We all love more for less and used cars exactly offer us that. Here is our list of the best sedans in the 3-5 lakhs price bracket-
1. Ford Fiesta/Classic
The Fiesta (now known as the classic) is one of the oldest selling cars in our market. But even today it manages to look handsome among the new sleek designs. Initially launched as the Fiesta, but was later renamed as the classic to make way for the new Fiesta.
Pros-
1. Ride quality and Handling remain one of the best in class
2. Solid Build quality.
3. The 1.6L petrol engine remains a favorite among the enthusiasts. A well priced rev-happy 100BHP petrol engine.
4. Competent range of engines on offer.
5. Fuel Efficient diesel engine.
6. 1.6L petrol available at throw away prices in the used car market due to poor resale value.
Cons-
1. Feels cramped. The legroom is below average.
2. Not so very fuel efficient 1.6L petrol engine.
3. Under-powered 1.4L diesel engine. Absence of an intercooler.
4. Certain niggles and issues observed.
Overall as a package the Fiesta is fantastic. It is a fun to drive sedan with a nice ride quality and handling. If you want something fun to drive then the 1.6L petrol should be your pick. Otherwise the 1.4L diesel is amazing. The 1.4L petrol is best avoided.
2. Fiat Linea
Pros-
1. Built like a tank.
2. Amazing turbo-petrol engine (T-jet) on offer. Comes with 4-disc brake setup to enhance braking.
3. Ride quality and handling remain best in class.
4. Communicative steering. Offers amazing feedback.
5. Easy to find less run Linea's at a lower price due to poor resale value of Fiat's.
6. Looks Beautiful. Well integrated boot.
Cons-
1. Underpowered Diesel engine. Offers the worst performance in class.
2. Rear seat isn't very spacious. Can't seat 5 either.
3. Ergonomics are messed up.
4. Fiat's pathetic after sales service.
5. Gearbox is terrible to use. Long throw rubbery shifts.
If you want a fuel efficient diesel with an amazing ride and build quality, then Linea it is for you. On the other hand if you want the Petrol then the 1.4 T-jet remains one of the best in its class. The 1.4 FIRE and the Linea Classic are best avoided.
3. Honda City (2008-2011)
Pros-
1. Looks better than the latest 4th Generation Honda city. The arrow shot design looks brilliant..
2. The 1.5L i-vtec is amazing. Offers terrific performance and fuel efficiency.
3. Respectable ride quality.
4. Highly Reliable and Durable being a Honda.
5. Spacious interiors. Offers amazing legroom.
6. Resale value is high
Cons-
1. Cars scrapes on the speed-breakers miserably when fully loaded. Thanks to the soft suspension and low ground clearance.
2. Cheap interior quality.
3. Feature list is the least exciting for its class.
4. No diesel engine option.
5. High asking price in the used market.
Honda City has created a benchmark for sedans under 10 lakhs. It is a terrific package from Honda which is very reliable. This is one of the best used family sedans you can buy in the 3-5 lakhs price bracket.
4. Honda Civic
Pros-
1. Looks amazing even today. One of the best designs. Low slung and sporty.
2. Nice feature list. Later models were offered with a sunroof. Spacious interiors with a nice layout.
3. Communicative steering. Offers amazing feedback.
4. High Reliability and Durability.
5. Sorted suspension on the Civic's post 2010. The rear suspension was stiffened in 2010 which made the civic a dynamics friendly car.
6. The 1.8L i-vtec is madness at higher RPM's. A revv-happy engine with controlled NVH levels. Loads of after-market modification options available.
7. As the Civic has been discontinued, It is available at low price in the market.
Cons-
1. Low slung car. Makes it difficult for the elderly when it comes to the in/egress.
2. Low ground clearance combined with a soft rear suspension made it terrible when tackling bad roads or speed breakers.
3. Soft rear suspension in the Civic's from 2006-2010 which made them bouncy, spoilt the dynamics and they miserable scrapped on speed-breakers.
4. Poor low end performance. It feels terrible when driving in the city.
5. Now discontinued.
Honda Civic was one of the best D1 segment cars to be sold in India. It is a good family sedan which takes an extra effort to make you happy when you drive it. Even though now discontinued it is an amazing buy as spares are never going to be an issue for the Civic.
5. Hyundai Verna (2006-2010)
Pros-
1. It was offered with a brilliant 1.5L Diesel engine. Loads of torque available to play with.
2. The Diesel engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Automatic diesels are a boon as they offer the convenience of an automatic with the high fuel economy of diesel engines.
3. Good build quality.
4. Overall reliability is good.
5. The SX variant gets 4-discs and ABS as standard.
6, Light steering wheel makes city driving easy.
Cons-
1. Boring and outdated interiors as well as exteriors.
2. No airbags available.
3. Ride quality isn't any good. Thanks to the soft suspension.
The Verna Diesel offered with a 5-speed manual and 4 speed automatic gearbox are really good in this price segment. The Verna Petrol is best avoided.
6. Maruti Suzuki SX4
Pros-
1. Brilliant 1.6L VVT petrol engine. Offers nice performance with respectable fuel economy.
2. High ground clearance makes it easy to tackle bad roads.
3. Spacious and well built interiors.
4. Being a Maruti Suzuki, Reliability and After sales service is never going to be a problem.
5. A practical buy. The 1.3L diesel engine is in a better state of tune when compared to the competition. The 1.6L is anyway fabulous.
Cros-
1. The 1.3L diesel is too small for a car from this segment.
2. The rear seat is not very comfortable.
3. Many features missing- Rear ac vent, hand rest, basic Music system.
4. Now discontinued.
The SX4 in its initial days was a hit and was even able to take down the Honda City. The SX4 is one of the most practical buys. We recommend you to have a look at both the petrol and diesel options as both are competent.
7. Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire
Pre-facelift
Facelift
Pros-
1. High fuel efficiency and adequate performance from both the petrol and diesel engines.
2. Proven reliability and wide spread Maruti Suzuki's after sales service.
3. The face-lift has better interiors fit and finish.
4. Acceptable ride quality.
5. Terrific resale value.
Cons-
1. Inadequate brakes on the L & V variants.
2. Pre-facelift Dzire has poor interiors.
3. Not so very spacious inside and the facelift has the smallest boot in class.
The Swift Dzire is one of the best selling cars in India. It is a perfect package for an average Indian family. We recommend you to have a look at both the petrol and diesel options as both are competent.
8. Tata Indigo Manza
Pros-
1. Interior space is best in class. Nothong even comes close.
2. Improved quality & fit and finish is way better than the older Indigo and the Indica,
3. Respectable ride quality. A value for money spacious family sedan with a big boot.
4. Offers nice equipment and safety features.
5. The 1.3L diesel offers good fuel economy.
Cons-
1. Tata's after sales service is horrible in certain cities.
2. The petrol engine is neither fuel efficient nor offers good performance.
3. Quality needs to be improved in certain areas.
The Manza is one of the best products from Tata motors. It is a spacious sedan which is available in the used market at really low prices thanks to the poor resale value of Tata vehicles. The Petrol is best avoided. The diesel remains our pick.
9. Skoda Laura
Pros-
1. The diesel engine offers terrific drivability, performance and fuel economy. The 160bhp 1.8L turbo-petrol TSi is a hoot to drive.
2. Well built and spacious interiors. Amazing ride quality and comfort.
3. Solid build quality and premium.
4. Offers some amazing gizmos and safety features.
5. DSG + Diesel is a terrific combo.
Cons-
1. Skoda's after sales service is pathetic.
2. Certain reliability issues and niggles observed.
3. High cost of upkeep. Very expensive cost of spares.
The Skoda Laura is a brilliant package. Offers amazing engines with gearbox options. Both the diesel and petrol engine's are really good. We recommend the DSG Diesel, manual transmission Diesel and manual transmission petrol. The DSG petrol is best avoided.
10. Skoda Rapid
Pros-
1. The Diesel engine offers amazing performance, drivability and fuel economy.
2. The suspension setup is brilliant. Offers a perfect balance between comfort and handling.
3. Overall a well built sedan.
4. Available at low price in the used market thanks to the poor resale value of Skoda's.
Cons-
1. Pathetic Skoda's after sales service.
2. It is comfortable as a 4 seater and not a 5 seater.
3. Petrol engine isn't as good as the Diesel.
The Skoda Rapid is a brilliant package. Had it not been a Skoda it would have been really successful. The Diesel Rapid is our pick.
11. Volkswagen Vento
Pros-
1. Overall a well built sedan
2. Looks amazing.
3. The Diesel engine offers amazing performance, drivability and fuel economy.
4. Suspension setup offers a perfect balance between comfort and handling.
5. Brilliant package.
Cons-
1. Petrol engine isn't as impressive as the diesel.
2. Electronic power steering offers no feedback.
3. High cost of upkeep and scary VW after sales service.
The Vento is an amazing package. Similar to the Rapid but comes with a peace of mind as VW's after sales is better than Skoda.
12. Toyota Etios
Pros-
1. 1. Dual airbags offered standard across all variants.
2. Both the Diesel and Petrol engine offer amazing drivability. Requires minimum gearshift due to adequate torque available. The gearbox and the engine have been tuned for drivability and fuel economy.
3. Space is available in abundance. It can easily seat 5 adults in comfort. Boot space is a whopping 595L.
4. Suspension is tuned for both for comfort and handling.
5. The T badge= reliability and Toyota's excellent after sales service is a boon.
Cons-
1. Build quality is poor, Unlike other Toyota's. Cost cutting is evident in the Etios.
2. Interiors feel a level down for its segment. Central tachometer and speedometer placement is boring. No Automatic climate control offered even on the top variant.
3. Looks really need a step up. Looks out-dated.
4. A diesel engine with slightly more power will improve its highway performance.
The Toyota Etios is practical family sedan which offers adequate features with spacious interiors, safety kit and comfortable suspension setup. Only sore point being the build quality of the Etios. Otherwise it is a perfect practical family sedan.
13. Toyota Corolla
Pros-
1. Brilliant petrol engine. Offers amazing drivability with performance, Both petrol and diesel engines are highly fuel efficient. The 6-speed gearbox is amazing too.
2. Ride quality is really good. The chauffeur driven folks are going to be impressed.
3. Spacious interiors. In/egress is easy too.
4. The T badge= reliability and Toyota's excellent after sales service is a boon.
Cons-
1. The Diesel engine is pathetic. The smallest capacity with the least power output in class.
2. Features like Sunroof are missing. Though not a deal breaker.
3. Slightly stiffened suspension could be better.
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best selling cars in the world. If you can find one within your budget, it is your best bet. Nothing can go wrong with a corolla. They are built to last.
