10 best cars for Indian roads: Learn more about top choices

Published on 21 Mar, 2022, 9:19 AM IST

Updated on 2 May, 2024, 6:59 AM IST

Team Ackodrive

14 min read

Interesting Articles

Road conditions in India present a variety of challenges for drivers. You may come across heavy traffic, negligence towards traffic rules, and some of the worst road conditions while driving. Probably, that’s why Indian buyers look for cars that can handle these challenging road conditions. Luckily, many manufacturers offer cars that are aligned with the requirements of an Indian buyer.

To help you find the best car for Indian roads, we have prepared a list of top models.

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Contents

Best cars for Indian roads: how should you choose?

Before we get to the list, you should know how to choose the best cars for Indian roads. There are six major parameters under which you should judge a car model.

Easy handling: Driving in heavy traffic will be easier with an automatic car having features like cruise control, parking sensors, etc.
Mileage: Whether it is your everyday or long drives, you would want to have a car that offers good fuel efficiency.
Cushy suspension: The suspension should be able to absorb the force while driving over bumps, potholes and speed breakers.
Ground clearance: Your car must provide enough ground clearance to avoid damage while driving on uneven roads. High ground clearance also helps to drive during the rainy season or while driving on mountain roads.
Vehicle size: The size of your car decides your access to dense areas and narrow streets. If you frequently drive in narrow streets of your city, then a smaller car would make more sense.
Safety: You would want a car with essential safety features for protection in case an unfortunate incident occurs while driving.

10 best cars to drive on Indian roads

Based on the above-mentioned factors, we have curated a list of some of the best cars you can choose from. So, here are the 10 cars best-suited for Indian roads as of March 2022.

Model	Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)	Body type	Mileage	Boot space
Renault Kwid	Rs. 4.24 lakhs to Rs. 5.70 lakhs	Hatchback	20.71 kmpl to 22 kmpl	279 litres
Renault Triber	Rs. 5.69 lakhs to Rs. 8.25 lakhs	MUV	18.29 kmpl to 19 kmpl	84 litres
Maruti Dzire	Rs. 6.09 lakhs to Rs. 9.13 lakhs	Sedan	23.26 kmpl to 24.12 kmpl	378 litres
Tata Nexon	Rs. 7.39 lakhs to Rs. 13.73 lakhs	SUV	16 kmpl to 22.4 kmpl	350 litres
Maruti Vitara Brezza	Rs. 7.69 lakhs to Rs. 11.34 lakhs	SUV	17.03 kmpl to 18.76 kmpl	328 litres
Renault Duster	Rs. 9.86 lakhs to Rs. 14.25 lakhs	SUV	14.19 kmpl to 16.5 kmpl	475 litres
Hyundai Creta	Rs. 10.23 lakhs to Rs. 17.94 lakhs	SUV	17 kmpl to 21 kmpl	433 litres
Honda City	Rs. 11.23 lakhs to Rs. 15.18 lakhs	Sedan	17.8 kmpl to 24.1 kmpl	506 litres
MG Hector	Rs. 13.94 lakhs to Rs. 19.90 lakhs	SUV	13.96 kmpl to 17.41 kmpl	587 litres
Toyota Innova Crysta	Rs. 17.30 lakhs to Rs. 25.32 lakhs	MUV	10.2 kmpl to 15.6 kmpl	300 litres

1. Renault Kwid

Price: Rs. 4.24 lakhs to Rs. 5.70 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the key technical specifications of the Kwid from Renault.

Parameters	Details
Engine	0.8-litre/1-litre
Fuel type	Petrol
Power	53.26 bhp @ 5600 rpm (for 0.8-litre petrol), 67 bhp @ 5500 rpm (for 1-litre petrol)
Torque	72 Nm @ 4250 rpm (for 0.8-litre petrol), 91 Nm @ 4250 rpm (for 1-litre petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual/5-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	20.71 kmpl to 22 kmpl
Body type	Hatchback
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Renault Kwid

The Renault Kwid is a 5-seater hatchback.
The features and drive quality align with Indian road conditions.
You can have this hatchback with automatic transmission.
It offers a decent ground clearance of 184 mm.

Also, read: What is RPM in cars?

2. Renault Triber

Price: Rs. 5.69 lakhs to Rs. 8.25 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Renault Triber.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1-litre
Fuel type	Petrol
Power	71 bhp @ 6250 rpm
Torque	96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Transmission	5-speed manual/5-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	18.29 kmpl to 19 kmpl
Body type	MUV
Seating capacity	7

Highlights of the Renault Triber

The Triber is a 7-seater MUV (Multi-utility Vehicle) from Renault.
The car has a 4-star Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) safety rating.
It is available with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).
The Triber has a ground clearance of 182 mm.

3. Maruti Dzire

Price: Rs. 6.09 lakhs to Rs. 9.13 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Maruti Dzire.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.2-litre
Fuel type	Petrol
Power	88.50 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	113 Nm @ 4400 rpm
Transmission	5-speed manual/5-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	23.26 kmpl to 24.12 kmpl
Body type	Sedan
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Maruti Dzire

The Dzire is a 5-seater sedan from Maruti Suzuki.
This car impresses with its refined engine that delivers excellent mileage.
Driving the Dzire feels really comfortable due to its segment-above features.
This sedan offers a ground clearance of 170 mm.

4. Tata Nexon

Price: Rs. 7.39 lakhs to Rs. 13.73 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Tata Nexon.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel
Power	118.36 bhp @ 5500 rpm (for 1.2-litre petrol), 108.5 bhp @ 4000 rpm (for 1.5-lite diesel)
Torque	170 Nm @ 1750-4000 rpm (for 1.2-litre petrol), 260 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm (for 1.5-litre diesel)
Transmission	6-speed manual/6-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	16 kmpl to 22.4 kmpl
Body type	SUV
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Tata Nexon

The Nexon is a 5-seater SUV (Sport-utility Vehicle) from Tata Motors.
It is an attractive car that feels easy to drive.
The 5-star rating from Global NCAP indicates the quality of safety features.
The ground clearance of 209 mm makes it suitable for rough road conditions.

5. Maruti Vitara Brezza

Price: Rs. 7.69 lakhs to Rs. 11.34 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Maruti Vitara Brezza.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.5-litre
Fuel type	Petrol
Power	103.26 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	138 Nm @ 4400 rpm
Transmission	5-speed manual/5-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	17.03 kmpl to 18.76 kmpl
Body type	SUV
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Maruti Vitara Brezza

The Vitara Brezza is a spacious 5-seater SUV from Maruti Suzuki.
It has excellent suspension for a smooth drive over potholes and bumps on the road.
The petrol engine mated to an automatic gearbox feels smooth and makes the car fun to drive.
The ground clearance is 198 mm, which allows the driver to easily cross rough road terrains.

6. Renault Duster

Price: Rs. 9.86 lakhs to Rs. 14.25 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Renault Duster.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.3-litre/1.4-litre
Fuel type	Petrol
Power	153.866 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	254 Nm @ 1600 rpm
Transmission	6-speed manual/6-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	14.19 kmpl to 16.5 kmpl
Body type	SUV
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Renault Duster

The Renault Duster is one of the most powerful 5-seater compact SUVs in India.
It offers a fantastic driving experience on broken and bad roads.
You can have this SUV with the convenience of an automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox.
The ground clearance of the Duster is 205 mm, well-suited for bad road conditions.

7. Hyundai Creta

Price: Rs. 10.23 lakhs to Rs. 17.94 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Hyundai Creta.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.4-litre/1.5-litre
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel
Power	138.08 bhp @ 6000 rpm (for 1.4-litre petrol), 113.42 bhp @ 4000 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 113.42 bhp @ 4000 rpm (for 1.5-litre diesel)
Torque	242 Nm @ 1500-3200 rpm (for 1.4-litre petrol), 143.8 Nm @ 4500 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol)
Transmission	6-speed manual/6-speed automatic/7-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	17 kmpl to 21 kmpl
Body type	SUV
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Hyundai Creta

Hyundai’s Creta is one of the most feature-loaded 5-seater compact SUVs.
It is a comfortable, spacious and easy-to-drive car in cities and highways.
You get multiple engines and gearbox combinations to choose from.
The ground clearance of the Creta is 190 mm.

8. Honda City

Price: Rs. 11.23 lakhs to Rs. 15.18 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Honda City.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.5-litre
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel
Power	119.35 bhp @ 6600 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 97.89 bhp @ 3600 rpm (for 1.5-litre diesel)
Torque	145 Nm @ 4300 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 200 Nm @ 1750 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol)
Transmission	6-speed manual/7-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	17.8 kmpl to 24.1 kmpl
Body type	Sedan
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the Honda City

The Honda City is a fun-to-drive 5-seater sedan.
It has a spacious cabin with better knee room in rear seats than many of the rival models.
Driving in traffic feels effortless with its well-tuned CVT automatic gearbox.
You get a decent ground clearance of 165 mm in this car.

9. MG Hector

Price: Rs. 13.94 lakhs to Rs. 19.90 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the MG Hector.

Parameters	Details
Engine	1.5-litre/2-litre
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel
Power	141 bhp @ 5000 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 167.68 bhp @ 3750 rpm (for 2-litre diesel)
Torque	250 Nm @ 1600-3600 rpm (for 1.5-litre petrol), 350 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm (for 2-litre diesel)
Transmission	6-speed manual/6-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	13.96 kmpl to 17.41 kmpl
Body type	SUV
Seating capacity	5

Highlights of the MG Hector

The MG Hector is a burly-looking 5-seater SUV.
The 18-inch large wheels make it easier to drive through potholes, bumps, etc.
You can have the Hector with DCT (Dual-clutch transmission) or CVT gearbox options.
The ground clearance of 192 mm adds to the ease of driving over rough terrains.

10. Toyota Innova Crysta

Price: Rs. 17.30 lakhs to Rs. 25.32 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the technical details of the Toyota Innova Crysta.

Parameters	Details
Engine	2.4-litre/2.7-litre
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel
Power	148 bhp @ 3400 rpm (for 2.4-litre diesel), 163.60 bhp @ 5200 rpm (for 2.7-litre petrol)
Torque	360 Nm @ 1400-2600 rpm (for 2.4-litre diesel), 245 Nm @ 4000 rpm (for 2.7-litre petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual/6-speed automatic
Fuel efficiency	10.2 kmpl to 15.6 kmpl
Body type	MUV
Seating capacity	7 to 8

Highlights of the Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is an 8-seater MUV.
It is a large and attractive car designed to deliver a quality driving experience.
An automatic transmission option is available with both Petrol and Diesel engines.
The car has 178 mm of ground clearance, perfectly suitable for Indian roads.

Best city cars in India

Here is a list of some of the best city cars in India.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Tata Tiago	Rs. 5.19 lakhs to Rs. 7.64 lakhs	Hatchback	19.8 kmpl to 23.84 kmpl	168 mm
Maruti Wagon R	Rs. 5.39 lakhs to Rs. 7.10 lakhs	Hatchback	20.52 kmpl to 32.52 kmpl	165 mm
Maruti Swift	Rs. 5.90 lakhs to Rs. 8.77 lakhs	Hatchback	23.2 kmpl to 23.76 kmpl	170 mm
Tata Altroz	Rs. 5.99 lakhs to Rs. 9.99 lakhs	Hatchback	19.05 kmpl to 25.11 kmpl	165 mm
Maruti Baleno	Rs. 6.35 lakhs to Rs. 9.49 lakhs	Hatchback	22.35 kmpl to 22.94 kmpl	170 mm
Hyundai i20	Rs. 6.98 lakhs to Rs. 11.48 lakhs	Hatchback	19.65 kmpl to 25.2 kmpl	170 mm

Best car for rough roads in India

If you are looking for the best car for rough roads in India, these are a few more excellent choices.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Tata Punch	Rs. 5.64 lakhs to Rs. 9.18 lakhs	SUV	18.82 kmpl to 18.97 kmpl	187 mm
Hyundai Venue	Rs. 6.99 lakhs to Rs. 11.87 lakhs	SUV	17.52 kmpl to 23.4 kmpl	190 mm
Maruti Ertiga	Rs. 8.12 lakhs to Rs. 10.85 lakhs	MUV	18 kmpl to 19 kmpl	185 mm
Kia Seltos	Rs. 9.95 lakhs to Rs. 18.19 lakhs	SUV	16.1 kmpl to 20.83 kmpl	190 mm

Also, read: Best Off Road Cars in India

Best sports cars for Indian roads

You can also choose one of the best supercars for Indian roads. The best sports cars in India include the following.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Jaguar F-Type	Rs. 98.13 lakhs to Rs. 1.48 crores	Coupe	9.3 kmpl to 12.35 kmpl	100 mm
BMW 8 Series	Rs. 1.32 crores to Rs. 2.18 crores	Coupe	11.3 kmpl	128 mm
Nissan GT-R	Rs. 2.12 crores	Coupe	8.47 kmpl	110 mm
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT	Rs. 2.71 crores	Coupe	8.06 kmpl	125 mm

Best luxury cars for Indian roads

If you wish to buy a luxury car suitable for Indian roads, the following options will be good choices.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Audi A4	Rs. 39.99 lakhs to Rs. 47.90 lakhs	Sedan	17.42 kmpl	160 mm
Volvo XC40	Rs. 43.25 lakhs	SUV	14.49 kmpl	211 mm
Mercedes-Benz GLA	Rs. 44 lakhs to Rs. 48.10 lakhs	SUV	13.7 kmpl to 17.9 kmpl	183 mm
Land Rover Discovery Sport	Rs. 65.30 lakhs to Rs. 67.95 lakhs	SUV	10.53 kmpl to 13.17 kmpl	212 mm

Also, read: Top 10 low maintenance luxury cars in India

Best car for mountain driving in India

You can trust one of the following cars for mountain driving in India.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Mahindra Bolero	Rs. 8.99 lakhs to Rs. 9.99 lakhs	SUV	16.7 kmpl	180 mm
Mahindra Thar	Rs. 13.17 lakhs to Rs. 15.53 lakhs	SUV	15.2 kmpl	226 mm
Force Gurkha	Rs. 14.10 lakhs	SUV	17 kmpl	210 mm
Jeep Wrangler	Rs. 56.35 lakhs to Rs. 60.35 lakhs	SUV	12.1 kmpl	217 mm

Best SUV for Indian road

Look at the following list to pick your best SUV for Indian roads.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Renault Kiger	Rs. 5.79 lakhs to Rs. 10.22 lakhs	SUV	19.03 kmpl to 20.53 kmpl	205 mm
Kia Sonet	Rs. 6.95 lakhs to Rs. 13.69 lakhs	SUV	18.2 kmpl to 24.1 kmpl	211 mm
Mahindra XUV700	Rs. 12.95 lakhs to Rs. 23.79 lakhs	SUV	16.5 kmpl to 19 kmpl	200 mm
Tata Safari	Rs.14.99 lakhs to Rs. 23.29 lakhs	SUV	14.08 kmpl to 16.14 kmpl	205 mm
Toyota Fortuner	Rs. 31.39 lakhs to Rs. 43.43 lakhs	SUV	10 kmpl to 14.4 kmpl	221 mm

Best mileage cars in India

Below are some of the best mileage cars in India.

Model	Price	Body type	Mileage	Ground clearance
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios	Rs. 5.29 lakhs to Rs. 8.51 lakhs	Hatchback	18.9 kmpl to 25 kmpl	165 mm
Tata Altroz	Rs. 5.99 lakhs to Rs. 9.99 lakhs	Hatchback	19.05 kmpl to 25.11 kmpl	165 mm
Hyundai Aura	Rs. 5.99 lakhs to Rs. 9.37 lakhs	Sedan	20 to 28 kmpl	165 mm
Honda Amaze	Rs. 6.38 lakhs to Rs. 11.21 lakhs	Sedan	18.3 kmpl to 24.7 kmpl	170 mm
Hyundai i20	Rs. 6.98 lakhs to Rs. 11.48 lakhs	Hatchback	19.65 kmpl to 25.2 kmpl	170 mm

Note:

All prices mentioned in this article are ex-showroom, Delhi.
The fuel efficiency/mileage for car models is as per the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Frequently asked questions

Here are more questions answered to help you pick your perfect car for Indian roads.

Which cars can I choose from for village roads in India?

You should think about the width and surface conditions of the roads while choosing a car. Keeping that in mind, you can buy one of the following cars for village roads.

Tata Tiago
Maruti Swift
Mahindra Bolero
Hyundai i20

Which are the best small cars for Indian roads?

For Indian roads, you can buy one of the following small cars.

Maruti Swift
Tata Tiago
Maruti Wagon R
Tata Altroz

Which car would be perfect for daily use in India?

Renault Kwid is considered one of the best choices for everyday city use. It has a compact size, smooth powertrain, and segment-above features to make daily use comfortable. Apart from that, you can buy the Renault Triber, Honda City, Maruti Swift, etc.

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making a decision. ACKO Drive is not responsible for any action taken based on the information mentioned here.

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