Hyundai Santro to Maruti WagonR: 10 affordable cars with Android Auto & Apple Car Play

With the advancements being made on cars everyday, infotainment systems have become a staple feature across cars. What was considered a novelty feature just a couple of years back is one of the most important and sought after feature now. However, cheap availability of smartphones has insures that just having a car equipped with touch infotainment system is not enough. Rather, a car should also have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well.

Both these connectivity options let your smartphone sync with the car’s infotainment system seamlessly and offer a plethora of options via connected apps among other things. As most off the affordable cars now come with an infotainment system at least on their top spec variant, here’s a look at 10 most affordable cars in India with Android Auto and Apple Car Play connectivity.

Renault Kwid

Renault now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the Kwid entry-level hatchback. Launched just days ago in India, the 2019 Kwid also offers ABS as standard across trims. The car now features the Renault MediaNAV 4.0 system that adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, only the top-end variants get the touchscreen infotainment panel.

Datsun Go

The Datsun Go is another affordable car in India that gets an infotainment system with such connectivity options. It has a first in the segment seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Apart from this, the hatchback gets a host of other features which includes best-in-class standard safety package with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, rear parking assist sensors, driver seat-belt reminder and follow-me lighting system as standard across all trims.

Datsun Go+

Next in line is the Go+, which is the bigger version of the Go hatchback. It also is the most affordable MPV available in India currently, though it does not really offer as much space as say the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The Go+ gets the same seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that is available on the Go hatchback. The infotainment system also features Google map navigation, app support and voice recognition technology. The Datsun duo received an update in October last year which was the time when they were equipped with infotainment system.

Hyundai Santro

Hyundai launched the Santro with many first in class features like rear AC vents and among them was a new infotainment system. The 7 inch touchscreen infotainment is a step up from Hyundai’s 5 inch unit that was previously available with the Verna and the Creta. It comes with a faster processor along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The infotainment system on the Santro is available from Sportz trim onwards, which retails for Rs. 5 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki WagonR

The previous generation WagonR did not even have an infotainment system but the company has ensured that the new generation model has all the equipment to take on the competition. For the same, it comes with a 7 inch touch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. It has Maruti’s newly developed SmartPlay Studio set-up which has a display for the average & instantaneous fuel economy along with the tank range. Alsp, the fuel economy achieved for the past 5 trips can also be checked using it. However, only the top ZXi trims come with the infotainment system, prices of which start at Rs. 5.22 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Another tall boy design hatchback from Maruti, the Ignis is a funky little hatchback aimed at younger generation buyers but has failed to gain a good sales traction of late. It offers an attractive exterior design with multiple customization options available right at the dealership. It also comes with a 7-inch floating touch infotainment system which is Apple CarPlay and Android Play enabled and also has navigation feature. The touchscreen infotainment is available only on the top spec Alpha variant which retails for Rs. 6.51 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Hyundai Grand i10

The Hyundai Grand i10 is another vehicle from Korean manufacturer’s stable to offer a touch infotainment system. The hatchback comes with a It has a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Play connectivity. The infotainment on the car also supports navigation and voice recognition features which further enhance its practicality. The infotainment unit on the Grand i10 is available from the Sportz 1.2 trim onward, which starts at Rs. 6.11 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Among the best selling cars from Maruti Suzuki, the Swift also gets a touchscreen infotainment systems like most cars in its segment do. It is the same system used on various other Maruti vehicles like the Ignis and Dzire. The 7 inch touchscreen SmartPlay infotainment system comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity among other functions. The infotainment system on it is available only on the top of the line ZXi+ and ZDi+ variants, prices for which start at Rs. 7.40 lakhs and Rs. 8.37 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki gave the Baleno a facelift just last month and it now comes with a few cosmetic changes on the exteriors and the interiors. The premium hatchback comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Baleno’s infotainment unit also has other features like navigation and voice recognition. The infotainment system on Baleno is available from the Zeta 1.2 trom level that retails at Rs. 6.84 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Hyundai Elite i20

Rival to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Hyundai Elite i20 is another Hyundai on this list to feature a touch infotainment system. The premium hatchback features a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which were added in an update last year. The infotainment system on the premium hatchback by Hyundai is available from Sportz Plus 1.2 variant, which retails at Rs. 7.11 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

 

Note – Apart from these, many other cars offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity in the affordable price bracket too. However, they were not included as they were a bit more expensive than the cars featured here. These cars include Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport and many more.