India's Top 5 Cars Models for Long-Distance Driving

It is true that in India, long-distance transport options such as trains and aircraft are still quite common. However, since the pandemic brought attention to how important it is to have a personal mode of transportation, many people now choose to travel by car. This enables them to spend more quality time with friends and family in addition to limiting their exposure to the outside world.

Now, road trips can be enjoyable, but they do require the proper vehicle. This implies that you need a car that is affordable to own and operate, as well as one that is secure, cozy, practical, and long-lasting. Taking these aspects into consideration, we have selected the top 15 automobiles in India for long-distance driving, all priced under Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). In order to facilitate your selection process, we have divided our list of the finest cars for long distance travel into three categories: hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs.

Maruti Baleno

The Maruti Baleno is a petrol-only model, which may put off some potential buyers. Regardless of the gearbox you select, it can easily achieve 20 km/l in real life with a steady foot. However, based on its ARAI claimed efficiency of 22.35 km/l for the manual and 22.94 km/l for the automatic, it is quite fuel efficient. It's one of the greatest automobiles for long distance driving in India because it has cozy seats for four people and a spacious boot that can hold all of their belongings for a three- or four-day trip. 

The new Baleno has not yet undergone Global NCAP testing for safety, but being a Maruti, it is likewise reasonably priced, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. All of its versions do, however, come equipped with ISOFIX mounting points, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and front seat belts with pre-tensioners. The automated versions of the higher variants also come equipped with ESP with hill hold, in addition to side and curtain airbags. The main benefits of choosing the Baleno are its overall refinement, convenience, and low operating expenses.

Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20 offers a plethora of options for its powerplant. You can select between two petrol engines (one turbocharged and the other naturally aspirated), and you can have both of them in manual or automatic transmission. The i20's diesel engine outperforms the petrol engine in terms of fuel efficiency; it is a real mile-muncher, making it one of the greatest vehicles for long-distance travel in India. The diesel is now limited to manual transmissions, but on the plus side, driving a manual is a breeze. 

The gear shifts easily and with minimal clutch effort. The i20 is another feature-rich option that promises to captivate even the most ardent technophiles with its array of high-end functions. It received a 3-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test. The top versions come with six airbags for protection, ESC, hill hold, and ISOFIX mounting points as part of the safety equipment. In general, the i20 is a fantastic choice if you want performance, sophistication, and a large feature set.

Tata Altroz

With its high-end hatchback Altroz, domestic automaker Tata Motors likewise makes a strong impression in the hatchback market. It is available with a turbo-petrol engine in addition to standard gasoline and diesel engines. You can have a manual transmission in any of the three, but if you want an automatic, your options are restricted to the standard gasoline engine. To be honest, the Baleno is more refined than the Altroz, and the i20 does offer better power output. 

But because to its excellent 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, it regains a lot of ground. In addition to two airbags, the Altroz has ISOFIX mounting points. The Altroz's cabin experience is equally excellent, with enough of room for everyone and well-angled, supportive chairs. All things considered, if a spacious cabin and safety are your top considerations, you should give the Altroz serious consideration.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

The Maruti Ciaz is the next vehicle on our list of the greatest long-distance vehicles in India. The Ciaz has been in the market for a while, so it has competition to consider. Although the design may look similar, there is only one engine option available, and competitors do provide more amenities. However, those are the only drawbacks. It's a very comfortable car to drive, with an enormous amount of passenger room (especially in the rear), a 510-liter boot that can accommodate a sizable amount of luggage, and a 1.5-liter petrol engine that may be the only one available, but it's incredibly refined and loves to rev. 

For those who enjoy a little bit of fun, the manual is a superior option because it is also really simple to drive. For those who prefer a more tranquil driving experience, there is the Ciaz automatic. The finest part? With an ARAI certified economy of more than 20 km/l for both powertrains, fuel expenses won't start to pile up either!

Honda City e:HEV

Despite being a relatively new automobile, the Honda City e:HEV manages to rank among the top vehicles in India for long-distance travel for a different reason. It is a hybrid, and a very good one at that, which is why we included it on the list. With its 40-liter gasoline tank and its 26.5 km/l economy (as stated by ARAI), it has an incredible range of 1060 km. With six airbags, ISOFIX mounting hooks, hill hold, an automatic parking brake, TPMS, and even ADAS features, safety has also been liberally addressed. 

The City has excellent refinement levels as well, although there is only one variation and one powertrain option available (automatic only because it is a hybrid). Boot space is where the City e:HEV falls short. If you choose the City e:HEV, be aware that the boot's capacity is restricted to 306 liters because the hybrid system's Li-ion battery pack protrudes into it.