When buying a car in India, one of the first and foremost decisions that one has to make is the body-type: hatchback, sedan or SUV. Each has its own pros and cons and the ‘best’ buy decision depends on your daily needs, family size, budget, and the like.
Car Body Type Comparison Chart
Car Type Buying Tips Fuel Efficiency City Parking Boot Space Road Presence Cost Hatchback Mostly city driving, budget-conscious buyers, first-time buyers Best High Limited Low Low Sedan Comfort-focused buyers, more rear-seat space, large boot space Good Average Large Large Moderate SUV Poor road conditions, high seating, more spacious, versatile for families Fair Average Large, versatile Large High
Hatchback Cars: Best in-laws for Indian Cities
Hatchbacks are the smallest, shortlisted and most budget-friendly category of cars in India. These are the best option if you are a first-time buyer or if you are mostly driving in the city.
Who should buy a hatchback?
• First-time car buyers
• City commuters who cannot afford or do not want to pay extra for a larger car
• Small families (2-4 members) without much luggage
• Buyers looking for low purchase and ownership costs
Pros
• Lowest purchase cost: The on-road price of a standard hatchback petrol car in India varies between ₹4-9 lakh.
• Fuel-efficient: A hatchback has the best fuel-efficiency among other car types. On average, one can expect 22-27 kmpl in a hatchback in the Indian cities.
• Easy to park and manuver: Due to their smaller size, hatchbacks are easier to park and navigate through traffic jams and narrow by-lanes.
• Lower maintenance cost: Hatchbacks have cheaper tyres and require lower maintenance costs than other car types.
Cons
• Smaller boot: The boot size of a standard hatchback is limited to 250-340 litres. This is not suitable for people with large families or frequent long-haul travellers.
• Lower ground clearance: The ground clearance of a hatchback is between 165-184 mm which is lower than that of a sedan or an SUV. This can be a problem on uneven road surfaces and while navigating steep speed breakers.
• Less road presence: Due to their smaller size and shorter wheelbase, hatchbacks provide lesser comfort and luxury than other car types.
Best Usage: City commuting, school drop/pickup, occasional weekend getaway.
Sedan Cars: Comfort, Luxury and Boot Space Combined
Sedans are the 3-box cars that have more boot space and comfort than hatchbacks. This car type is best suited for buyers who want the comfort of a larger vehicle without having to shell out money on an SUV.
Who should buy a Sedan?
• Frequent highway commuters
• Family-centric buyers who want more comfort for their parents or for kids
• Buyers looking for a larger boot space for additional luggage, golf bags, etc
• Comfort-focused and luxury buyers who do not want to spend on an SUV
Pros
• Comfort: Due to their longer wheelbase, sedans offer best-in-class comfort. They have a better suspension system and offer a smoother ride, especially on highways.
• Larger boot: Sedans offer the largest boot space among other car types. A standard petrol sedan has a boot space of 382-521 litres.
• Comfortable rear-seat: Sedans offer more comfort than hatchbacks and SUVs with additional legroom and thigh support
• Refinement: Sedans offer a more ‘premium’ driving experience than other car types in India.
Cons
• Lower ground clearance: The ground clearance of a sedan varies between 163-179 mm. This is lower than that of an SUV which can be a problem on uneven and pitted road surfaces and while navigating steep speed breakers.
• Larger size: Sedans are larger than hatchbacks which can be a challenge while parking in smaller car parks.
• Higher cost: The on-road price of a standard petrol sedan car in India varies between ₹6.5-15 lakh.
Best usage: Intercity travel, family road trips, chauffeur-driven services.
SUV/Crossover Cars: Perfect for Families and Poor Road Conditions
Watch this- Volvo EX90 First Drive
SUVs and Crossovers have become increasingly popular in recent years in India. They offer higher ground clearance, better visibility, more cabin space, and a ‘premium’ look.
Who should buy an SUV?
• Nuclear families (4-5 members) or with elderly parents
• Buyers who often drive on bad road conditions or in areas with water-logging
• Visibility-focused and aggressive drivers who want to stand out on the road
• Road warriors who do not want to compromise on comfort, ground clearance and space
Pros
• Higher ground clearance: The ground clearance of an SUV varies between 190-235 mm. This is significantly higher than that of a hatchback/sedan which helps while driving on pitted roads, steep speed breakers and water-logging.
• More space: SUVs offer more cabin space and comfort than other car types. Especially 5+2 or 7-seater SUVs are great for families.
• Versatile boot: SUVs offer the second-largest boot space among other car types. The boot space varies between 350-520+ litres depending upon the car’s size. Some SUVs also offer split-folding rear-seat which provides additional flexibility.
• Premium road presence: SUVs have a taller driving position which gives the driver a commanding view of the road. This adds to their premium feel.
Cons
• Higher purchase cost: The on-road price of a standard petrol SUV in India varies between ₹6.5-22+ lakh.
• Lower fuel-efficiency: Due to their larger size, fuel-efficiency of an SUV is 15-22 kmpl which is lower than that of a hatchback/sedan by 4-8 kmpl.
• Higher ownership cost: Tyres, brakes and other spares of an SUV are expensive than other car types.
• Larger size: SUVs are larger in size which can be inconvenient in smaller by-lanes and parking spaces.
Best usage: Mixed usage (city-highway), occasional family road trips, driving in bad road conditions.
As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to car-buying in India. Depending on your requirements, one car type may fit you better than the other. If you are a first-time buyer or mostly drive in the cities and want the best mileage, a hatchback will be the best fit for you. However, if you are a frequent highway commuter and want more comfort and boot space, you should go for a sedan. Finally, if you are a family person and have to tackle bad road conditions and water-logging on a regular basis, an SUV will be the best choice for you.
Watch this-
