15 Best Cars For Nuclear Middle-Class Families
You know you must do the necessary research before buying a car, right? When it comes to the Indian Automobile industry, the market mainly caters to the middle class at large. But what are the precedents for classifying the Indian middle class? While we can’t possibly put those division bars, what we know for sure is the middle-class expectations from a car regarding its features, mileage, price, and comfortability. Since there can’t be a specific income slab defining the middle-class, we will explore various car options in sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs ranging from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.10 lakhs built with powerful engines, including hard tech inbuilt features and music systems, complementing the coming-of-age demands of customers.
This one-of-its-kind car, launched by the Japanese Carmaker Maruti Suzuki shook the market as soon as it was founded. The Swift 2021 has seen a significant upgrade from its earlier models. This new Swift 2021 comes with a BS6 compliant 4-cylinder petrol engine and gives a combined mileage of 23 km/pl on both manual and automatic transmission. In the upper petrol variants of the car, there is an advanced auto-gear shift system that lets you switch between auto and manual mode. It has LED headlamps with DRLs, a cross-mesh grille, and two-tone alloy wheels on the exterior. The safety features include a dual airbag system, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors with camera, plus cruise control with leather wrapper power steering wheel. The car also features the Maruti Suzuki SmartPlay studio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has accessible navigation features allowing entertainment and information simultaneously. The car also starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 5.85 lakhs. We have our hearts stuck on this facelifted and fancy exterior car, especially when it comes to small families sitting and laughing together in the comfy interior of the vehicle!
One from the Nexa range of MS, Baleno automatically becomes a premium choice for middle-class families looking for economically feasible and stylish exterior cars simultaneously. With its bold black and blue interiors with plenty of leg and boot space and the armrest feature, it makes for a comfortable experience. The car has safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX anchorages, making it an excellent fit for families with young kids. It also possesses rear parking sensors with reverse parking cameras, making it a safe driving choice. The car comes in two types of petrol engines, with the VVT petrol engine having 5-speed manual transmission as well as CVT and giving a combined mileage of 23 km/pl. Possessing intelligent hybrid technology in the form of lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries in the starter generator complies with the market trends for hybrid tech. This technology is available only in select variants of the car. Moreover, the Baleno 2021 comes with UV-cut glass windows, LED headlamps with DRLs, redesigned 3D graphic grille, and revamped bumper. The vehicle comes with the high-tech Maruti Suzuki SmartPlay Studio system, making the experience seamlessly easy for all the family members. The Baleno 2021 starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.5.99 lakhs.
Why purchase Nexon? Nexon was launched by Tata Motors on September 21, 2017, sold approximately 200,000 units in 2021 alone, and is still going strong. Firstly, Nexon is a 5-seater with an SUV body type. Furthermore, it received a global NCAP rating of 5 in terms of safety, making it the first wholly indigenous car in India to have such a high rating, so there’s a considerable upside right there! Let’s talk features. Nexon comes with two BS6 compliant engines: petrol and diesel, giving an average fuel mileage of 16.4 km/pl in petrol models and an average of 22.4 km/pl in diesel engines with 6-speed manual and auto transmissions. It comes with safety features like dual airbags, cruise control, power steering, ISOFIX, emergency brakes assist anti-lock braking system with EBD as standard, alloy wheels, tri-arrow DRLs, 3D front grille, and much more depending upon the car variants. Tata Nexon features top-of-the-class features like automatic rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, electric sunroof, ConnectNext system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, an 8-speaker Harman sound system, GPS navigation, starting at an average ex-showroom price of Rs.7.30 lakhs makes this car perfect for the Indian market!
Hyundai sales rank in the top 5 in the Indian Automobile industry. Because the Korean carmaker is famous for feature-loaded car designs under an affordable price range, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios has seen only success in the Indian market. The 5-seater hatchback has top-of-the-class in-demand features like wireless charging, a digital speedometer, and an 8” intelligent infotainment system; the car becomes desirable immediately. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios comes in 4 engines, including a CNG engine: 1.2 ltr 4-cylinder diesel and petrol engines with 5-speed MT and AMT, a 1.0 ltr Turbo GDI petrol engine, as well as a 1.2 ltr CNG petrol engine both with 5-speed MT, giving a combined mileage of 20-28 km/pl. The ex-showroom price of Grand i10 Nios starts at Rs. 5.28 lakhs.
Entering the market back in 2010, Honda City has become one of the most popular choices of Indian car owners. Currently, Honda City’s 4th generation is being sold at large in India, justifying its name “Stately Stunner.” This premium sedan for the middle-class comes with 6-speed manual transmission and has high performance because the 1.5 ltr i-VTEC petrol engine gives an average mileage of 17.4 km/pl. Coming with the engine start/stop button in the ergonomically-designed cockpit and the intelligent key system, it provides a state-of-the-art interior, including the Digi-pad 2.0 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, an 8-speaker surround sound system, and Honda Connect and Alexa remote capability, digital speed and cruise control display. The car proves to be highly spacious because of its intelligent trunk feature and allows enough leg and boot space and a cup holder plus armrest features. Its safety system comes with the first-in-segment airbag system with six airbags, a rear parking camera, ABS with EBD, and a deflation warning system from 32 ingenious features, making it one of the safest cars for Indian roads. It starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.11.7 Lakhs.
From its many variants in India, the Hyundai Verna 2020 is one of the most sold cars in the Indian market right now. Coming from the leading Korean carmaker Hyundai, this car has three BS6 engines: a 1.5 ltr MPI petrol engine, a 1.0 ltr Kappa Turbo GDi petrol engine with 7-speed DCT, and a 1.5 ltr U2 CRDi diesel engine with a 6-speed manual as well as automatic transmission. The petrol engine of Hyundai Verna gives an average mileage of 18.4 km/pl, while the diesel engine gives an average mileage of 21.3 km/pl. Its safety system includes rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, wireless charger, impact sensing auto door unlock, ISOFIX, and much more. Because of its ventilated front seats, it also becomes highly comfortable for the driver. The car has the added and in-demand feature of an electric sunroof and wireless charging in select variants, making the vehicle a popular choice. The car has a premium Arkamys 8 speaker sound system and an 8” touchscreen AVNT infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Moreover, the car starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.9.32 Lakhs, making it one of the most affordable and premium cars on the market!
Mahindra XUV 300 rightly justifies the “Live Young. Live Free.” motto of the company. A product by one of the two leading companies in India, Mahindra XUV 300, stays in constant competition with Tata Safari. This luxury XUV a classic choice is the 5-star rating by the NCAP. Further, the car comes with two BS6 compliant engine options: turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines with 6-speed manual and automatic transmission. Mahindra XUV 300 diesel gives an average mileage of 17 km/pl, while the petrol engine delivers 15 km/pl. Catering to the market trends of intelligent features, some car variants come with an electric sunroof, Advanced Autoshift Transmission. It comes with some first-class safety features like seven airbags, ABS with EBD system, rear and front parking sensors, all-4 disc brakes, and ORVMs. With even more features like front and rear fog lamps and ISOFIX points, it also guarantees child safety. The top-class features, including a smart steering system, and enough leg space with 2600 mm wheelbase ensuring enhanced stability at an ex-showroom price starting from Rs.7.95 Lakhs for the base model, make it one of the best indigenous middle-class car production in the market.
Maruti Suzuki is one of the most trusted brands in the Indian Market. The Vitara Brezza has been marked a popular choice because of its ease of driving, probably because of its ergonomic design. The steering wheel provides a good grip with safe driving features like cruise control, Bluetooth control, etc. According to the ARAI rating, Vitara Brezza gives a combined 18 km/pl on a 4-cylinder 1.5 ltr K15B ISG petrol engine, available in both 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions therefore complying with the intelligent hybrid technology which is in demand. The Vitara Brezza is a 5-seater compact SUV and comes along with the revamped 7” SmartPlay Studio system with navigation and USB as well as safety features like the dual front airbags, and ABS with EBD. Its sporty exterior, bold front grille, LED headlamps, dual -function LED DRLs and spacious interior make it a super hit in the Indian market. The Vitara Brezza starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.7.61 Lakhs becoming an economically feasible option as well.
What makes the MG Astor a rage in the Indian market? If you don’t already know it, we give it away- India’s first car with a Personal AI assistant! Wondering what it could do for you? We want to start with a definitive statement- if the kid in you is alive, this personal AI assistant will be your best friend in no time! Yes, that’s right. This AI assistant is a complete infotainer with a pinch of hilariousness and a boatload of know-it-all functionality. It has plenty of driving assist features like the ADAS with 14 level-2 autonomous features, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, intelligent headlamp control, and speed assist system, among many other features. The safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD plus a brake assist, and ISOFIX anchorage. The car exterior hints luxury with the MG celestial front grille, Hawkeye headlamps, turbine-inspired alloy wheels, and LED tail lamps, while the interior is marked by premium leather and a 10” infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. MG Astor starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.9.80 lakhs.
Perhaps the reason behind Tata Altroz’s popularity is the Tata iRA technology which allows Altroz drivers to remotely lock the car and remotely turn the car lights on and off, which is very convenient in a day and age where we have a rather forgetful memory. But apart from that, the car has been developed indigenously, and having a global NCAP rating of 5 suggests how sporty and safe it is for the Indian roads. It has the standard ABS with EBD in select variants, dual front airbags, reverse parking camera, ISOFIX anchorage for child seats, and front fog lamps, among other safety features. The car comes in three engines: a 1.5 ltr Turbocharged Revotorq Diesel BS6 engine, a 1.2 ltr Revotron Petrol BS6 engine, and a 1.2 ltr turbo-engine with 5-speed MT. The car gives a combined mileage of 19 to 25 km/pl. In some variants, it also has features like City, Sports, and Eco Mode for safe driving. With the ex-showroom price starting at Rs.5.90 lakhs, the car fits right into the pockets of first-time buyers looking for safety and exterior all in one.
Although Renault stands unpopular against its competition in the market, Renault Kwid has been withstanding its ground in the Indian market, perhaps because of its compact SUV body type. In terms of affordability, features, mileage, and much more, Kwid has taken the market by storm, selling 400,000 units till November 2021. Firstly, being BS6 complaint, this car naturally becomes a preference of many. I say this because the government made it compulsory for engines to be BS6 compliant from 2020. It has both automatic and manual transmission and comes with three types of machines, 0.8 ltr SCe 3-cylinder engine with MT, 1.0 ltr Sce MT engine, and 1.0 ltr SCe Easy-R engines with a 5-speed AMT. The car safety features include electric ORVMs, 14-inch black wheels, a digital instrument cluster, and a 8-inch infotainment screen system with Apple Carplay, and Android Auto connectivity. Because of its 184 mm ground clearance, SUV-styled headlamps, bold exterior, and multi-spoke wheels, the car was classified as a compact SUV. The Renault Kwid starts from just Rs.4.11 Lakhs!
Hyundai reigns in the automobile market in India and Creta is the reason. Why do we say this? It’s because- Hyundai Creta has a very muscular exterior- its long bonnet with athletic crease line is all we need to feel a pang in our hearts for the car. Its front skid plate, very unique to the car, makes it stand out all the more among its competitors. Because of the chrome handle of the vehicle, Creta appeals as an SUV at its finest. The vehicle has a wireless charging system, leather-wrapped D-cut steering wheel, and rear center armrests lending it the quality of a premium car range. The Hyundai Creta has three BS6 engines: a 1.5 ltr U2 CRDi 4-cylinder diesel engine with 6-speed MT and AT, a 1.5 Petrol MPi engine with MT and IVT, and a 1.4 ltr petrol turbo DGi engine with DCT. The safety features include ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and rear camera, front fog lamps, and ISOFIX anchorage as well among many other features. The front row seat ventilation system, a 6” Supervision digital cluster, a premium 8-speaker Bose music system, a 9” infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto plus GPS navigation, and an intelligent panoramic sunroof in select variants makes the car all the more desirable. The Hyundai Creta starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.10.16 lakhs, making it a classic choice for small middle-class families!
The Nissan Maginte was popular in the Indian automobile industry in 2021. It was declared as the Value For Money Car of the year 2021 and the Compact SUV car of 2021, giving tough competition to Renault Kwid. The Nissan Magnate, with its Bi- Projector LED Headlamps, L-shaped LED DRLs, and a ground clearance of 205mm, has a 3-cylinder 1.0 ltr turbo engine with HRAO X-Tronic CVT, giving a mileage of 20 km/pl. The safety features include ADAS, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, HBA, VDC, rear parking sensors, cruise control, child lock, LED front fog lamps, and ISOFIX many other features. The interior has an ergonomic cockpit layout, including wireless charging, an air purifier, an 8” infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and high-end speakers. The Nissan Magnite starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 5.76 lakhs making it a very modern and trendy choice for the Indian middle-class.
Among the top 5 Automobile companies in India, Mahindra Scorpio is one formidable automobile in the Indian market. The all-new Scorpio saw a major facelift from its earlier variants, making it look trendy and stylish like the many other SUVs of our times. The 7-seater car comes with a 6-speed 2.2 ltr mHawk 4-cylinder CRDi diesel engine with MT and a mileage of 14 km/pl. The Mahindra Scorpio comes with a 7” touchscreen infotainment display allowing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Intellipark, electric ORVms, audio and cruise control on steering wheels, and Voice Assist System, among other features. The car has a ground clearance of 180 mm and includes safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, power steering, rain and light sensors, and reverse parking camera, among other features. The exterior of Scorpio possesses a bold front grille, with LED projector headlamps and LED tail lamps, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, a footstep on the rear bumper, silver fender bezel, silver skid plate, and most importantly, 17” alloy wheels creating an overall sporty look for the car which gives it an imposing personality at the same time. The Mahindra Scorpio starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 12.94 lakhs.
Renault is majorly known for its SUVs when we talk about the Indian market trends for Renault. When Duster was launched in India in 2012, literally every second car on the roads that could be seen moving was Duster. The Compact SUV comes in 2 engines: a 4-cylinder 1.3 ltr turbo petrol engine with X-Tronic CVT with 7-step M-Mode transmission and a 1.5 ltr petrol engine, whih gives a combined mileage of 14 km/pl. Regarding safety features, it has dual airbags, reverse parking sensors, ESP, and hill start assist. The 7” infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6-speaker Arkamys system make it a new-gen car. The car exterior gives a vibe of SUVs because of the projector headlamps with DRLs, tri-winged chrome grille, Everest crystal cut alloys, and step board. What makes the car much desirable is its 4WD feature, which is not available in many vehicles. The Renault Duster starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.9.86 lakhs.
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