The automotive landscape is undergoing rapid evolution in India. With more models joining the game and new segments opening up, buyers today have a lot to choose from. Performance, speed, and the thrill of driving have all become expensive. If you’re in the market for an affordable fun-to-drive car today, you’ll have very few options to choose from. In this article, we will list out seven fun-to-drive car that you can buy under Rs 10 lakh in India. Keep in mind that we’ll base this article on the ex-showroom prices and you’ll have to factor in additional expenses like insurance, registration, and road tax to arrive at the respective on-road prices…
Think of ‘N-Line’ models as sportier iterations of standard Hyundai cars with notable upgrades in handling and dynamics. The i20 N Line is one of the most fun-to-drive cars that you can buy under 10 lakh rupees. The i20 N-Line was first launched in India in 2021, and a facelift came in 2023. It now comes in two trims- N6 and N8. The former has an ex-showroom price of Rs 9.14 lakh. Opting for the dual-tone colour option will push this to Rs 9.3 lakh.
The range-topping N-Line variant comes with features like a voice-enabled electric sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, a 7-speaker BOSE audio, wireless charger, a digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, paddle shifters, and more.
The N-Line i20 is powered by a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 120hp. Two transmission options are available- a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic. You’ll only get the manual version under 10 lakh. The N6 DCT has an ex-showroom price of Rs 10.23 lakh.
That said, the i20 N-Line is indeed fun to drive, especially the DCT variant. The shifts are quick, and the engine has a peppy nature. The biggest highlight is, in fact, the suspension. It feels much stiffer than what’s offered on the regular i20. This improves the handling and high-speed manners.
The feel and feedback offered by the steering are also much better than what we get on the regular version. All wheels feature disc brakes. A raspier exhaust note adds a final layer of excitement to the package. This also happens to be the only ‘rea’ hot hatch left in our market!
The Kylaq is probably the most fun-to-drive small SUV on sale here today! Many call it the spiritual successor of Polo and we can’t complain! Based on the MQB A0 IN platform, the Kylaq is powered by the same 1-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine as the Polo (and various other Skoda-Volkswagen models). More importantly, it is compact, comfortable inside, and has good dynamics.
The 1.0 TSI engine is rev-happy and makes 115hp. Two transmission options are available- six-speed manual and six-speed automatic. Enthusiasts would love the Kylaq’s quick steering responses and mature dynamics.
The Kylaq comes equipped with features like an electric sunroof, a 10-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, cruise control, a reverse camera, and a wireless charger. It even has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.
The Kylaq starts at Rs 7.55 lakh, ex-showroom. The base-spec Classic variant comes with just the manual gearbox. The mid-spec Signature trim starts at Rs 9 lakh, ex-showroom, for the manual version. The Signature AT is priced at Rs 10 lakh, ex-showroom. You’ve got three variants to choose from…
The XUV 3XO today is a hot-selling model. It comes with three different engines- two petrols- 1.2L turbo-petrol (111hp), a 1.2L direct injection turbo-petrol (131hp)- and a diesel (117hp). The direct-injection turbo-petrol is the strongest of the lot, while the diesel strikes a fine balance between excitement and fuel efficiency. The 3XO also has a strong focus on handling and dynamics. It is quite fun to drive this SUV around corners.
A loaded variant comes with the likes of a 10.25-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and ventilated seats. It also scored a five-star rating in Bharat NCAP crash tests, and comes with safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, level 2 ADAS and more…
The 3XO is available in a lot of variants and trims. Several of these fall in the sub-10 lakh bracket. These include both the 111hp petrol engine and the diesel unit. The base-spec MX1 variant has an ex-showroom price of Rs 7.28 lakh. The recently launched RevX series packs more appeal and comes with a starting price of Rs 8.15 lakh. The better pick here is the diesel that starts at Rs 8.95 lakh. This engine makes 117hp and 300 Nm! That’s a handsome torque pile for a sub-10 lakh car!
The C3, like many other models from Citroen, is a slow seller. It, however, offers a strong value proposition for those seeking budget-friendly fun, thanks to the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 110hp. The Turbo range starts at Rs 8.3 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.32 lakh. Four variants are available in this price bracket. These include both manual and automatic transmission options…
A loaded C3X comes with features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, keyless entry and go, auto climate control, cruise control, 360-degree camera, and projector headlamps.
Not everyone would approve of its design, but the Ignis is a fun-to-drive car! It is compact, has just the right features to make life comfortable, and most importantly, comes with the ‘unadulterated’ 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol (K12M) engine! This four-cylinder doesn’t get the dual-injection tech and is thus great to drive. It makes around 83hp- enough to make the tiny hatchback feel peppy.
This car may not have the best handling or top-notch high-speed manners, but is quite desirable for the price it commands- Rs 5.35 lakh- Rs 7.55 lakh! Both five-speed manual and five-speed AMT transmissions are available.
The Thar needs no introduction. It is now available in both three-door and five-door forms. The three-door version now a variant priced below 10 lakh rupees- the AXT RWD. It comes with a 1.5L diesel engine that makes 117hp and 300 Nm and has a rear wheel drive (RWD) layout. Yes, this variant is very basic. But, it can be quite fun if you have a thing for going sideways on ruts and other slippery off-road patches.
The Sonet continues to be a strong seller for Kia. It comes with 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5L diesel and 1.0L turbocharged petrol engines and offers the choice of both manual and automatic transmissions. The base-spec diesel variants make so much sense to people who are on the lookout for a fun-to-drive car under 10 lakh. Two diesel variants- HTE (O) and HTK (O)- are available, priced at 8.98 lakh and Rs 9.94 lakh, respectively.
The diesel engine here makes 114hp and 250Nm, and also returns impressive fuel efficiency figures. The Sonet, further has a slightly stiff suspension, translating into better dynamics and road manners than its Hyundai cousin, Venue. It is definitely more fun-to-drive than the Hyundai.
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