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 Tata Nexon 2023, Nissan Magnite and Maruti Suzuki Jimny, 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
- Tata Nexon 2023 vs Nissan Magnite vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny – 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 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 maneuverability also make drives hassle-free.
Why Tata Nexon 2023, Nissan Magnite and Maruti Suzuki Jimny are popular
The Nexon, Magnite and Jimny score highly as good starter vehicles. Both the Nexon and Magnite have excellent base pricing – ₹7.60 lakhs and ₹5.97 lakhs respectively making them very affordable. The Jimny is reasonably priced too starting at ₹8.30 lakhs.
Their peppy petrol engines ensure low running costs. Generous safety equipment provides reassurance. Light steering and compact dimensions aid new drivers. Additionally, Maruti’s widespread service network provides peace of mind everywhere.
So these well-rounded UVs satisfy those wanting modern essentials without headaches when starting their ownership journey.
Tata Nexon 2023, Nissan Magnite and Maruti Suzuki Jimny variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range
For Tata Nexon 2023, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 22 February 2024 |
| Creative Plus | ₹11.7 lakhs |
For Nissan Magnite, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 22 February 2024 |
| Turbo CVT XV Premium | ₹10.2 lakhs |
For Maruti Suzuki Jimny, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 22 February 2024 |
| Zeta MT | ₹10.74 lakhs |
Tata Nexon Creative Plus
The Creative Plus keeps things simple with basics like LED DRLs, push button start, auto AC and rear camera offered at an attractive price of ₹11.7 lakhs. Easy for first-timers to adopt. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Nexon 2023 with Kia Sonet 2024.
Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT XV Premium
The Premium variant strikes an ideal balance between price and features like LED lighting, cruise control, automatic climate control etc. Value addition over barebones variant without crossing budget. You can also read our guide to the most value-for-money variants of Nissan Magnite.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny Zeta MT
The Zeta MT focuses on essentials like auto AC, steering mounted controls, dual airbags offered at a reasonable mid-spec price of ₹10.74 lakhs. Practical choice without unnecessary frills. If you’re an off-roading enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Jimny with Mahindra Thar.
Our Pick for the Best variant among Tata Nexon 2023, Nissan Magnite and Maruti Suzuki Jimny for First-time car buyers
The Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT XV Premium variant priced at ₹10.2 lakhs makes a strong case as the sensible first car choice based on its combination of adequate features and safety equipment coupled with its tempting price point.
While sharply undercutting key rivals, modern essentials maximise the Magnite’s value like automatic LED headlights, height adjustable driver seat, push button start, auto AC etc. It also packs essential safety with 2 airbags, traction control, ABS, EBD, brake assist. Space is reasonably good too.
Though safer and better equipped, Nexon’s claimed mileage of 17 km/l is underwhelming compared to Magnite’s 20 km/l. This affects running costs. More worryingly for first-timers, Nexon’s higher maintenance will be felt too. Jimny trails on rear seat comfort and highway stability expected today.
So considering the Magnite strikes the best balance between core features and aggressive pricing allowing smooth initiation for new drivers into car ownership, it comes across as a sensible no-frills value pick packing in the modern basics.
The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference
- Nissan Magnite Turbo Premium
- Tata Nexon Creative Plus
- Maruti Suzuki Jimny Zeta MT
| Attribute | Nissan Magnite Turbo Premium | Tata Nexon Creative Plus | Maruti Suzuki Jimny Zeta MT |
| Price (₹ lakhs) | 10.2 | 11.7 | 10.74 |
| Mileage | 20 km/l | 17 km/l | 16.94 km/l |
| Airbags | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Infotainment | 8-inch | 10.25-inch | 7-inch |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Magnite Turbo Premium clearly leads value thanks to essentials like automatic LED headlights, push start button and adequate 2 airbags offered at a tempting ₹10.2 lakh sticker price – excellent for first car buyers to learn and upskill.
- The Nexon Creative Plus focuses on safety by packing in segment-leading 6 airbags, electronic stability program, hill hold control etc. into its competitively priced package. Reliability of a Tata and peace of mind for new buyers.
- And the Jimny Zeta MT redeems itself through go-anywhere capability and ride comfort that helps build confidence in first-timers. Compromises on certain features or safety equipment but off-road readiness and Maruti badge appeal to some starting out.
Value, safety or rugged appeal and reliability help determine the ideal first car choice from these three strongly recommended starter variants targeting young first-time buyers.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.