Best Cars for Small/Middle-Class Indian Families

The Medium Cars market in India is estimated to reach US$2bn in 2024. These numbers will hardly surprise Indian car buyers as the need for a versatile family car seems like the most pragmatic choice.

Whether you have to transport your children regularly or you are planning a road trip with your loved ones, a family car with comfort and safety becomes your reliable companion. Vehicles that belong in this category include sedans, SUVs, minivans, and station wagons.

Let’s take a look at some of the most reliable and popular middle-class cars:

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is designed to deliver optimal driving comfort. It is the best car for a middle-class family under 10 lakhs if you seek smooth handling, responsive steering, and a compelling driving experience.

The interiors of the car are curated to offer superior comfort to both the driver as well as the passengers so long journeys do not exhaust you. What adds to Baleno’s cost-effectiveness is that the car is low maintenance.

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Tata Tigor

In addition to a smooth purchase experience, the Tata Tigor comes with the dual benefits of a good safety rating and a beautiful driving experience. Even at high speed, the corner stability of the car remains impressive which imparts it with a sense of reliability.

It boasts a stylish design and comfortable interiors making it the best car for a middle-class family. Moreover, buyers are spoilt for choice as the vehicle is available in 12 variants.

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Ford Figo

The Ford Figo is an all-rounder. Not only does it boast good build quality but it also has a power-packed engine that makes it a delight for drivers. It is an economical purchase that comes with low maintenance costs without discounting comfort.

It is easily the best middle-class car in India, especially for those who are on a budget. It comes with good safety, reliable corner stability, and a nice road presence. While it is not loaded with features, it does comprise all the essential ones.

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Maruti Vitara Brezza

Not for nothing does the Maruti Vitara Brezza have mass appeal. The compact SUV boasts a stylish design and an improved road presence. With smart hybrid tech and excellent fuel efficiency, it is the best car for middle-class buyers.

The suspension of the vehicle is also good which ensures comfort even in poor road conditions. For families that enjoy long journeys, the Brezza is equipped with lots of storage, a sunroof, car connect features, and more.

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Tata Nexon

Amongst the most celebrated cars for a middle-class family is the Tata Nexon. It comes with a smooth and comfortable driving experience and is designed to meet the demands of ultramodern civic cultures.

The many features of Nexon are designed elegantly to appeal to those who cannot compromise on aesthetics. In addition to outstanding performance, the Nexon also comes with excellent build quality.

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Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a car that drivers would thoroughly enjoy. The car comes with a refined and responsive engine while also being stable at highway speeds. It practically glides through roads making it a comfortable choice even for long journeys.

It drives more like a car and less like a heavy MUV. The car also comes with good and comfortable seating capacity and decent boot space making it the best car for a middle-class family in India especially for families that enjoy road trips.

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Kia Carens

Kia Carens is the best middle-class car in India for those who prioritise comfort. It is praised for its spacious and well-designed interiors that appeal to people of all ages.

This flagship sedan in Kia’s lineup has impressed buyers with its classy style, superior comfort, and excellent tech features. The exterior of the car is designed in a sleek sophistication featuring a distinctive grille. It offers a pleasant driving experience with a well-performing engine.

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Mahindra XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700 is a power-packed car with phenomenal performance and handling. The quiet engine can cruise smoothly at 120 kmph and the car easily handles curves imparting confidence to the driver.

With an imposing road presence, the Mahindra XUV700 is the best car for a middle-class SUV buyer. The car is designed for comfort such that drivers do not feel tired even when driving for long journeys.

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Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Better mileage than other MUV cars in the segment is not the only thing that makes the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga the best car for a middle-class family. The car also comes with a smooth engine, and a spacious cabin, and is loaded with the latest features such as a rear view camera, touchscreen infotainment, etc.

What makes the Ertiga cost-effective even in the long run is its low cost of maintenance. In short, this family car is a bang for the buck.

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Hyundai Verna

If performance is the game, then the Hyundai Verna will not disappoint. With an outstanding suspension, the promises a comfortable driving experience and strong performance without compromising on safety.

It is designed in a sleek and stylish manner that blends modern design with a reliable performance. Although the mileage of the Verna is moderate, the cost for servicing remains within a pocket-friendly range.

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Tata Safari

The Safari has made a name for itself in the Indian car market with numbers alone speaking miles for the popularity of the vehicle. It comes with a punchy, mid-range engine that offers a smooth driving experience.

The smooth-shifting AT of the Safari makes it easy to drive in the city. It comes with two driving modes - Eco and City. Contrary to popular opinion, the Eco mode of the Safari is genuinely usable owing to the powerful engine of the vehicle.

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Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar is a resilient car that will suck up everything that the road throws up offering superior comfort to the driver as well as other occupants. The car glides through the roads in exceptional smoothness making it one of the best family cars.

The DCT gearbox stands out for its seamless transitions and refinement. For its price, the Alcazar is loaded with features and the car is designed with some of the finest interiors.

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Tata Altroz

If you are looking for the best car for a middle-class family under 10 lakhs, then you must consider the Tata Altroz.

The car stands out because of its satiny and futuristic styling. It does all of this while prioritising safety. The interiors of the car are roomy ensuring comfort for the driver and passengers.

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Volkswagen Virtus

With elegantly designed exteriors and classy interiors, the Volkswagen Virtus is a “complete” car that drives one’s love back to sedans. It comes with a solid build quality with ample legroom in the cabin, supportive seats, and enough storage space.

The Global NCAP crash tests gave the car a 5-star rating which can make it stand out among family cars for its safety features. Moreover, its responsive and refined engine makes the Virtus among the most fun-to-drive sedans in the segment.

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Skoda Rapid

With a solid build quality and excellent driving comfort, the Skoda Rapid is an excellent choice for a family car. Its superior driving experience is also owing to its wonderful handling.

The smooth-shifting gearbox and a powerful engine, ensure that the car is a pleasure to drive. In addition to its superior performance, the Skoda Rapid has an imposing road presence. Even its interiors are designed to offer comfort in style.

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Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid cars are revealing to become a matured masterpiece of technology and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is no different in this regard. It has a silent engine in EV mode and offers a comfortable driving experience with easy seat height adjustment and steering wheel angle. The interiors of the car are created with elegance and the car is equipped with exciting design elements such as the sunroof. Although the boot is not very spacious, clever packing can resolve the issue with ease. Key specifications:

Buying a car is always a special experience. The time spent on research and seemingly tedious discussions about budget, model, colour, features, etc., all become worth it when your brand-new car arrives at your doorstep.

A new car owner will go out of their way for the first few days to ensure that their car looks shiny and new. However, when the first wave of enthusiasm fades, these maintenance tips ensure your car remains in excellent shape for long:

Periodically check your tyres: Tyres must have adequate pressure in them at all times. This enhances the fuel efficiency of your car.

Check the level of engine oil: Engine oil lubricates the components of the engine and plays a crucial role in the combustion process. So, the level of engine oil in your car must be optimum. If you see dirt residue on engine oil markings, it might indicate that the engine oil needs to be changed.

Keep an eye on the fluids: In addition to the engine oil, several fluids such as coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid, etc., play an important role in the functioning of the car. It is important to check for leaks of any of these to ensure your car runs smoothly.

Inspect your headlights: A burn-out or a broken bulb can be a safety hazard so drivers must ensure their headlights are working perfectly.

Replace windshield wipers: Damaged wipers can influence the visibility of your car so car owners must replace them promptly.

Change the engine air filters: The air filter of the car can accumulate dirt and if this enters the engine it can hinder its efficiency. Drivers must therefore check and replace the air filter on time.

Check the brakes: If your brake pedals are vibrating or if there is some noise, it may be an indication that your brake pad needs to be checked.

Check the spark plugs: A car can only start if the spark plug is functioning well so if you are experiencing trouble starting your car, reduced mileage, increased noise, or uneven acceleration, it might mean that you have a faulty spark plug.

Service your car in timely intervals: Perhaps the best way to maintain your car is to service it at regular intervals. Professional technicians can identify and fix concerns before they exacerbate so your car is in the best condition for long.

In addition to the aforementioned maintenance tips, there is one more crucial aspect of car maintenance - four-wheeler insurance.

Your new car quickly becomes a part of your family. Whether it is office commutes or family trips, it accompanies you wherever you go. However, just as one likes to ensure that a car is well equipped with safety features, it is equally important to ensure that your car is adequately secured with comprehensive car insurance.

Car insurance acts as your financial companion in distressing times by securing your purchase against unfortunate scenarios right from accidents and theft to natural disasters such as fire and earthquakes.

You can even enhance your basic car insurance with a personal accident cover that will secure against permanent total disability, death, and major injuries caused to the owner-driver as a result of an accident. This coverage on four-wheeler insurance can be extended with liability to unnamed passengers to secure other occupants.

Acknowledging the quick-paced life of today, insurance providers have enabled the option of buying car insurance online. When you buy car insurance online, you can compare different policies with ease and even get a discount on your premiums.

You can invest in car insurance online in three simple steps: enter your vehicle registration number, fill out the necessary details, and get an insurance premium quote. However, before you invest in car insurance, you must carefully read the policy inclusions and exclusions to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Buying a car is an exciting experience. However, before buying a car it is important to carefully analyse your requirements and properly assess all the necessary features so you have the most suitable vehicle for yourself and your family. And, you can quickly and easily secure this purchase by buying car insurance online.

How to choose a family car?

When buying a family car, ensure that the interiors are spacious and comfortable, there is adequate boot space, and it includes essential safety features such as ABS, EBD, airbags, etc.

Is comprehensive car insurance mandatory?

Although car owners only need third-party car insurance to drive legally, it is always advised to secure your vehicle with comprehensive car insurance for well-rounded protection.

What is the best way to maintain your car?

One of the most important car maintenance tips is to ensure your vehicle is serviced on time. And to secure your vehicle, invest in comprehensive car insurance.

Disclaimer: All the prices and other information listed above pertain to a specific city and vehicle model. Since this information is subject to change, it is advisable to check the latest information before purchasing a vehicle or an insurance policy.