We live in confusing times. If you are a person looking to buy a new car for around Rs 15-16 lakh (on-road), you will have a sea of options to choose from, and will eventually end up getting confused between them. This price bracket is turning out to be one of the ‘most happening’ ones in our market. Here’s a closer look.
This price bracket is a gold mine for anyone looking to maximise options. For roughly Rs 13.50 lakh, ex-showroom, there is plenty to choose from- well-packaged B-segment SUVs, low and mid trims of C-segment SUVs, some variants of mid-size sedans and even a bunch of seven-seaters!
Let’s start with B-segment SUVs. Also called sub-compact SUVs, these duck under the 4-metre mark with their lengths. Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet are all popular players in this segment. For 13.5 lakh rupees, you’ll be able to buy well-kitted variants of these. Many would also offer the choice of a diesel engine for that price.
The Nexon, for example, has multiple variants parked in the ballpark of Rs 13.5 lakh, ex-showroom. The Fearless Plus CNG costs Rs 13.08 lakh, Fearless Plus Diesel costs Rs 13.24 lakh and Fearless Plus Petrol DCA (automatic) has a price of Rs 13.26 lakh. The Creative Plus diesel AMT Dark edition costs Rs 13.33 lakh. There are several other Dark edition variants parked in this bracket as well.
Choosing the right Nexon variant can sometimes be a nightmare- not because it is packaged badly, but because the options are plenty! Tata has managed to seal price gaps with Nexon variants and powertrains. The formula has worked well for them, in terms of sales. The buyer, however, would have to put more effort and time into making the right choice.
The second-generation Venue is another good buy for this price. You’ll be able to pick the HX7 diesel and HX8 Turbo DCT variants. These are priced at Rs 12.87 lakh, and Rs 13 lakh respectively. HX8 diesel automatic, priced at Rs 13.70 lakh, also offers good value, despite sitting slightly beyond the Rs 13.5 lakh budget.
Another option that continues to lure many, especially those seeking a reliable, cost-effective option, is the Maruti Brezza. The range-topping ZXi Plus AT (Dual tone) sits at Rs 13.01 lakh, ex-showroom and offers great value.
Mid-size SUVs are another hugely popular segment. It has a bunch of strong players like the Creta, Seltos, and recent entrants like the Sierra, Kushaq facelift and the new Duster. At this price point, one would only get the low or mid-spec trims of these.
The Creta continues to dominate the mid-size SUV segment and is available in a lot of variants, covering a wide range of price points. The S (petrol) and EX diesel are priced at Rs 13.07 lakh and Rs 13.49 lakh respectively. Being lower trims, these do not offer a sea of features. The S comes with automatic LED headlights, cruise control, rear parking camera, and rear defogger, while the EX adds a shark-fin antenna, electrically adjustable ORVMs, an 8-inch touchscreen, and all-wheel disc brakes to the package.
Three variants of the second-generation Seltos sit in the aforementioned price range- HTK (petrol manual) priced at Rs 13.09 lakh, HTE (O) iVT (petrol automatic) at Rs 13.39 lakh and HTE (O) diesel at Rs 13.69 lakh. The (higher-spec) HTK trim comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, front parking sensors, and projector fog lamps.
The newly-launched Duster is another good option. You’ll get the Evolution 1.3 Turbo variant for Rs 12.99, ex-showroom or the higher Techno variant with the smaller 1.0L turbo-petrol engine for Rs 13.49 lakh. Spend a lakh more and you will also be able to buy the Evolution 1.3 Turbo DCT variant. Considering how well it drives, the 1.3 turbo-petrol version means good value for enthusiasts.
You’ll also be able to buy the 1.0L Classic Plus AT variant of the facelifted Kushaq. It has an ex-showroom price of Rs 12.69 lakh.
A bunch of sedans are also available in this price range. You will be able to buy the HX6, and HX6 Plus for Rs 13.19 lakh and Rs 13.81 lakh, respectively. The Volkswagen Virtus Highline and Highline Plus sit at Rs 13.46 lakh and Rs 13.86 lakh respectively. The Skoda Slavis Signature is priced at Rs 13.28 lakh and Sportline at Rs 13.49 lakh. The Honda City also has variants placed in this bracket- V and VX.
This price point also lets you choose from several seven-seaters. For instance, you can get a top-spec Maruti Ertiga at Rs 12.94 lakh.
More interestingly, you can also get bigger, butcher SUVs for roughly the same price. The base-spec Harrier petrol comes at Rs 12.89 lakh ex-showroom, while the seven-seater Safari’s base-petrol has a price of Rs 13.29 lakh. The Mahindra Scorpio-N Z2 Petrol MT starts at Rs 13.49 lakh.
For people who are into lifestyle vehicles, we have several variants of the Jimny and the Thar 1.5 parked in the same price territory.
Given the size and nature of the options-pool, making the right choice can be quite demanding on the buyer. He should be aware of his own actual requirements and financial landscape- what kind of vehicle he is seeking, what all features does he want to be part of the package, what all can be optional and so on. Having clarity on this front will help in navigating this tricky situation. If you prioritise technology and creature comforts, the rule of thumb would be to go for the higher variant of a lower segment product- in this case, a B-SUV.
Though there are people who do so for the massive size and road presence, choosing the base variants of D-segment SUVs (like the Scorpio-N or Safari) would stretch your budget with their on-road prices, while still delivering a car that feels quite basic inside. Compact SUVs take the sweet middle-ground between these. They offer good size and road presence, and a decent list of features for the price. Most such models come with all essential features and technologies and will not get you bored in the long run.
You should also consider the cost of ownership while making the choice. Bigger cars and higher capacity engines often consume more fuel and are relatively more expensive to maintain than smaller ones. Models like the Ertiga offer a compelling proposition to people seeking affordable three-row vehicles.
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