It’s very likely that you’d be quite perplexed at what to purchase, given the number of choices available under the 5 lakh rupee mark. Most of these cars in this price bracket offer similar features and specifications. What you’re looking at is a list of budget-bargain hatchbacks that are responsible for a major chunk of car sales every month. We come up with five models that might pique your interest.
1) Datsun RediGo: ₹ 2.83 – ₹ 4.77 lakh
The RediGo doesn’t look cute anymore; it’s now received an aggressive looking front fascia that gets sleeker headlamps, L-shaped DRLs, a heavily redesigned front bumper, chrome bordering the grille and LED fog lamps which happen to feature for the first time in this segment. It also gets two-tone wheel covers and bigger wing mirrors. Thanks to the revised front-end, the car now meets crash test and pedestrian safety norms. It is also sold in two new colours: blue and brown. Inside the cabin, the RediGo comes with features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking camera, two-tone fabric seat covers and grey and silver inserts that help the cabin look more upmarket. The RediGo is sold with two different engines: a 0.8-litre engine that produces 53bhp and 72Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre petrol engine that makes 67bhp and 91Nm of torque. Both engines are paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.0-litre engine comes with the option of a 5-speed AMT gearbox too. The RediGo 1.0 AMT delivers 22kpl,, while the 0.8 5-speed manual delivers 20.71kpl.
2) Renault Kwid: ₹ 2.92 – ₹ 5.01 lakh
The Renault Kwid is powered by a 0.8-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 53bhp and 72Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that makes 67bhp and 91Nm of torque, with the latter getting two gearbox options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT automatic, while the former gets only a 5-speed manual gearbox. Features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear seat armrest, rear parking camera, LED DRLs and 14-inch alloy wheels. Safety features include ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, driver’s and passenger air bag and rear power windows. Coming to the styling, the Kwid looks a lot more radical with its sleek LED DRLs and its headlamps mounted below in the bumper, which is now becoming a trend on a lot of SUVs. Mildly flared wheel arches, body cladding all around and roof rails are part of the package as well. At the rear too, the bumper is new and the tail lights sports LED inserts. The grey wheel covers look smart too. The Kwid competes with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, Datsun Redi-Go and Maruti Alto.
3) Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXi (O) 1.0: ₹ 4.98 lakh
It is also larger than before and comes with a longer wheelbase too. The car is wider too, making it more spacious than before. A host of features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, front fog lamps, washer and wiper, rear defogger, power folding and adjustable wing mirrors, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors and ABS with EBD among other goodies. The tall-boy design is more than apparent. The design is entirely all-new with those wraparound headlights, large grille and the vertically laid tail lights. However, the boxy silhouette still remains, giving it the appeal of a minivan. Inside, it also gets a multi-function steering. The WagonR is powered by two engine options: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that makes 67bhp and 90Nm of torque and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82bhp and 113Nm of torque. Both engines come paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automated manual gearbox.
4) Hyundai Santro Magna: ₹ 4.89 lakh
The new Santro’s name harks back to the original. And while it may not appear tall-boy like at first, the car is actually wider and taller than its rivals. It comes in seven colour options: white, silver, red, green, grey, blue and beige. However, there are no alloy wheels; only wheel caps for the 14-inch wheels. The cabin is a blend of beige and black, while the higher variants get green highlights. You will also notice a tachometer and a 2.5-inch multi-info display. When it comes to safety, it is equipped with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and a driver’s seat belt reminder. Other features include rear parking sensors, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, steering mounted controls, a rear wash/wipe, reverse camera and power adjustable wing mirrors. The Epsilon engine has been updated, and now, the 1.1-litre, four-cylinder engine makes 68bhp and 99Nm of torque. The engine is married to either a 5-speed AMT gearbox or a 5-speed manual. The latter returns a fuel efficiency figure of 20.3kpl.
5) Tata Tiago Revotron XE: ₹ 4.6 lakh
The Tata Tiago facelift is sold in five variants. Let’s start with the styling first. It looks very contemporary now, with its wraparound headlamps, the new signature front grille with the ‘Humanity Line’ below in chrome. The redesigned front bumper looks edgier with sharp cuts along with a new air dam and fog lamp housings. The bonnet is new too, and meets pedestrian safety norms. At the rear, the tail lamps get fresh inserts while the bumper too has been revised slightly. Inside, you note the sporty new fabrics. Power comes from a BS6-compliant, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol motor that produces 84bhp and 113Nm of torque. The engine is paired to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT transmission. There is no diesel engine on offer anymore. The Tiago is known for its four-star Global NCAP crash test rating. A slew of features include 15-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, projector headlamps, push button start, automatic climate control, drive modes, electrically-adjustable and foldable wing mirrors, Harman audio system and a digital instrument cluster. Safety features include dual airbags, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD and corner stability control.
