CarOnPhone Car Blog Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
CarOnPhone Car Blog Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025

Bijesh Nagesh

11 Jul 2025, 02:57 PM

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025

Buying an Indian car means more than picking a shiny new ride. You’ll weigh factors like budget, car safety features, fuel efficiency and total cost of ownership before you hit the showroom.

This Indian car buying guide arms you with must-know tips on budget-friendly cars, car financing options and resale value so you can drive away with confidence.

1. Pin Down Your Budget and Financing Options

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Decide what you can afford to spend overall—ex-showroom price, insurance, taxes and handling fees. Explore car financing options: bank loans, OEM schemes, down payment and EMIs. Keep all vehicle costs under 25% of your monthly income to avoid financial stress.

2. Choose the Right Body Style for Your Needs

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Hatchbacks shine in the city, fitting into tight spots but offering less boot space. Sedans deliver more comfort, a bigger trunk and stable highway manners. SUVs and crossovers offer higher ground clearance, more cabin room and a commanding view.

3. Select Fuel Type and Engine That Suit Your Drive

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Petrol engines cost less up front, run quietly and excel for short trips. Diesel engines shine on highways with strong torque and better mileage long-haul. CNG cuts running costs if you have a station nearby. EVs promise low fuel bills but watch the charging network.

4. Prioritize Safety and Tech Features

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Aim for dual airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX mounts for child seats. Check Global NCAP ratings—shoot for four to five stars on crash tests. Infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, reverse camera and connected-car tech boost comfort and peace of mind.

5. Factor in Total Cost of Ownership

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Add up fuel bills, insurance premiums, routine servicing and consumables. Don’t forget parking, depreciation and occasional repairs—they add to your monthly outgo. Sometimes a slightly pricier car pays off if it offers longer service intervals or better mileage.

6. Gauge Resale Value and After-Sales Service

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Brands with wide dealer networks often deliver better resale value. Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Hyundai usually lead in resale trends—research online. Read owner reviews on service experience—an affordable, prompt workshop saves headaches later.

7. Never Skip a Thorough Test Drive

Simple Guide to Buying Your First Indian Car in 2025
Book a test drive that covers city streets and a highway stretch. Pay attention to steering feel, brake response and gear-shift smoothness. Negotiate on ex-showroom price, accessories and freebies—month-end deals can sweeten your offer.

8. Popular Models to Consider

Below are widely available, well-rounded picks across budgets. Each offers strong value, solid safety and good mileage.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

  • Price starts at ₹4.27 Lakhs and tops at ₹6.12 Lakhs (ex-showroom). 
  • 998 cc three-cylinder engine makes 67 PS/89 Nm. 
  • Fuel tank capacity: 27 L; ground clearance: 180 mm; boot space: 270 L. 
  • Variants: STD, LXI, VXI, VXI+ in MT and AMT; here’s the real-world mileage and safety kit. 

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

  • Price range: ₹5.98 Lakhs to ₹8.65 Lakhs (ex-showroom). 
  • 1.2 L petrol churns out 83 PS/114 Nm; CNG version makes 69 PS/95 Nm. 
  • ARAI mileage: 18 kmpl (MT), 16 kmpl (AMT), 27 km/kg (CNG). 
  • Features include 8” touchscreen, automatic climate control, 15” alloy wheels. 

Tata Nexon

  • Ex-showroom price: ₹7.99 Lakhs to ₹13.49 Lakhs. 
  • 1.2 L turbo petrol: 120 PS/170 Nm; 1.5 L diesel: 115 PS/260 Nm. 
  • Claimed mileage: 17.4 kmpl (petrol MT), 23.2 kmpl (diesel MT), 24 km/kg (CNG). 
  • First in segment: 6 airbags, 360° camera, sunroof, Harman 10.25” display, ventilated seats. 

Maruti Swift

  • Price starts at ₹ 6.49 L and tops at ₹ 9.50 L (ex-showroom). 
  • Powered by the 1.2 L DualJet petrol engine (≈89 PS/113 Nm). 
  • ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 24.8 kmpl. 
  • Safety kit: dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts; 4-star Global NCAP rating. 
  • Transmission options: 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT. 

Mahindra XUV 3XO

  • Ex-showroom price ranges from ₹ 7.99 L to ₹ 15.79 L. 
  • Offers two petrol mill choices: • 1.2 L TCMPFi (≈112 PS/200 Nm) • 1.2 L TGDi (≈129 PS/230 Nm) 
  • Delivers around 17.9 kmpl in mixed driving. 
  • Safety: 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX child-seat anchors; 4-star GNCAP. 
  • Gearboxes: 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. 

9. Tips to Seal the Best Deal

  • Timing matters: showroom footfall dips mid-week and month-end. 
  • Ask for discounts on accessories, extended warranty, and free periodic maintenance. 
  • Compare ex-showroom quotes from multiple dealers before committing. 

Car Buying Guide 2025: Final Notes

Buying an Indian car in 2025 means balancing smart money moves with the right blend of safety features, tech and fuel efficiency.

Use this car buying guide to narrow your shortlist, calculate total cost of ownership and nail your test drive tips.

With these pointers, you’ll find a budget-friendly car that ticks all your boxes and holds its value when it’s time to upgrade.

Tags:

buying a car in india grand i10 nios maruti suzuki nexon s-presso simple steps swift xuv 3xo

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Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

4.26 Lakh*

Ex-showroom price

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Variant Image
Available Colors
Engine

998

Transmission

Manual

Mileage

24.12

Power Image
Power

65.71

More Details

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