What are some of the best budget cars, or value for money cars in India? Let’s look at the compact sedans Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Hyundai Aura, to see what attracts budget-conscious buyers to them.
In this article, we will discuss
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- What a budget-conscious buyer looks for in a car
- Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Tata Tigor vs Hyundai Aura – a comprehensive analysis of their entry-level variants, features, affordability, and fuel efficiency
- How to pick the right car for you
The entry-level variants of these cars are among affordable car options in the compact sedan segment in India. But which of these is the best budget compact sedan? Read on.
What a Budget-conscious buyer looks for in a car
A budget-conscious buyer should look for these in a car:
- Affordability – a car should be affordable, and have low maintenance costs
- Fuel efficiency – The car shouldn’t guzzle fuel
- Safety features – Essential safety features are a must in a car
- Brand perception – Is the brand of the car known for its wide service network, after sales service, etc.
- Resale value – The car should fetch good resale rates
A budget-conscious buyer primarily values cost-efficiency, both in terms of initial price and long-term expenses such as fuel economy.
Reliability is paramount, as unexpected maintenance costs can strain budgets. Safety features come next, ensuring protection without compromising affordability.
Essential conveniences, like power windows and air conditioning, are preferred, but luxury amenities might be sacrificed. Fuel efficiency is crucial, directly influencing running costs. Lastly, a minimalistic but functional design is favored.
Why Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Hyundai Aura are Popular
Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Hyundai Aura have etched their popularity among budget-conscious buyers, thanks to their impressive combination of affordability, reliability, and features.

Maruti’s brand reputation for producing fuel-efficient and durable vehicles makes Dzire a favorite. The Tata Tigor, being a product of Tata, boasts of solid build quality and value-for-money offerings. Hyundai Aura, with its efficient engines and comprehensive warranty package, ensures peace of mind and reduced maintenance costs.

All three models come with essential safety and convenience features, meeting the core requirements of budget buyers without stretching their wallets.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Hyundai Aura Entry-level Variants
For Maruti Suzuki Dzire, we have:
Variant | Price (INR) as on 28 August 2023 |
LXI | ₹644,000 |
For Hyundai Aura, we have:
Variant | Price (INR) as on 28 August 2023 |
E | ₹633,000 |
For Tata Tigor, we have:
Variant | Price (INR) as on 28 August 2023 |
XE | ₹620,000 |
Maruti Suzuki Dzire LXI
The Dzire LXI, being from the trusted Maruti brand, boasts of an impressive city mileage of 23.26 kmpl, ensuring reduced fuel costs. It’s equipped with essential safety features like ABS and 2 airbags. The presence of power steering, power windows (both front and back), and an audio system with 4 speakers enhances the driving experience. Its steel wheels and body-colored bumpers ensure a decent exterior look. If you’re a family-focused buyer, you can read our comparison of the Dzire with Renault Triber.

Hyundai Aura E
The Aura E stands out with 4 airbags at this price point, ensuring enhanced safety. Though its city mileage is 14 kmpl, the overall mileage compensates at 20.5 kmpl. It has core features like power steering, power windows (front), and body-colored bumpers. The absence of a rear AC vent is a miss, but glove box cooling is a plus. We have also compared the Aura with Honda Amaze for performance enthusiasts.

Tata Tigor XE
The cheapest among the three, Tigor XE, ensures safety with ABS and 2 airbags. With a city mileage of 19.28 kmpl, it offers decent fuel efficiency. Features like power steering, power windows (front), and body-colored bumpers add to its value proposition. Though it lacks some comforts, its pricing and essentials make it a worthy contender. If you’re a safety-conscious buyer, you can read our guide to the best Tigor variants for you.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Hyundai Aura for Budget-conscious buyer
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire LXI emerges as the top choice. Its superior city mileage of 23.26 kmpl ensures maximum fuel savings. Safety is uncompromised with ABS and 2 airbags. Power steering, and power windows on both front and back add to the convenience.
The inclusion of a 4-speaker audio system enhances entertainment, while the body-colored bumpers give it a stylish edge. The glove box cooling is an added feature not often found in this segment.
With a reasonable price of ₹644,000 and the trusted Maruti branding, it offers a balanced package without breaking the bank.
The 3 Entry-level Variants Ranked
- Maruti Suzuki Dzire LXI
- Hyundai Aura E
- Tata Tigor XE
Attribute | Dzire LXI | Aura E | Tigor XE |
ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Airbags | 2 | 4 | 2 |
City Mileage (kmpl) | 23.26 | 14 | 19.28 |
Engine – Fuel type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Windows – Front/Back | Yes/Yes | Yes/No | Yes/No |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Dzire LXI, with its superior mileage and essential features, clearly stands out as the top choice.
- The Hyundai Aura E follows closely, with an emphasis on safety with its 4 airbags.
- The Tata Tigor XE, being the most affordable, rounds up the top 3 with its decent mileage and fundamental features.
All three variants are affordable cars in the compact sedan segment, and offer a compelling package for the budget-conscious, ensuring safety, fuel efficiency, and essential conveniences.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
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