Maruti Suzuki Celerio

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio is a no-nonsense entry hatchback built for buyers who count every rupee at the fuel pump. The current generation, launched in late 2021, pairs a thrifty 1.0-litre petrol with an easy-to-live-with AMT auto and an optional factory CNG kit. It won't thrill enthusiasts, but for short city commutes, first-time owners and budget-conscious families, it remains one of the cheapest cars to run in India today.

On the road the Celerio is exactly what its numbers promise: light, willing in town and happiest below 80 kmph. The three-cylinder K10C engine is smooth at low revs and the clutch and steering are feather-light, which makes crawling through traffic genuinely relaxing. Push it onto a highway with a full load, however, and the modest 66 bhp shows; overtakes need planning and the engine gets vocal past 90 kmph. The five-speed AMT is among the better budget automatics, though it still has the tell-tale head-nod between shifts if you're heavy on the throttle.

Where the Celerio truly justifies itself is efficiency. The claimed 26.68 kmpl is the headline figure in this segment, and real-world numbers of 19-21 kmpl in mixed driving are easy to achieve. Add the S-CNG option and running costs drop further, which is why the car is a favourite with cab operators and high-mileage commuters. The flip side is that it runs on a comparatively small fuel tank and the CNG version sacrifices most of the boot to the cylinder.

Inside, the cabin is functional rather than plush. The tall-boy design liberates good headroom and the seats are comfortable for four adults, but hard plastics dominate and road noise creeps in at speed. Top variants get a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reversing camera and steering-mounted controls, which feels generous at this price. Boot space of around 313 litres is decent for a car this small.

Safety is adequate rather than impressive. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts and a rear camera are standard on higher trims, but the Celerio has not been rated by Global NCAP and its lightweight build inspires less confidence than some newer rivals. For a city-bound buyer this may be acceptable; for frequent highway use it's worth weighing against the competition.