
In India, you could once purchase a number of automobiles for less than Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). But that was then, and this is today. Automobiles are becoming highly costly. Both the cost of inputs and the price of cars have increased.
Is there a car in India that is still under Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom)? Just three, precisely! These are the Renault Kwid, the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, and the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10.
Not every version of these vehicles is available for less than Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). Passenger cars (PVs) are becoming much more expensive, as we mentioned. Let's learn more about these reasonably priced models.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10
The cheapest automobile available in India at the moment is the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. The Alto 800 has been discontinued, leaving the Alto K10 as our sole option. The Alto K10 is available in two variants: Standard and Lxi, for less than Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Lxi trim costs Rs 4.83 lakh (ex-showroom), while the base model costs Rs 3.99 lakh (ex-showroom). These two have a 1.0-litre K10C petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox that produces 89 Nm of peak torque and 67 PS of maximum power.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso
The base variant of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, which retails for Rs 4.26 lakh (ex-showroom), is the only model that is less expensive than Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). It is equipped with the same 1.0-litre K10C petrol engine and 5-speed MT as the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10.
Renault Kwid
There was once a 0.8-litre petrol engine available for the Renault Kwid. However, it now only has a 1.0-litre gasoline engine. There are two Kwid models that cost less than Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). Two options are available: RXE (ex-showroom) for Rs 4.69 lakh and RXL (O) at Rs 4.99 lakh.
Both versions use a 1.0-litre SCe gasoline engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox (68 PS of maximum power and 91 Nm of peak torque).
No 800cc car in India is on sale right now.
It's also crucial to remember that there are now no 800-cc cars available for purchase in India. We once had an Alto 800 and a Kwid 0.8-litre. However, on April 1, 2023, when the BS6 phase 2 regulations went into force, both were dropped by their respective brands.