Cars to Buy This Diwali 2026: Models Worth Considering

Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November. With new launches, updated models and festive offers, it is a popular time to look at a new car. Before you book, check the car’s safety rating, features, running costs, manufacturing date and car insurance cover to get the best deal. Here are the top 10 cars to look out for this Diwali season.

Top Cars to Buy This Diwali 2026

Note: The Bharat NCAP ratings listed above are based on the current published safety results. Prices mentioned are ex-showroom figures and can change by city, variant and the time of purchase. Check the final price with the dealer before booking.

Petrol Cars

Skoda Kylaq

The Kylaq brings Škoda's newer Modern Solid design language into the compact SUV segment, with a high ground clearance and a 446-litre boot that expands to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded. The compact dimensions keep it suited to city roads, while the cabin focuses on useful touches such as ventilated front seats and multiple storage spaces.

• Price: ₹7.59 lakh to ₹12.99 lakh

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol

• Gearbox: Manual and automatic

• Features: Six airbags, 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: CSUV of the Year at the TopGear India Awards 2026, awarded by TopGear India

Kia Seltos

The 2026 Kia Seltos has grown in size, with Kia listing a 4,460mm overall length and more cabin space than the previous model. It also brings connected-car features beyond the usual touchscreen setup, including over-the-air updates for 31 vehicle controllers and remote vehicle diagnostics, giving the SUV a more technology-led ownership experience.

• Price: From ₹10.99 lakh

• Engine options: 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel

• Gearbox: Manual, CVT, iMT and DCT, depending on the engine

• Features: Panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, head-up display and dashcam on higher variants

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: SUV of the Year at the 2026 Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards, awarded by Times Drive

CNG Cars

Tata Punch iCNG

The Punch iCNG uses two CNG cylinders placed beneath the luggage area, allowing Tata to retain a usable boot instead of giving up most of the cargo space. It can also start directly in CNG mode, while the system automatically switches to petrol if it detects a CNG leak.

• Price: ₹6.69 lakh to ₹10.54 lakh

• Engine: 1.2-litre CNG engine

• Power: 73.4 PS

• Mileage: Up to 26.99 km/kg claimed

• Features: 10.25-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, air purifier

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: Urban Car of the Year at the Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards 2026, awarded by Times Drive

• Sales: India's best-selling car in June 2026

Hybrid Cars

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Victoris has been built around the idea of giving buyers more than one way to use the same SUV. The CNG version uses an underbody tank layout to retain boot space, while the cabin gets a more premium treatment with what Maruti calls its "Theatre on Wheels" setup and 64-colour ambient lighting.

• Price: ₹10.50 lakh to ₹19.99 lakh

• Powertrains: 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol, CNG and strong hybrid

• Mileage: 28.65 km/l claimed for the strong hybrid; 27.02 km/kg for CNG

• Features: Panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and 360-degree camera on higher variants

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: Indian Car of the Year 2026, awarded by the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury

Electric Cars

Mahindra XEV 9e

The XEV 9e takes the electric SUV cabin in a more visually appealing approach, with a coast-to-coast display, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system and an Infinity Roof. Mahindra XEV 9e is also built on the INGLO electric architecture, with features such as five-link independent suspension and an augmented-reality head-up display adding to the technology package.

• Price: ₹21.90 lakh to ₹31.25 lakh

• Battery options: 59 kWh and 79 kWh

• Claimed range: 59 kWh - 542 km; 79kWh - 656 km

• Charging: 20% to 80% in 20 minutes with DC fast charging; 175 kW for the 79 kWh battery and 140 kW for the 59 kWh battery

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: Green Car Award 2026, awarded by the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY)

• Additional recognition: Premium EV of the Year at the 2026 Autocar India Awards, awarded by Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

The e Vitara is built on Maruti Suzuki's HEARTECT-e platform, with the company using a high-strength steel structure and a dedicated battery protection system underneath. The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara also gets a connected-car package that goes beyond basic remote controls, with Suzuki Connect bringing more than 60 connected functions into the car.

• Price: ₹16.19 lakh to ₹20.21 lakh

• Battery options: 49 kWh and 61 kWh

• Claimed range: 49 kWh – 440 km; 61 kWh – 543 km

• Features: Seven airbags, Level 2 ADAS and 360-degree camera on higher variants

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Battery warranty: 8 years or 1.6 lakh km (whichever comes first)

• Recognition: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for adult and child occupant protection

Family Cars

Mahindra XUV 7XO

The XUV 7XO is built around a number of changes that go beyond a cosmetic facelift. Mahindra has introduced its DAVINCI damping system and a multi-link rear suspension, while the cabin gets the company's coast-to-coast screen setup.

• Price: ₹13.99 lakh to ₹25.94 lakh

• Engine options: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel

• Gearbox: Manual and automatic

• Drive: AWD available on the select diesel variant

• Features: Triple-screen dashboard, Level 2 ADAS, 540-degree camera and panoramic sunroof

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

Tata Sierra

The Sierra combines the old nameplate's boxy character with a much more modern cabin, while its five-seat layout leaves plenty of room for luggage. The 622-litre boot can expand to 1,257 litres with the rear seats folded, and the SUV also gets 205mm of ground clearance.

• Price: ₹11.49 lakh to ₹21.29 lakh

• Engine options: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel

• Features: Triple-screen dashboard, panoramic sunroof and JBL audio with Dolby Atmos

• Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating

• Recognition: Car of the Year at the 2026 Autocar India Awards, awarded by Autocar India

• Other awards: Best Design and Styling of the Year and Viewers' Choice Car of the Year at the 2026 Autocar India Awards

Premium and Luxury Cars

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Golf GTI has a long history as Volkswagen's performance-focused version of the Golf, and the Indian-spec Mk 8.5 brings that formula here for the first time. It combines the everyday shape of a hatchback with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.9 seconds, making it very different from the larger SUVs elsewhere in this list.

• Price: ₹53 lakh at launch

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol

• Power: 265 PS

• Torque: 370 Nm

• Transmission: 7-speed DSG

• Features: 12.9-inch touchscreen & panoramic sunroof

• Recognition: Premium Car Award 2026, awarded by the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY)

BMW iX1 LWB

The long-wheelbase iX1 is particularly focused on rear-seat comfort, with BMW claiming the longest wheelbase in its segment and rear seats that recline by up to 28.5 degrees. There is also 490 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,600 litres, so the extra length is useful beyond simply giving the SUV a larger footprint.

• Price: ₹51.40 lakh

• Battery: 66.4 kWh

• Claimed range: 531 km

• Body style: Long-wheelbase electric SUV

• Assembly: Locally assembled

• Recognition: Luxury EV of the Year at the 2026 Autocar India Awards, awarded by Autocar India

Buying a new car this Diwali? Find the right insurance cover before you drive it home.

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What to Check Before Buying a Car This Diwali

Before you pay the booking amount this Diwali, check what you are actually getting.

• On-road price: Ask for the full price, including registration, insurance, accessories and all applicable charges. Compare the final amount payable rather than looking only at the advertised discount

• Manufacturing date: Check the month and year of manufacture on the VIN plate or door-pillar sticker. Also ask the dealer how long the car has been in stock before taking delivery.

• Insurance: Check the insurance premium separately rather than accepting the dealer's quote without comparing car insurance. For a new car, third-party car cover is mandatory, while the own damage insurance for car can be compared across insurers.

• Variant and offer: Check whether the festive benefit applies to the exact variant and colour you want. A discount advertised for a model may not apply across the entire range.

• Safety: Check the Bharat NCAP result for the specific model and understand which safety features are standard and which are limited to higher variants.

• Delivery date: If you want the car for Dhanteras/Diwali, get the expected delivery date in writing rather than relying on a verbal commitment.

• Pre-delivery inspection: Inspect the car before taking delivery. Check the VIN, manufacturing date, body panels, paint, tyres, lights, glass, electronics and accessories, and make sure the chassis and engine numbers match the documents.

• Upcoming launches: Check whether the model you are considering is due for a facelift, new-generation version or other major update before booking the current version.

• Ownership costs: Compare fuel or charging costs, servicing, battery warranty, insurance costs and any buyback or ownership plan before choosing between two similarly priced cars.

Conclusion

A good Diwali car purchase comes down to choosing the right variant, checking the final on-road price, completing the pre-delivery inspection and factoring in car insurance from the start. Once you have chosen your car, compare car insurance plans on Coverfox to find cover that fits your needs and budget.

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