Automobile Desk: There is no direct competition between premium smartphones and four-wheelers, but when the price of a mobile reaches lakhs, then comparison is inevitable. The price of the 2TB variant of Apple's first foldable phone 'iPhone Duo', which was recently launched in the market, has been fixed at around ₹ 4.49 lakh. This amount is considered quite big for a handset. If this budget is diverted towards the automobile sector, then a new branded car can be easily bought for this much money in India.
There are many such vehicles available in the Indian automobile market in the budget of ₹ 3.5 lakh to ₹ 5 lakh, which prove to be suitable for daily commuting, low maintenance and better mileage. If a customer wants to invest in a vehicle instead of putting such a huge budget into a gadget, there are many viable options available from Maruti Suzuki, Renault and Tata Motors.
For city traffic and narrow roads, the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso stands out as a strong contender. Due to the high seating position and compact size like an SUV, it is very easy to drive. It has a 1.0-litre petrol engine, which comes with fuel-saving auto start-stop technology. Its ex-showroom price starts from ₹3.49 lakh and goes up to ₹5.27 lakh, which is less than the price of the top model of the iPhone Duo.
The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, which has long been a trusted name among middle-class families, also fits well in this price bracket. Coming with a 1.0-litre engine, this hatchback is available in both manual and automatic gearbox options. To keep running costs low, customers can also choose its CNG model. Available in the range of ₹ 3.69 lakh to ₹ 5.44 lakh (ex-showroom), this vehicle is considered to be very economical in terms of maintenance.
Renault Kwid is a good option for those who want a slightly modern look and features. Its muscular exterior, features like 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED DRLs and hill start assist make it special in the segment. With an ex-showroom price of ₹4.53 lakh to ₹5.60 lakh, this car sits very close to the budget of the iPhone Duo.
For buyers who prioritize safety and durability, switching to Tata Tiago could be a wise decision. Due to showroom discounts and offers, its base model is available for around ₹ 4.5 lakh. Apart from petrol and CNG, this vehicle is also available in automatic transmission. The starting ex-showroom price of Tiago is ₹4.70 lakh, which goes up to ₹8.55 lakh for the top variant.
In this sequence, Maruti Suzuki Celerio is also a practical hatchback, which is known for its excellent fuel efficiency. Coming with a 1.0-litre K-series engine, the Celerio has the option of an AMT gearbox for city use and a CNG variant for those traveling a lot. Its ex-showroom range is between ₹4.69 lakh to ₹6.75 lakh.
