Petrol cars in India

About Petrol Cars

Petrol vehicles are gaining paramount significance in India. Petrol cars are safe as they offer a seamless driving experience. They are easy to maintain. In addition, these cars tend to offer higher horsepower. You get better acceleration, unlike those CNG vehicles. These reasons make petrol cars immensely popular.

History of Petrol Cars

Carl Friedrich Benz was the German engine designer who first introduced the concept of automotive engineering. The Benz Patent Motorcar he invented in 1885 is the first practical modern automobile example. Today, after so many years, petrol cars have become immensely popular among car lovers.

The 1960s and 1980s witnessed the dominance of the Hindustan Ambassador and Premier Padmini. The 1970s saw a shift towards commercial vehicles. The 1973 OPEC oil crisis was a hint to the diesel engines. The 1990s brought immense growth for petrol cars. People started becoming more concerned about car interiors and features. Now, petrol cars rule the automobile industry like never before.

Petrol Cars in India

Petrol automobiles promise excellent performance and inexpensiveness. So, they remain a dominating variant in India's car industry. Modern petrol vehicles come with more fuel efficiency. They also offer less carbon emissions. Altogether, these vehicles range in various sizes (from small hatchbacks to sedans). These gasoline-powered vehicles continue to be the top choice for car lovers. 

The Popularity of Petrol Cars in India

There's been a rising prominence of EVs in India. However, despite EVs' popularity, petrol cars still hold significant value. They are fan-favourite choices among car enthusiasts. India's transformation to electric vehicles will not be an easy one. Until then, petrol cars will make new headlines. If you plan to purchase a petrol car, you must understand the various types.

Different Types of Petrol Cars

There are many types of petrol cars available based on body style and shape. Here are some of the most popular categories:

Petrol Hatchback Cars

Hatchbacks are compact and affordable cars perfect for city driving. Some petrol hatchback options are:

• Maruti Suzuki Baleno
• Hyundai i20
• Tata Altroz
• Maruti Suzuki Swift
• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Petrol Sedan Cars

Sedans provide more space than hatchbacks and have a sleek design. Popular petrol sedans include:

• Honda City
• Hyundai Verna
• Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
• Skoda Slavia
• Volkswagen Virtus

Petrol SUV Cars

SUVs offer higher ground clearance, powerful performance and space for families. Leading petrol SUV options are:

• Hyundai Creta
• Kia Seltos
• Tata Nexon
• MG Astor
• Skoda Kushaq

Petrol Crossover Cars

Crossovers mix SUV and sedan characteristics. Some petrol crossovers in India are:

• Nissan Magnite
• Renault Kiger
• Volkswagen Taigun

Petrol MPV cars

MPVs or multi-purpose vehicles provide room for 7-8 passengers. Examples of petrol MPVs are:

• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
• Maruti Suzuki XL6
• Toyota Innova Crysta
• Kia Carens

Popular Petrol Cars in India

The popular petrol vehicles available in India include the following ones.

Tata Nexon: It's an SUV with an astounding design if you are looking for a new model. Its exterior design sports a design philosophy. This car comes with excellent features under the hood. You might find this car in both automatic and manual variants. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Wondering whether to purchase the Baleno or not? The new Baleno looks different outside and has a more improved interior. It makes your driving experience more comfortable. This new Baleno only uses petrol and has a small 1.2-litre engine. You might choose the manual or automatic variant. You can find excellent colour variants. Plus, the seats and cruise control deserve special mention. It comes with six airbags and excellent controls.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios: You can rest assured of its performance and comfort. With its modern design, the sporty cascading grille in this vehicle ensures a premium aura. The appearance is further enhanced with the projector headlamps and LED DRLs. A car lover would find great fog lamps and chrome accents. Under its hood lies the 1.2-litre petrol engine. It's available in the CNG variant.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: Planning to buy Wagon R? It has become immensely popular among new car owners. The latest version looks stylish and elegant. Wagon R is regarded for its spacious interior. Car owners can expect the same with this vehicle. Plus, the engines ensure great fuel efficiency. 

Tata Tigor: Looking for a sedan? You can get Tata Tigor, which comes with spacious interiors. It's comfy to ride and does not use that much fuel. The cool design stands out and is easy to drive. This compact sedan promises excellent performance and utmost comfort.

Upcoming Petrol Cars in India

Enlisted below are the petrol vehicles set to launch in the Indian market:

• Mahindra XUV300 Facelift 2024 (Tentative launch date: March, 2024)

The Mahindra XUV300 is a subcompact SUV. It comes with new interior colour schemes. The bigger display and digital instrument cluster deserve special mention.

• Maruti Swift 2024 (Tentative launch date: March 2024)

2024’s Maruti Suzuki Swift will have a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z-series engine (petrol). It will have more power than the recent 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine's 89bhp.

• Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe (Tentative launch date: March 2024)

Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe offers elegant lines and a long wheelbase. The angles and athletic stance offer ample edge. It’s the most current milestone in the history of Mercedes-Benz. It blends comfort and innovation for a better driving experience.

• Tata Altroz Racer (Tentative launch date: March 2024)

The Tata Altroz Racer is going to be a powerful hatchback. It has the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine from Nexon. It will be available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Petrol Car Options

These are the petrol car options you can get based on different parameters:

Petrol Cars by Brand

These are some petrol cars categorised on the basis of brands:

• Tata: Tata Nexon: Rs 9.55 L to 18 L, Tata Punch: Rs. 9.83 L
• Maruti Suzuki: Baleno: Rs. 8.02 L - 11.86, Dzire: Rs. 8.04 L; Wagon R: Rs. 7.18 L 
• Hyundai: Hyundai Aura: Rs. 10.63 L; Grand i10 Nios: Rs. 8.10L; Hyundai Alcazar: Rs. 25.12L

Petrol Cars by Budget

• Under Rs. 18L: Tata Nexon: Rs. 9.67 L - 18.00 L; Tata Nexon(2020-2023): Rs. 9.55 L - 16.18 L
• Under Rs. 25 lakhs: Hyundai Alcazar: Rs. 25.12 L; Hyundai i20 N Line: Rs. 15.20 L
• Under Rs 40 lakhs: MG Hector Plus: Rs. 27.73 L; MG Hector: Rs. 25.71L; Hyundai Tucson: Rs. 36.5 L 

Petrol Cars by Transmission

The manual transmission options available across petrol car models are:

• Tata Nexon, Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Hyundai Exter, Maruti Suzuki Alto, etc.

The automatic transmission options available across petrol car models are:

• Tata Nexon, Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Venue, etc.

Petrol Cars by Seating Capacity

The following are the 5 and 7-seater petrol cars –

• 5-seater petrol cars: Tata Nexon; Suzuki Baleno; Hyundai Aura; Wagon R; Tata Altroz and more 
• 7-seater petrol cars: The 7-seater petrol cars Hyundai Alcazar, Skoda Kodiaq, Suzuki Ertiga, and more 

FAQs about Petrol Cars

1. What are the benefits of buying a petrol car?

Some benefits of petrol cars are lower maintenance costs, smoother drive, higher resale value, and better performance & pickup compared to diesel cars. Petrol cars are also less expensive to buy upfront.

2. Which companies offer the maximum options for petrol cars in India?

Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai offer the most petrol car options across various segments like hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs. Other companies with several petrol car models include Tata Motors, Toyota, Honda, Renault and Volkswagen.

3. What are the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in India?

Some of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in India are Maruti Suzuki WagonR (21.79 kmpl), Maruti Suzuki Swift (21.21 kmpl), Maruti Suzuki Baleno (20.01 kmpl), and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios (20.07 kmpl).

4. What is the ideal usage for a petrol car?

Petrol engines perform best for city driving and shorter daily commutes of up to 50 km. They are smooth and quiet and respond better to frequent start-stops. Petrol cars are ideal for buyers not driving long distances routinely.