I am going to India for six months, and while staying there I will be going to a lot of places, and I think it would be best if I have my transport, so I can easily go whenever and wherever I wish to. I would like some help in knowing which car is best in India? When giving, suggestions take note that the car would be used for only six months.
Hello, thank you for posting your query in the forum! (Images from Tesh Tesh, Velachery Balu and Tesh Tesh) Overview For travellers who want to venture into the roads of India, they usually have two options, either rent a car or buy a used car. If you rent a car, you need to present documentations like passport, an international driving license or an Indian driving license and cover the required fee through your credit card, which includes a security deposit. Some car rental companies offer daily rates, usually a maximum of 250 kilometres per day and you can then calculate the incurred costs if you intend to rent the car for a few months. Or your other options would be to buy a used car, which can turn out to be cheaper, although you do need to find a reliable seller and the car has to be in a good condition especially if you intend to use it for long drives in and out of the city. At the end of your trip, you can simply discard the car or sell it again, in order to at least have some of your money back. Whether you're renting a car or buying a used car, you have a myriad of options, but below, we would highlight the most rented cars and best-selling used cars in India. Best Cars in India For Tourists (To Rent or To Buy Used) Hatchbacks 1. Maruti Suzuki Swift - This is a five-seater hatchback, one of the most popular options for bachelors and families alike in India. Despite its affordability, especially when you buy it secondhand, it has a premium appeal to it. It has a nice exterior, probably one of the best-looking hatchbacks in its category. The interiors are equally elegant, with an all black motif and enough space for passengers in the rear seat. The boot area is a bit cramped though so if you have many luggages with you, you'd have to make use of the rear seat instead for putting them in. As far as driving is concerned, the gear box of the car is very smooth and even the acceleration is quite good too. Maintenance of this car is very low so the chances of spending money on repairs are also low. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is available both for rent and for buying as used car. Rental rates vary but on average, expect to pay at the most Rs. 2,280 per day while used car rates average between Rs. 140,000 to Rs. 180,000, depending on the model, the year and the mileage. Rental Rate - Rs. 95 to Rs. 155 per hour or Rs. 1,377 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 140,000 to Rs. 180,000 2. Hyundai I10 - This is also a five-seater hatchback with better ground clearance than the former. It's a good option of you would be driving through patchy roads though care is still needed to be exercised. If you're just driving around cities with smooth roads, you can't go wrong with the Hyundai I10. It has different colours that you can choose from, but the sleek silver variant is quite elegant looking. However, one bad feature of this car is that it can easily get scratched even with minor hits so careful driving is always a must. It has good interiors too, sleek and quite exquisite for the price you pay. The rear seats can hold up to three individuals but the space might be cramped a bit. It has a smooth gearbox but can sometimes be troublesome, especially if the car is already years old. Aside from that, driving is quite smooth but fuel use can be high. As far as maintenance goes, the first few years are quite affordable but as the car gets older, the maintenance costs a bit more. Rental Rate - Rs. 95 to Rs. 155 per hour or Rs. 1,377 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 140,000 Hyundai I10 (Image from Mick) 3. Maruti Suzuki Alto - If you are looking for a fuel-efficient hatchback, look no further with the Maruti Suzuki Alto. It is a favourite amongst locals because of its affordability and fuel efficiency. Its exteriors and interiors are very basic but it does have good air-conditioning control that can cool you on a hot summer day in the city. On the other hand, its gear box is a bit more challenging to master but within a few weeks, you can get the hang of it. A bit of a caution though, if you're quite tall, you might experience hitting the roof on bumpy roads. Make sure you check for the positioning of the seat and the steering wheel, if they are all quite apt for you as the Maruti Suzuki Alto is meant more for the Indian attributes. Rental Rate - Rs. 95 to Rs. 155 per hour or Rs. 1,377 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 110,000 to Rs. 170,000 4. Honda Jazz - Honda is a renowned name when it comes to vehicles and their Honda Jazz comes under the hatchback type of vehicle. It is another good options for driving around India. Though a hatchback, it is comparatively larger than the other hatchbacks in this list. It has ample spacing on the rear seat and can accommodate up to three persons comfortably. Though certain features such as rear AC vents, engine start button and DRLs are missing, practical features such as cup holders and leg space make up for it. Driving it is very smooth, as its gear box is very easy to manoeuvre. Fuel consumption is also very economical so you can save some money. If driving through bumpy roads, care needs to be exercised due to the lower ground clearance of the vehicle. Rental Rate - Rs. 125 to Rs. 180 per hour or Rs. 3,000 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 350,000 Honda Jazz (Image from Thomas Doerfer) 5. Ford Figo - Last for this section is the Ford Figo, a five-seater diesel hatchback. Ford Figo is an underrated model especially as compared to the more popular Maruti models. Its exteriors are well made, especially with its bright blue variant, the features just stand out more. The interiors are spacious, with lots of leg space and also space for a few luggages. The best part is that it has noiseless feature too, you won't be able to hear the engine or noise from the outside. It also combines fuel efficiency and smooth gear driving, a rare feature that not all hatchbacks have. The ground clearance is also good, not that high nor low, suitable for hilly rides that you might like to go for when in India. Safety is also assured as the model has airbags in case of accidents that you might encounter. Rental Rate - Rs. 95 to Rs. 165 per day or Rs. 1,500 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 Sedans 6. Honda City - The Honda City has faced various upgrades over the years. However, even the older models are quite reliable especially if you can find a well-maintained one from a careful owner. Generally, the Honda City is a very reliable and trustworthy model, with fuel efficient and comfortable features. You can choose from several colours but its silver and black variants are sure winners. If you can find a used car model that has been serviced and maintained in a Honda service centre only, you are quite in luck! Even with higher mileage, you would find that the Honda City faces less issues as compared to the former mentioned cars. You can choose between an automatic transmission or manual transmission, both are good options though for longer driving, automatic transmission might be more comfortable. As compared to hatchbacks, the Honda City has more spacious rear seats suitable for families with more members. Rental Rate - Rs. 120 to Rs. 200 per hour or Rs. 3,400 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 110,000 to Rs. 210,000 7. Hyundai Verna - If you would be driving mostly through cities or smooth roads, the Hyundai Verna is a good option. Older used models can cost as low as Rs. 100,000 or even lower. The Hyundai Verna has a very sleek and elegant exterior. The interiors are quite good, with a mixture of plastic cabins and wooden accents. Air-conditioning is up to the mark and even the rear seats can be cold in a few minutes. There is ample space but if you try to fit in three persons in the back, the spacing can be cramped. Older models also don't have stereo and navigation system but if you need them, you can have them installed. Driving this vehicle is very easy too, the engine is responsive and the steering is very light. However, for driving through rough terrains, the lower ground clearance of the vehicle might pose some issues. Rental Rate - Rs. 120 to Rs. 200 per hour or Rs. 3,500 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 130,000 to Rs. 200,000 8. Toyota Etios - If you're willing to sacrifice aesthetics for comfort, then the Toyota Etios is for you. Sure, it might not be as flashy as other sedans, but it has the convenience and basics of a simple car. From the exteriors, you would find that the appeal is mostly for the minimalists. It gives off a mature and classy vibe, as compared to the edgy vibe of other sedans. The interiors are equally basic but are very spacious, especially when it comes to the boot area. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Toyota Etios won't disappoint as well. Engine power is good and even after a few years, the engine won't give up so the idea of buying a secondhand Toyota Etios won't be such a bad idea. In all aspects except aesthetics, the Toyota Etios is a clear winner. It's truly the car of choice for driving in or out of the city. Rental Rate - Rs. 140 to Rs. 240 per hour or Rs. 4,000 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 310,000 Toyota Etios (Image from Lingeswaran) 9. Maruti Dzire - An upgrade of the Maruti Swift is the Maruti Dzire, an entry level sedan, with a seating capacity of five persons. It is one of the best selling sedans in the country as well. Secondhand rates vary between Rs. 190,000 to Rs. 280,000. From the exterior, the Maruti Dzire has significant similarities with the Maruti Swift. As such, it is sometimes labelled as a hatchback in some rental companies. Its appearance is very cute and charming, and you can choose from a variety of colours too. The interiors are good, but spacing in the rear seat can be very cramped. Driving is very smooth though, gear box won't have any issues and engine won't make any noises. For bumpy roads, the vehicle might experience scratches though so drive very carefully. When it comes to maintenance, parts are available in any local car maintenance store so in essence, you won't have to pay as much. Rental Rate - Rs. 130 to Rs. 185 per hour or Rs. 3,145 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 190,000 to Rs. 280,000 10. Ford Aspire - If you compared the Ford Aspire with the other sedans, it immediately stands out as the best-looking one. If you are quite conscious with the appearance of the vehicle you drive, then consider the Ford Aspire. It has a well-thought of design, almost looking very royal like in the roads. The interiors are very elegant too with a mixture of flesh and black motifs. There are enough storage spaces, from the boot area, up to the bottle holders and even the large glove compartment. The front and rear seats have ample leg space too, perfect for long journeys. And though the engine of the vehicle is a bit on the noisier side, the driving is very smooth and effortless. Even driving through bumpy roads, the experience of bouncing is still less as compared to other sedans. The Ford Aspire is truly value for money and fits those who enjoy a luxurious drive. Rental Rate - Rs. 140 to Rs. 280 per hour or Rs. 4,500 per day Used Car Rate - Rs. 450,000 to Rs. 600,000 Ford Aspire (Image from Asudipto) Conclusion When it comes to renting a car in India, there are many companies that can help you with that. Some of the best known car rental companies are Myles Cars and Zoom Car. As mentioned above, fees might end up being higher when you rent a car for the long-term, from six months and beyond, as compared to just buying a used car. However, reliability of cars is maintained well by car rental companies. Buying a used car can help you save some money, but you need to be careful in which car you buy, as in the end, the repairs and maintenance might cost you more than the car itself. Only buy from reputable companies and always research beforehand to know how to spot a secondhand car that is worth your money still. Good luck!
