10 Best Cars For Beginners In India

Owning your first vehicle is a major milestone in one’s life. But given the sheer number of options available in the market today, picking the right vehicle is a crucial, if overwhelming task. This guide, however, will help narrow down the options considerably within a budget of ₹10 lakh.

With the assumption that this is your first vehicle, and that you have just learned how to drive a car, your ideal machine needs to be compact, with a focus on ease of driving, preferably with the option of manual and automatic transmissions, and crucially, it should also be safe and reliable. Needless to say, it should also be affordable. With that criteria, these ten options, from a range of manufacturers, both used and new, are highly recommended.

Become a part of the official CARS24 auto community; AUTOVERSE, where we host lively auto discussions, updates, and more.

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

The ever-present Maruti Suzuki Alto, now sold only in the K10 avatar, is a great combination of compactness, efficiency, affordability, and reliability. In short, it’s an ideal starter car, and great for beginner drivers. Priced between ₹3.9-5.9 lakh (ex-showroom), the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the cheapest car you can buy in India.

Its proportions (its length is well under the sub-4-metre mark at 3,530mm) make it easy to manoeuvre in traffic. On top of that, the light controls like steering wheel and clutch operation make it ideal if you’re still getting used to being behind the wheel of a car.

The Alto K10 also makes a decent amount of grunt. A total power output of 56 bhp and 82.1 Nm from a 998c petrol engine may not sound like world-beating figures, but thanks to the Alto K10’s low kerb weight, it feels sprightly in city conditions. The Alto K10 is offered in two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the automatic once again being handy for first-time drivers.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 key features for beginners

• Tight turning circle of 4.5 metres makes it easy to take U-turns
• Cheapest automatic with Maruti’s AGS automatic transmission

2. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso may not be the first option that comes to mind when considering a beginner-friendly vehicle, but a detailed look reveals it does a lot of things right. For a start, its starting price of ₹4.2 lakh makes it an affordable option (with the top-spec model going up to ₹6.1 lakh). However, used examples of the S-Presso are available at Rs 3.23 lakh.

Next, the S-Presso’s proportions are compact (it’s only 35mm longer and 30mm wider than the Alto K10), which means it’s as easy to park, navigate traffic, and manoeuvre tight turns as its stablemate. Given how it’s been designed, the S-Presso’s tall-boy design means you’re seated higher up, giving beginner drivers a better view of the road ahead. Maruti has also given it the option of an AMT, and if efficiency is your primary concern, then opting for the CNG version will give you up to 32.7 kmpl. Combined, these factors make the S-Presso well worth considering for beginners, especially if its quirky styling isn’t a deal-breaker.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso key specifications

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso key features for beginners

• High seating position gives good outward visibility
• Steering-mounted controls allows drivers to keep hands on the wheel
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helps in navigation while driving and reduces distractions
   

3. Renault Kwid

At its core, the Renault Kwid is a compact, efficient, easy-to-drive and convenient option to consider in the hatchback segment. Its case as a worthy consideration gets strengthened thanks to the low starting price of ₹4.6 lakh, making it quite a value-for-money proposition. The Kwid is an excellent starting point for beginner drivers.

In terms of dimensions, it’s marginally larger than rivals like the Alto K10 and the S-Presso, but that doesn’t take away from the ease with which it’s able to navigate dense traffic conditions. Powering it is a 999cc petrol engine that makes 67 bhp and 91 Nm, and you can pair it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The light controls are one of the Kwid’s key highlights, so navigating tight parking spots or dense traffic isn’t stressful. It also rides well, so bumps and potholes aren’t a concern. The Kwid is also efficient, returning up to 22 kmpl.

Renault Kwid key specifications

Renault Kwid key features for beginners

• Reverse camera great for parking in tight spots
• Compact dimensions a boon for navigating traffic
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helps in navigation while driving and reduces distractions

4. Tata Tiago

The Tata Tiago is one of the easiest recommendations for new drivers, not least because of its low starting MSRP of ₹4.9 lakh for the base model, which goes up to ₹8.7 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec model.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 84 bhp and 113 Nm, and you get two transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The automatic Tiago would be a boon for new drivers as they get to grips behind the wheel. In terms of features, you get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that makes it easy to navigate while driving by reducing distractions.

Safety features include ABS with EBD, two airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. While it is a subjective topic, the Tiago is also easy on the eyes, and all in it makes for a great first buy.

Tata Tiago key specifications

Tata Tiago key features for beginners

• AMT transmission easy for beginners to get used to
• Plenty of safety features
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helps in navigation while driving

5. Maruti Suzuki Celerio

The Celerio has been an extremely successful model for Maruti Suzuki, and that’s mainly because it covers all the important bases well: its overall length of 3,695mm and width of 1,655mm means it’s easy to navigate in traffic, and there’s a height adjustable driver’s seat that makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position for people of different heights. Furthermore, the automatic and manual transmissions are known to be reliable. For a starting price of  ₹5.3 lakh, few bring as competent a package together as the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, especially for a first-time buyer.

There’s a 998cc petrol engine that makes 66 bhp and 89 Nm, and it’s paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The automatic option in the Celerio is a great option for those who are just learning how to drive. The Celerio is also very efficient, returning up to 34.4 kmpl (for the CNG-equipped variant). The cabin is also spacious enough to seat up to five passengers, making it a great option if you need to ferry people within city limits.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Celerio key features for beginners

• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Compact dimensions make it easy to park and manoeuvre
• Efficiency

6. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

The Wagon R has been one of the standout performers for Maruti Suzuki, and comes across as a versatile hatchback. Its tall-boy design helps offer a spacious cabin, and it also offers a comfortable ride and up to 23.5 kmpl of fuel efficiency, making it a worthy consideration for beginners.

The Wagon R is available in two petrol options, a 1.0-litre and a 1.2-litre. Only the ZXi and ZXi+ variants get the larger engine. There’s also a CNG option that helps boost efficiency up to 34 kmpl. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT (AGS in Maruti-speak). 

Features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, steering mounted controls for the infotainment, rear wiper, defogger. As for safety, the Wagon R comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP, and also rear parking sensors, which is a great feature to have to assist beginners while parking in tight spots. The AGS-equipped Wagon Rs also get a hill-hold assist function, which prevents the vehicle from rolling back on an upward slope when you release the brakes.

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R packs in a lot of value as a comfortable, easy to drive, and practical city runabout, especially once you factor in its price (₹5.5-7.3 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R key features for beginners

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity helps with navigation
• Standard safety features are sufficient for city driving
• Tall boy design helps offer good visibility for the driver

7. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

There are good reasons to consider the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios as a beginner-friendly vehicle. It’s a fuss-free, no-nonsense and capable small car. In its latest avatar, the Grand i10 Nios, it’s a great option to consider if you want a compact car that can do it all. The Grand i10 is easy to manoeuvre in urban driving conditions thanks to its compact dimensions. Hyundai equips the Grand i10 with height adjustable driver’s seat which makes it versatile for tall and short drivers. Priced between ₹5.9-8.5 lakh (ex-showroom), the Grand i10 offers great value for money for new drivers.

It’s powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm, which is more than adequate for city commutes and the occasional highway run. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the automatic making it easy to drive even for beginners. Efficiency is respectable too, with the Grand i10 Nios returning up to 26.2 kmpl.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios key specifications

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios key features for beginners

• Up to six airbags
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Refined automatic transmission

8. Hyundai Exter

If hatchbacks don’t cut it for you, the Exter mini-crossover is one of the best vehicles to consider for a beginner driver. Launched in 2023, the Exter is ideal if you want the compact proportions of a hatchback, but with the added flexibility of an SUV form factor. The Exter offers a commanding driving position, and its improved 185mm ground clearance makes it easy to navigate ungainly bumps and potholes on the road without a fear of scraping the underbelly.

A direct consequence of its tall-boy design is that cabin space receives a shot in the arm, so ferrying up to five passengers won’t be a concern. The Exter offers one engine option: a 1.2-litre petrol unit that makes 82 bhp and 114 Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, with the automatic being a convenient pick if you deal with heavy traffic situations often.

Hyundai’s cars have come to be quite popular thanks to the amount of features they have to offer for the price. In this regard, the Exter carries on that trend. The highlights are a factory-fitted two-way dash cam, a sunroof, and even paddle shifters for the AMT-equipped variants. For beginner drivers looking for a vehicle that’s future-proof (to a certain degree), the Exter makes a lot of sense thanks to the features on offer.

On the whole, the Exter stands out as a great compact option that’s comfortable, spacious, efficient (up to 27.1 kmpl) and has an affordable (starting ex-showroom) price of ₹6.1 lakh. 

Hyundai Exter key specifications

Hyundai Exter key features for beginners

• Commanding seating position for the driver
• Factory-fitted two-way dash cam
• High ground clearance makes it easy to drive through rough roads

9. Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is an easy option to recommend when considering a beginner-friendly vehicle. Aside from being a comfortable size for city runs, it’s also got enough room in the cabin for up to four adult passengers (five, if the distance is short enough), and is fuel efficient (with up to 25.7 kmpl on offer).

Its 1.2-liter petrol engine is known to be smooth and easy to get along with, which is a big plus for those just getting used to being behind the wheel. If rowing through gears isn’t comfortable for you, there’s also a five-speed AMT on offer.

The Swift also holds the distinction of being one of the most fun-to-drive vehicles on this list. While not a critical factor for beginners, it’s a good option to consider for those who want more than just a commuter from their first car.

Maruti Suzuki Swift key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Swift key features for beginners

• Fuel efficiency of up to 25.7 kmpl
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity help with navigation

10. MG Comet EV

While the rest of the cars on this list have petrol and CNG power options, the MG Comet is the only electric vehicle here. It’s also the most expensive of the lot, with a starting price of ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That said, if you’re a beginner driver, few will be as handy as the Comet EV.

The MG Comet is the smallest car you can buy in India, and its compact proportions will be a boon for beginner drivers to navigate the city in. But while it may look compact on the outside, the Comet EV manages to surprise with the amount of cabin space on offer. What’s also surprising is the boot space of 350 litres, and the plush and feature-rich interiors. The MG Comet features a reverse camera that makes it easy to park, and the compact dimensions and wheelbase results in a small turning radius making it exceptionally manoeuvrable.

The Comet EV comes powered by a 17.3 kWh battery that makes 41 bhp and 110 Nm which is more than  adequate to tackle urban conditions. The ride quality is also absorbent, despite it getting tiny 12-inch tyres, so bumpy roads won’t be an issue.

As for its range, the Comet EV is rated at 230 km on a full charge, which is more than adequate for a city runabout. The Comet EV has a starting price of ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which might make it the most expensive on this list, but it’s still an overall affordable, competent, and compact city runabout that’s well worth considering as a beginner driver.

MG Comet EV key specifications

MG Comet EV key features for beginners

• Compact proportions make it easy to drive in traffic
• Reverse camera makes it easy to park
• Small turning radius make it easy to manoeuvre

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Used Car For Beginners

While considering a used car, there are a few tips to keep in mind that will help with the entire purchase process.

• Budget: Determine how much you can afford, including purchase price, insurance, and maintenance. Consider additional costs like registration and taxes.
• Purpose: Identify your primary use: commuting, family trips, or occasional driving. Choose a size and type (sedan, hatchback, SUV) based on your needs.
• Reliability: Check reviews and ratings for reliability over time for the model you intend on purchasing.
• Fuel efficiency: Choose a car with good mileage to save on long-term fuel costs.
• Mileage: If you’re buying a used car, opt for a car with reasonable mileage; lower kms on the odometer is better but also consider maintenance records. A car with a full service history is always more dependable.
• Mechanical condition: Have the used car inspected by a trusted mechanic before purchase. Check for warning signs like rust, leaks, or unusual noises.
• Low maintenance: Easy-to-service vehicles with accessible spare parts and low maintenance costs. Consider models with minimal history of recalls or mechanical failures.
• Safety features: Look for basic safety features such as airbags, TPMS, ABS, and stability control. Advanced features like backup cameras or blind-spot monitoring are bonuses.
• Resale value: Opt for a car with a strong resale market in case you decide to upgrade later. A popular car will hold its value better than a niche model.
• Test drive: Test drive the car to evaluate comfort, handling, and any potential issues if it’s a used vehicle.
• Warranty: Carefully check the terms and conditions of the manufacturer’s warranty or consider purchasing an extended warranty.

• Seller reputation: Buy from a reputable dealer or a trustworthy seller like CARS24. 

   

Conclusion

The market today is filled with plenty of quality vehicles to choose from for a beginner driver. Finding a car suitable to your driving experience is no longer a daunting or overwhelming task, especially with how advanced cars have gotten in terms of technology and ease of usability.

All the same, what’s key is identifying the use-case for the vehicle you want. It also makes sense to understand early on whether you will be needing a car simply to commute from point A to point B or whether you would want something more involving that will help you develop your driving skills. For the latter, considering slightly more powerful vehicles that reward driving skills would be a better bet.