Low maintenance cars in India

Purchasing a new car is a one-time investment. Here, 'investment' is the price you pay to buy the vehicle. But there are several other expenses after you own a car, and one of them is the maintenance costs. It is nothing but the amount of money spent on the service and repair. Hence, it's crucial to account for such expenses when buying a new car. Are you planning to buy a car? Then read on, as you may want to go through the list of low maintenance cars in India.

List of best low maintenance cars in India

Here’s the list of best low maintenance cars available in India.

List of low maintenance hatchback cars in India

Hatchbacks are popular in India due to their affordable pricing and low maintenance costs. First-time car buyers mostly prefer a hatchback due to its compact dimensions and the value for money it brings to the table. Here is the list of low maintenance hatchbacks in India.

1. Maruti Alto

Price: Rs. 3.15 lakhs to Rs. 4.82 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki is known for its affordable and low maintenance cars. The Alto is one of the best-selling cars in the country, as it is popular among first-time buyers.

Maintenance cost

Alto offers a commendable value for money due to its accessible price tag. Maruti Suzuki’s widespread sales/service network and affordable spares make the ownership experience even better.

Engine and gearbox

The Alto comes with a 0.8-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

2. Renault Kwid

Price: Rs. 4.06 lakhs to Rs. 5.51 lakhs

Renault’s entry-level offering Kwid is a crossover hatchback with design inspired by an SUV..

Maintenance cost

Despite being a small car, it sports an SUV-like exterior design that attracts a lot of buyers. Moreover, the cost of maintenance is light on the pocket with a reliable engine and low-cost spares.

Engine and gearbox

Powering the Kwid is a 0.8-litre or a 1-litre petrol engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard, while you can opt for an AMT unit with a 1-litre engine.

3. Datsun redi-GO

Price: Rs. 3.97 lakhs to Rs. 4.95 lakhs

The redi-GO belongs to the entry-level hatchback segment and rivals the likes of Alto.

Maintenance cost

The frugal engines make the redi-GO easy on the pocket when it comes to maintenance. However, the hatchback's overall design is attractive and packs a punch for the price it demands.

Engine and gearbox

The redi-GO draws power from a 0.8-litre or a 1-litre petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The bigger engine also gets an AMT transmission.

4. Maruti S-Presso

Price: Rs. 3.78 lakhs to 5.43 lakhs

The S-Presso is Maruti Suzuki’s Renault Kwid rival. It is also called a micro-SUV as it sports design elements inspired by an SUV.

Maintenance cost

The S-Presso is a budget-friendly car with high fuel economy and the least maintenance costs. The quirky styling of the cross-hatch makes it an appealing choice at this price point.

Engine and gearbox

The S-Presso comes with the tried and tested 1-litre petrol engine coupled with a 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox.

5. Maruti Celerio 

Price: Rs. 4.65 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs

The Celeiro is another popular hatchback from the stable of Maruti Suzuki.

Maintenance cost

The reliable and highly fuel-efficient engine and Maruti Suzuki’s affordable service/spares keep maintenance costs low. That’s the reason why Celerio finds a lot of buyers.

Engine and gearbox

Powering the Celerio is the same 1-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It is also available with an AMT gearbox in select trims.

List of best low maintenance automatic cars in India

Automatic cars are easy to drive, especially in cities where one has to deal with traffic congestion. Nowadays, automatic transmission cars are available at affordable prices. Here’s the list of low maintenance automatic cars in India.

1. Maruti Wagon R

Price: Rs. 4.93 lakhs to Rs. 6.45 lakhs

Wagon R is known for its tallboy design, and the new-gen model retains that image. It offers a spacious cabin, powerful engine and automatic gearbox options.

Maintenance cost

Low service cost and high mileage make it one of the economical automatic cars in the market.

Engine and gearbox

Wagon R comes with two engine options: 1-litre petrol and 1.2-litre petrol engine. Both the engines are mated to an AMT gearbox. Maruti Suzuki also offers the manual variant of the hatchback.

2.  Hyundai Santro

Price: Rs. 4.76 lakhs to Rs. 6.44 lakhs

Santro is a famous moniker in the Indian automobile market. The new avatar of the Santro has retained the essence of the previous iteration with its tallboy design.

Maintenance cost

It is a practical and low maintenance car, and most first-time buyers will find it a value for money vehicle.

Engine and gearbox

Hyundai offers the Santro with a 1.1-litre petrol engine mated to an AMT or 5-speed manual gearbox. AMT is the best choice if you are looking for an affordable automatic hatchback.

3. Maruti Swift

Price: Rs. 5.85 lakhs to 8.53 lakhs

Maruti Swift is a car that revolutionised the hatchback segment in India. The car features a sporty exterior and offers peppy performance.

Maintenance cost

The new avatar of the Swift remains to be an excellent budget-friendly car due to Maruti Suzuki’s reliable engine and low-cost service and spares.

Engine and gearbox

Currently, the Swift is available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine coupled with an AMT or 5-speed manual transmission.

4. New Hyundai Grand i10

Price: Rs. 5.28 lakhs to Rs. 8.50 lakhs

The new Grand i10 Nios is a replacement for the popular i10 hatchback.

Maintenance cost

Despite the overhaul of the design and mechanicals, the Grand i10 Nios is a vehicle with low maintenance costs.

Engine and gearbox

On the mechanical front, the hatchback gets petrol and diesel engine options, both 1.2-litre units, and a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Transmission options include an AMT or 5-speed manual gearbox. The 1-litre engine gets only a 5-speed manual gearbox.

5. Tata Tiago

Price: Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 7.05 lakhs

Tiago is one of the safest automatic hatchbacks in the country, with 4-star safety ratings in the Global NCAP crash tests. Despite being an affordable car, Tata Motors has not cut costs on the safety front.

Maintenance cost

The fuel-efficient engine and low maintenance cost make it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a compact hatchback.

Engine and gearbox

The Tiago is available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to an AMT or 5-speed manual gearbox.

List of top low maintenance sedan cars in India

Sedans are large in dimensions when compared to hatchback cars. They also come with powerful engines. Generally, sedans are expensive to maintain. But that’s not the case with every vehicle. Here are some of the sedans in India that are light on pocket for maintenance expenses.

1. Maruti Dzire

Price: Rs. 5.99 lakhs to Rs. 9.08 lakhs

Dzire is a compact sedan that is based on the Swift hatchback.

Maintenance cost

Despite being a sedan, it is light on maintenance costs due to Maruti Suzuki’s affordable service packages and spare parts. Fuel efficient and reliable engine also helps in bringing down the maintenance expenses.

Engine and gearbox

Powering the Dzire is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that comes mated to a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox.

2. Hyundai Aura

Price: Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 9.36 lakhs

The Aura compact sedan is based on the Grand i10 Nios hatchback.

Maintenance cost

The diesel variant of the Aura is one of the most fuel-efficient diesel cars in India. That makes it economical to maintain, and Hyundai’s affordable after-sales service also helps in that regard.

Engine and gearbox

Hyundai has equipped the Aura with 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre diesel engine. Both the engines can be had with a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. Hyundai also offers a 1-litre petrol engine coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission.

3. Honda Amaze

Price: Rs. 6.32 lakhs to Rs. 11.15 lakhs

Amaze is a sedan designed for the Indian market. The compact sedan comes loaded with premium features, and that makes it an appealing vehicle.

Maintenance cost

The Japanese automaker has ensured that it delivers punchy performance and is economical at the same time. The reliable Honda engine also plays its part in the low maintenance costs of the Amaze.

Engine and gearbox

Honda Amaze is available with 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both the engines are coupled with a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox.

Note: All prices mentioned in this article are ex-showroom (Delhi)

Also, read: 10 Low Maintenance SUVs in India

List of best low maintenance luxury cars in India

Here’s the list of low maintenance luxury cars available in India.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about low maintenance cars in India.

Which car has the lowest maintenance cost in India?

Maruti Alto has the lowest maintenance cost in India. It is also one of the best-selling cars in the country. Maruti Suzuki’s affordable service and low-cost spare parts make Alto a low maintenance car.

What does a car maintenance cost include?

The maintenance cost of a vehicle includes regular service, any repair work and spare parts (if the components are replaced).

Do sedans have higher maintenance costs than hatchbacks?

Yes, hatchbacks are easy to maintain due to their compact dimensions and less complex mechanicals. Whereas sedans are larger in dimensions, and hence, the wear and tear are pronounced. Thus, the cost of maintenance increases.

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