The hatchback segment in the Indian auto market witnesses the highest sales growth every year. Due to the practicality, flexibility, fuel economy and relaxation in taxes, hatchbacks have always received much preference for the Indian buyers.
In the earlier days, hatchback cars used to be the choice of budget-conscious people.
But with the introduction of the trendy performance-oriented premium hatchbacks, more people are being driven towards these cars.
Here’s The List Top Five Hatchbacks in India:
1. Renault Kwid 
Read Renault Kwid Customer Reviews
Undoubtedly one of the best offerings from the French automaker and one of the top entry-level hatchbacks in the Indian market. The SUV-inspired styling, best-in-segment features, defying boot space, unparalleled affordability and minimal maintenance cost have made it the best bet in the hatchback segment.
With a ground clearance of 180mm, it provides better visibility to the driver. Moreover, Renault lets the buyers personalize their Kwid as per their preferences, with six different customized packs of additional accessories.
- Stunning Look
- Smooth Ride
- Easy Handling
Adequate space
- Brakes are poor if we compare with speed
- Gear Change Not So Much Crsip
2. Maruti Suzuki Swift
One of the most successful cars in India, it is one of the top affordable hatchbacks. The brand reliability, best-in-class mileage return and good after sales support have made it one of the best selling cars in India.
The car has received a facelift recently and got a quite good response. The engine options remain identical to the previous models with a 1.2-litre petrol producing 83 bhp and a 1.3-litre Multijet diesel developing 74 bhp.
3. Tata Tiago
Reportedly, the best-selling car in January 2018, Tata Tiago flaunts with the automaker’s all-new 'Impact' design language.
The engine options include a 1.2L Revotron petrol engine with 85PS of max power @6000RPM and 114 Nm of peak torque @3500RPM along with a 1.05L Revotorq diesel engine with a max power of 70PS @4000RPM and a peak torque of 140 Nm @1800-3000 RPM.
It offers the best-in-class fuel efficiency of around 24 kmpl for the petrol and 27 kmpl for the diesel variant. The car offers a segment-topping infotainment system that has been developed by Harman.
4. Maruti Suzuki Baleno
A premium offering from the homebound automaker. Being priced competitively, Maruti Suzuki Baleno offers a host of class-leading features such as keyless entry, engine start/stop button with smart key, electric ORVMs along with a 7-inch infotainment unit compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. As for the safety features, the car offers Dual Front Airbags, ABS with EBD as standard across all trims.
5. Hyundai Elite I20
Hyundai Elite I20 has recently received a facelift at 2018 Delhi Auto Expo. The car has been a huge success for the South Korean automaker. The MarutiBaleno rival has got a refreshed styling and some additional features including a larger front grille, projector headlamps with DRLs, rear AC vents, slidable armrests and a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. The safety features include Dual airbags and ABS as standard across all variants.
While the entry-level hatchback cars offer basic features, such as power windows, AC etc., the premium hatchbacks are equipped with more advanced features like auto climate control, rear AC vents etc. In recent days, auto manufacturers have started offering more advanced safety features like ABS, EBD, airbags etc. in standard hatchback models, whereas, the premium hatchbacks are being offered with premium interiors and more advanced infotainment system.
6. Hyundai Santro
Back then in 1998, this was the first car to be showcased from the brand. The santro received huge popularity because of its compact design and practicality. Hyundai Santro retains the tall boy stance.
It has the capability to turn heads notifying your presence. However, look closer and you would instantly notice the similarity with the Grand i10. The new Hyundai entrant is 3595 mm in length, 1595 mm in width, 1485 mm in height, and the wheelbase is 2400 mm.
These figures mean that your car is huge enough for seating 5 passengers comfortably and small enough to make way through the traffic gaps
Based on a new platform, the sunshine car has transformed into a stylish and practical hatchback. It comes with a host of features including a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reverse camera, rear-AC vents as well as steering-mounted audio controls.
The petrol version will be available with a 5-speed AMT over and above the standard 5-speed manual gearbox. Hyundai Santro prices start at Rs. 3.90 lakh for petrol and go upto Rs. 5.47 lakh for the top model.
This can be the best car for Ola and Uber. Its compact in dimensions, loaded with entertainment features, consists of an AMT gearbox, is very fuel-efficient, is very durable and is available at a very low initial investment. All these features make the Santro a perfect option for a city cab.
7. Maruti Suzuki WagonR
Launched back in 1999, this tall-boy is one of India’s favorite hatchbacks. The car is currently in its third generation. Previously this hatch attracted a huge fan-base because of the large cabin space, loads of practicality features, powerful engine, good air conditioning units and a very competitive price tag.
Today, after 20 years and selling almost 2.2 million units, the same car in its third generation retains all these features, remains the best in class and still offers something more.
The design of the WagonR is a subjective term. However, people don’t really buy this car for her looks but they do so because of the practicality features.
It comes with option of CNG which reduces the driving cost drastically. Currently the car is available in 14 variants and 6 color options to choose from.
The WagonR returns a fuel efficiency of almost 22 kmpl with the petrol.
Also, it returns 33.5 km/kg with the CNG. These are really good numbers. This is the best car for OLA and UBER car services because, these are the services which are predominantly concentrated within the city limits, which is home to the wagonr.
The CNG option will save a lot of money and earn you a fortune if you are thinking for a continuous driving in city limits. Practicality wise, it can accommodate all the luggage, and this makes the car a good option for those airports run.
Even on the petrol mode, the car delivers an average fuel efficiency of 22.5 kmpl which is comparable to those of diesel cars.In a wagonr you can easily take u-turns and maneuver through traffics as compared to other big cars.
Even with the A/C on the blast mode, you can use CNG and keep riding the whole day. This is very helpful in case you are planning to take the car for Ola/Uber. WagonR is supremely popular in the northern India as a cab.
8. Volkswagen Polo
Polo currently offers 10 variants in India. It is available with 3 engine options. The car costs anywhere between 5.7 to 9.7 Lakh INR. A lot of latest tech like the keyless entry, push button start are missing with the polo. Boot space is adequate enough. The front seat is good, headroom for any average size passenger.
Touchscreen infotainment system has android auto, apple car play, but does not have a rear parking camera. The back seat of the polo feels small, tall passengers would definitely have a problem getting inside the car.
Moreover, under-thigh support is not really the best. Head room is adequate, you also don’t get any magazine holders at the rear. There is no center arm-rest and adjusting three people inside would be a disaster.
The cabin insulation is decent. It is refined lower down the rev-range. However, the performance feels low in comparison to its competitors. But the handling of this car is superb. It feels light in traffics and weighs up adequately on the highways. Also, the Polo is very safe compared to any other hatchbacks.
Polo GT TSI is however a different package, it looks sportier and has the tech that is missing out on its sibling. But the major talking point is about the engine it has. This new car hosts the paddle shifters which are also seen in the GTI.
Exhaust note of the GT TSI is beautiful and it has a very powerful mid-range. The best polo variant would be the GT TSI which has decent power for daily urban commute, polo is not really best at back-seat comfort, but it has the safest cabin.
Its not the best car for taxi in India because of the cost involved. Its more of a driver’s car rather than a practical feature packed car.
9. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800
Alto is the best-selling car in India since a decade. It’s the most popular choice among the first-time car buyers. The major reason for that is its strong brand value. After sales service network of the company is very well developed and the maintenance cost involved is also minimal.
Moreover, the car is very durable. Alto is the most drivable car in the competition. It also offers a decent ride quality. Alto comes with an 800-cc petrol engine which makes 47.3 bhp at 6000 RPM and 69 Nm of torque at 3500 RPM.
It offers a fuel-efficiency of 24 kmpl which is really great figure from a petrol engine. Alto also comes with a CNG option which further decreases the fuel cost. The car has already crossed the 3.5 million-unitsales mark. It enjoys a hefty 33% of the market share.
In terms of practicality, the car is best suited for a small family. Boot space is also not that great however, everything as a combination works absolutely well with this car.
You can see this car being used as a taxi by private cab owners who use the car to transport the passenger in a very low cost and for average distances.
If used as a cab, this one is ideal to fit in only 1 or 2 passengers for long distances because the luggage would take away the remaining space. Its also the best car for Ola and Uber as the usage would be within the city limits and the local passengers mostly don’t have a lot of luggage.
10. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10
This is a very good family car and a very reliable urban commuter. The elder brother of the Alto 800, the Alto K10 packs in a bigger 1.0-litre engine for better city drivability.
The prices start at Rs. 3.52 lakh for petrol and goes upto Rs. 4.37 lakh. This car is available in 8 variants and 5 colors. Moreover, the hatchback also comes with an optional 5-speed AMT transmission. Its 1.0-litre engine makes 68PS of power and 90Nm of peak torque.
The in-cabin quality too feels better than the Alto 800 the Alto K10 has better features as well. So, if you are looking for the Maruti reliability, but don't want your car to be the entry-level one, the K10 makes for an ideal choice
This hatchback is a tough competitor to the Santro. Because of its compact dimensions, bigger engine and an automatic gearbox, this can be of great use to Ola and Uber business. Fleet owners have a very good option with this one. However, the boot space and the cabin comfort being at a lower side, it cannot be a great option for long distance as a cab.
The above-mentioned hatchback cars are presently among the top affordable and best hatchback in India. You can read the full specifications here.
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