Best Cars for Long-Term Use in India : Most cars start giving problems after four to five years. But there are some cars that remain as reliable even after 10 years as they were when new.
If you are looking for a car that will give you a tension-free ownership experience for the next 10 years, then you need to focus on the service network, availability of spare parts, resale demand and overall reliability of the car.
Market trends always show that the models which are consistently best selling are the ones that provide the most peace of mind in the long term.
In this article, I have shared the list of Best Cars for Long-Term Use in India – so let’s get started without any further delay.
Maruti Dzire
First of all let’s talk about Maruti Dzire. This sedan is one of the best selling cars in India. Its 1.2 L petrol engine is reliable. Mileage is around 24-25 kmpl in manual and around 33 km/kg in CNG variant.
Which greatly reduces long term fuel costs. Servicing cost of Dzire is also low and parts are easily available everywhere.
Source : Car Wale
Talking about the on-road price of Dzire, currently it starts from ₹7.5 lakh and goes up to ₹11 lakh depending on the variant and city. Maruti has the largest service network all over India which includes more than 5000 service centers.
Therefore, its maintenance is easy even in the smallest towns. The resale value is also very strong, hence you get a good return even after 10 years. Be it city or highway running, Dzire is a practical family car that will easily do its job perfectly for 10 years.
Hyundai Creta
Now let’s talk about Hyundai Creta. It is one of the most popular vehicles in the compact SUV segment and has created a unique identity in the market due to its premium feel, comfort and features.
Creta is available in both petrol and diesel options and the 1.5 L petrol engine is reliable which gives a mileage of around 16 to 17 kmpl in manual.
Source : Car Wale
Whereas the diesel variant delivers around 20 kmpl on the highway. Talking about the on-road price of Creta today, it starts from ₹12 lakh and goes upto ₹22 lakh depending upon the variant and city. Hyundai has a network of more than 1300 service centers all over India.
Therefore, there is absolutely no tension regarding service and parts availability. The resale value is also strong as demand for Creta remains high even among five to six year old vehicles. Due to its comfort features and durability, it will easily give you a premium SUV experience for 10 years.
Maruti Swift
Now let’s talk about Maruti Swift. This hatchback is one of the most successful cars in India which is famous for its sporty looks, reliable engine and low running cost.
It gets a 1.2 L petrol engine which gives a mileage of around 20 to 23 kmpl in manual and its CNG variant gives an economy of around 30 km/kg.
The maintenance cost of Swift is quite low and parts are easily available everywhere. Talking about the on-road price of Swift today, it starts from ₹6.5 lakh and goes upto ₹10.5 lakh depending upon the variant and city.
Source : Maruti Suzuki
Maruti’s network of 5000 plus service centres makes Swift accessible even in the smallest towns. Resale value is also strong as demand is always high.
Be it a small family or daily office run, Swift is a dependable hatchback that easily runs for 10 years without any tension.
Read More : Maruti Brezza vs Tata Nexon – Which One is Better?
Maruti Wagon R
Now let’s talk about Maruti Wagon R. This tall boy hatchback is known for its practicality, space and reliability. It is available with 1.0 L and 1.2 L petrol engine options which give mileage of around 23 to 25 kmpl in manual and its CNG variant easily gives an economy of around 33 km/kg.
The maintenance cost is very low and spare parts are available at every service center. Talking about the on-road price of Wagon R, it starts from ₹6 lakh and goes upto ₹9.5 lakh depending upon the variant and city.
Source : Car Wale
Maruti’s network of 5000 plus service centers makes this car easily maintainable in every corner of India. Resale value is also strong as demand is always there.
For a small family, taxi purpose or daily city commute, Wagon R is a dependable and long lasting choice that can easily serve you for 10 years without any tension.
Toyota Innova
Now let’s talk about Toyota Innova. This MPV holds a legendary status in India for its durability, comfort and resale value. It is available with 2.4 L diesel and 2.0 L petrol engine options which run smoothly even on the highway and give mileage of around 15 to 16 kmpl in diesel.
Due to Toyota’s engineering quality, the maintenance of Innova is hassle-free and its parts are easily available everywhere. Talking about on-road price, Innova starts from ₹22 lakh and goes up to around ₹32 lakh depending on variant and features.
Toyota’s service network is quite strong and the servicing intervals are long. Therefore the running cost is reasonable. Resale value is one of Innova’s biggest strengths.
Even a 10 year old car remains in demand in the market and holds a strong price. Be it family, long trips or commercial use, Innova is one such MPV that lasts for 10 to 15 years without any major tension.
Read More : 2025 Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI New Model
Honda City
Now let’s talk about Honda City. This sedan has always been a symbol of style, comfort and reliability in India. It gets a 1.5 L petrol engine which is powerful as well as refined and gives a mileage of around 17 to 18 kmpl.
The drive experience of the City feels smooth and premium, thanks to Honda’s engineering quality. Whether you are in city traffic or on a long highway run.
Source : Honda Car India
Talking about the on-road price, Honda City today starts from ₹11 lakh and goes up to around ₹19 lakh depending on variant and features.
Honda’s service network is wide and maintenance costs are also reasonable. Therefore long term ownership remains tension free. Resale value is also strong for Honda. 7 to 10 years old City also remains in demand in the market.
For sedan lovers, Honda City is a perfect combination of luxury feel, reliability and long term value.
Toyota Fortuner
Now let’s talk about Toyota Fortuner. This SUV enjoys an iconic status in India and is famous for its toughness and reliability. It gets a 2.8 L diesel engine which is powerful and perfect for both long distance drives and off-road conditions.
The mileage is around 10 to 12 kmpl. But people who buy Fortuner value performance and durability more than mileage.
Source : Car Wale
Talking about the on-road price of Fortuner today, it starts at ₹38 lakh and goes up to above ₹50 lakh depending upon the variants and features.
Toyota has a strong service network and the maintenance of the Fortuner is comparatively low considering SUV of this size and category.
When it comes to resale value, Fortuner is at the top in its segment. Even 10 year old Fortuner gets sold easily in the market and holds a strong price.
If you want an SUV that is dependable for years and has a different level of road presence, then there is no better choice than Fortuner.
Conclusion
Best Cars for Long-Term Use in India : So friends, these are the seven cars that will keep you tension free for the next 10 years. If you are thinking about purchasing your next car then none of these options will disappoint you. Just keep doing the maintenance on time and keep your driving style smooth.
If you need proper guidance before buying a car then Ultimate Steering is the perfect place for you, if you found it helpful make sure to share it with others as well.