Cars under the Rs 10 lakh price bracket contribute a major chunk of India’s car sales. It is also the range that features maximum variety. The segment is dominated by hatchbacks followed by compact SUVs and compact sedans. Maruti has the most number of offerings followed by Hyundai. Gone are the days when customers chose a car from this segment based on fuel efficiency alone. As the prices have gone up, buyers are now looking at other parameters such as performance, safety and convenience. If a car under Rs. 10 lakhs fulfils the performance quotient you desire, what could be more better than that. Here we list 10 cars under Rs. 10 Lakhs that produce 100 bhp and more.
The duo: Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS
The Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is the smallest entry to this list. The turbo variant of the hatchback offers 99 bhp i.e.,100 PS power and 172 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. The same engine does duty on the Aura notchback as well. These sportier variants make a great buy if you are looking forward to buying a hatchback or a compact sedan.
The trio - Ford Figo, Aspire and Freestyle
The 1.5 litre diesel engine has been quite popular among the car enthusiasts across the country, a reason why Ford has not discontinued it. The engine has an unmatched performance in this segment and does duty in three cars: Ford Figo, Aspire and the Freestyle crossover. The engine delivers a power output of 99 bhp i.e. 100 PS with 215 Nm of peak torque. While it comes mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox.
Honda Amaze
The Honda Amaze gets a powerful 1.5 litre diesel mill that churns out 99 bhp, i.e., 100 PS and 200 Nm of peak torque. The Ford Aspire is the only other compact sedan that delivers such power. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.
Volkswagen Polo & Vento
Volkswagen has introduced the downsized turbo motors on its bestseller Polo and Vento. The duo now come with a 1.0 litre 3 cylinder turbocharged TSI petrol engine that produces a maximum power output of 109 bhp with 175 Nm of torque. The 1.0 litre 3 cylinder petrol turbo engine configuration is now becoming a common sight. The duo comes with a 6 speed torque converter AT unit. While the Polo TSI manages to sneak below the Rs. 10 Lac bracket, the Vento crosses it.
Tata Nexon
One of Tata's bestsellers, the Nexon is one of the several compact SUVs that taps more than 100 bhp. The 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 118 bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque. On the other hand, the 1.5 litre diesel generates 108 bhp with 260 Nm of peak torque. Transmission choices on both the engines include 6 speed manual and semi automatic AMT gearbox.
Ford EcoSport
While the Ford EcoSport was once an attractive buy during its early days, its popularity seems to have faded away slightly. Ford is doing all its best to revive the customer interest as it provides the Ecosport with a powerful 1.5 litre 3 cylinder Dragon engine that delivers 120 bhp of power out with 150 Nm torque. Another engine on offer is the 1.5 litre diesel mill that develops 99 bhp i.e., 100 PS and 205 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options include 5 speed manual gearbox and an automatic transmission.
Mahindra XUV 300
Rivalling the likes of Tata Nexon and Ford Ecosport is the Mahindra XUV 300. A stylish compact SUV, the XUV 300 currently lags behind its competitors in finding new homes but it does deliver a thrilling performance. It is powered by a 1.2 litre petrol mill that churns out 109 bhp and 200 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox. While the 1.5 litre diesel mill develops 115 bhp with 300 Nm of peak torque. Unlike the petrol engine that gets a manual transmission as standard, it gets an option of semi-automatic AMT as well.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
Maruti took a bold decision of discontinuing its bestseller Vitara Brezza diesel, the segment leader. It meant that the Brezza was now a petrol only model. Maruti will also offer the SHVS, smart hybrid system technology in the manual variants which make the Brezza more fuel efficient than before. It comes with a 1.5 litre engine that produces 103 bhp and 138 Nm of peak torque. This engine is shared by a family of cars that include Ertiga, Ciaz and the S Cross which will also be getting the same engine soon.
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue entered late into the compact SUV segment but quickly established itself, even dethroning the segment leader, Maruti Brezza now and then. The Venue boasts of many first in segment features and a modern appearance. It shares the same 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine with Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS and Aura, but the power output has been increased to 118 bhp while the peak torque remains the same at 172 Nm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 7-speed DCT.
Renault Duster
A capable SUV, the Renault Duster received a facelift recently along with a BS6 compliant petrol engine, making it a petrol only SUV. The engine we are talking about is the 1.5 litre petrol engine that churns out 105 bhp and 142 Nm of peak torque. It will also be getting a 1.3 litre turbo petrol engine, delivering 155 bhp and 256 Nm of peak torque. Currently, only manual transmission is available.