The entry level sedan segment represents one of the hottest selling classes of passenger cars in the Indian auto market. At present, utility vehicles are displaying a rapid rise in demand and popularity among the domestic car aficionados. However, compact hatchbacks and entry level sedans still top the best selling car charts in the Indian auto market. At present, many enticing entry level sedan models are offered to car enthusiasts, such as Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Chevrolet Sail, Mahindra Verito, Toyota Etios and the newly launched Honda Amaze. Therefore, CarTrade.com has compiled a list of best models plying in this segment in the country.
Heading our list of ‘Best entry level sedans in India’ is the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire model. Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country's largest passenger car maker, has the champion of all entry level sedans- the Swift DZire in its arsenal. Along with its hatchback sibling Swift, the sedan version contributes to the company’s bulk of the profits in domestic car market. Speaking of engine specifications of Swift DZire, the model is powered with a 1.2 litre, K-Series petrol engine that cranks out a peak power and torque outputs of 86 bhp and 114 Nm, respectively. The Swift DZire diesel comes fitted with a 1.3 litre Multijet motor rated with peak power and torque figures of 74 bhp and 190 Nm. At present, Maruti Suzuki India offers its Swift DZire range with price tags falling between Rs. 4.92 to 7.5 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) in the domestic market.
The newly launched Honda Amaze has turned up second behind Swift DZire, on our list of best models in the entry level sedan segment. The stunning model comes with a highly competitive pricing (Rs. 4.99 lakh to Rs. 7.6 lakh), as compared to its Maruti Suzuki counterpart. Looking at under-the-hood configuration of new Honda Amaze, the modish entry level sedan comes in both petrol and diesel powered variants. The Amaze petrol is powered with a 1.2 litre i-VTEC motor, which rolls out highest power output of 87 bhp. The Amaze diesel trims come assimilated with the revolutionary 1.5 litre i-DTEC Honda Earth Dreams engine, rated with a maximum power output of 99 bhp. This i-DTEC diesel engine also boasts off a stunning fuel efficiency figure of 25.8 kmpl, which makes it the most fuel efficient entry level sedan in the country.
Finishing third on list is the Chevrolet Sail sedan. This model was launched in February 2013 by Genera Motors India and has become one of the American car maker’s top selling products in the domestic auto market. The Chevy Sail is also offered to Indian buyers with price tags similar to Amaze and Swift DZire, owing to a competitive stance by the company. The base petrol version of Sail sedan is offered at Rs. 4.99 lakh, whereas its top end diesel trim comes with a price tag of Rs. 7.51 lakh in the country. Coming to under-the-hood specifications of Chevrolet Sail, its petrol version is powered with a 1.2 litre Smartech engine that churns out peak power of 85 bhp and maximum torque delivery of 113 Nm. The diesel Sail is powered with a 1.3 litre SDE Smartech power-mill rated with highest power and torque figures of 77 bhp and 205 Nm, respectively.
The Mahindra Verito sedan also competes in the entry level segment of Indian auto market. The company offers Verito in both petrol and diesel powered options, which carry retail values in the price bracket of Rs. 5.3 lakhs to Rs. 7.75 lakh. Further, 1.4 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engines drive the Verito variants and crank out maximum power outputs of 75 and 65 bhp, in the order of mention. The strong suits of Mahindra Verito sedan are its spacious cockpit volume, sturdy build, modern looks and premium feel. The Toyota Etios entry-level sedan is another exciting model that requires a mention in our list of best entry level sedans in the country. The Etios flaunts modish looks and is also offered in both petrol and diesel trims. The petrol variant of Etios is powered with an 89 bhp rated 1.5 litre motor, whereas the diesel version comes fitted with a 1.4 litre engine that produces a peak power output of 67 bhp. The stylish Etios range is offered to domestic buyers at price tags Rs. 5.4 to Rs. 8.4 lakh.
