Buying A Small Car This Diwali? These Are The Top 5 Pocket Rockets Under 10 Lakh…

With Diwali approaching and the government rolling out new GST 2.0 reforms, there has been no better time to pick up your own set of four wheels, especially for driving enthusiasts. But what if you don’t have a large budget? Fret not, here are our top 5 cars which will put a smile on your face, all priced under 10 lakhs!

Skoda Kylaq: Polo Nostalgia?

Priced from Rs 7.55 lakh (ex-showroom)

If you thought Skoda’s smallest SUV might be compromised, think again! Despite the affordable price tag, the Czech carmaker has ensured that the Kylaq has every bit the DNA of a real Skoda. Powered by a rev-happy 1-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine making 115PS of power with a slick 6-speed manual and a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission, the Kylaq is an absolute delight to drive. The taut chassis and quick steering response also make it unusually fun around the corners for a tall crossover. 

The Kylaq gets a lot of goodies too, including an electric sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, cruise control and wireless charger. Safety is guaranteed with a 5-star BNCAP crash test rating, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system and a reverse camera. 

Citroen C3 X: Tiny Turbo!

Priced from Rs 8.34 lakh (ex-showroom) for the C3 X Turbo variant

Citroen is known to make some stylish and unique-looking cars across the globe, and the C3 X continues with the theme. The small car looks unlike anything else on the road with bold colour options, upright stance and X-shaped DRLs. However, the C3 X also excels when it comes to the driving experience, especially with variants equipped with the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine. Putting out about 110PS of power, the locomotive-like pull it generates when the turbo kicks in is absolutely addictive. It can, however, at the same time be a great cruiser on the highway too, with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox options. Its famed ride quality can handle bad and good roads effortlessly, which makes it ideal for our road conditions.

Feature-wise, the recently-launched C3 X variant of the car also gives it the equipment to go up against other rivals, and it gets features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, keyless entry and go, auto climate control, cruise control and projector headlamps. Safety-wise, the C3X is equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and a 360-degree camera. 

Hyundai i20 N-Line: Korean Kimchi

Priced from Rs 9.14 lakh (ex-showroom)

Hyundai’s i20 has always come in with all guns blazing. And the sportier N-Line version does it too. Unlike the regular i20, however, N-Line gets powered by a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine making 120 PS of power. This can be had with a crisp 6-speed manual transmission or a lightning-quick 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. It also retains the plus points of the premium hatchback, like the rich feeling interiors, low NVH levels and all the technology, while at the same time adds a dash of sportiness with a stiffer suspension setup, quick steering and a sportier exhaust note along with more flashy exterior bits to boot.

Being a Hyundai, it comes loaded with features such as a voice-enabled electric sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, 7-speaker Bose sound system, digital instrument cluster, paddleshifters (in DCT variants), ambient lighting and wireless charger. Safety is taken care of by 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, reverse camera, hill hold assist and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Maruti Swift: Good ol’ Fun

Priced from Rs 5.79 lakh (ex-showroom) 

The Maruti Swift has long been a template of the enthusiastic sporty hatchback in the Indian market, and more than two decades after launch, the latest fourth-generation car takes the legacy forward. The Swift still looks the part with a clamshell bonnet, large headlamps and a stubby front-end. Configure it with the dual-tone black roof, and it undeniably speaks deeply to the boy-racer in you. Under the hood is a new 1.2-litre petrol engine making 82 PS of power, which, while not as sporty as before, can still outdo most other cars on the road. You can have this engine with a sporty 5-speed manual transmission or a convenient 5-speed AMT, too.  However, the party piece of the Swift is its suspension setup, which still continues to impress over bad roads and even while cornering to deliver smiles at a flick of the steering. 

It is also as practical as a small hatch gets with equipment such as a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, wireless charger, auto climate control and projector LED headlamps. Safety features in the Swift include 6 airbags, a reverse camera, electronic stability program and hill hold assist. 

Mahindra XUV3XO: RevX

Priced from Rs 7.28 lakh (ex-showroom)

Mahindra’s subcompact SUV, the XUV 3XO, has set the sales charts on fire! In true Mahindra style, it offers everything you would want and then some more. And this story continues when on the road. With a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine making 112PS of power, it offers a superb power-to-price ratio. This engine can even be had with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox. For the dieselheads out there, there is also a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 117 PS of power, with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT transmission to add convenience. Both of these powertrains offer quick and powerful performance, with the diesel even going one step further with phenomenal fuel efficiency. The XUV 3XO also has mature driving dynamics, which inspires a lot of confidence for the driver during high-speed cornering or even in emergency situations, making it very enjoyable to drive. 

Mahindra has loaded the XUV 3XO with an equipment list which includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 7-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and ventilated seats. Notably, the XUV 3XO has scored 5 stars in the BNCAP crash tests and gets safety features like 6 airbags, a Level 2 ADAS suite, all-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, and a 360-degree camera, making it one of the safest options at this price point. You can also check out the new REVX variants of the XUV 3XO which offer a more value-for-money package at lower prices. 

BONUS: Lord Alto K10

One of the richest automotive legacies of this country belongs to the famed Maruti Alto K10. Quite literally, it put the nation on four wheels and has been the quintessential first car for most middle-class buyers out there. 

But who said it has to be boring? The Alto K10’s chuckability, abuse-friendly nature and a sweet high-revving engine can make grown men giggle like children. And the best part? With simple mechanicals underneath, Maruti’s massive service network and dirt-cheap spare parts, you can have all of the fun without any of the guilt. 

Drive it sanely, and it offers impressive fuel efficiency, too. No wonder then, that it is fondly called Lord Alto because it does so much with so little and keeps on running no matter what. Land Cruiser who?

ZigSays…

With cars getting more expensive, complex and tech-laden, it has become a bit more difficult these days to find a fun-to-drive car on a tight budget. That said, it is encouraging to see a few carmakers still focusing on the smiles-per-mile figure rather than kilometre-per-litre and giving first-time buyers a taste of fun on the road. 

While all these may not offer the same type of fun, they can put a smile on your face in their own ways, which is what sets them apart from other budget cars in the segment.

Which is your favourite car on this list? Let us know in the comments below!