Being a college student and hunting for a car is a tedious task. After all, we as students try to find that one car which is an all-rounder for mileage, performance and will make us stand different, suits our personality, and attractive to the crowd as it also becomes our style statement. As there is a famous saying in the automobile world – The car you drive defines your standing in society!
Numerous cars might fit your need but might not just fit your pocket right. So here, we at Race Monkey boil down the list of cars that are safe, economical, and fun to drive.
Honda Jazz
(Rs 7.50 lakh to Rs 9.74 lakh (ex-showroom))
Honda India recently gave the Jazz a mild update. Apart from the new BS6 petrol i-VTEC motor producing 96PS of power and 120Nm torque, the new Jazz gets LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a revised front grille, new LED front fog lamps, and sportier bumpers. The cabin remains relatively familiar apart from the addition of an electric sunroof the only hatchback to be offered with it. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering mounted controls, voice commands, electrically folding ORVMs, climate control, and keyless entry with push-button start. Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are some of the safety kits on offer. Well, VTEC kicked in yo!
Tata Altroz
(Rs 5.44 lakh to 8.95 lakh (ex-showroom))
Powered by BS6-compliant 1.2-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines. The petrol engine delivers 85PS and 114Nm, whereas the diesel motor produces 90PS and 200Nm. Both engines are paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Altroz gets a boot space of 347 liters along with a ground clearance of 165mm. Features highlights include a 7-inch floating infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ambient lighting, cruise control, auto headlamps, as well as keyless entry with push-button start-stop. Safety equipment consists of ABS+EBD, rear parking sensors with camera, driver and co-driver seatbelt warning, and high-speed alert and a solid 5-star rating from the Global-NCAP.
Hyundai Grand i10 / Grand i10 Nios
(Rs 5.12 lakh to 8.35 lakh (ex showroom))
With three engine options on offer: a 1.2-liter diesel (75PS/190Nm), a 1.2-liter Kappa petrol (83PS/114Nm) mated to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT, and a Venue-sourced 1.0-litre T-GDI engine pushing out 100PS and 172Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Nios has a wide range of engine options to carter from. From the features list, the Nios comes well loaded with an 8-inch infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, rear ac vents, wireless charging, and a 5.0-inch digital cluster with MID. Safety is taken care of by dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking camera, and sensors. The connected car feature also helps the families to track the loved ones too.
Hyundai Venue
(Rs 6.75 lakhs to 11.65 lakhs (ex showroom))
Here is the Urban kid grooving on Urban Vibes. The Hyundai Venue packs in a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Petrol engine options consist of a 1.2-liter 83PS petrol mill and a 120PS 1.2-liter turbo-petrol while the diesel variant comes with a 100PS 1.5-liter unit. While all three engines come with a manual option, it is only the turbo-petrol which is offered with a 7-speed DCT. The turbo-petrol engine is also offered with a 6-speed clutchless manual gearbox (iMT). Being offered with 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car technology, a sunroof, cruise control, a wireless phone charger, climate control and cornering headlamps and parents favorite Bluelink for tracking you. On the safety front, it comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and electronic stability control.
Kia Sonet
(Rs 6.7 lakhs to 13 lakhs (ex showroom))
And here is the Wild kid. The all-new Kia will surely turn heads for its wild looks, the Sonet and Venue is the perfect example of sibling rivalry. Under the hood, the Sonet is offered with three engine options: an 83PS 1.2-liter petrol, a 120PS 1.0-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine with two state of 100PS (MT) and 115PS (AT) states of tune. While the 1.2-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines are offered with a manual transmission, the 1.0-liter turbo-petrol gets the iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) clutchless manual only. Automatic transmission options are only available for the 1.5-liter diesel and 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engines, with the diesel option with proper 6-speed torque converter.
Ford Figo / Freestyle
(Rs 5.49 lakhs to 8.15 lakhs (ex showroom))
The Ford Figo is powered by BS6-compliant 1.2-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engine. The petrol engine develops 96PS and 119Nm while the diesel engine puts out 100PS and 200Nm. Both engines are offered with a 5-speed manual transmission only. Figo comes with a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, connected car technology, climate control, steering-mounted audio control, a multi-info display, and keyless entry with push-button start. Safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, a rear parking camera, and sensors. Performance + Safety, Ford got you covered fam.
Tata Nexon
(Rs 6.99 lakhs to 12.7 lakhs (ex showroom))
The Nexon BS6 is powered by 1.2-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines with the turbo petrol now more powerful producing 120PS and 170Nm of torque. The 1.5-liter diesel engine produces 110PS of power and 260Nm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT gearbox. The Nexon is now the most affordable car to get a sunroof. The Nexon BS6 gets cosmetic updates similar to the Nexon EV. Inside, the Nexon gets a three-spoke steering wheel and touchscreen infotainment from the Altroz as well as new features like cruise control, auto headlamps, and wipers as well as connected car technology. It also comes with electronic stability control and i-RA voice assistant feature as standard and from safety well it gets a solid 5-star rating from Global NCAP.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza / Toyota Urban Cruiser
(Rs 7.34 lakhs to 11.4 lakhs (ex showroom))
Powered by a 1.5-liter K15B motor making 105bhp with 138Nm torque. The power is channeled to the front wheels with a 5-speed manual and 4-speed torque converter and the 12V mild-hybrid unit for the torque boost assist. On the feature list is equipped a 7-inch infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, cruise control, a multi-info display, steering-mounted audio control, as well as keyless entry with push-button start. Safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera and a respectable 4-star safety from Global NCAP.
Tata Tiago
(Rs 4.69 lakhs to 6.73 lakhs (ex showroom))
Why not? A cheap entry-level car with a matured design that looks like a mini Altroz and a feature list which makes the competition feel like a box on wheels. Powered by a single 1.2-liter Revotron petrol engine. It produces 86PS of power and 113Nm of torque. You can have it with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox. The peppy engine makes the drive enjoyable. An updated 7-inch Harman-sourced touchscreen infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with 4-speaker 4 tweeter Harman audio system, which is just on another level, digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable and folding outer rearview mirrors, cooled glovebox, steering-mounted audio, and telephony controls. On the safety front, the Tiago has dual airbags, ABS, and EBD, as well as a reversing camera and rear parking sensors and a sweet 4-star safety rating from Global NCAP.
Suzuki Ignis
(Rs 4.89 lakhs to 7.27 lakhs (ex showroom))
Yes, the looks are polarizing but those who like the funky design will appreciate the Ignis. Aimed towards the millennials the Ignis is powered by a 1.2-liter K12B engine that is BS6-compliant. It continues to develop 83PS of power and 113Nm of torque and is paired to a 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox. On the feature, list is a new 7-inch SmartPlay Studio infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering-mounted audio controls, automatic climate control, push start-stop, and MID with TFT screen, dual airbags and an acceptable 3-star safety from Global NCAP.
One can easily dig deep into the used car market and find products that suit the needs, for example, a used Honda Brio, Volkswagen Polo, Mahindra Thar for that "cool dude" factor, Honda City, Hyundai Verna and more.
The automotive market is not just limited to these products. Many other factors do come into play while buying a vehicle. Ultimately, your choice will come down to your unique needs, preferences, and personality. After all, it’s much more fun to love your car than simply see it as a necessary evil. However, buy safer vehicles which will save your life in the event of a mishap. Drive safe, driving is a privilege, not a right.
Wear a seatbelt, wear a helmet, FOLLOW THE LAW!.
Thanks for the info, my choice of car would be the Altroz because of its reliability and safety.