Auto Premier League: Top Sub-Compact Sedans In India - Pick Your Favourite

Sub-4m sedans have always been the middle ground for Indians who want the pocket-friendly prices and driveability of a hatchback and the comfort and features of a compact sedan. Back in the day, the transition to sedans in the Indian market came with the introduction of a hatchback with an extended trunk for your junk. While the initial members of the sub-4m sedan segment have been discontinued, they helped set the tone for the segment and made it popular among buyers. With this list, you get to pick your favourite sub-compact sedan sold in India. Come be a part of the Auto Premier League, where you can vote for your favourite cars starting from June 10 at 12PM. 

Maruti Suzuki Dzire (Rs 5.89 lakh to Rs 8.80 lakh)

You might already know that this is the same Swift Dzire which Maruti introduced in 2008. Although the Swift moniker no longer remains, the design cues still go hand in hand. Joining the sub-4m sedan in 2014 with its second-gen model, the Dzire has been a fan favourite ever since. The recently facelifted Dzire comes with a bunch of new features, loses the diesel mill and gets just a BS6 petrol engine. 

Pros:

• Refined petrol engine.

• High claimed efficiency.

• Comfortable ride quality.

• Loaded with features.

Cons:

• Interior quality could have been better.

• No diesel engine option.

For more detailed information about the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, click here.

Ford Aspire (Rs 5.99 lakh to Rs 8.34 lakh)

Whether it was poor sales figures or the competitive market that led to this decision, Ford discontinued the automatic variants two years after its introduction in 2018, making it the only entry on this list to be a manual-only car. On the brighter side, it gets side and curtain airbags as a segment-first feature.

Pros:

• Comfortable ride quality gobbles up potholes and broken surfaces.

• Well-loaded lower variants.

• Clutch, steering and gear action is light.

• Punchy diesel engine is sure to put a smile on your face.

Cons:

• Headroom continues to be an issue, especially for those around 6ft tall.

• No automatic transmission option.

• Missing features such as projector headlamps, daytime running lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For more detailed information about the Ford Aspire, click here.

Hyundai Aura (Rs 5.79 lakh to Rs 9.22 lakh)

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Based on the Grand i10 Nios, the Aura gets multiple engine options, unlike its rivals. Making that a little sweeter is the option of a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. If that’s still not enough, the car boasts some segment-first features such as wireless charging and projector fog lamps.

Pros:

• Interior quality feels on par with cars from a segment above.

• Gets segment-first features such as projector fog lamps and wireless charging.

• Multiple engine-gearbox-fuel options to choose from.

Cons:

• Strict four-seater, seating five will be a stretch.

• Diesel engine not as refined as earlier.

• Silly misses: adjustable front headrests, backlit switches, front armrest.

For more detailed information about the Hyundai Aura, click here.

Hyundai Xcent (Rs 5.81 lakh to Rs 8.79 lakh)

The Xcent was Hyundai’s answer to the then growing sub-4m space in 2014. You can say that the Xcent was ahead of its time, setting the precedent with rear AC vents and premium interior quality.

Pros:

• Easy to use touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

• Premium interior quality. Feels like you’re in a car from a segment above.

• Spacious passenger and luggage space; convenience features very well thought out.

Cons:

• MID misses out on basic info like a distance-to-empty counter or an average efficiency display.

• Adjustable front headrests, height-adjustable seatbelts, dead-pedal not offered on any variant.

• No automatic on offer.

For more detailed information about the Hyundai Xcent, click here.

Honda Amaze (Rs 6.09 lakh to Rs 9.95 lakh)

What sets the Honda Amaze apart from its rivals is the availability of a CVT with both the petrol and diesel engine.It gets segment-first paddle shifters, while the rest of the features like a large touchscreen, auto climate control, cruise control are at par with the segment. The design itself is probably the most premium, and it offers one of the most spacious cabins in its class. 

Pros:

• Comfortable ride over all surfaces, noiseless suspension even over broken roads.

• Improved overall interior space with increased storage spaces.

• Diesel-CVT is smooth, efficient and well suited for the city.

• Largest-in-segment luggage compartment (420 litres).

• Comfortable front and rear seats.

Cons:

• Missing feature list - automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, projector headlamps.

• Fit and finish issues, cost cutting is evident.

• Rear headroom is at a premium, fixed headrests not comfortable.

• Diesel engine is still noisy.

For more detailed information about the Honda Amaze, click here.

Tata Tigor (Rs 5.75 lakh to Rs 7.49 lakh)

Tata was the first to arrive in the sub-4m segment with the Indigo CS and has made it clear that it is here to stay. The cheapest offering in its segment with a 4-star Global NCAP crash test rating, the Tigor is a major upgrade from its predecessors: the Indigo CS and the Zest. It is also one of only two sub-4m sedans to feature an AMT gearbox.

Pros:

• One of the most coherent sub-4m sedan designs.

• Most affordable sedan of the lot.

• Loaded with convenience features.

Cons:

• Engine refinement not on par with rivals.

• Cabin space is less than rivals.

• No diesel engine option.

For more detailed information about the Tata Tigor, click here.