Hatchback cars are trending nowadays in India. There are 38 Hatchback cars currently on sale from various manufacturers starting from 2.48 Lakh. Here is the list of best Hatchback cars in India.
Best hatchback cars in India
1. Volkswagen Polo
The Polo Trendline, Comfortline and Highline Plus variants are available with an upgraded 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated MPI engine and comes mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox.
However, the new 1.0 TSI engine is only available in the Highline Plus and GT Line variants of the hatchback. Producing 110hp and 175Nm of peak torque, the turbo-petrol engine can be had with either the new 6-speed manual or the new 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Even though the base BS6 Polo variant is priced the same as its BS4 counterpart, overall prices for the Polo 1.0 MPI have increased by about Rs 4,000. Interestingly, the range-topping Polo GT with the 1.0 TSI engine and 6-speed auto ‘box undercuts the previously available top-spec Polo GT with the 1.2 TSI and 7-speed dual-clutch unit by a margin of Rs 17,000. Polo is one of the best hatchback cars in India.
The option of a Polo 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed manual is sure to have enthusiasts interested.
In the Indian market, the Volkswagen Polo has a face-off against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and Ford Figo
Volkswagen Polo April 2020 prices start at ₹ 5.88 Lakh and goes up to ₹ 9.13 Lakh. Petrol Polo price starts at ₹ 5.88 Lakh.
2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno
The Baleno is Maruti Suzuki’s largest hatchback. The model retails from Maruti’s premium Nexa outlets and is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Maruti has also added a petrol-electric mild hybrid to the Baleno line-up.
Manual gearboxes are standard fitment, though a petrol-CVT automatic gearbox combo is an option too. In addition to an exterior and equipment upgrade earlier in 2019, the Maruti Baleno petrol engines have also been upgraded to BS-VI-spec.
The smartly turned-out Baleno scores well for practicality with its cabin, which offers more space than many pricier sedans. The boot is generously-sized, too. 2019’s update has added colour to the cabin but the material quality is mediocre by class standards. Baleno is one of the best hatchback cars in India.
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s standard 83hp, a 1.2-litre petrol engine is peppy, refined and efficient; and the five-speed manual gearbox is also nice to use. City dwellers will find a good combination of efficiency and convenience in the CVT auto variant.
The 90hp Baleno Smart Hybrid is significantly pricier than the standard petrol version but promises enhanced performance and economy. As for the Baleno diesel, its 75hp, 1.3-litre diesel engine is superb on fuel economy but is also loud and simply feels outdated.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno April 2020 prices start at ₹ 5.7 Lakh and goes up to ₹ 9.03 Lakh. Petrol Baleno price starts at ₹ 5.7 Lakh. Diesel Baleno price starts at ₹ 6.77 Lakh.
3. Tata Altroz
The Altroz is Tata Motors’ premium hatchback that goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Hyundai Elite i20. The Tata Altroz is the first model to be built on the carmaker’s ALFA platform and has been developed with electrification in mind.
Commendably, the Tata Altroz has been awarded a 5-star adult occupant protection rating by Global NCAP.
The Tata Altroz’s 86hp, a 1.2-litre petrol engine is pleasant at low speeds but that pep you get in a Baleno is simply missing. The engine doesn’t have much to give at the top end and revving the engine only draws your attention to the thrum from the three-cylinder engine.
A light clutch makes the Altroz petrol easy to live within the town, but again, the 5-speed gearbox isn’t the slickest in the business. It’s the diesel Altroz that feels like the more complete package. Altroz is one of the best hatchback cars in India.
The 90hp, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine can feel a bit hesitant in low-speed driving but it’s quick to settle into a rhythm too. The build-up of power is linear from low down in the rev range, and if you keep the engine in its comfort zone, you’ll manage to rake up the kilometres without much fuss.
If anything, the engine does become gravelly beyond 3,000rpm and it isn’t quite in Hyundai diesel territory when talking refinement.
Tata Altroz April 2020 prices start at ₹ 5.29 Lakh and goes up to ₹ 9.34 Lakh. Petrol Altroz price starts at ₹ 5.29 Lakh. Diesel Altroz price starts at ₹ 6.99 Lakh.
4. Maruti Suzuki Swift
Arguably, India’s most-loved car, the Swift is also the model that changed Maruti Suzuki’s image forever. Now in its third generation, the Swift has grown in size and seemingly, so has its popularity – the hatch has become a permanent fixture on the best-sellers list.
Swift’s appeal has also widened after the introduction of the automatic transmission options. In all, the Maruti Suzuki Swift is available in petrol-manual, petrol-AMT, diesel-manual and diesel-AMT forms.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift’s 83hp, 1.2-litre, a petrol engine is refined, peppy and quite enjoyable when paired with the 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol-AMT unit also works well enough in average city conditions.
The Maruti Swift diesel that uses the 75hp, 1.3-litre engine isn’t as impressive, though. Sure, it’s very efficient, but the engine is loud and feels outdated. The diesel-AMT is also just not as smooth as it ought to be. Swift is one of the best hatchback cars in India.
Maruti Suzuki Swift price starts at ₹ 5.19 Lakh and goes upto ₹ 8.02 Lakh. The price of Petrol variant for Swift ranges between ₹ 5.19 Lakh – ₹ 8.02 Lakh.
5. Hyundai Elite i20
The i20 is Hyundai’s ever-popular large hatchback, and the name is almost synonymous with a premium experience. While the current-gen model is in the latter part of its life, 2018’s facelift has helped keep it appealing.
The Elite i20 is available in petrol-manual, new petrol-CVT auto and diesel-manual forms.
Hyundai’s 83hp, a 1.2-litre petrol engine is refined but also offers unexciting performance. The new CVT auto does its bit to alleviate stress in typical bumper-to-bumper traffic but drive any quicker and you’ll note a lot of the rubber-band effect, and that the gearbox is overly responsive to throttle inputs.
Diesel buyers will like the 90hp, 1.4-litre engine for its performance and refinement. The i20‘s cushy suspension and light steering might be a boon in the city but also make the Hyundai feel ‘loose’ on the highway. Elite i20 is one of the best hatchback cars in India.
Hyundai Elite i20 price starts at ₹ 6.5 Lakh and goes up to ₹ 8.31 Lakh. The price of Petrol variant for Elite i20 ranges between ₹ 6.5 Lakh – ₹ 8.31 Lakh.