Top 10 Most Underrated Cars In India 2024

Honda City e:HEV blends both worlds of series and parallel hybrids

Honda Amaze only sub-compact sedan offered with a CVT gearbox

Mahindra Bolero Neo comes with a manual rear-locking differential

August 26, 2024 Uday Singh

Top 10 Most Underrated Cars In India 2024

The Indian Automobile industry is full of cars ranging from hatchbacks to sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and identifying the understated icons can be a daunting task. Even if one had a specific budget in mind, they are spoilt for choices. But fret not as we have compiled a special list of 10 cars that deserve your undivided attention.

Honda City e:HEV

Honda City

Engine	1498 cc hybrid (electric + petrol)
Power	97 bhp, 124 bhp (combined)
Torque	127 Nm, 253 Nm (combined)
Transmission	eCVT
Mileage	27.1 kmpl (combined)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 19 lakh - Rs. 20.63 lakh

The Honda City e:HEV deserves a huge shoutout for the set of technologies it packs. Its combined mileage of over 27 kilometres a litre besides Honda SENSING advanced driver’s assistance systems (ADAS) for enhanced safety is notable. At a starting price of Rs. 19 lakh, the City e:HEV packs way more than its competitors and is the best affordable hybrid sedan in the current market. If you can, stretch your budget a little to get the fully loaded ZX trim.

Honda Amaze

Engine	1199 cc Petrol
Power	88.7 bhp
Torque	110 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, CVT
Mileage	18.6 kmpl (MT), 18.3 kmpl (CVT)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 7.19 lakh - Rs. 10.01 lakh

While the popularity of the Maruti Dzire doesn’t fade, the Honda Amaze is one rival that needs to be talked about more often for a multitude of reasons. One of those reasons is the smooth-shifting CVT gearbox paired with the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated mill. This combination is both refined and efficient at the same time. The other reason has to be its reliability and the less is more approach to the equipment on board.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Ignis

Engine	1197 cc
Power	81 bhp
Torque	113 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, AMT
Mileage	20.89 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 5.84 lakh - Rs. 8.20 lakh

Maruti Suzuki Ignis (sold via Nexa outlets) is actually witnessing a drop in sales as car buyers shift to SUVs. However, its sub-four-metre form factor and tried-and-tested 1.2-litre petrol mill make the car a great all-rounder. In our test, we found the car to be decently equipped with features like steering-mounted controls, automatic AC and a touchscreen infotainment system.

Mahindra Marazzo

marazzo

Engine	1497 cc
Power	121 bhp
Torque	300 Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT
Mileage	17 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 14.59 lakh - Rs. 17 lakh

While some news outlets claim the MPV has been discontinued, the Mahindra Marazzo made it to our list as it is still listed on Mahindra’s website. Though it gets a sole diesel engine, it is extremely powerful for everyday and highway usage and returns a company-claimed mileage figure of 17 kilometres per litre. Also special about the vehicle is its 4-star safety rating in the Global National Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP). Considering its competition - Maruti XL6 and Kia Carens - the Mahindra Marazzo still feels a class apart.

Renault Kwid

Kwid

Engine	999 cc
Power	67 bhp
Torque	91 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT
Mileage	21.46 kmpl (MT), 22.3 kmpl (AMT)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 4.70 lakh - Rs. 6.45 lakh

It is safe to say that the Kwid has been a game-changer product for Renault in India after the now-discontinued Duster SUV. Rivalling against the Maruti Alto K10, the Kwid provides SUV-ish looks, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and electrically adjustable outer rear-view mirrors (ORVMs).

Renault Triber

Triber

Engine	999 cc
Power	71 bhp
Torque	91 Nm (MT), 96 Nm (AMT)
Transmission	5-speed MT, AMT
Mileage	20 kmpl (MT), 18.2 kmpl (AMT)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 6 lakh - Rs. 10.19 lakh

The Renault Triber MPV, in a nutshell, is a car that shouts practicality at an affordable price band of Rs. 6 to 10.19 lakh, ex-showroom. What do you get for that amount of money you ask? Well, the French carmaker has equipped it with 7 seats and over 100 possible seating combinations, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat with armrest, push button start/stop and projector headlamps with LED DRLs. You also get an AMT trim starting at Rs. 8.12 lakh, ex-showroom.

Mahindra Bolero Neo

Bolero

Engine	1493 cc
Power	100 bhp
Torque	260 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT
Mileage	17.29 kmpl
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 9.94 lakh - Rs. 12.15 lakh

Now with the Mahindra Bolero Neo, off-roading becomes easier because of its 180 mm ground clearance and a manual rear locking differential system on board. You can tackle any challenge with its powerful performance in the comfort of its premium interiors. The Bolero Neo’s price range starts at Rs. 9.94 lakh and goes up to Rs. 12.15 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Jimny

Engine	1462 cc
Power	103 bhp
Torque	134.2 Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, torque converter
Mileage	16.94 kmpl (MT), 16.39 kmpl (TC)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 12.74 lakh - Rs. 14.95 lakh

A global bestseller, the Maruti Jimny got lost amid Indian icons like Mahindra Thar/ Thar Roxx and Force Gurkha SUVs. But what works its way is the 1,205 kg kerb weight and under four-metre length. This combination makes it perfect for extreme off-roading where some stalwart SUVs might fail. The Japanese carmaker is currently offering massive discounts on the SUV due to dwindling sales.

Honda Elevate

Elevate

Engine	1498 cc
Power	119.35 bhp
Torque	145 Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT, CVT
Mileage	15.31 kmpl (MT), 16.92 kmpl (CVT)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 9.49 lakh - Rs. 15.41 lakh

The Honda Elevate, a rather late entrant to the compact SUV party, can be assumed as the SUV version of the City but with all the bells and whistles. The high-revving VTEC motor, plush ride and extremely comfortable seats are all there. Fun fact - Honda has increased the export of made-in-India Elevate to Japan due to high demand. Considering its top model which costs Rs. 15.41 lakh, it comes loaded with active and passive safety features like ADAS and six airbags (standard across all models), respectively.

Citroen C3 Aircross

C3 Aircross

Engine	1199 cc
Power	109 bhp
Torque	190 Nm (MT), 205 Nm (TC)
Transmission	6-speed MT, torque converter
Mileage	18.5 kmpl (MT), 17.6 kmpl (TC)
Price (ex-showroom)	Rs. 9.99 lakh - Rs. 14.33 lakh

Another French product on this list, the Citroen C3 Aircross is not as equipped in terms of features as its rivals but when it comes to ride comfort, there is no one like it. Recently, a couple of features like a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic AC and ORVMs and six airbags were added to the compact SUV, making it more desirable.