Best Petrol Cars in India: A Comprehensive Study

When it is about purchasing a new car in India, the main choice to be made is between petrol and diesel engines. However, with the rising popularity of petrol cars due to their smoother performance, lower maintenance costs, and increasing fuel efficiency, more buyers are leaning towards petrol cars. In this blog, we will explore the best petrol car options in India across various price ranges and categories.

Whether if you are looking for a budget-friendly option under 10 lakhs, a mid-range vehicle under 20 lakhs, or a premium car that offers the best in comfort and performance. A look at the top 10 petrol cars in India will help us to discuss some of the best mileage petrol cars and also explore 7-seater petrol cars for those with larger families or groups to consider.

Best Petrol Cars in India: An Overview

Petrol engines are known for their refined performance, lower initial cost compared to diesel variants, and easier maintenance. With advancements in technology, many petrol cars can now offer impressive fuel efficiency, which makes them a very viable option for both city driving and long-distance travel.

The best petrol cars in India combine factors such as performance, fuel efficiency, safety features, and a good value for money. As we look at different categories, please don’t forget that the “best” car for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.

Top 10 Petrol Cars in India

While looking at the top 10 petrol cars in India across various segments, the below-mentioned vehicles have consistently received positive reviews from experts and consumers. This makes some of these cars a great option.

1. Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has long been a favorite among Indian car buyers. It offers a perfect blend of style, performance, and fuel efficiency. Its peppy 1.2-liter petrol engine delivers a good balance of power and economy, which makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for city driving.

2. Hyundai i20

The premium hatchback segment is well-represented by Hyundai i20. With its modern design, feature-packed interior, and refined petrol engine options, i20 is a strong contender for those seeking a versatile and stylish car.

3. Honda City

Amongst mid-size sedans, Honda City continues to be a benchmark. Its powerful and efficient petrol engine, coupled with a spacious interior, and premium features, makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a balance of comfort and performance.

4. Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Another popular choice in the premium hatchback segment is Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It offers a spacious interior, good fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride. Its petrol engine is known for its smoothness and refinement, which makes it an excellent choice for both city and highway driving.

5. Kia Seltos

In the segment of compact SUVs, Kia Seltos has made quite an impact. Its range of petrol engine options, including a turbo-petrol variant, offers impressive performance and features that makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking an SUV experience.

6. Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta has been a bestseller in the SUV segment. Its petrol engine options provide a good balance of power and efficiency, while its feature-rich interior and comfortable ride quality, makes it a favourite among Indian buyers.

7. Maruti Suzuki Dzire

In the compact sedan segment, Maruti Suzuki Dzire continues to be a popular choice. Its petrol engine offers good fuel efficiency and peppy performance, that makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a balance of practicality and economy.

8. Toyota Innova Crysta

For those needing more space, Toyota Innova Crysta is one of the best 7-seater petrol cars in India. Its powerful petrol engine, comfortable interior, and reliability makes it a top choice for large families and long-distance travellers.

9. Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo has long been known for its solid build quality and engaging driving dynamics. Its range of petrol engines, including a punchy turbo-petrol option, makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for enthusiasts.

10. Tata Altroz

Rounding out our top 10 is the Tata Altroz. It has gained popularity for its striking design, spacious interior, and impressive safety features. Its petrol engine offers a good balance of performance and efficiency that makes it a strong contender in the premium hatchback segment.

Best Petrol Cars in India Under 10 Lakhs

For many first-time car buyers or those who have constraints of a budget, finding the best petrol cars in India under 10 lakhs is a priority. This price range offers a wide variety of options, that range from compact hatchbacks to spacious sedans.

1. Maruti Suzuki Swift

Starting Price: Approximately 5.9 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Swift remains to be one of the best petrol cars in India under 10 lakhs. It offers a perfect balance of style, performance, and fuel efficiency. Its 1.2-liter petrol engine delivers 83 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, which provides a peppy performance for city driving. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 23.2 km/l, it’s also one of the best mileage petrol cars in India.

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Starting Price: Approximately 5.3 lakhs

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios offers a premium feel at an affordable price point. Its 1.2-liter petrol engine produces 83 PS and 114 Nm of torque, that provides a smooth performance for both city and highway driving. With features like a touchscreen infotainment system and wireless charging, it offers great value for money.

3. Tata Altroz

Starting Price: Approximately 5.8 lakhs

Tata Altroz stands out with its striking design and 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. Its 1.2-liter petrol engine delivers 86 PS and 113 Nm of torque, which offers a good balance of performance and efficiency. With a spacious interior and premium features, it’s one of the best petrol cars in India under 10 lakhs for those prioritizing safety and style.

4. Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Starting Price: Approximately 6.5 lakhs

Baleno offers a more premium experience in the hatchback segment. Its 1.2-liter petrol engine, available with mild-hybrid technology in higher variants, delivers good performance and excellent fuel efficiency. With a comfortable ride and spacious interior, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a premium hatchback experience.

5. Honda Amaze

Starting Price: Approximately 6.3 lakhs

For those preferring a sedan, Honda Amaze is one of the best petrol cars in India under 10 lakhs. Its 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine produces 90 PS and 110 Nm of torque, which offers a good balance of performance and efficiency. With Honda’s reputation for reliability and a spacious interior, it’s a solid choice in this price range.

Best Petrol Cars in India Under 20 Lakhs

Moving up the price range, the best petrol cars in India under 20 lakhs offer more features, better performance, and of course more space. This segment includes premium hatchbacks, sedans, and even some SUVs.

1. Honda City

Starting Price: Approximately 11.5 lakhs

Honda City has long been considered one of the best petrol cars in India, and for good reason. Its 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine delivers 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, offering smooth and powerful performance. With a spacious and well-appointed interior, the City provides a premium sedan experience at a competitive price point.

2. Hyundai Creta

Starting Price: Approximately 10 lakhs

In the compact SUV segment, Hyundai Creta is one of the best petrol cars in India under 20 lakhs. It offers two petrol engine options: a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and a more powerful 1.4-liter turbo-petrol. With its feature-rich interior, comfortable ride, and stylish design, the Creta is a popular choice for those seeking an SUV experience.

3. Kia Seltos

Starting Price: Approximately 10 lakhs

Kia Seltos has made quite an impact in the compact SUV segment. Like the Creta, it offers both 1.5-liter naturally aspirated and 1.4-liter turbo-petrol engine options. With its modern design, tech-laden interior, and engaging driving dynamics, the Seltos is one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a blend of style and substance.

4. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Starting Price: Approximately 8.7 lakhs

For those who prioritize fuel efficiency, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is one of the best mileage petrol cars in India in this price range. Its 1.5-liter petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology offers an impressive fuel efficiency of 20.65 km/l. Combined with a spacious interior and comfortable ride, it’s an excellent choice for long-distance travellers.

5. Volkswagen Polo GT TSI

Starting Price: Approximately 10 lakhs

For driving enthusiasts, Volkswagen Polo GT TSI is one of the best petrol cars in India under 20 lakhs. Its 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine delivers 110 PS and 175 Nm of torque, offering spirited performance. With its solid build quality and engaging driving dynamics, it’s a top choice for those who enjoy driving.

Petrol Car Low Price Options

While we’ve covered some budget-friendly options in our “under 10 lakhs” section, now we can have a closer look at some of the best low-price petrol cars in India. These vehicles offer reliable transportation at an affordable price point, which makes them ideal for first-time buyers or those on a tight budget.

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto

Starting Price: Approximately 3.2 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Alto has long been one of the best-selling cars in India, and for good reason. Its 796cc petrol engine is extremely fuel-efficient, making it one of the best mileage petrol cars in India. While basic in terms of features, it offers reliable and economical transportation.

2. Renault Kwid

Starting Price: Approximately 3.3 lakhs

Renault Kwid stands out with its SUV-inspired design and features like a touchscreen infotainment system, even in its base variants. Its 799cc and 999cc petrol engine options offer a good balance of performance and efficiency, making it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a stylish yet affordable option.

3. Datsun redi-GO

Starting Price: Approximately 2.9 lakhs

Datsun redi-GO is one of the most affordable petrol cars in India, offering a tall-boy design for easy ingress and egress. Its 799cc and 999cc engine options provide adequate performance for city driving, while its compact dimensions make it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces.

4. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

Starting Price: Approximately 3.8 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso offers a unique mini-SUV design at an affordable price point. Its 1.0-liter petrol engine delivers good performance and fuel efficiency, making it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking an SUV-like feel on a budget.

5. Hyundai Santro

Starting Price: Approximately 4.7 lakhs

The new Hyundai Santro builds on the legacy of its predecessor, offering a spacious interior and refined 1.1-liter petrol engine. With features like a touchscreen infotainment system in higher variants, it provides good value for money in the low-price petrol car segment.

Best Mileage Petrol Cars in India

Fuel efficiency is a crucial factor for many car buyers in India. Let’s explore some of the best mileage petrol cars in India across different segments:

1. Maruti Suzuki Baleno (Smart Hybrid)

Claimed Mileage: Up to 23.87 km/l

Maruti Suzuki Baleno with smart hybrid technology is one of the best mileage petrol cars in India. Its 1.2-liter DualJet engine with mild-hybrid system offers excellent fuel efficiency without compromising on performance.

2. Toyota Glanza

Claimed Mileage: Up to 23.87 km/l

Based on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Toyota Glanza offers the same excellent fuel efficiency with the added benefit of Toyota’s service network and warranty packages.

3. Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Claimed Mileage: Up to 23.26 km/l

The Dzire combines the practicality of a compact sedan with excellent fuel efficiency, making it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking economy and space.

4. Honda City

Claimed Mileage: Up to 18.4 km/l

Despite its larger size and powerful engine, the Honda City manages to deliver impressive fuel efficiency, especially on highways. This makes it one of the best petrol cars in India for those who frequently undertake long journeys.

5. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Claimed Mileage: Up to 20.7 km/l

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios offers a good balance of features, performance, and fuel efficiency. Its 1.2-liter petrol engine is one of the most fuel-efficient in its class, making it a strong contender among the best mileage petrol cars in India.

7-Seater Petrol Cars in India

For larger families or those who frequently travel with groups, 7-seater petrol cars offer the perfect solution. While diesel has traditionally been the preferred fuel type for larger vehicles, there are now several excellent 7-seater petrol cars in India.

1. Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova Crysta is one of the most popular 7 seater petrol cars in India, known for its comfortable ride, spacious interior, and reliable performance. Its 2.7-liter petrol engine delivers 166 PS and 245 Nm of torque, providing ample power for both city and highway driving.

2. Maruti Suzuki XL6

Based on the popular Ertiga, the new Maruti Suzuki XL6 offers a more premium 6-seater configuration. Its 1.5-liter petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology offers a good balance of performance and efficiency, making it one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a versatile family vehicle.

3. Mahindra Marazzo

While primarily known for its diesel variant, the Marazzo is also available with a 1.5-liter petrol engine in select markets. It offers a spacious interior, comfortable ride, and unique styling, making it an interesting alternative in the 7-seater petrol cars segment.

4. MG Hector Plus

MG Hector Plus offers a 7-seater configuration with a powerful 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine. With its feature-rich interior and striking design, it’s one of the best petrol cars in India for those seeking a premium 7-seater experience.

5. Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Alcazar, based on the popular Creta, offers both 6 and 7-seater configurations. Its 2.0-liter petrol engine delivers strong performance, while its premium interior and features make it one of the best petrol cars in India in the mid-size SUV segment.

Choosing the Best Petrol Car in India for Your Needs

When choosing among the best petrol cars in India, factors such as budget determine our decisions to a major extent. Depending on whether we are looking for options under 10 lakhs, 20 lakhs, or of a higher budget; to consider whether we are in need of a compact car for city driving or a spacious sedan for long trips, or a 7-seater for family use, also become crucial factors that helps us make informed decisions. If running costs are a priority, never forget to focus more on the best mileage petrol cars.

As we’ve explored in this comprehensive blog, the best petrol cars in India span a wide range of categories from budget-friendly hatchbacks to premium SUVs and versatile 7-seaters. The “best” car for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.