Citroen C3 Aircross vs Hyundai Creta 2024 vs Honda City: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 10-12 Lakh for First-time Car Buyers
Buying a car for the first time, but confused about which are the best, or top cars for first-time buyers in India, and which option to choose? Let’s look at the Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta 2024 and Honda City, and find out which of their variants will be the best for you.
In this first-time car buyers’ guide, we will share
- What a first-time buyer should look for in a car
- Citroen C3 Aircross vs Hyundai Creta 2024 vs Honda City – an in-depth guide to their variants, features, cost, and driveability
- How to pick the right car for you
So, are these affordable cars for first-time buyers in India? And which variant of these models is the right car for a first-time car buyer? Let’s find out.
What a First-time Car Buyer Looks for in a Car
This is what a first-time buyer should look for in a car:
- Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
- Affordability – The car should be well within budget and affordable.
- Fuel efficiency – The car should have good fuel efficiency, thereby reducing its running cost.
- Ease of driving – The car should be easy to drive, with features that help in driving and offer convenience for new drivers.
For a first-time car buyer, affordability is the top priority along with decent features and solid safety equipment. Reliable after-sales service provides peace of mind.
They prefer no-frills, low maintenance variants that are easy to drive daily over more powerful or feature-packed trims. The idea is to get a worry-free, value-for-money ownership experience.
Good fuel economy, visibility and manoeuvrability also make drives hassle-free for these new buyers.
Why Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta 2024 and Honda City are popular
The C3 Aircross, Creta and City all score highly as good first car options. The C3 Aircross offers an affordable starting price of ₹10.85 lakhs. The Creta isn’t far behind at ₹10.44 lakhs while the City starts at ₹11.82 lakhs.
Their fuel-efficient engines help keep running costs low. Generous safety equipment provides reassurance. Interiors offer decent space while ride height and good visibility aid new drivers. Additionally, Hyundai and Honda’s widespread service network ensures support everywhere.
For all these reasons, these models check the right boxes for those buying their first car.
Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta 2024 and Honda City variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range
For Citroen C3 Aircross, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 20 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Plus | ₹11.55 lakhs |
| Plus Dual Tone | ₹11.75 lakhs |
| Plus 7 Seater | ₹11.9 lakhs |
For Hyundai Creta 2024, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 20 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| E | ₹11 lakhs |
For Honda City, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 20 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| SV | ₹11.71 lakhs |
Citroen C3 Aircross Variants
The mid-spec Plus variant itself gets essentials like auto AC, steering controls, 2 airbags, stability control at an affordable price point for first-time buyers. Represents good value. Dual tone variant only adds cosmetic extras while 7 seater brings flexibility. If you’re looking for a family car, you can check out our comparison of the Aircross with Maruti Suzuki XL6.
Hyundai Creta E
The Creta E variant offers fundamentals like 6 airbags, vehicle stability management, rear sensors, tilt steering at a reasonable budget price for new buyers. Decent value as a first car. If you’re a gadget lover, you can check out our comparison of the Creta 2024 with Honda City.
Honda City SV
The mid-spec SV trim strikes balance between price and features like auto AC, stability control, electric mirrors etc. 15-inch wheels aid visibility too. Has the basics covered. If you’re budget-conscious, you can read our comparison of the City with Skoda Slavia.
Our Pick for the Best variant among Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta 2024 and Honda City for First-time car buyers
The Hyundai Creta E variant priced at ₹11 lakhs makes a strong case as the best first car choice based on its balance of generous safety equipment and low ownership costs.
While sharply undercutting the C3 Aircross by ₹55,000 and City SV by ₹71,000, the Creta E itself packs segment essentials like 6 airbags, vehicle stability management, rear sensors, tilt steering – ensuring occupants are well protected and basics covered.
Plus, its 1.5L petrol promises almost 18% better fuel efficiency than the Citroen – nearly 3-4 km/l more. This adds up to significant savings annually improving its value credentials. Service costs are economical too.
In contrast, C3 Aircross makes do with just 2 airbags which is inadequate while City SV misses out on equipment like rear camera and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay – disadvantages for first-time buyers.
Considering safety is the priority for new drivers, the abundant airbags and safety standards in the Creta E combined with its frugality make it a sensible initiation into car ownership.
The Top 3 choices
- Hyundai Creta E
- Citroen C3 Plus
- Honda City SV
| Attribute | Hyundai Creta E | Citroen C3 Plus | Honda City SV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (₹ lakhs) | 11 | 11.55 | 11.71 |
| Airbags | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Infotainment screen | None | 10.23-inch | None |
| Mileage | 17 kmpl | 18.5 kmpl | 17.8 kmpl |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Creta E clearly leads on the safety aspect by packing in 6 airbags and robust stability systems from the start at a reasonable ₹11 lakh pricing – crucial for new owners. Provides peace of mind.
- The Aircross Plus impresses with its touchscreen infotainment unit, climate control, steering controls etc. at just ₹11.55 lakhs. Appealing value but lacks essential airbags.
- And the City SV strikes a balance between price and features like auto AC, rear sensors, electric mirrors etc. Build quality also feels robust. But doesn’t match Creta’s safety standards.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.