The Most Reliable Cars in India- You Need to Know Before Buying

Toyota Fortuner gets both petrol and diesel engines

Camry, a global Toyota bestseller, marked India debut in 2002

Maruti Wagon R is offered with 2 petrol engines paired to either MT or AMT

August 26, 2024 Uday Singh

The Most Reliable Cars in India- You Need to Know Before Buying

Whether you need a car for your daily office commute or long highway trips, reliability is over and above everything else. Of course, looks, equipment and safety are important factors but getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is the worst thing to happen. Below is a list to help you select the most reliable ones in this vast sea of cars.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Innova Crysta

Engine	2393 cc
Power	147.51 bhp
Torque	343 Nm
Transmission	5-speed manual
Fuel type	Diesel
Mileage	12 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 19.99 - 26.30 lakh

Since 2005, the Toyota Innova Crysta nameplate has gone through a lot of changes but so far the most balanced and popular one has to be the Crysta. Despite a 10-year ban on diesel in various parts of the country, the multi-purpose vehicle is extremely popular in the commercial fleet owing to its highly reliable nature and superior mileage. If there is one thing that you can associate the Japanese brand with, it is reliability.

Toyota Fortuner

Fortuner

Engine	2694 cc - 2755 cc
Power	163.6 - 201.15 bhp
Torque	245 Nm - 500 Nm
Transmission	5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, torque converter
Fuel type	Petrol, diesel
Mileage	10 -10.3 kmpl (petrol), 14.6 (diesel)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 33.43 - 51.44 lakh

A name that needs no introduction, the Toyota Fortuner is a blend of butch looks and super-reliable powertrains. Yes, it is pricey in 2024 and needs to catch up on a lot of equipment but the sales figures of the SUV refuse to be affected. To this day, it remains the most preferred car for politicians and businessmen.

Interestingly, its petrol powerplant doesn’t sell as much despite a more realistic starting price tag of Rs. 33.34 lakh.

Mahindra Bolero

Bolero

Engine	1493 cc
Power	75 bhp
Torque	210 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT
Fuel type	Diesel
Mileage	15 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 9.79 - 10.90 lakh

Mahindra has a couple of SUVs responsible for the great success it has enjoyed over the years. A workhorse, the Mahindra Bolero is known for its never-dying attitude and rough and tough nature. It makes you feel like the king of the road when behind the wheel. Since it has been in production for nearly 2.5 decades, you can bet on this tried-and-tested off-roader for anything.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Dzire

Engine	1197 cc
Power	89 bhp (petrol), 76 bhp (CNG)
Torque	113 Nm (petrol), 98.5 Nm (CNG)
Transmission	5-speed MT, AMT
Fuel type	Petrol, CNG
Mileage	22.41- 22.61 kmpl (petrol), 31.12 kmkg (CNG)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 6.56 - 9.38 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire holds a special place in our hearts for a multitude of reasons. It is one of those few cars that are equally popular in both private and commercial segments, only because of three reasons - acquisition cost, fuel efficiency and never-go-wrong underpinnings. Its petrol powerplant still feels extremely refined and fun to drive. In our long-term test of the petrol-only notchback, it returned a mileage of 15.5 kmpl in dense traffic.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Alto k10

Engine	998 cc
Power	66 bhp (MT/AMT), 56 bhp (CNG)
Torque	89 Nm (MT/AMT), 82.1 Nm (CNG)
Transmission	5-speed manual, AMT
Fuel type	Petrol, CNG
Mileage	24.39 - 24.9 kmpl (petrol), 33.85 kmkg (CNG)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 3.99 - 5.85 lakh

In the current automobile scenario, the Maruti Alto K10 is the most affordable car you can buy. But, it is what you get out of your investment - multiple transmissions, a decently equipped cabin, fuel-efficient engine and the lowest maintenance costs. With all the above-mentioned factors combined, the K10 rules the entry-level faction with ease.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Wagon R

Engine	998 cc \| 1197 cc
Power	66 bhp \| 89 bhp
Torque	89 Nm \| 113 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, AMT
Fuel type	Petrol, CNG
Mileage	24.35 - 25.19 kmpl \| 23.56 - 24.43 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 5.54 - 7.37 lakh

Another offering from the largest Indian car manufacturer on this list, the Maruti Wagon R hatchback also enjoys the popularity status, in both private and commercial segments, like the Dzire. Its tall-boy design leads to ample headroom in the cabin and it has also become a lot more loaded than its predecessor. The Wagon R stays true to its reliable nature to this day and reigns the sales charts.

Honda City

Engine	1498 cc
Power	119 bhp
Torque	145 Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT, CVT
Fuel type	Petrol
Mileage	17.8 - 18.4 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 11.82 - 16.38 lakh

Mostly popular as a chauffeur driver, the Honda City sedan is responsible for the Japanese brand’s success here over the decades. But it does not stop there. The i-VTEC engine under the hood is a rev-happy (I am talking 7,000 rpm and above) engine satisfying the enthusiast in you while also being dependable. I mean, when was the last time you saw a City in a garage? Staying true to the brand’s minimalistic ideology, the sedan is still worth a buy to this day.