroom

Last month, Honda Cars India could sell 9,072 units and went on to register a monthly growth of 27.7 per cent. The carmaker had retailed 7,103 cars in India in March 2021, which was lesser as compared to Honda’s performance in February. The sales figure of Honda last month puts the automaker in the 7th position in the list of India’s top 10 carmakers in April 2021. Like always, Toyota managed to sell a few more units than its arch-rival from back home.

Commenting on the brand’s sales last month, Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President and Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. stated

“The current health calamity has struck the entire nation, and at this time, nothing is more important than the health & well-being of our countrymen. Of course, it has had an impact on the business and deliveries in the marketplace. Many parts of the country have been on safety-related lockdowns in the last couple of weeks, and we see this continuing in May 2021. We are working closely with all our stakeholders and assisting in every possible way to tide through this situation.”

Right now, Honda Cars India only offers five models, namely- Jazz, Amaze, WR-V, fourth-gen City and fifth-gen City. At the moment, the Amaze is the most affordable vehicle in the automaker's stable, which is offered at a starting price of INR 6.22 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base trim and INR 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-of-the-line model.

The recall will be carried out in a phased manner and has already started from April 17, 2021. The carmaker has released a detailed list of all the models that have been affected, including their production period and the number of units of each model that have been fitted with the faulty fuel pump. Barring the fifth-gen Honda City, the recall has affected every other Honda car in India. The vehicle most affected by this recall is the Honda Amaze with as many as 36,086 units fitted with the faulty fuel pump.

Also Read : No More Spy Pics; Here's The First Official Image Of 11th-Gen Honda Civic

The recall also includes 20,248 units of the fourth-gen Honda City, 7,871 units of the WR-V, 6,235 units of the Jazz hatchback, 5,170 units of the Civic sedan, and 1,737 units of the BR-V. All these vehicles were manufactured between January and October 2019. Additionally, the recall also covers 607 units of the Honda CR-V that were manufactured between January 2019 and September 2020. It must be noted that the Honda CR-V, Civic and BR-V have been discontinued in India.

Vehicles manufactured before or after the above-mentioned time period do not have the suspected fuel pump issue. This recall could actually be a part of a global recall that Honda initiated in March 2021. Earlier last month, Honda had said that they will recall about 761,000 vehicles worldwide to replace fuel pumps that could fail and lead to engine problems. Given the current situation with the pandemic in the country, Honda dealers are operating with limited staff. Customers are advised to visit dealerships with prior appointment to adhere to pandemic protocols.

Honda's authorized dealer partners will be contacting the owners of the affected vehicles individually. The replacement of the part will be carried out free of cost to the customer. Additionally, owners can also check whether their cars are covered under this campaign by entering the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the special microsite which has been created on the company's website.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet is the brand's third offering for India and except for its signature tiger-nose grille, the Sonet is a brand-new model in terms of styling. The car is highlighted by muscular wheel arches, a connected taillight unit, gold paint, darkened C-pillar and flush door handles. If the Seltos proved anything, it was Kia’s strength in providing a car filled to the brim with features. Considering that the Venue and the Vitara Brezza have rooted themselves as the most popular contenders in the segment, the Sonet arrived with an attractive package. A few notable features from the Seltos are carried over to the Sonet which makes it the most feature-packed car in the segment.

In terms of mechanicals, the car is powered by the same engines as the Hyundai Venue. This includes a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, a 1.5-litre petrol unit, a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit and a 1.2-litre petrol unit. The engine options get multiple gearbox options like a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and the IMT. Kia is offering the Sonet in 15 variants across two trim lines, 4 engine and 5 gearbox options. Prices for the base variant starts at INR 6.71 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

A rather unconventional choice in this price bracket is the Ertiga MPV that stands as the mainstay of the 7-seater affordable space with the most sales for any MPV in India. The car's latest update is a major step up over its previous iteration. The deal has also become sweeter with features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual airbags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options ie. the 1.5-litre unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. To attract a more premium customer who might consider Ertiga as a cab, there's the 6-seater XL6 sold through the Nexa dealerships and is a bit more premium, while having the same engine option and features.

Honda Amaze

If you are still the one with a heart inclined towards sedans but don't want to spend more than INR 10 lakh, the Honda Amaze becomes an obvious choice. Prices for the Amaze begins at INR 6.17 lakh and goes up to INR 9.99 lakh. The car is available across four variants: E, S, V, and VX. On offer in the new Amaze are two BS-VI engine options including 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox along with the option of a CVT. The petrol unit is good for 90 PS and 110 Nm whereas the diesel develops 100 PS and 200 Nm. The diesel CVT, however, produces slightly less power and torque (80PS/160Nm).

Notable features in the new Amaze comes in the form of a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking camera, and passive keyless entry with push-button engine start-stop. In terms of safety, the car comes with features that include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard. The car takes on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, and Ford Aspire.

Hyundai i20

Hatchbacks are still the single biggest selling body type in India and despite sitting at the top of hatchback tree, the premium hatchback segment is commanding tremendous sales. One such car is the new Hyundai i20, earlier called the Elite i20. In its new avatar, the i20 comes with features loaded to the brim. The car now comes with Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity system that comes along with 50+ connected features along with OTA updates. The new version, according to Hyundai is made up of 66 per cent high-strength steel and is lighter than before.

The car benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. Also on offer, on the top-spec Asta (O) trim is a digital instrument cluster, a 7 speaker Bose sound system, sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more. In terms of safety, the car gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill start assist, to name a few. The diesel option in question is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that is also present in the Venue. As of now, Hyundai only provides the engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox in the new i20. The unit delivers 99 bhp at 4000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1500 rpm.

Renault Kiger

Last on our list the newly launched Renault Kiger, India's most affordable compact SUV, also the sole reason we listed it on our list among a plethora of options. On the outside, the design ethos of the Kiger somewhat falls in the common set with the Kwid, but that’s not a bad thing at all. It gets a high ground clearance at 205 mm and functional roof bars along with 16-inch alloy wheels. In terms of dimensions, the Kiger measures 3,991mm in length, 1,750mm in width, 1,600mm in terms of height and gets a 2,500mm wheelbase. The Kiger sports a high and wide centre console that is dominated by a 20.32 cm floating touch screen system that features wireless smartphone replication for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at higher trims.

The Kiger is fitted with a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, with a power output of 100 Ps and a torque of 160 Nm. It is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and an X-TRONIC automatic continuously variable transmission. The ENERGY 1.0-litre 72 Ps and 96 Nm naturally aspirated engine is available with either a five-speed manual or the EASY-R five-speed robotised gearbox AMT. The new Renault Kiger has been launched at an introductory starting price of INR 5.45 lakh*.

*Ex-showroom prices

Having said that, there’s still a big segment of buyers who are preferring diesel cars due to the fuel efficiency they deliver and want their vehicles fully loaded. With the arrival of affordable automatic gearboxes of various kinds, the diesel-auto combination is seen as a holy grail of a car. We list down the top 5 best diesel automatic cars in India under INR 20 Lakh.

Kia Sonet

Price - INR 11.29 - 13.35 lakh* (diesel-automatic)

In many ways, the Kia Sonet has created a benchmark for compact SUVs in India, a segment largely on focus among Indian buyers looking to buy their first vehicles. One of the reasons for the Sonet's success has to be the kind of engine and gearbox options it gets. The Sonet comes with multiple engines and gearbox options including a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, two 1.5-litre diesel units with a different state of tunes and a 1.2-litre petrol unit. The gearbox options include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and an iMT gearbox. However, the engine we are focusing on is the 1.5-litre diesel unit mated to a 6-speed AT gearbox. With this powertrain combination, Kia Sonet is easily one of the best diesel automatic cars in India.

The car borrows a good deal of features from the Seltos compact SUV and packs it in a comprehensive package that is hard to overlook. In the hotly contested segment, the Kia Sonet locks horns with a few of the popular badges in the country like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300. Sonet gets the segment's largest 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, built-in eSIM for UVO car connectivity features, push-button start with keyless entry, automatic climate control, wireless charger, electric sunroof, rear AC vents, six airbags and much more. Prices for the base variant with the petrol powertrain start at INR 6.79 lakh*, which goes up to INR 13.35 lakh* for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol GTX+ version with the 7-speed DCT.

Hyundai Creta

Price - INR 16.44 - 17.65 lakh* (diesel-automatic)

This compact SUV from the Korean carmaker happens to be the best-selling SUV in the country, even outpacing cars cheaper than the Creta. In its second generation, Creta has been a popular choice among SUV buyers ever since it was first introduced 5 years back and remains a top seller despite the increase in competition. One of the most important selling points for the Creta is the powertrain options it offers. While the new Hyundai Creta gets a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, available with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), the engine of focus here is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that can be availed with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. Besides, this engine also gets an optional automatic transmission. With this option, Hyundai Creta is considered one of the best diesel automatic cars in India.

There’s also a 1.5-litre petrol engine to choose from. The Hyundai Creta's prices start at INR 9.99 lakh* in the Indian market. It goes up against the likes of the Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier and MG Hector. It has segment-leading features like sunroof, wireless charging, Ventilated seats, among other features.

Also Read: Top 10 Torque-iest Cars Under INR 12 Lakh in India - IAB Picks

Honda Amaze

Price - INR 9.15 - 9.99 lakh* (diesel-automatic)

In a world of SUVs, it’s a surprise that a compact sedan has made it to our list. Truth be told, there are many buyers who don’t want to go for a sedan against a SUV. However, budget constraints and practicality are some factors that are still relevant in the small sedan segment and Honda Amaze is one such product. It offers a 1.5 litre diesel engine with a CVT gearbox, only of its kind in the sedan segment below INR 10 Lakh* in India. It is also the only sedan on the list of the best diesel automatic cars in India.

Apart from the engine itself, the Honda Amaze promises class leading cabin space and mileage, making it a promising product. Features wise, the Honda Amaze gets the latest Honda infotainment system with touchscreen, automatic climate control, and many other features. Honda Amaze goes up against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Ford Aspire and Hyundai Aura.

Tata Safari

Price - INR 17.25 - 21.81 lakh* (diesel-automatic)

Tata Motors, the homegrown automaker and the parent of iconic brand names like Safari has once again reintroduced the Safari brand in India renaming the Gravitas SUV. The Gravitas was introduced at the 2020 Auto Expo as the extended version of the Tata Harrier and now gets a third row of seating. Tata Safari carries the same Harrier looks with considerable change in the roofline, increased height and enlarged rear overhang. In terms of length, the Safari is longer and taller than the Harrier by 63 mm and 80 mm, respectively. While the new Safari's dashboard design is similar to the Harrier, it gets Oyster White upholstery that adds airyness to the cabin.

When it comes to the engine, the Safari, like Harrier is powered by a singular 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel engine that can produce 170 bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque. It is mated to either a manual or an automatic gearbox. In terms of features, it has electrically adjustable driver’s seat, 8.8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, panoramic sunroof and push-button start among others.

Also Read : Top 5 7-Seater SUVs You Can Buy in India: Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and More

Tata Nexon

Price - INR 10.08 - 12.95 lakh* (diesel-automatic)

Last on our list of the best diesel automatic cars in India is the Tata Nexon, India’s safest compact SUV (As per Global NCAP crash test rating). The Tata Nexon is the brand’s first compact SUV that has garnered tremendous response from the buyers. So much is the demand for the Nexon that it became the best selling Tata car crossing 9000 units last month. One of the reasons for the Nexon’s success is its multitude of variant options with engine and gearbox combinations.

The Tata Nexon is being offered with a 1.5-litre diesel unit and is mated to a 5-speed AMT gearbox, making it value-for-money. The prices for the diesel auto starts at INR INR 9.93 lakh* and goes up to INR 12.80 lakh* for the top-spec variant and there are 6 variants to choose from, the highest among all the cars available in India. Apart from that, feature-wise, it gets a floating dashtop mounted infotainment system, Harman surrounding sound audio system among other features.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such listicles and latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom prices

The Hyundai Aura is currently being offered with discounts up to Rs 50,000. If you buy the Aura Turbo, you get a straight cash discount of Rs 30,000, Rs 15,000 as an exchange bonus, and Rs 5,000 in corporate discounts. For the Aura 1.2 variants, petrol and diesel, Hyundai is offering a cash discount of Rs 10,000, Rs 10,000 as an exchange bonus, and a corporate discount of Rs 5,000. Lastly, the Aura CNG variant gets a Rs 10,000 exchange bonus and a Rs 5,000 corporate discount. Prices for the Hyundai Aura start from Rs 5.82 lakh for the E variant, going up to Rs 9.34 lakh for the flagship Aura SX Plus AMT Diesel variant.

Coming to the Honda Amaze, the compact sedan is getting discounts up to Rs 48,000 for April 2021. The Amaze S variant gets a Rs 20,000 cash discount and a Rs 15,000 exchange bonus. You get a loyalty bonus of Rs 5,000 for existing Honda customers, a Rs 9,000 bonus if you exchange own an old Honda vehicle and Rs 4,000 in corporate discounts. For other Amaze variants, Honda offers a cash discount of Rs 17,000 or an accessories pack worth Rs 17,105 and an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000. The loyalty bonus of Rs 5,000 for existing Honda customers, a Rs 9,000 bonus for exchanging an old Honda vehicle and a Rs 4,000 corporate discount offer is valid as well. Prices for the Honda Amaze range from Rs 6.22 lakh for the base E petrol and goes up to Rs 9.99 lakh for the Amaze Exclusive Edition CVT Diesel. Do note all prices are ex-showroom.

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Words by - Chandrutpal Kashyap

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet, undoubtedly, is the complete package for anyone looking to buy a sub-compact SUV below INR 10 Lakh, a segment that has witnessed the maximum growth in recent years. In many ways, the Kia Sonet has created a benchmark for sub-compact SUVs in India. One of the reasons for the Sonet's success is the fact that the car borrows a good deal of features from the Seltos and packs it in a comprehensive package that is hard to overlook at its price point. It competes against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.

Sonet gets multiple engine and gearbox options including a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, two 1.5-litre diesel units with different state of tunes and a 1.2-litre petrol unit. The gearbox options includes a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and an iMT gearbox. In terms of features, it gets 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, built-in eSIM for UVO car connectivity, automatic climate control, wireless charger, electric sunroof, and much more. Prices for the base variant with the petrol powertrain start at INR 6.71 lakh*, which goes up to INR 12.99 lakh* for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol GTX+ version with the 7-speed DCT.

Hyundai I20

Next in the line is our preferred hatchback choice - the Hyundai i20, one of the most popular premium hatchbacks in India. Just so you know, the third-gen model has been renamed the i20, unlike Elite i20 badge given to the second-gen model. In terms of design and styling, the car now falls in line with Hyundai’s current design language, bearing strking similarities with cars like the Verna and the Elantra. In terms of features, it now gets BlueLink connectivity system, touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, sunroof, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more.

In terms of powertrain options, the car gets two petrol and one diesel option. The petrol units include a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol and the diesel option in question is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that is also present in the Venue. As for the transmission options, the new i20 gets a 5-speed manual and a CVT automatic gearbox, while the 1.0-litre unit will come with a 7-seed DCT gearbox. The i20 competes with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz among others.

Also Read : Top 10 Torque-iest Cars Under INR 12 Lakh in India - IAB Picks

Honda Amaze

Although the charm of sedans is slowing diminishing, owing to the practicality and pricing bit, the compact sedans are still holding their ground in India. One such sedan which is doing wonders for the brand, and for the segment itself is the Honda Amaze. While the car offers nothing extraordinary and is yet to receive a facelift with latest updates, it gets class leading cabin and boot space along with incredible mileage numbers. Honda Amaze goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura in India.

In terms of features, the Honda Amaze gets latest Honda infotainment system with touchscreen, automatic climate control, and many other features. Engine wise, the Honda Amaze gets a 1.2-litre petrol unit and a 1.5-litre diesel unit, both of which either gets a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT gearbox, again a first in the segment. Prices for the Honda Amaze starts at INR 6.22* lakh and goes upto INR 9.99* Lakh for the top spec model.

Tata Nexon

If you are still looking for a compact SUV to buy and don’t want to go for Kia Sonet, the Tata Nexon is your next safe pick. Nexon has been crowned as the India’s safest compact SUV (As per Global NCAP crash test rating) and has become the best-selling Tata car crossing 9000 units last month. One of the reasons for the Nexon’s success is its multitude of variant options with engine and gearbox combinations.

The Tata Nexon is being offered with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel unit and both the engines either gets a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox, making it value-for-money. The prices for the Tata Nexon starts at INR INR 7.09 lakh* and goes upto INR 12.80 lakh* for the top spec variant and there are at least 25-30 variants to choose from, highest among all the cars available in India. Apart from that, feature wise, it gets a floating dashtop mounted infotainment system, Harman surround sound audio system among other features.

Also Read : Top 5 MPVs You Can Buy in India: Toyota Innova Crysta, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and More

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Last on our list is the  Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, a MPV with a 7-seater cabin (also 6-seater cabin with  XL6). The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the best-selling MPV in India and promises a value-for-money package for anyone looking to buy an affordable sub-INR 10 Lakh car with maximum seating capacity. It gets features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual air-bags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options which is a 1.5-litre petrol unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. Prices for the Maruti Eritga starts at INR 7.69 Lakh* and goes upto INR 10.47 Lakh* for the top-spec variant.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such listicles and latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom prices