1) Maruti Suzuki Baleno
(Maruti Suzuki Baleno)
The Baleno was a real game changer for the Indo-Japanese carmaker in India. Taking inputs from Swift, Maruti SuzukiBaleno was launched to cater to those who wanted something better than the former. With its contemporary design, stylish exterior features and smart equipment, the Baleno has been package deal for customers. The hatchback even offers a spacious cabin equipped with features such as Maruti’s SmartPlay Infotainment System, Smartphone Connect/Apple CarPlay, remote control through Smartphone App to name a few on the top end trim. Dual airbags and ABS with EBD is standard across line-up whereas reverse parking camera is offered only on the range topping variants. Powered by the 1.2 litre petrol and 1.3 litre diesel engines, the hatchback is available with a choice of five-speed manual and a CVT.
Price-Rs 5.15 to Rs 8.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
2) Hyundai Grand i10
(Hyundai Grand i10)
Hyundai launched the Grand i10 to challenge the reign of the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The car filled the space between i10 and i20, and has been doing pretty well for the South Korean car manufacturer. Along with smart exterior features, the Grand i10 also comes with a roomy cabin that packs in features such as a 2 DIN integrated radio with MP3 player, steering mounted controls, height adjuster for diver, rear AC vents and adjustable rear seat head rests etc. While the driver airbag is standard across range, the passenger side airbag and ABS are available only on the top-spec trims. Under the hood, Grand i10 gets a choice between a 1.2 litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol and 1.1 litre 2nd generation U2 CRDi diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox along with an option of a four-speed autobox.
Price: Rs 4.86 lakh to Rs 7.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
3) Mahindra KUV100
Earlier this year, SUV market leader, Mahindra and Mahindra ventured into the hatchback space with its so-called micro SUV – KUV100. Essentially a hatchback, the Mahindra KUV100 came packed with the practicality of a hatchback and the stance of an SUV. Mimicking the design and character lines of its SUV cousin – the XUV500, the KUV100 came with smart offerings like follow-me-home lights, segment first 6-seater cabin configuration, front & rear arm rests, multi-functional steering wheel, cooled glove box, 4 Speaker + 2 Tweeter Infotainment system and drive two modes – Power and Eco along with the company’s Micro Hybrid technology.
(Mahindra KUV100)
The Mahindra KUV100 is powered by an all-new mFalcon range of petrol and diesel engines – mFalcon G80 and mFalcon D75 respectively. 1.2-litre petrol engine makes 82bhp and 114Nm of peak torque. On the other hand ,the all new oil burner – mFalcon D75, is a 1.2-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine that is capable of producing 77bhp and a peak torque of 190Nm.
Price- Rs 4.57 lakh to Rs 7.11 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
4) Maruti Suzuki Swift
(Maruti Suzuki Swift)
With a product cycle spanning more than 10 years, Maruti Suzuki Swift has been performing consistently well and is still among one of the best hatchback cars in India. Upstaged by new hatchbacks, Swift will receive a comprehensive makeover next year and will soon get an AMT option in line with other vehicles in the league. With features such as rear defogger, automatic climate control, illuminated steering-wheel mounted Bluetooth and audio control, Swift is a feasible option in the B segment. Driver and co-passenger airbags are standard on top-of-the line variant and optional on rest of the trims.Power comes from 1.2 litre, K-Series VTVT petrol engine and Fiat’s renowned 1.3 litre Multijet engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission.
Price- Rs 4.71 lakh to Rs 7.43 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
5) Tata Tiago
(Tata Tiago)
Opened to a good response, Tata’s new small car Tiago looks promising and has set new benchmarks in the segment with some of the first in class features like Juke app, multi-drive mode-ECO & CITY, among others. Built on the Indica platform, Tiago is refreshingly appealing and has a relatively premium cabin with improved plastic quality material used inside. Powered by two new units-1.2 litre Revotron petrol and 1.05 litre Revotorq diesel, the hatchback is currently offered with a five-speed manual gearbox and an AMT transmission could also be added later.
Price- Rs 3.20 lakh to Rs 5.54 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
6) Renault Kwid
Renault truly changed the face of the entry-level hatchback space with the Kwid small car. Based on the carmaker’s new CMF-A platform, the Renault Kwid is stylish, well-designed and well-equipped as well. Among the several best in class features, the Kwid came with offerings like – touchscreen infotainment system, 300-litre boot space, 180mm ground clearance, digital instrument cluster and a spacious cabin as well.
(Renault Kwid)
Powering the Renault Kiwd is a 799cc three-cylinder petrol engine that is capable of churning out 53bhp and develop 72Nm of peak torque. The motor comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. Currently, the carmaker is set to launch the 1.0-litre version of the car which will also likely to come with the option of an AMT unit.
Price- Rs 2.62 lakh to Rs 3.67 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
7) Ford Figo
(Ford Figo)
The new generation Ford Figo is akin to its sedan version, Aspire featuring the similar radiator grille in front. Ford’s first most successful model for the Indian market, Figo won many accolades soon after it was launched, although its popularity started to fade away when new models were rolled out in the segment. Realising the need to upgrade Figo, Ford launched a new version of the hatchback with copiously changed exterior, new features and three new engines, which we even got to review last year. While driver airbag is standard on all trims, co-passenger side airbag is missing on the base variant and ABS with EBD is offered only on the top end variants. Engine choices include 1.2 litre & 1.5 litre petrol units along with a 1.5 litre diesel engine.
Price: Rs 4.46 lakh to Rs 7.60 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
6) Hyundai Elite i20
(Hyunda Elite i20)
Sitting pretty in the B+ segment, Hyundai upped the ante with new Elite i20 donning Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy. Exterior styling is class leading with sleek long pulled back headlamps and hexagonal front grille. Inside the cabin the hatchback scores well in terms of space and equipment like touchscreen infotainment system, multi-functional steering wheel, keyless entry with engine start/stop button that make it worthy of being in the best hatchback cars in India list. Mechanical set up includes a 1.2 litre Kappa dual VTVT petrol and 1.4 litre U2 CRDi diesel unit, both mated to a five-speed manual and there is an option for a six-speed manual unit offered only on the diesel range.
Price: Rs 5.55 lakh to Rs 8.80 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
7) Honda Jazz
(Honda Jazz)
Hit by the double whammy of lack of diesel engine and high price, Honda Jazz’s previous generation model was withdrawn from Honda’s line-up only to return with improvements pitching it strongly against rivals. Taking inputs from City saloon, Honda has made key styling additions to exteriors. Inside it remains the spacious hatchback that it was earlier with ample room for occupants. One of the major additions made to the hatchback is the 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual unit. The 1.2 litre, i-VTEC petrol mill on the other hand comes with an option of a CVT missing in the diesel variants.
Price: Rs 5.59 lakh to Rs 8.99 lakh(ex-showroom, Delhi)
8) Volkswagen Polo
(Volkswagen Polo)
One of the first models from German auto maker for India, Volkswagen Polo has been popular among customers. Packed with features, Polo comes with a choice of two engines including a 1.2 litre, three cylinder MPI petrol engine and the new downsized 1.5 litre, four cylinder in-line diesel powertrain mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Price- Rs 5.33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)