Best Petrol Models

The Alto K10 features Maruti Suzuki’s peppy K-Series engine. In addition to the petrol version, the Alto K10 also has a CNG variant. The Maruti Alto K10 is available either with a 5-speed manual or an AMT. It is also one of the cheapest Maruti models currently available and is a joy to drive. The regular Maruti Alto has been the largest-selling car in India many times. This fact is particularly evident if you travel across India. At any given place, you will spot a Maruti Alto.

The Renault Kwid is the cheapest offering from the brand. The SUV-like design of the Renault Kwid, with bulky fenders and good ground clearance, has got much appreciation in the Indian market. The Renault Kwid is available with either an 800cc or a 1.0-litre petrol engine. To cater to everyone's taste, the Renault Kwid has been introduced in numerous limited editions too. Though not everyone will be a fan of the ‘hatchback-on-steroids’ looks, the car gets the highest sales numbers for the brand.

The Tata Tiago can be considered as the return of Tata Motors since it was this very hatchback that fixed the losing ground of the brand in the market. With a lot of segment-first features and a brilliant design, the Tiago is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in India. One of the main highlights of the Tata Tiago is its high-quality Harman audio system. The Tiago petrol is a fun-to-drive car and offers good value for money. Sales for the Tata hatchback is still going strong.

The Maruti Swift has been India’s most popular car, ever since its launch in 2005. The Swift has gone through three generations and two facelifts. The latest model was launched at the Auto Expo 2018 and brought a lot of changes and additions. The new Maruti Swift gets the existing, yet fun, petrol engine but is now available mated to a manual or an automatic transmission. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is sold as the Suzuki Swift globally and has won many awards over the years.

The Volkswagen Polo is the only hatchback sold by the German brand in India. The Polo boasts of class-leading German engineering and offers premium quality interiors. While the current Polo petrol has been downsized to a rather underpowered 1.0-litre unit, the brand still has the more fun GT TSi variant. The turbocharged 1.2-litre unit is a solid performer in its segment and also features Volkswagen’s reputed seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The Freestyle is the first car from Ford to get the 1.2-litre Dragon-series petrol engine – the most powerful in its segment. Although it is based on the Ford Figo, the crossover has been re-engineered a lot from the ground up. The car offers a well-planted and balanced ride even while having good ground clearance. The interiors are also nicely equipped and come with a lot of connectivity options. Above all, the Ford Freestyle has even sold more than the number units sold by its competition – the i20 Active and Etios Cross, combined.

Ever since the first model came to India in 1998, the Honda City has been the go-to premium sedan for the middle class. The car has gone through four generations and eight facelifts. With twenty years of market presence, the Honda City is still one of the most-demanded sedans in India. The addition of premium features and comfort in newer models is perhaps what Honda does best with the City. While the current model doesn't have the legendary VTEC petrol engine as in the Type 2 generation, the 1.5-litre i-VTEC unit offers a balance between performance and efficiency.

Toyota’s first C-segment sedan in India offers a lot when compared to its competition. The Yaris comes only in a petrol version and is available either with a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT. The car also gets seven airbags as standard; something not seen even in the higher segment cars. The cabin offers lots of space and the overall design looks matured. Driving the Yaris is also a breeze, thanks to the low levels of NVH. Toyota aims the Yaris at working individuals between the age of 30 and 40, from the upper middle class.

The Nexon is one of the strongest contenders in the compact-SUV segment. It is also the first compact SUV from the Indian brand. The funky looks derived from Tata’s Impact Design 2.0 philosophy has won in attracting the younger mass. The petrol variant comes mated to either a manual or AMT gearbox and the Nexon offers just enough to be a practical, yet fun, daily. The Tata Nexon also ticks a lot of boxes, if features are what you are looking for.

The Ford EcoSport is available in two petrol avatars: the regular and really good Dragon series engine and the Ecoboost unit in the more-fun EcoSport S variant. The latest generation of the crossover comes with a lot of new features, packaged well in a premium interior. Being a global product, the EcoSport offers excellent build quality too. The crossover also gets class-leading safety features such as Ford’s Emergency Assistance – a system which uses the paired smartphone to contact emergency services in the event of an accident.