Best sedans you can buy in India under Rs 20 lakh: Skoda Slavia to Honda City hybrid

SUVs have largely dominated the sub-Rs 20 lakh space in recent years, with the sedan segments in the same price range have shrunk rapidly. However, the year 2022 has seen three new ones sedans be launched in this price range, demonstrating that there is adequate demand from the market and ensuring manufacturers’ commitment to satisfy buyers who prefer low-slung sedans despite the large shift towards high-driving crossovers and SUVs.
For all the sedan lovers out there, we’ve put together a list of best sedans you can buy in India at Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom), check it out –
Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia It was launched earlier this year as part of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s INDIA 2.0 project, and has since 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 engine delivering 115PS of power and 178Nm of torque, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI engine producing 150 HP and 250 Nm.
Transmission options include a 6-speed MT (standard), an optional 6-speed AT (1.0 TSI) and a 7-speed DSG (1.5 TSI). Prices for the Slavia start at Rs 11.29 lakh, going up to Rs 18.49 lakh (both prices, ex showroom) for the high-end trim.
Volkswagen Virtus

The Volkswagen Virtus is built on the same highly localized MQB A0 IN platform as its cousin, the Skoda Slavia. Volkswagen offers the Virtus in two equipment 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 engine, both in the same state of tune as the aforementioned Skoda Slavia. However, the Virtus GT can only be obtained with a 7-speed DSG.
Additionally, the 1.5-litre TSI engine in both German sedans also features a cylinder deactivation system that shuts 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).
HyundaiVerna

The Hyundai Verna has long been one of the best-selling cars in the midsize sedan segment. With the Elantra 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 is available with a 115PS/144Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine); a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 115PS and 250Nm), or a 1-litre T-GDi turbo petrol engine delivering 120PS of maximum power and 172Nm of maximum torque. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is available with 6-speed MT or optional CVT, while the 1.5-litre diesel engine is offered with 6-speed MT and optional 6-speed AT. The turbocharged petrol engine comes as standard with a 7-speed DCT gearbox.
Honda City

The Honda City has completed 25 years in the Indian market and is currently in its fifth generation avatar. One of the consistently best-selling C-segment sedans in the country each month, the Honda City is offered with a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine generating 121PS and 145Nm, as well as a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 100 HP of power and 200 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while the petrol engine also gets an optional CVT.
On the equipment front, the City gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and WebLink, ambient lighting, LED headlights and taillights, electric sunroof, 8-speaker audio system, TFT instrument display . clusters, Amazon Alexa connectivity, Honda Connect and much more. The city is currently priced at 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 country’s first mass-market rugged hybrid car. Available in a single fully loaded variant, the City e:HEV gets additional equipment over the standard version of the sedan, including the Honda Sensing suite of ADAS technology that adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and braking autonomous emergency.
The 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine is mated to an electric motor, which together deliver 126PS of power and 253Nm of torque, providing a class-leading fuel efficiency figure (claimed) of 26.5 kmpl! The Honda City e:HEV has three modes: EV Drive Mode, Hybrid Drive Mode and Engine Drive Mode. The hybrid sedan is priced at Rs 19.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
Note that the list is in no particular order. With that said, which of these sedans is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.