SUVs have largely dominated the sub-Rs 20 lakh space in recent years, with the sedan segments in the same price range having shrunk rapidly. However, the year 2022 saw three new sedans being launched in this price range, proving that there's adequate demand from the market, and ensuring the manufacturers' commitment to cater to buyers who prefer low-slung sedans despite the major shift towards high-riding crossovers and SUVs.
For all the sedan lovers out there, we have put together a list of the best sedans you can buy in India under Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom), take a look -
Skoda Slavia
The Skoda Slavia was launched earlier this year as a part of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India's INDIA 2.0 project, and has since gone on to become a fairly successful product in the mid-size SUV segment. Skoda offers the Slavia with two engine options - a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI turbo petrol motor putting out 115 PS power and 178 Nm torque, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI engine producing 150 PS and 250 Nm.
Transmission options include a 6-speed MT (standard), an optional 6-speed AT (1.0 TSI) and as well as a 7-speed DSG (1.5 TSI). Pricing for the Slavia starts from Rs 11.29 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 18.49 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom) for the top-end trim.
Volkswagen Virtus
The Volkswagen Virtus is built on the same heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform as its cousin, the Skoda Slavia. Volkswagen offers the Virtus in two trim lines - Dynamic Line and Performance Line (GT). The former gets the 1.0-litre TSI engine, while the latter is offered with the 1.5-litre TSI motor - both in the same state of tune as the aforementioned Skoda Slavia. However, the Virtus GT can only be had with a 7-speed DSG.
Moreover, the 1.5-litre TSI engine on both the German sedans also gets a cylinder deactivation system that turns off two cylinders under low stress conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The Volkswagen Virtus is currently priced from Rs 11.32 lakh to Rs 18.42 lakh (ex-showroom).
Hyundai Verna
The Hyundai Verna has been one of the top-selling cars in the mid-size sedan segment for quite some time now. With the Elantra being discontinued due to low sales volumes, the Verna is currently Hyundai's flagship sedan offering in India, priced from Rs 9.44 lakh to Rs 15.53 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Verna can be had with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine rated at 115 PS/144 Nm); a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 115 PS and 250 Nm), or a 1-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol engine that belts out 120 PS of max power and 172 Nm of peak torque. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is available with either a 6-speed MT or an optional CVT, while the 1.5-litre diesel engine is offered with a 6-speed MT and an optional 6-speed AT. The turbo-petrol engine available with a 7-speed DCT as standard.
Honda City
The Honda City has completed 25 years in the Indian market, and is currently in its fifth-gen avatar. One of the constant best-selling C-segment sedans in the country each month, the Honda City is offered with a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine generating 121 PS and 145 Nm, as well as a 1.5-litre diesel motor producing 100 PS power and 200 Nm torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while the petrol engine also gets an optional CVT.
On the feature front, the City gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and WebLink, ambient lighting, LED headlamps and tail lights, an electric sunroof, an 8-speaker audio system, a TFT display for the instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa connectivity, Honda Connect and much more. The City is currently priced from Rs 11.57 lakh to Rs 15.52 lakh (ex-showroom).
Honda City hybrid The Honda City e:HEV, better known as the City hybrid was introduced in India as the first mass-market strong hybrid car in the country. Available in a single fully-loaded variant, the City e:HEV gets additional equipment over the standard version of the sedan, including Honda Sensing suite of ADAS tech that adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.
The 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine is mated to an electric motor, together putting out 126 PS power and 253 Nm torque, providing a class-leading (claimed) fuel efficiency figure of 26.5 kmpl! The Honda City e:HEV has three modes - EV Drive Mode, Hybrid Drive Mode & Engine Drive Mode. The hybrid sedan is priced at Rs 19.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
Do note that the list is in no particular order. That said, which sedan out of these is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
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