5 of the Best Hatchbacks to buy this Diwali

Below is the evaluation and ranking of the 5 Best  cars in the Hatchback category for this Diwali.

1. Maruti Alto K10

Price: Rs 3.5 lakh

Maruti Suzuki’s Alto brand does not have a dull moment on the sales chart. While the Alto 800 is popular too, the K10 has made it to the top rank for its peppy 1-litre engine, which is also fuel efficient. The car claims to deliver a mileage of 24.07 km per litre, has compact dimensions, unbelievably low running cost, and to top it all, it has a good resale value.

That explains its high demand in the used car market. The brand lacks in the features department and exteriors, but the positive attributes overshadow these. The low running cost, fuel-efficient engine, Maruti’s widespread sales and service network, and high resale value easily justify the top spot for K10.

Specifications

Variant: Vxi

Fuel type: Petrol

Engine capacity: 998 cc

Mileage: 24 km/l

Running cost (per month @30 km a day): Rs 2,632

Loan EMI (loan for 5 years, 80% financed at 10% interest): Rs 5,316

Resale value (after 2 years): Rs 2.6 lakh

2. Renault Kwid

Price: Rs 3.9 lakh

Renault took a bold step when it decided to challenge the Alto in the entry-level hatchback segment, with its Kwid. Its SUV-inspired exterior meant that it completely changed the way a low-cost car was perceived in India. Expectedly, it was an instant hit among the masses. It was launched with a 0.8-litre engine and later a 1-litre engine was added to the line-up.

Apart from the design, Kwid offers good cabin space and is loaded with unheard of features in its segment, such as the all-digital instrument console, touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, etc. It gives a mileage of 25.17, 23.01 and 24.04 km per litre with its 0.8-litre, 1-litre and AMT variants, respectively, which makes it affordable too.

Specifications

Variant: 1.0 RXT Optional

Fuel type: Petrol

Engine capacity: 999 cc

Mileage: 23 km/l

Running cost (per month @30 km a day): Rs 2,753

Loan EMI (loan for 5 years,80% financed at 10% interest): Rs 5,802

Resale value (after 2 years): Rs 2.3 lakh

3. Tata Tiago

Price: Rs 5.3 lakh

Tata Motors launched the Tiago in April 2016 and, since then, the hatchback has raked up consistent sales and helped the auto major revive its position in the passenger car segment. Solidly built, the Tiago impresses all with its simple, yet, attractive exterior.

Boasting adequate space for five passengers, the hatch has standout features like an integrated music system, 8-speaker sound system by Harman, chilled glovebox, electric mirrors and multiple drive modes. It is one of the most affordable hatchbacks with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, and is also fuel-efficient, with a claimed mileage of 23.84 km per litre.

Specifications

Variant: ZXA

Fuel type: Petrol

Engine capacity: 1,199 cc

Mileage: 23 km/l

Running cost (per month @30 km a day): Rs 2,657

Loan EMI (loan for 5 years, 80% financed at 10% interest): Rs 7,861

Resale value (after 2 years): NA

4. Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Price: Rs 5.9 lakh

This is another Maruti product that is keeping its manufacturing plants busy. The premium hatch gets ‘liquid flow’ design with projector headlamps and daytime running lights. It is certainly one of the best looking Maruti cars today.

Its features include SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, voice command, navigation system, tilt and telescopic steering, and push start/stop with smart key, among others. The Baleno is also spacious and extracts 21.4 km per litre from its 1.2-litre petrol motor, which makes it easy on the pocket. All this, of course, is backed by Maruti’s wide sales and service network.

Specifications

Variant: 1.2 Delta

Fuel type: Petrol

Engine capacity: 1,197 cc

Mileage: 21 km/l

Running cost (per month @30 km a day): Rs 2,960

Loan EMI (loan for 5 years, 80% financed at 10% interest): Rs 8,767

Resale value (after 2 years): Rs 4.4 lakh

5. Volkswagen Polo

Price: Rs 9.2 lakh

It’s a given that the Polo GT TSI will never command as high a resale value as the Baleno. It won’t be cheap to run either. But it still makes it to the list of top 5 hatchbacks under Rs 15 lakh, considering low average running conditions for a five-year period.

No other hatchback offers the premium quality of Polo, and with the DSG transmission mated to the turbocharged engine, it makes you feel as if you are in a car in a higher price segment. It’s a treat to drive and the overall quality of craftsmanship is good.

Specifications

Variant: GT TSI

Fuel type: Petrol

Engine capacity: 1,197 cc

Mileage: 17 km/l

Running cost (per month @30 km a day): Rs 3,681

Loan EMI (loan for 5 years, 80% financed at 10% interest): Rs 13,487

Resale value (after 2 years): Rs 5.9 lakh

All prices are ex-showroom Delhi. Cost of petrol is Rs 70.39 and diesel Rs 58.72 per litre as on 12 October 2017. Estimated price for resale value is for 30,000 km after two years. Mileage figures are for highway driving and are sourced from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Figures for running cost and loan EMI are indicative and may vary.

Source- ET Wealth