Inflation is touching new heights day by day, especially in the case of automobiles. Gone are the days when you could own a new entry level hatchback car for roughly around 3 lakhs. Thanks to the long list of features, safety standards, inflation and BS6 norms that the car manufacturing companies have to follow. Now if you want to own an entry level hatchback with decent amount of features, you will have to empty your pocket by around 5 lakhs. In this article you will find out the best cars under 5 lakhs that you can buy.

There are not many car options available in this particular segment but they are enough to confuse you. Not many companies have their offerings in this segment and only 3 companies seem to show interest in this particular segment. And these are Maruti Suzuki, Renault and Datsun. To help you decide which one should you buy, we have made a comparison of the options available. And we are here to tell you which one provides the value for money proposition and which particular model of which car you should opt for.

Comparison Factors:

For the comparison, we have considered certain factors:

• Looks: It is one of the most important factors everywhere in the world, Humans by nature are attracted to the things that please their eyes. So in order to secure a higher position a car must have good and fresh looking exterior as well as interior.
• Features: It is 2021 and there are some must have features that a car should include to be a modern car.
• Space: The car should be spacious enough to accommodate an average built adult at both in front and at rear as well. Also the boot space (dicky) should be large enough to accommodate at least the weekend getaway luggage.
• Average: Kitna Deti Hai? Since the petrol prices are touching sky, it should provide a decent average so that it does not pinch you every time you take it to petrol filling station.
• City Drivability and comfort: Bumper to bumper traffic is not limited to mega cities now-a-days. Since you will be using the car in bumper to bumper city traffic, the car should be easy to drive and maneuver in the city traffic. Also the car should be comfortable for other passengers as well.
• Cost: Cost of buying the car as well as cost of maintaining it should be low.

So without wasting much time, let’s start with the comparison.

3) Datsun redi-GO

Looks:

Datsun redi-GO has failed to make its mark ever since it was launched in the Indian market. Now the new redi-GO is here in its BS6 avatar to change that. The new redi-GO comes with a bold front look that looks muscular because of the large octagonal grill in front. It retains that tall boy stance and in fact is the tallest of the lot and also has the highest ground clearance of the lot.

Inside of the cabin also looks good. There is dual tone treatment in the cabin which looks good and modern. It also has a large 8inches touch screen infotainment system that gives it a modern feel.

Space:

Like other entry level hatchbacks, space is a scarcity in redi-GO. It is just enough to accommodate 4 average built adults. And if you plan to take it for a long route, which we do not recommend, it is not going to be comfortable. Boot space (dicky) of redi-GO is 222Litres, which is not the best in its segment but also not the least.

Features:

We have taken the T Option and 1.0 T Option variant of the Datsun redi-GO. One is powered by 0.8L engine and another is powered by 1.0L engine respectively. They are the top most manual variants available of redi-GO and they fit right under the budget of 5 lakhs. These variant get most of the must have features but also miss out on some of the important features. They get basic features like air conditioner, ABS, driver and passenger airbags, keyless entry, power front windows, parking sensor at rear and an 8inch touch screen infotainment system. But it does not get the navigation system.

Average:

Datsun redi-GO T Option variant claims an ARAI certified mileage of 20.7kmpl. But you can expect an overall mileage of around 17kmpl. And Datsun redi-GO 1.0 T Option variant claims an ARAI certified mileage of 21.7kmpl. But you can expect an overall mileage of around 18kmpl.

City Drivability and Comfort:

Datsun redi-GO T Option variant is powered by a 799cc engine. Which produces a maximum power of around 53.64bhp and a maximum torque of 72Nm. And Datsun redi-GO 1.0 T Option variant is powered by a 999cc engine. Which produces a maximum power of around 67.05bhp and a maximum torque of 91Nm. It is one the most powerful car in its segment. And we recommend to go for the 1.0L option. The 1.0L engine is powerful enough and is very easy to drive in the city traffic.

Cost:

Datsun redi-GO T Option variant is priced at 4.2 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and costs around 4.6 lakhs on-road Delhi. Datsun redi-GO 1.0 T Option variant is priced at 4.48 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and costs around 4.9 lakhs on-road Delhi. Because of the limited reach of Datsun in India and uncertainty over its future performance, redi-GO comes at number 3 on our list. However it offers a very good overall package. Therefore it is one of the best cars under 5 lakhs that is available in the Indian market right now.

2) Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Looks:

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has been in the top of the most sold cars list ever since it was launched. It was and is one of the cheapest cars available in India. Look of the car is still basic, which lacks the feel of fresh and modern looks. It has been a long time that we are seeing this look and design on the roads. And it has started feeling outdated.

However things changes when you step inside the cabin. It has nice dual tone treatment and thanks to the 7 inch infotainment system, interior of the Alto 800 does look somewhat modern.

Space:

Since it is entry level hatchback or you can say a micro hatchback, space is a scarcity in Alto 800. It is just enough to accommodate 4 average built adults. And if you plan to take it for a long route, which we do not recommend, it is not going to be comfortable. Boot space(dicky) of Alto 800 is only 177Litres, which is lowest in its segment.

Features:

We have taken the VXI+ variant of the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, because it is the top most variant available of Alto 800. And it fits right under the budget of INR 5 lakhs. This variant gets most of the must have features but also misses out on some of the important features. It gets basic features like air conditioner, ABS, driver and passenger airbags, keyless entry, power front windows, parking sensor at rear and a 7inch touch screen infotainment system. But it does not get the navigation system, gear shift indicator and a rear camera.

Average:

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 claims an ARAI certified mileage of 22.05kmpl. But you can expect an overall mileage of around 18-19kmpl.

City Drivability and Comfort:

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is powered by a 796cc engine. Which produces a maximum power of around 47.3bhp and a maximum torque of 69Nm. It is the least powerful car in its segment but it does not disappoint in real world and you will hardly feel any difference. The clutch of Alto 800 is not much on the harder side. The steering is also not much on the harder side and the gear box too does not require much effort to use. This makes it easy to drive in the city traffic. The suspension setup is on the lighter side and you will not feel much of those small jerks on a bad road as long as you maintain a slow speed.

Cost:

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is priced at 2.99 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi for its base model. And goes all the way up to 4.48 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi for its CNG fitted top model.

The model that we have taken into consideration in this comparison is VXI+, which is top model for petrol only option. It is priced at 4.03 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and costs around 4.46 lakhs on-road Delhi. It is one of the cheapest cars available in the market. But since it misses out on some of the important features and loses some point on the looks department, it comes at number 2 on our list. But the assurance of wide spread network of Maruti Suzuki service centers and the low cost of Alto 800 still makes it a very good overall package. Therefore it is one of the best cars under 5 lakhs that is available in the Indian market right now.

1) Renault Kwid

Looks:

Renault Kwid made its mark in the Indian market ever since it was launched. Following the growing popularity of compact SUVs in India, Renault has tried to give it a SUVish look with its headlight positioning and with a little tall boy stance. And boy it looks amazing. It is a bold looking entry level hatchback. And of course looks better than its competitor.

Inside of the cabin also looks great. There is all black treatment in the cabin with some blue highlights in some Neotech versions. The cabin looks good and modern. It also has a large 8inches touch screen infotainment system and all digital instrument console that gives it a modern feel. It is the smartest looking cabin as compared to its competitor.

Space:

Since it is an entry level hatchback, space is one department where you can’t complain. It is just enough to accommodate 4 average built adults. And of course we will not recommend you to take it on long trips. Boot space (dicky) of Kwid is 279Litres, which is the best in its segment.

Features:

We have taken the RXT and 1.0 Neotech variant of the Renault Kwid. One is powered by 0.8L engine and another is powered by 1.0L engine respectively. RXT is the top most manual variant available of Kwid in 0.8L engine. And 1.0 Neotech is middle variant available of Kwid in 1.0L engine with manual transmission and they fit right under the budget of INR 5 lakhs. These variant get most of the must have features but also miss out on some of the important features. They get basic features like air conditioner, ABS, driver airbags, keyless entry, power front windows, parking sensor at rear, navigation system and a 7inch touch screen infotainment system.

But there is one thing to note that Renault has not given the passenger airbag in both these variants. We do not know what Renault was thinking but Driver and passenger airbags should be provided as standard in all of the variants.

Average:

Renault Kwid RXT variant claims an ARAI certified mileage of 22.3kmpl. But you can expect an overall mileage of around 18-19kmpl. And Renault Kwid 1.0 Neotech variant claims an ARAI certified mileage of 21.7kmpl. But you can expect an overall mileage of around 17-18kmpl.

City Drivability and Comfort:

Renault Kwid RXt variant is powered by a 799cc engine. Which produces a maximum power of around 53.26bhp and a maximum torque of 72Nm. And Datsun Renault Kwid 1.0 Neotech variant is powered by a 999cc engine. Which produces a maximum power of around 67bhp and a maximum torque of 91Nm. It is one the most powerful and one of the best cars under INR 5 lakhs that you can buy. And we recommend to go for the 1.0l option. The 1.0l engine is powerful enough and is very easy to drive in the city traffic. And Kwid offers a nice and comfortable ride in the city.

Cost:

Renault Kwid RXT variant is priced at 4.42 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and costs around 4.87 lakhs on-road Delhi. Renault Kwid 1.0 Neotech variant is priced at 4.51 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and costs around 4.95 lakhs on-road Delhi. Because of its bold futuristic look and design, feature loaded list and a strong engine option choice, Kwid comes at number 1 on our list. It offers a very good overall package that is very hard to match. Therefore it is one of the best cars under 5 lakhs that you can buy in the Indian market right now.

So these are the best cars under 5 Lakhs in 2021 that are available in the market right now. Lets look at the comparison table below to understand which car gets what.

If you want to update to bigger car you can check the Best SUVs in India in 2021. Base model of these SUVs are quite cheap and you do not have to over stretch our budget.

If you still have some doubts or questions or have a valuable suggestion for us, please feel free to comment below.

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