Three best cars under ₹7 lakhs – Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Nissan Magnite vs Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R

India is a price sensitive market and cars no exception to this behaviour. However, the diverse four-wheeler market of the country offers a wide range of options at every price point. Let’s see, what you can buy if you have a budget of under ₹7 lakhs, within options that range from a sedan, a hatchback and a compact SUV.

Nissan Magnite might be entering a tough terrain as the compact SUV market currently has many challengers like Kia Seltos, MG Hector and more. But Magnite’s starting price at ₹5.99 lakhs makes it the most attractive car in the segment. However, the high-end versions of it can go as high as ₹9.8 lakhs which is more price comparable with other market leaders in the segment.

However, even the low-end version has packed in a lot of interesting features. For one, it is large in size with a commanding front grille, and dual colour design which offer options like white with blue, red with black and more. The spaciousness of the car is much more evident with the legroom and in the front and back seats too. The back seat also has enough space to squeeze in a third passenger much more comfortably as compared to a smaller car. It however is not just the space, the upholstery also offers a premium look, with larger airier windows.

The engine offers a smooth driving experience and while the suspension is not comparable to other compact SUVs, it is much better than any hatchback at this price range.

A BS6 version of Maruti Suzuki Dzire was launched by the company in March last year, to keep the brand name alive. After all, its lower emission grade version was one of the country’s best sellers. Since the model has been around for a long time, it also comes with a number of variants and colour options and attractively priced starting at ₹5.94 lakhs.

While the latest version comes with many cool updates and one of them is a modern infotainment system that can be operated via touchscreen and run on either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It has updated its look too with LED headlamps and daytime running lamps giving it a premium feel which the BS4 compliant version never did.

Those who have driven a diesel version of this car might see a difference in this petrol-powered engine power but it makes up for it with a top-end powerband that helps you drive smoothly at high speeds.

Maruti Wagon’s BS6 version is an updated version of the classic and popular hatchback in ways more than environmental compliance. In fact, it is a longer, sleekeer, wider and taller version of the older one. Its wheelbase is also improved to make it much more modern than the decades-old model.

Like Dzire, Maruti also updated the car with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system which has become a much-needed selling point amongst cars. The interior of the car is also much airier with bigger windows with a much more spacious cabin and boot. These changes however were brought in without tampering with the design of the car. Yet, somehow it is much better looking than the earlier one. All these developments come at a marginal price increase as it starts at ₹4.65 lakhs.

Its makers ensured that its practicality is retained as its engine is also more powerful with better torque. Within the price range, it offers the least comfort when it comes to driving. However, its performance is consistent with other hatchbacks.