5 Best-Value Base Model Cars That Makes Sense!

We Indians fancy a car that is feature-loaded and look great. On top of that, we want the car not to be too pricy. Carmakers offer various trims or variants in the car and at different trims, we get different features, different powertrains and safety features. Is it a good choice to go for a base variant? Or should you go for a top-spec variant? Well, we already have discussed, which variant you should go for. Missed it? Click here. Today, we’ll take a look at the best value for money base variants of cars in India. Do note that all the prices mentioned below are ex-showroom.

1. Tata Nexon XE

   

   India’s first safest car, to be rated 5-star at the Global NCAP crash test, Tata Nexon is on the list mainly because of its safety features. The XE variant comes loaded with safety features such as ABS with EBD, dual-front airbags, electronic stability control, roll-over mitigation, hydraulic brake assist, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, hill-hold control and disc brakes at the front.

   As for the rest of the features, it gets projector headlamps with tri-arrow DRLs, flat-bottom steering, fully digital instrument cluster, front power windows and so on. And when it comes to powertrain, you get a turbocharged Revotron petrol engine which produces 120ps of power and 170Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. You will have to miss on the infotainment system though. As for the price, Tata Nexon XE comes at ₹7.20 Lakhs.

2. Tata Tiago XE

   

   Another car from Tata on this list. And the reason, you ask, is again the safety features. Being a hatchback, it comes from one of the favourite segments in India. Tiago can surely be called a car that has a base variant worth the money spent. Tata Tiago scores a 4-star rating at the Global NCAP which makes it safest in the segment.

   As for the list of features, the XE variant gets dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, Corner Stability Control (CSC), Overspeed alert, rear parking sensors and immobilizer. Again, just like the Nexon, you will have to miss the infotainment. You get a Revotron Petrol engine producing 86ps of power and 113Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tata Tiago XE variant comes at a price of ₹5.49 Lakhs.

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3. Mahindra XUV300 W4

   

   XUV300 has taken safety standards to next level, being the first car to be rated 4-star in child safety at the Global NCAP. The XUV300 comes loaded with disc brakes at all the corners, dual-airbags, ABS with EBD, CSC, ISOFIX child seat anchors, impact sensing door unlock, panic braking signal, high mounted stop lamp and immobilizer for the base W4 variant. As for the powertrain, you get a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine which is capable of producing 110ps and a torque of 200Nm (making it best in the segment).

   You will not have to miss the entertainment as Mahindra XUV300 W4 comes loaded with a monochrome infotainment system. As for the rest of the features, you get, electrically adjustable ORVMs, tyre-position display, front and rear power windows, smart steering (first in segment), central locking and rear parking sensors. You will have to spend ₹7.96 Lakhs on the W4 variant of XUV300.

4. Nissan Kicks XL

   

   One of my personal favourite cars. Be it the looks, the powertrain or the engine, Nissan Kicks is surely a worth-to-buy car. Although you won’t be getting the turbo-petrol engine, the base ‘XL’ variant is powered by a 1.5-litre HR15 petrol engine. It produces 106ps of power and 142Nm of torque. You get a 5-speed manual on the offer. You will get a 2-din audio system with Bluetooth connectivity. Kicks also offer a 6-way adjustable driver seat, adjustable headrest, cooled glovebox with illumination, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear AC vents, all power windows, Intelli-sense Suspension with I-SPVT and much more.

   As for safety, the Nissan Kicks XL variant gets ABS with EBD and brake assist, dual-front airbags, emergency stop signal, high mounted stop lamp, impact sensing door unlock, immobilizer, rear parking sensors and rear defogger. The Nissan Kicks XL variant is priced at ₹9.50 Lakhs.

5. Honda City SV (4th-Gen)

   

   The Japanese carmaker launched the 5th generation of City this year. Yet, the 4th generation is still on sale. The base variant you will get is the SV variant. Honda City 4th Gen SV variant comes loaded with safety features such as ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear windshield defogger, rear parking sensors and dual horn. As for the entertainment, you get an integrated 8.9cm LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity. It comes equipped with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine. This petrol engine is capable of producing 119ps of power and a peak torque of 145Nm. The Honda City 4th gen SV variant comes at a price of ₹9,29,000.

This list is not yet completed! Stay tuned for the next edition. And do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.