Ladies, Here Are The Best Cars For Women In India

Renault Kwid is undoubtedly among the better-looking entry-level cars in India. Add to that an expansive features list (7-inch touchscreen, rear armrest, reverse parking camera to name a few) and the convenience of an AMT, the Kwid ticks almost all the right boxes.

If your office route is replete with potholes, speed breakers and rumble strips, you'd be glad to know the Kwid has THE most comfortable ride among the entry-level hatchbacks. In case you need to haul a full house for a weekend road trip, the Kwid has more than adequate space not just for the passengers but also for their luggage with a 279-litre boot.

But it's not all rosy. You need to be aware that this car is best used within city limits as its high-speed manners are not that great. The cabin quality isn't worth writing home about and the AMT might feel sluggish at times, making it difficult to drive in hilly areas.

Boot Space - 279 litres

Quite a looker, the Maruti Baleno has found favour among the fairer sex. It has a conventional top hat but with striking detailing thanks to those projector LED projector headlamps with DRLs and 16-inch machine-cut alloy wheels. The creature comforts on the inside include a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather steering wheel, push-button start/stop, front centre armrest, and voice command.

Even the driving experience is quite relaxed, thanks to a tractable 1.2-litre mild-hybrid engine, which is fuel efficient (23.87kmpl for manual transmission) as well. The clutch action is light standalone, but if you want two-pedal convenience the Maruti Baleno is also available with a CVT.

That said, it could have been made a bit more friendly for rear passengers with the addition of a rear AC vent and armrest, but more importantly, six airbags, which are offered on the Hyundai i20.

Boot Space - 339 litres

A lot of women swear by the sedan body type as it oozes gracefulness that the chopped-down sub-4m offerings and SUVs cannot claim. And one candidate that comes to mind is the recently facelifted Hyundai Verna. It gets sophisticated-looking full-LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps, machine-cut 16-inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof (which also adds a sense of space to the cabin), smart trunk (allows for hands-free opening of the boot), ventilated seats (cools the front seats), as well as front and rear armrests for added comfort.

The Verna also gets BlueLink technology, which allows remote access to the engine's ignition switch, climate control, and additional safety features like perimeter alarm, geo-fencing, and live location tracking. On the safety front, the Verna boasts of six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, driver assist technologies like ESC (electronic stability control), hill start assist control, and vehicle stability control.

Another ace up Verna's sleeve are the multitudes of engine options: 1.5- and 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. All of these are equipped with automatic transmission (though a 7-speed dual-clutch is standard on the 1.0-litre).

One thing worth bearing in mind is that the Hyundai Verna's rear seat space is strictly average. That's especially evident if you're taller than the average Indian woman.

It's no secret that both the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos share platforms, engine and transmission options, along with most of their features. Both the SUVs offer a variety of funky colour shades, with the option of dual-tone paint jobs as well. The big difference, however, is in the styling but we'd leave that to individual taste. Here's an article that should help you pick the right one for you.

Whichever SUV you pick, you'll get equipment like LED headlamps with DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sunroof (bigger panoramic in Creta), Bose sound system, air purifier (with perfume diffuser in Seltos), six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, and connected technologies, which allow remote access to climate control, engine's ignition, and door locks. If you're wondering, yes, a sunglass holder is available as well. If you spend long hours in the driver seat, you'll be relieved to know all of the engine options in the two SUVs can be had with an automatic transmission as well.

However, you need to remember that Seltos might feel a tad stiff to some buyers, which could pose a problem on bad roads. Moreover, only the top variant gets six airbags as standard.

Boot Space - 433 litres

You can buy a big, burly SUV like the Ford Endeavour but nothing makes a statement like the iconic Mini Cooper. If you spend more time behind the wheel than in the passenger seat and want a car that turns heads wherever it goes, the Cooper is worth a dekko.

You can opt from a 3-door version or a convertible, both of which are powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-pot engine that churns out 190PS/280Nm and a sweet symphony every time you prod that throttle a bit too harshly. Both the hatchbacks are coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch steptronic transmission that is not only convenient but also quick.

However, the price you see above is exclusive of optionals, which can cost an additional Rs 5 lakh depending on what all you add. For perspective, the stock Mini Cooper misses out on even some of the basics like an audio system with speakers and a reverse parking camera. The boot space is average at best and might not be enough to swallow all of your shopping bags. You may also have grouses with the cramped rear row, stiff ride quality, and low ground clearance. But that's a price to pay for this cute little hatchback!

Boot Space - 211 litres