By equipping all its vehicles with ESP, Maruti Suzuki is democratizing advanced safety technology, offering customers enhanced value and a safer, more confident driving experience.

In addition to ESP, Maruti Suzuki's standard safety suite includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, engine immobilizer, HEARTECT Platform, and a collapsible steering column.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Achieves Record-Breaking Sales Milestone

How ESP+ Works:

The Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP) helps prevent a vehicle from skidding by ensuring it stays on its intended path. ESP integrates with systems like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Stability Control (SC). It uses sensors to monitor the vehicle's movements, and an electronic control unit processes this data to adjust the vehicle's trajectory, enhancing stability and control.

The company's railway dispatches have grown significantly, from 65,700 units in FY 2014-15 to 447,750 units in FY 2023-24. Utilizing rail transport, Maruti Suzuki serves 20 destinations and over 450 cities, offering a safer and more energy-efficient alternative to road transportation.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Achieves 3 Crore Cumulative Production Milestone

Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said:

Maruti Suzuki pioneered the use of railways for vehicle dispatches over a decade ago by becoming the first company in India to obtain the Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator license. Since then, the company has systematically increased its share of vehicle dispatches using railways. Through our sustained efforts in green logistics, we have achieved outstanding results including cumulative reduction of ~10,000 metric tonne of CO2 emissions and ~270 million Litre of cumulative fuel savings. With our production capacity nearly doubling from about 2 million units to 4 million units by FY 2030-31, we plan to augment the use of railways in vehicle dispatches, close to 35% over the next 7-8 years. We stand committed to the Government of India’s Net zero emissions target by 2070.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Expands Manufacturing Capability at Manesar Plant

Earlier this year, in line with the PM Gati Shakti programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first in-plant railway siding at Maruti Suzuki's Gujarat facility, with a capacity of 300,000 vehicles per annum. Another siding at the Manesar facility is also underway, supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal #13 on climate action.

Powering the Maruti Alto K10 CNG is the next-gen K-series 1.0L petrol engine that makes 56.69 PS of max power at 5300 rpm and 82.1 Nm of peak torque at 3400 rpm in the CNG mode. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The claimed fuel efficiency of the car is 33.85 km/kg.

Introducing the Maruti Alto K10 CNG, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The Alto brand has been a symbol of how Maruti Suzuki has evolved in response to customers' shifting desires. The Alto continued to be the best-selling vehicle in the country for 16 consecutive years, and we are convinced that the launch of the S-CNG model will further strengthen its appeal, thanks to its stellar fuel-efficiency.”

Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers a total of 13 CNG models including Alto, Alto K10, S-Presso, WagonR, Eeco, Celerio, Swift, Dzire, Ertiga, Baleno, XL6, Super Carry and Tour S.

The All-New Maruti Alto K10 has been conceptualised, designed and developed in India using Suzuki’s Platform, Powertrain and Technology. With a more powerful and efficient Next-Gen K-series 1.0L Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine, spacious cabin, modern features, contemporary design, and confident manoeuvrability, the All-New Alto K10 meets a multitude of needs that arise in day-to-day city life with utmost ease.

Powered by the Next-Gen K-Series 1.0L Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine, the All-New Maruti Alto K10 delivers 66.62PS @ 5500rpm of peak power and 89Nm @ 3500rpm of max torque. This state-of-the-art peppy, lively & efficient K-series 1.0L engine offers an exciting & fun to drive experience. Packed with cutting-edge technology, the All-New Alto K10 will provide a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.90 km/l (AGS) and 24.39 km/l (MT).

The All-New Maruti Alto K10 is available with both 5-speed Manual and Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) transmission options. The AGS transmission in the car offers enhanced driving comfort and convenience to consumers.

Available in 6 variants, the new Alto K10 has been priced at Rs 3.99 lakh for the base Standard trim. The top-end VXI+ with AGS will set you back by Rs 5.83 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki is all set to re-energize the country’s hatchback segment with the All-New Maruti Alto K10. It is equipped with a host of comfort, safety, convenience, and connectivity features.

Announcing the bookings open for the All-New Alto K10, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “With over 4.32 million customers, Alto is the most influential car brand in the country. Immensely loved by Alto families, the legendary Alto is a testament to an iconic brand that evolved itself with the changing aspirations of young India. With a strong brand legacy of 22 years, Alto has become a symbol of pride, trust, and reliability and has been a very successful product for Suzuki. The All-New Alto K10 will democratize new-age technology and features in hatchbacks. We are confident that the All-New Alto K10 together with Alto 800 will bring pride of ownership & joy of mobility to many more customers in India.”

Mr. CV Raman, Chief Technical Officer (Engineering), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Brand Alto has always been a symbol of pride of ownership, reliability and peace of mind. The All-New Alto K10 has been designed and developed with the core philosophy of redefining the hatchback segment in the country. Built on Suzuki’s signature HEARTECT platform, the All-New Alto K10 will ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable driving experience while offering an excellent NVH performance. We have laid special focus on offering a modern design, a spacious cabin and a technology-driven, user-friendly interior interface to cater to our ever-evolving customers.”

Thanking customers for supporting Maruti Suzuki S-CNG cars, Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are humbled by the appreciation and positive response received by our S-CNG offerings. As a Company, our aim is to offer safe, reliable, clean, technologically advanced and environment-friendly vehicles to our customers. Our S-CNG range is specifically designed, developed and manufactured at our facilities to suit the Indian driving conditions.”

Maruti Suzuki S-CNG technology has played a significant role in laying the groundwork for democratising CNG technology in the Indian automotive space. Since 2010, the Company has systematically addressed legacy concerns associated with CNG vehicles for safety and performance.

Maruti Suzuki’s efforts to popularize the adoption of S-CNG vehicles are aligned with the Government of India’s objective of reduction in oil imports by enhancing the share of natural gas in the energy basket of the country from 6.2% presently to 15% by 2030.

These eight vehicles include WagonR, Swift, Baleno, Alto 800, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, Eeco and Ertiga. Ertiga joined the top 10 best-selling passenger vehicles for the first time, in 2021.

Interestingly, hatchbacks bagged the top four slots in the list. WagonR with over 1.83 lakh units became the highest selling car model of the year followed by Swift, Baleno and Alto 800. The eight Maruti Suzuki models contribute over 83% of the total volumes of the top 10 selling models and almost 38% of the total passenger vehicle sales volumes in 2021.

Expressing gratitude towards customers, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

We are deeply honoured and grateful to our customers for choosing Maruti Suzuki as their most preferred passenger vehicle. We will continue to make efforts to offer class-leading products and services to meet today’s customer requirements.

Renault Kwid

Renault's latest update for the Kwid was a laudable one. The entry-level hatchback, in many ways, helped Renault established the brand's foothold in the country. The new Renault Kwid comes with an updated design and sports a new imposing front fascia among other tweaks. The car has shown a substantial leap in terms of features as well. The update has brought in plenty of addition in the cabin as well. It gets a new steering wheel, a redesigned dash and a fully-digital instrument cluster. Also on offer is the new MEDIANAV Evolution infotainment system that comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands. There’s a piano black surround for the touchscreen with subtle chrome accents, which feels quite premium for the segment.

What also works in its favour is that the Kwid gets a boot space capacity of 279 litres, which is more than the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the Datsun Redi-GO. At its heart is an 800-cc unit that delivers 54 hp and 72 Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre block that churns out 68 hp and 91 Nm of torque. There are options of both manual as well as AMT gearboxes to choose from. The facelift comes at a starting price of INR 3.12 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki Alto

The Maruti Suzuki Alto requires no introduction. The car has been one of the best-selling models for the largest selling manufacturer in India. Over a decade of being on sale in India, the Alto recently crossed 40 lakh unit in India alone. The car has also made frequent appearance in the top-10 best-selling cars of the country. The Alto was first launched in 2000 and the price of the car starts at INR 2.99 lakh*.

In its current avatar, the car is available in only 800 cc model, while recently the 1.0-litre K10 model was replaced by S-Presso. The 800 cc model produces 48 hp and is paired to a 5-speed manual only. At the start of this year, the 800 cc Alto underwent a facelift; received a cosmetic makeover, the engine was upgraded to meet BS6 emission standards, and it meets upcoming crash- and pedestrian safety regulations. On the inside, the new Alto gets the Smart Play Dock with Bluetooth connectivity.

Hyundai Santro

The Santro rooted Hyundai’s brand name in India. After being absent in the market for a while, Hyundai brought back the Santro badge in a rather interesting package, replacing the i10 as the brand's entry-level hatchback. In line with its stablemates, the new Hyundai Santro comes with a few segment-first features like a 7-inch touchscreen audio-video system. The multi-media system has Android Auto, Apple Carplay and Mirror Link along with supporting Voice Recognition Function & Rear Parking Camera display on the screen. It is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine which produces 69 ps at 5,500 rpm. Prices for the new Santro starts at INR 4.67 lakh*. There is no doubt that it should be in the list of best cars under 6 lakh in India.

Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is the latest addition in the seven-seater space having debuted this time last year. With prices starting at INR 5.30 lakh*, the Triber comes as a neat and rather unconventional package for someone looking to buy a car below 6 lakh. The Renault Triber gets a 5+2 cabin where the third row can be flat folded, or fully removed to create a boot space of 675-litre, making it a highly practical car. In fact, it gets two glove-boxes, and other pockets specifically designed for Indian buyers.

In terms of features, the car gets keyless entry and start, a touchscreen multimedia system, a driver information system, electric ORVMs without fold function, and a cooled box in the centre. On the safety front, the car gets ABS, EBD, and adjustable headrests for four occupants. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 70 bhp and a little under 100 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a manual transmission as well as an AMT unit.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Last on our list of best cars under 6 lakh in India is the Maruti Swift, which was recently launched with an updated version. The changes come in the form of a brand new engine and a handful of exterior and interior changes to keep it fresh in the portfolio. It now gets a K12 series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with an idle start-stop function. Simply put, the same 1.2-litre engine will now return a higher fuel efficiency of 23.20-kmpl in manual transmission and 23.76-kmpl when paired with the AMT gearbox. The power figures have also bumped by 7 bhp to 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

In terms of cosmetic changes, the 2021 Swift features a new chrome stripe on the single-piece front grille which now has a mesh-pattern. Other highlights include a dual-tone exterior shade which can be had with the top ZXi+ trim. The projector headlights, LED DRLs, 15-inch precision-cut alloy wheels, floating roof effect are to be carried over from the current model. On the inside, the cabin gets a twin-pod instrument cluster with a coloured 4.2-inch TFT display, cruise control, idle start-stop function, and key synchronised auto-foldable ORVMs. The 2021 Maruti Swift is current on sale with the price starting from Rs 5.73 Lakh* in India.

*Ex-showroom price

Maruti Suzuki started exporting vehicles way back in FY1986-87. Since then, the company has exported 20 lakh cars including models such as the Swift, Vitara Brezza, Dzire, Jimny, S-Presso, and more. The firm has recently announced this achievement.

Speaking on the feat, Mr Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said:

The Company is committed to Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s vision of Make-in-India. The 20 lakh vehicle exports from Maruti Suzuki are a testimony of the same. Maruti Suzuki has been exporting vehicles for the past 34 years much before India became a prominent player in the global automobile business. This early global exposure helped the Company enhance its quality and attain global benchmarks. Currently, we export 14 models, nearly 150 variants, to over 100 countries. Vehicles manufactured at our facilities in India have found high acceptance owing to global standards of quality, safety, design and technology. Going forward, the Company has aligned itself with the evolving needs of customers in African and Latin American nations. With a flurry of new models in the pipeline, Maruti Suzuki will attract customers in new segments to enable the Company to accomplish bigger milestones at a much faster pace.

In FY2012-13, Maruti Suzuki India Limited achieved the milestone of 10 lakh exports. More than 50% of the exports were undertaken to developed markets in Europe. The subsequent 10 lakh exports came in over eight years with a special focus on emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and Asia regions.

With concerted efforts, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has been able to gain a sizeable share in markets like Chile, Indonesia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Models such as the Alto, Baleno, Dzire and Swift have emerged as popular choices in these countries.

Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Rivals - Size, Specs and Prices Compared

In other news, the 2021 Maruti Swift has been recently launched in India. The updated model gets a new engine, refreshed looks, and other exciting features that should make the car an overall better package.

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

The folks at Insha Allah Motors have taken a Maruti Alto  and tastefully customized with new add-ons and cosmetic changes. From the exterior, this Maruti Alto modified model finished in Granite Grey paint scheme, gets front and rear bumper add-ons. While the front bumper gets few LED series lights at the bottom of it, the rear bumper gets treated with faux dual exhaust ports on either side.

Also read - Top 5 Affordable Cars Under INR 6 Lakh - Maruti, Renault and More

The exterior lights too get a few add-ons – while the front headlamp here is integrated with LED turn indicators, the tail lamps get redesigned LED inserts. The rear hatch of this Maruti Alto modified model gets its Suzuki badge replaced by a ‘Transformers’ logo, while the Suzuki badge at the front is finished in matt black. A horizontally laid long light bar at the top of the rear windscreen adds a wicked touch to the car. The car also gets upsized tires and silver finished sporty looking alloy wheels.

Talking about the changes on the inside, this Maruti Alto modified model gets customized red and black upholstery in the place of the factory-finished black and beige one. Another big addition here happens to be the integration of a large touchscreen infotainment system as well as a new music system with speakers and amplifiers sourced from JBL.

Also read - Maruti Suzuki Alto completes 20 successful years in the Indian market

However, there are no evident changes to this Maruti Alto modified model when it comes to mechanicals, as the car is believed to run on the stock 0.8 liter three cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, this engine here in the Alto pumps out a maximum power output of 47 PS and a peak torque output of 62 Nm.

Video and images courtesy - Insha Allah Motors

Maruti Suzuki Alto Festive Edition Kit

The Maruti Suzuki Alto Festive Edition kit includes a Pioneer touchscreen music system with 6-in Kenwood speakers for enhanced entertainment. The company has also added a security system with keyless entry and elegant dual-tone seat covers. There is a steering wheel cover too. Customers will also get number plate garnish and mud flaps. The price of this entire kit is INR 25,490.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Offering Discounts of Upto INR 68,000 on Select Models

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Festive Edition Kit

For a price of INR 25,990, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio Festive Edition kit provides a Sony Double-DIN audio system with Bluetooth connectivity that would make playing your favourite music that much easier and enjoyable. We also get stylish seat covers to refresh the cabin look and feel. Maruti Suzuki has also included designer mats. And for the exterior, the company has used attractive piano black body side mouldings, number plate garnish, and door visor.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Festive Edition Kit

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Festive Edition Kit contains several elements that enhance the car’s visual appeal by a notch. It offers front and rear bumper protectors, front upper grille chrome garnish, and side skirts. Maruti Suzuki has also added stylish seat covers to ensure that the cabin also looks and feel fresh. There is also an interior style package. The total cost of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Festive Edition kit has been set at INR 29,990.

Interested customers can buy the Festive Edition kits for the Alto, Celerio, and Wagon R from Maruti Suzuki’s dealerships which will also take care of the installation.

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

Speaking on the joyous occasion, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

The Alto, over the past two decades, has changed the way India commutes. It has ranked as the No.1 selling car in the last 16 years and continues to win hearts and surprise Indian car buyers with its exciting value proposition. Today, it resonates with over 40 lakh delighted customers thanks to its magnetic brand positioning. It has strengthened its appeal with every upgrade and has become the preferred choice for first-time buyers. We've seen that nearly 76% of Alto customers have selected it as their first car in 2019-20 which has further increased to 84% for the current year. Now, the brand Alto is aptly positioned as ‘Desh Ki Shaan’, as it instils a strong emotion of pride amongst its 40 lakh customer base, a feat unmatched by any other car in India.

Just 4 years after its introduction, the Alto grabbed the ‘India’s no.1 Selling Car’ title and by 2008, Maruti Suzuki had sold over 10 lakh units of the affordable hatchback. The journey of the Alto continued with an evergreen sales chart and today, after being in the market for 20 years, it has crossed the 40 lakh sales milestone.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto has gone through numerous changes and upgrades in its entire lifespan. Its latest version comes with several modern-day features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, ABS with EBD, dual airbags, dual-tone interior, power steering, internally adjustable ORVMs, and more.

Also Read: Maruti Vitara Brezza becomes fastest compact SUV to cross 5.5 lakh sales

The Alto is available in 8 variants with prices starting from INR 2.94 lakh* and going all the way up to INR 4.36 lakh*. The engine on offer is a 796cc 3-cylinder motor which produces 47 bhp of maximum power at 6000 rpm and 69 Nm of peak torque at 3500 rpm. For the transmission, there is a 5-speed gearbox. The Maruti Suzuki Alto also comes in a CNG avatar which is capable of delivering 40 bhp and 60 Nm.

Last year, ahead of the launch of the S-Presso, several speculations dictated that the mini-SUV would be replacing Alto. However, S-Presso replaced the litre-class Alto K10 and the Alto with 800cc engine was retained to service, making it the most affordable Maruti Suzuki vehicle in the country.

While the car has been spotted a couple of times on the Indian roads, not a lot was revealed during the sightings due to heavy camouflage. Hence, designer Shoeb has rendered what the car could look like in the flesh.

The final render of the upcoming car suggests a thing or two. For instance, the design is notably tweaked to form a new front fascia highlighted with the new headlamps. The car stands taller than before and the overall stance feels more upright than before.

Being the entry-level car in Maruti Suzuki’s lineup and among the cheapest ones in India, the car won’t sport many new features. The car will get the conventional lift-top-open door handles and fender-mounted turn indicators. In its current avatar, the Alto does not ship with alloy wheels, even as an option. The render continues the same tale with steel wheels and a cap over it.

Mechanically, the current-gen Alto is powered by a 796 cc 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol. It is capable of delivering a peak power output of 47 PS and max torque of 69 Nm through a 5-speed manual gearbox. The next-gen model, however, is expected to offer an option of 5-speed AMT as well.

Also Read: Maruti WagonR Electric Spotted Testing Once Again in Gurugram

The car is also available with an option of CNG as fuel. Talking of the mileage, it returns an ARAI-claimed figure of 22.05 km/l. The CNG trim, on the other hand, returns 31.59 km/kg.

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

[Source: indianauto.com]

Case in point, Maruti’s massive list of budget hatchbacks that you can buy, spread out across a broad spectrum of budgets. Maruti-Suzuki is the only carmaker in India to offer such a wide array of products and 7 of its products are priced less than INR 5 Lakh, a segment most of the middle-class Indians aspire to purchase. In fact, talking of the complete product list, none of Maruti-Suzuki’s products have a starting price of more than INR 10 Lakh, highlighting the kind of importance the Indo-Japanese lays on the budget offering, despite 12 products in its portfolio.

Hence, we have created a list of the top 5 budget Maruti Suzuki hatchbacks you can buy in India under INR 5 Lakh:

Maruti Suzuki Alto

Price – INR 2.95 Lakh

Small cars make for some of the wisest of choices for Indian roads. Not only are they affordable for buyers but a large section of the Indian population can only afford reasonably priced cars. Small cars also prove to be less of a hassle when driving in bothersome traffic through the city. If these aspects appeal to you, then the Maruti Alto stands as the rightful choice for your next purchase.

The Maruti Alto is also among the most fuel-efficient cars in the country with a 48bhp, 800cc engine that is claimed to deliver 22.05kmpl, making it one of the most affordable day-to-day runner as well. In its BS-VI avatar, the car comes with more features and subtle changes to the exterior as well. The Alto is priced starting from INR 2.95 lakh for the Standard variant.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

Price – INR 3.71 Lakh

The Maruti-Suzuki S-Presso embodies the formula of a successful car in the micro-SUV segment. The segment which is a new found love for many Indian buyers. The intention this time around was to make the SUV segment more accessible to customers. Prices for the car start at INR 3.71 lakh for the STD variant and goes up to INR 5.14 lakh (ex-showroom) for the VXi (O) CNG version.

It’s top-rung VXi plus trim gets manual air conditioning, front-only power windows, a touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cup and bottle holders upfront. It also gets steering mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth telephony. However, it misses out on a lock-unlock button, a rear wash-wipe and a dimming feature on the interior rear view mirror. The Maruti S-Presso is powered by the same K10 engine that powered the Alto K10, and essentially replaced the Alto K10 in India. The engine comes is BS-VI compliant, produces 64 bhp and 90 Nm of torque. Transmission duties are taken care of by a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. There’s also an AMT on offer.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Price – INR 4.41 Lakh

Another litre-class product from Maruti-Suzuki’s extensive stable is the Celerio hatchback. The car promises to be a more youthful version of the Wagon R with a curvy design and a funky cabin. However, unlike the Maruti Wagon R, the Celerio hasn’t managed to attract many buyers.

It is offered with only a 1.0-litre engine but has a CNG option as well for those looking for better mileage from the petrol motor. There’s also an AMT gearbox option for those looking for relief from traffic. The engine produces 67bhp and 90Nm of torque. The starting price tag for the Maruti Celerio is  INR 4.41 lakh (ex-showroom). The company has also added a Celerio X to the range, giving the hatchback a more rugged appeal to attract a wider audience. The Celerio X gets plastic body cladding and roof rails to make it look macho compared to standard Celerio.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Price – INR 4.46 Lakh

The Maruti-Suzuki Wagon R has been one of the most popular badges in country for the past 2 decades. The car has had plenty of positives that have worked in its favour over the years. It was easy to get in and out of, had an airy cabin and a versatile interior made it quite practical. In its new generation version, Maruti has tried to build on these strengths and address the old car's weaknesses.

The new-gen Wagon R comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that dominates proceedings. It’s a brand-new unit and it features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With the new SmartPlay studio, you also get offline navigation and many more features. The new Wagon R comes with two engine options. In the lower variants, you get the same 1.0-litre engine as the previous generation. If you choose to buy the higher variants, you get the larger 1.2-litre K12 engine from the Ignis and the Swift. The 1.0-litre engine puts out 68 hp and returns 21.79 kmpl. The 1.2-litre, on the other hand, has an output of 83 hp and returns 20.52 kmpl. Prices for the car start at INR 4.46 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Price – INR 4.89 Lakh

Last on our list, is the Maruti-Suzuki Ignis premium hatchback. It retails through Maruti's upmarket NEXA range of dealerships and not its regular Maruti Suzuki Arena dealerships, unlike all the cars mentioned above. This also means that it is the most affordable NEXA car you can buy in India, with a starting price tag of INR 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Ignis was launched as a unique offering in India with a tall-boy design, wide dimension, aeroplane-style toggle switches and lots of cabin space to entice young buyers. More than a budget offering, Maruti refers to the Ignis as a lifestyle product. The car gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine in the same state of tune as the Swift and Baleno. It produces 84bhp and 113 Nm torque. However, the Ignis hasn't managed to be as successful as the rest of the Maruti's line-up, despite a competitive price tag.

*Note: All prices ex-showroom

As public transport is expected to be a hotbed for infections, more people are expected to buy new affordable personal vehicles to stay safe. This could mean brighter days for manufacturers with entry-level cars that fall under INR 5 lakh in their line-up. Several studies and experts have said that the demand for entry-level personal vehicles will increase. Hence, if you are in the market looking for your first car, here are your five safest bets for cars under INR 5 Lakh*.

Datsun redi-GO

The recent update on the Datsun redi-GO has made the deal a lot sweeter. The car’s updated design has made way for a more mature and aggressive look. New cosmetic tweaks come in the form of L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRL), sleek headlamps with silver accents, LED fog lamps, 14-inch wheels with a dual-tone wheel cover, LED tail-lamps, and updated door trim with fabric. The car now stands as the most affordable car in India with looks to match its persona at INR 2.83 lakh*.

Renault Kwid

Renault latest update for the Kwid was a laudable one. The car now comes with a new design and sports a new imposing front fascia among other tweaks. The car has shown a substantial leap in terms of features as well. The update has brought in plenty of addition in the cabin as well. It gets a new steering wheel, a redesigned dash and a fully-digital instrument cluster. Also on offer is the new MEDIANAV Evolution infotainment system that comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands. There’s a piano black surround for the touchscreen with subtle chrome accents, which feels quite premium for the segment.

What also works in its favour is that the Kwid gets a boot space capacity of 279 litres, which is more than the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the Datsun redi-GO. At its heart is an 800-cc unit that delivers 54 hp and 72 Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre block that churns out 68 hp and 91 Nm of torque. The facelifted Renault Kwid comes at INR 2.92 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki Alto

The Maruti Suzuki Alto requires no introduction. The car has been one of the best-selling models for the largest selling manufacturer in India. Over two decades of being on sale in India, the Alto crossed 40 lakh unit in India alone. The car has also made frequent appearance in the top-10 best-selling cars of the country. The Maruti Suzuki Alto has been the preferred choice of Indian car buyers with 76 per cent of Alto customers choosing it as their first car. The Alto was first launched in 2000 and has been on sales for the past 20 years.

In its current avatar, the car was available with a 1.0-litre K10 variant as well as the 800 cc model. While the 800 cc model produces 48 hp and is paired to a 5-speed manual only, the K10 is now replaced by Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. At the start of this year, the 800 cc Alto underwent a facelift; received a cosmetic makeover, the engine was upgraded to meet BS6 emission standards, and it meets upcoming crash- and pedestrian safety regulations.

On the inside, the cabin gets dual-tone finish with new air-con ducts and a new instrument cluster. Moreover, the new Alto gets the Smart Play Dock with Bluetooth connectivity. This Smart Play Dock transforms the phone into a touch interface to access calls, music, navigation and more. Price for the car starts at INR 2.95 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso embodies the formula of a successful car in the faux-SUV segment. The intention this time around was to make the segment more accessible to the customers. Hence, say hello to India’s first micro-SUV. It’s top-rung VXI plus trim gets manual air conditioning, front only power windows, a touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and useable cup and bottle holders upfront. It also gets steering mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth telephony. However, it missed out on lock-unlock button, a rear wash-wipe, and an interior rearview mirror with a day-night flick switch.

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is powered by the same K10 engine that powered the Alto K10 and serves as the replacement for the car. The engine comes with BS-VI compliance and produces 64 bhp and 90 Nm of torque through a 5-speed manual transmission. Prices for the car starts at INR 3.71 lakh*.

Hyundai Santro

The Santro rooted Hyundai’s brand name in India. And after being absent in the market for a while, Hyundai brought back the Santro badge in a rather interesting package. Hyundai discontinued Santro after 16 years of service, and revived the nameplate again after 4 years, however, it's mostly the all-new i10 that got the Santro name. In line with its stablemates, the new Hyundai Santro comes with a few segment-first features like a 7-inch touchscreen audio-video system. The multi-media system has Android Auto, Apple Carplay and Mirror Link along with supporting Voice Recognition Function & Rear Parking Camera display on the screen.

The new Hyundai Santro is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine which produces 69 ps at 5,500 pm and there's both AMT and manual gearboxes on offer. Prices for the new Santro starts at INR 4.57 lakh*.

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*Ex-showroom

Following is a list of lowest priced cars in India, all of which are hatchbacks powered by small and economic petrol engines.

Datsun redi-GO

The Datsun redi-GO is not only the smallest car from the Japanese car maker’s lineup in India, but is also the least priced car in Indian car market. With a starting price of INR 2.83 lakh, the Datsun redi-GO holds the title of the most affordable car in India.

The Datsun redi-GO is available with a choice of two petrol engine options – a 0.8-litre three cylinder petrol (54 PS/72 Nm) and a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine (68 PS/91 Nm). While a 5-speed manual gearbox is common to both the engines, the 1.0-litre variants can be had with an optional 5-speed AMT.

Renault Kwid

Bringing the SUV revolution to entry level compact cars with its raised stance and rugged styling bits, the Renault Kwid has appealed a lot of masses ever since its launch in 2015. The compact hatchback was given its first midlife facelift with fresh new cabin and styling updates at the front, and is available with a starting price point of INR 2.92 lakh.

The Renault Kwid shares both of its powertrain options with the Datsun redi-GO mentioned above – a 0.8-litre three cylinder petrol (54 PS/72 Nm) and a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine (68 PS/91 Nm). Like in the redi-GO, both the engines get paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox, with the 1.0-litre variants getting a 5-speed AMT as well.

Maruti Alto

Ever since its inception almost two decades ago, the Maruti Alto has been the torch bearer of Maruti Suzuki in India, by consistently being one of the highest selling cars in the Indian car market. The key aspects of the success of Maruti Alto happens to be its low maintenance costs, high fuel efficiency and a low starting price point, which currently starts at INR 2.95 lakh.

The latest generation Maruti Alto sources its power from a 0.8-litre three cylinder petrol engine, which is coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox and makes 48 PS of maximum power and 69 Nm of torque.

Maruti S-Presso

To take its rivalry with the Renault Kwid head on, Maruti came up with the S-Presso – an SUV inspired entry level hatchback, which has gained a lot of attention with its quirky styling in and out. However, it retains all the positive traits of a compact Maruti Suzuki car, like a spacious cabin and affordable maintenance costs and fuel bills.

The Maruti S-Presso gets a starting price point of INR 3.71 lakh, and is the smallest car from Maruti Suzuki which gets the much famed 1.0-litre three cylinder K10 petrol engine. Available with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes, the engine makes 68 PS of power and 90 Nm of torque.

Maruti Celerio

The Maruti Celerio might be a bit too long in the tooth now, especially with newer products from other car makers and Maruti Suzuki itself. However, the hatchback still holds its candle among others with its practical and spacious cabin and ease of driving – not to forget it was this car which brought the revolution of AMTs in India.

The Maruti Celerio is currently available with the 1.0-litre three cylinder K10 petrol engine (68 PS/90 Nm), which is being offered with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes. Currently, the prices for the Maruti Celerio commence at INR 4.41 lakh.

Maruti WagonR

Like the Maruti Alto, the Maruti WagonR too has been a highly successful model for the car maker since last two decades, and has seen multiple generations climbing the sales charts consistently. The Maruti WagonR is currently in its third generation version and even today is a strong brand when it comes to practicality and frugality.

The current generation of Maruti WagonR gets two engine options – a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol motor (68 PS/90 Nm) and 1.2-litre three cylinder engine (83 PS/113 Nm) – with both the engines getting both the options of a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes. The Maruti WagonR starts at a price of INR 4.46 lakh.

Hyundai Santro

The most affordable car from the Hyundai’s stable in India, the Hyundai Santro too is one of the most reputed and oldest sub-brands in the Indian car market. The original tall boy hatchback from Hyundai was resurrected in 2018 and is currently in its third generation version.

The Hyundai Santro has a starting price point of INR 4.58 lakh, and gets a 1.1-litre four cylinder petrol engine. The engine, which is capable of making 69 PS of power and 99 Nm of torque, has been made available with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes.

Tata Tiago

The Tata Tiago came at the very right moment when Tata Motors was waiting for that one right product which can turn the tables in its favour. With segment best build quality and contemporary appeal, the Tata Tiago soon became a hot favorite, especially among the urban youth customers.

The Tata Tiago got its first facelift in 2020, which saw the omission of diesel variants, and now soldiers on the 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol motor. The engine makes a healthy 86 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, and is available with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT transmissions. The Tiago is the most affordable car from Tata, the prices of which start at INR 4.60 lakh.

Maruti Ignis

Maruti Suzuki has been the flag bearer of compact practical hatchbacks and the most affordable product from its NEXA sub brand of premium cars too ends up in this list. Known for its quirky styling and chic urban appeal, the Maruti Ignis carries a starting price point of INR 4.89 lakh.

The Maruti Ignis gets a 1.2-litre four cylinder petrol engine under its hood, which makes 83 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, and can be had either with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox.

Maruti Celerio X

Before the S-Presso, Maruti tried to cash in the rising interest of crossover hatchbacks with the Celerio X, which is basically a more rugged looking version of the Maruti Celerio with added body cladding, rear skid plate and bulky looking fog lamp inserts.

With a starting price point of INR 4.90 lakh, the Maruti Celerio X shares its 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine (68 PS/90 Nm) as well as transmission options of a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes with the Maruti Celerio.

Also read: 5 best sedan cars in India under INR 10 lakh - IAB Picks

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog for more featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

Launched in September 2000, the Maruti Alto has lived through two generations and is nearly two decades old now. The second generation model was launched in October 2012. In all, Maruti Suzuki has sold 39 lakh units of the Maruti Alto till date.

The Maruti Alto has been predominantly a 0.8-litre model. However, for a few years, in the second generation, there was 1.0-litre offering as well, featuring its own design and carrying a ‘K10’ suffix in the name. As there was a plan for this 1.0-litre variant, the second-gen Maruti Alto was introduced as the Maruti Alto 800. However, the company changed its name to Maruti Alto along with the mid-cycle refresh, as it planned to discontinue the K10 variant in the coming months.

The latest Maruti Alto was the first car in its segment to become BS6 compliant. It comes with the F8D 0.8-litre petrol engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. The naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine produces 35.3 kW (47.99 PS) of maximum power and 69 Nm of maximum torque. It returns a fuel economy of 22.05 km/l.

Maruti Suzuki offers the Maruti Alto in a CNG variant as well, with a bi-fuel version of the F8D engine. On switching to CNG mode, the engine’s maximum power and maximum torque reduce to 30.1 kW (40.92 PS) and 60 Nm respectively. The fuel economy rating of the CNG variant in CNG mode is 31.56 km/kg.

Also Read: BS6 Maruti Celerio CNG and BS6 Maruti Tour H2 launched

The Maruti Alto’s prices start at INR 2,94,800 (ex-showroom Delhi) and go up to INR 4,36,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

According to the report, Maruti Suzuki is developing two new entry models, codenamed ‘YNC’ and ‘Y0M’. The former, arriving in the second half of this year, will likely replace the Maruti Celerio and be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, while the latter will be launched with a new 0.8-litre three-cylinder petrol engine by the festive season next year.

Also read - Top 5 Affordable Cars Under INR 6 Lakh - Maruti, Renault and More

The report says that Maruti Suzuki is likely to decide whether to continue selling the Alto (800) closer towards the launch of the Y0M. The Alto K10 was originally launched in India back in September 2000. Having ranked no.1 in annual sales in the domestic auto market for most of its life, the budget car is probably way too popular to be discarded. So, a possibility is that the Y0M turns out to be the next-gen Alto (800).

For those of you wondering where the Maruti S-Presso fits in the picture, it’s a replacement for the Maruti Alto K10, and so, it should slot between the Maruti Y0M and the Maruti YNC.

Also Read: Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Launches in 2021: Jimny, Next-Gen Celerio & More

In other news, India is set to become the first overseas production hub for the Mk4 Jimny this year. The India-made version has been codenamed ‘YMD’ and will enter production at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant soon. Its exports will commence in May, followed by Indian launch in November. It is expected to be a longer, 5-door version. Maruti Suzuki could launch it as the next-gen Gypsy.

[Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com]