Best Petrol Hatchback Models

The Maruti Alto K10 features the brand’s peppy K-Series petrol 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.

The Hyundai Grand i10 is slotted between the entry-level Eon and the more premium Elite i20. The car showcases the basic form of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic’ design philosophy and comes with a neat pair of LED DRLs. The petrol Grand i10 offers good performance for its dimensions while also giving good mileage. The Grand i10 can be opted in a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic variant. Inside, the car gets all the essential features and comfort you would expect.

The Maruti Celerio when launched, was the first affordable AMT car in India. Other manufacturers started making AMT versions of their hatchback models mainly after the introduction of the Celerio. The 5-speed AMT of the Maruti Celerio offers a smooth driving experience. A funkier version of the Maruti hatchback, named the Celerio X, is also available on the market. The Celerio X carries only cosmetic changes compared to the regular variant.

The Tata Tiago can be considered as the return of Tata Motors. With a lot of segment-first features and a brilliant design, the Tiago is among the best-selling hatchbacks in India. One of the main highlights of the Tata Tiago is its premium Harman audio system. The petrol version of the Tiago suffers a bit on low-end grunt but is fun to drive once the RPMs climb up. The Tiago petrol also gives good mileage for its power output.

The Maruti Swift has been India’s most popular car, ever since its launch in 2005. The Swift has gone through three generations and the latest model was launched at Auto Expo 2018. The new Maruti Swift petrol variant uses the same old 1.2-litre unit but is now available with both a 5-speed manual and an automatic transmission. Sold as the Suzuki Swift globally, the hatchback has won many awards over the years and is an active participant in motorsports events.

The second-generation Honda Jazz has got a lot of features and updates compared to its previous version. The petrol Jazz offers good performance from its 1.2-litre mill while also giving a decent mileage figure of around 18.7km/l. The design of the Jazz makes room for a lot of practicality too. The seats can be adjusted and folded in multiple ways for the most-efficient space utilisation. The petrol engine comes with a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual or a CVT unit.

The Maruti Baleno is a premium hatchback, sold exclusively through the brand’s NEXA outlet. With upmarket interiors and features, the Maruti Baleno is almost on par with hatchbacks sold in the European market. The petrol avatar of the Baleno makes use of a 1.2-litre mill; the same as in the Maruti Swift. While that engine showcases decent performance, there is a more fun 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged engine on offer in the sportier Maruti Baleno RS. The Baleno RS has also got some unique styling bits on its bumpers to differentiate it from the regular model.

The Volkswagen Polo is the only hatchback sold by the German in India. The Volkswagen Polo boasts of class-leading German engineering and offers good performance. While the current Polo petrol variant has been downsized and underpowered to give better fuel efficiency, the sportier Polo GT TSi is a strong performer. The Polo GT petrol comes with Volkswagen’s reputed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Polo GT TSi is also the cheapest car in India to have a dual-clutch transmission.

The Fiat Abarth Punto could be the most underrated hatchback ever sold in India. The hatchback features excellent build quality and strong performance. Speaking of performance, the Abarth Punto makes 145bhp; the highest in its class. It can also hit 100km/h from a standstill in just 8.8 seconds. The Abarth Punto is also an example of the unique Italian design language and sports racing stripes plus Abarth’s scorpion logo on top. However, sales of the Punto Abarth is still doing poor and Fiat might not even consider bringing such a good product ever again.