Best Cars for Middle-Class Families in India 2024

A family road trip is one of the most underrated activities out there. The bonding, connections, and enjoyment experienced in these endeavours are second to none, and should be undertaken as frequently as possible. What’s also critical, however, is picking the right car for the job. After all, the best car for a middle class family isn't one for ferrying from one place to another,, but it also needs to be comfortable, spacious, feature-packed, and most importantly, safe.

So what, then, is the best car for a middle class family in India? There is a sea of options out there, with each having their own pros and cons. To simplify the process, however, our list of the best cars for middle class families should help narrow down the choices.

The cars we’ve picked all have qualities that put the family first, such as  fuel efficiency, cabin space, comfort and convenience. Along with value for money, all these factors have been considered to ensure the list comprises the best cars overall..

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Hatchbacks Between ₹5.5 Lakh And ₹11.2 Lakh

1. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

The Wagon R, a versatile hatchback, has been one of the standout performers for Maruti Suzuki. Its tall-boy design helps it liberate some very useful space in the cabin, and it also features comfortable ride quality, a decent amount of features, and to top it all, great fuel efficiency.

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 latter, though. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT. There’s also a CNG option that helps boost efficiency. 

Features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, steering mounted controls for the infotainment, rear wiper, defogger, and outside rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

As for safety, the Wagon R comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP, rear parking sensors, and a hill-hold assist function.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Features

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• 60:40 split rear seat
• ABS with EBD

2. Hyundai i20

If you’re on the lookout for a premium hatchback for your family, the Hyundai i20 needs to be on your consideration list. Not only does it come with plenty of safety and comfort features, but quality levels inside and out are good, as is the space on offer.

There’s only one petrol engine on offer: a 1.2-litre unit that makes 82 bhp, but there are five-speed manual and CVT options to choose from. On the features front, the i20 comes with a modern collection, like automatic climate control, rear AC vents, cruise control, auto headlamps, and even two drive modes (Normal and Sport). As for the safety features, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and hill-start assist, among others.

Hyundai i20 Key Specifications

Hyundai i20 Key Features

• Six airbags
• Cruise control
• Two drive modes (Normal, Sport)

3. Tata Tiago

The Tata Tiago is a great option to consider in the compact hatchback segment if you’re in the market for a well-designed, affordable, spacious entry-spec family car.

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 Tiago is available in five variants: XE, XM, XT (O), XT and the range-topping XZ+. In terms of features, you get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fully digital instrument cluster, auto climate control and a cooled glovebox, among others.

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. The Tiago’s boot space, at 242 litres, isn’t the most generous, but the rear seats are comfortable and seating five in the Tiago is possible.

Tata Tiago Key Specifications

Tata Tiago Key Features

• Digital instrument cluster
• Auto climate control
• 8-speaker sound system

4. Tata Altroz

The Tata Altroz is a potent combination of style, features, and fuel-efficient powertrains. The premium hatchback has been received well in the market since its launch in 2020, and is particularly well-known for its great ride quality.

The Altroz is available in 1.2-litre petrol and CNG  or a 1,5-litre diesel. For the transmission, you can choose between a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed DCT. The Altroz also packs in a lot of features, including rear AC vents, cruise control, a cooled glovebox, auto headlamps, a voice-activated sunroof, and more. Safety features include ABS with EBD, dual airbags, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and seat belt pretensioners for the front seats.

The Altroz’s boot space of 345 litres is good enough for a quick weekend getaway, and thanks to the spacious rear seat dimensions, five passengers can be accommodated in the Altroz.

Tata Altroz Key Specifications

Tata Altroz Key Features

• 8-speaker sound system
• Semi-digital instrument cluster
• Bi-lingual voice commands accepted for infotainment

Sedans Between ₹6.5 Lakh and ₹17.4 Lakh

5. Maruti Suzuki Dzire

The Dzire is a popular compact sedan from Maruti Suzuki. Thanks to its combination of space, efficiency, and practicality, the Dzire has also been a popular choice among fleet taxi owners, but those very attributes also make it a strong candidate for a well-rounded family car.

The Dzire’s 1.2-litre petrol engine makes a healthy 89 bhp and 113 Nm, and you can spec it with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT transmission. On the inside, you get comfortable seats and enough head-, leg- and shoulder-room. The feature highlights include a 7-inch touchscreen that has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, cruise control, rear AC vents, auto climate control, a rear seat armrest, and even auto headlamps. On the safety front, the Dzire gets ABS with EBD, dual airbags, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and hill-start assist.

At 378 litres, the boot space is adequate for a few suitcases and carry-on luggage, which means quick weekend getaways with up to five aboard is doable.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Features

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Cruise control
• Rear AC vents

6. Tata Tigor

The homegrown Tata Tigor is a popular option in the compact sedan segment. On the whole, it comes across as a safe, efficient, practical, and easy-to-live-with sedan that will be able to handle city runs with ease.

The Tigor comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 84 bhp and 113 Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT, which translates to an efficiency of up to 28 kmpl (ARAI-rated). It comes well equipped with features, including things like a digital instrument cluster, an 8-speaker sound system, a reverse camera, and a height adjustable driver’s seat.

Safety features on the Tigor include ABS with EBD, dual airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. 

At 419 litres, the Tigor’s boot space is more than its nearest competitor’s, the Dzire, which will make family road trips more convenient. 

Tata Tigor Key Specifications

Tata Tigor Key Features

• Digital instrument cluster
• 8-speaker sound system
• Reversing camera with dynamic lines

7.Honda Amaze

Since the Honda Amaze first launched in India in 2013, it’s been known as a sensible, practical and spacious sub-4-metre sedan. Of particular note is the rear seat comfort and the competent ride quality.

It’s available with only a 1.2-litre petrol engine which makes 89 bhp and 110 Nm. It comes with two transmission options paired with it: a 5-speed manual and a CVT. Feature highlights include adjustable front headrests, paddle shifters on the CVT-equipped models, Honda’s connectivity app called ‘Honda Connect’ that gives you information on service intervals, offers and spares, cruise control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment.

On the safety front, the Amaze gets dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and parking sensors as standard. 

Honda Amaze Key Specifications

Honda Amaze Key Features

• Automatic headlamps
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Cruise control

8. Hyundai Verna

One of the cars that have been around the longest (first launched in 2006), the Hyundai Verna is one of the most competent midsize sedans around.

It even underwent a facelift in 2023, which sharpened its design inside and out, and made it a lot more feature-rich. Five-star GNCAP safety rating aside, the Verna gets ABS with EBD, six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and even pretensioners and force-limiter seatbelts for the front seats. Comfort and convenience features include ventilated, heated, and electrically adjustable front seats, cruise control, a cooled glovebox, and even a voice-activated sunroof.

And once you factor in a boot space of 528 litres, it’s hard to give the Hyundai Verna a miss.  

Hyundai Verna Key Specifications

Hyundai Verna Key Features

• Powered driver’s seat
• Heated and ventilated seats
• ADAS

SUVs Between ₹7.9 Lakh And ₹20.1 Lakh

9. Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is one of the best-selling SUVs on sale in India currently. Since its launch in 2017, it has been known for its design, features, and focus on safety, making it a frontrunner if you’re considering a well-rounded family car. In fact, the Nexon was one of the first cars in its segment to achieve a 5-star rating in Global NCAP crash tests, underlining its safety credentials.

Inside, the Nexon offers a modern cabin with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, connected car technology to make road trips easier, and a range of comfort features. One big highlight for the latter is the fact that it gets ventilated seats. While not the largest in its class, it provides adequate space for five passengers and luggage with 382 litres of boot space. This means that the Nexon will be more than capable of handling a quick weekend getaway with five aboard.

Tata Nexon Key Specifications

Tata Nexon Key Features

• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display
• 360-degree camera
• Front seat ventilation

10. Hyundai Venue

The Venue has always been a best-seller for Hyundai since its launch in 2019. The compact SUV is the preferred pick for many, thanks to its feature-rich variants, three fuel-efficient engine options, and refined gearbox options.

It gets a choice of 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel engines, and transmission options include a 5-speed and 6-speed manual, or even a 7-speed DCT. In terms of convenience and comfort features, the Venue comes well-equipped. Highlights include an electrically adjustable front seat, auto climate control, a rear seat armrest, rear AC vents, cruise control, a cooled glovebox, three drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport), and even a voice-activated sunroof.

Safety features aren't lacking, either: there’s ABS with EBD, six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats, and hill-start assist, among others. At 350 litres, the Venue’s boot space isn’t large, but it’s good enough for a quick weekend getaway with up to five people onboard.

Hyundai Venue Key Specifications

Hyundai Venue Key Features

• Voice-activated infotainment
• Powered driver’s seat
• Reclining rear seats

11. Maruti Suzuki Brezza

The Brezza has been a standout performer for Maruti Suzuki. It is consistently on the list of the top 10 best-selling cars in India. The large feature-list, space, comfort, and practicality it focuses on all contribute to the Brezza’s success.

It’s powered by a single 1,462cc petrol engine that makes 102 bhp and 137 Nm. It can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Brezza is well-equipped with comfort and convenience features like auto climate control, a rear seat armrest, rear AC vents, cruise control, cooled glovebox, and auto headlamps. Higher trims also get a 360-degree camera,  head-up display and a 9-inch touchscreen.

In terms of safety, the Brezza gets ABS with EBD, up to six airbags, ESC, speed-sensing auto door locks, ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill-start assist, and a lot more. Its boot space of 328 litres might not be the biggest in the segment, but the Brezza makes up for the value it provides in aspects like comfort, features, and overall refinement. 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Features

• 360-degree camera
• Head-up display
• 9-inch touchscreen 

12. Hyundai Creta

As an overall package, there’s little that the Hyundai Creta misses out on. It’s renowned for its premium and spacious cabin, long features list, and multiple engine and gearbox combinations.

You can spec it with a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iVT, and a 7-speed DCT. As mentioned, the features list is extensive, too. There’s a voice-enabled panoramic sunroof, rear window sunshade, an electric driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 60:40 split bench seat, type-C charging ports, and even a Bose sound system, among others.

Safety features include ABS with EBD, up to 6 airbags, traction control, ESC, a rear camera with guidelines, ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill-start assist, and even ADAS functionality. The Creta’s 433-litre boot space means there will be adequate space for luggage for up to five passengers. 

Hyundai Creta Key Specifications

Hyundai Creta Key Features

• ADAS
• 360-degree camera
• Dual-zone climate control

Conclusion

The Indian auto market has no shortage of family-centric vehicles. These vehicles bring together space, practicality, fuel efficiency, a feature-packed cabin, and some great design inside and out.

While the attributes mentioned above are all great to have for an ideal family car, what’s also equally (if not more) important is how safe the car will be in the event of an accident. In this aspect, it’s heartening to see manufacturers stepping their game up considerably and equipping these cars with a suite of critical safety features like multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, and the like. There’s a greater quantity of cars being tested under GNCAP, which aligns our cars with international safety standards, and is a big plus going forward.

FAQ

Q. Which is the safest car for a middle class family?

Any 5-star GNCAP safety rated vehicle is safe for a middle class family, keeping in mind other considerations like body type preference, budget, etc.

Q. Which is the best SUV for a middle class family?

When it comes to value for money as an overall package, it’s hard to beat the Tata Nexon or the Hyundai Creta.