Best year-end discounts on cars, SUVs this December

With the year winding down, carmakers usually offer hefty discounts across their product portfolio in a bid to clear out unsold inventory. Almost every major manufacturer including Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Mahindra and Hyundai are offering attractive year-end benefits on their range of hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. .

It’s worth noting that compared to pre-COVID years, discounts and offers are much lesser this time around. That’s because the ongoing semiconductor crisis and COVID related delays have allowed for limited supply, which means most dealers have very little unsold stock in their inventories. This has naturally led to longer waiting periods and lesser discounts.

Here is our list of some of the best deals currently available on some of the most popular models on sale. 

Year-end discounts on SUVs: December 2021

Renault Duster 

Up to Rs 1.30 lakh off

Renault’s long-serving Duster soldiers on, currently in a petrol-only avatar. Under the hood, there’s the option of a 106hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine, though the 156hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine is the real deal, something that would be our pick of the range. The strength of the Duster still lies in its tough build and well-sorted ride, although its equipment list is nowhere close to the competition.

The Duster is being offered with one of the highest year-end discounts, totalling up to Rs 1.30 lakh. This includes a cash discount of up to Rs 50,000, an exchange bonus of up to Rs 50,000 and corporate benefits of up to Rs 30,000.

Nissan Kicks 

Up to Rs 1.00 lakh off

The Nissan Kicks shares its underpinnings and engine options with the Renault Duster and is offered with the same 106hp and 156hp engines. Although the Kicks feels a bit dated now, the punchy 1.3-litre petrol engine and robust suspension offers a well-sorted driving experience. It’s also reasonably well-equipped and looks pretty smart.

The Kicks is another model that’s available with very attractive year-end discounts. This includes a cash discount of up to Rs 15,000, an exchange bonus of up to Rs 70,000 and corporate benefits of up to Rs 10,000. Nissan is also offering an additional Rs 5,000 discount for online bookings. The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol variants have more discounts than the 1.5-litre petrol variants.

Mahindra XUV300 

Up to Rs 69,000 off

The Mahindra XUV300 has the highest discount of all Mahindra SUVs for December. With the option of a 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 117hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine, the XUV300 offers one of the most sorted driving experiences in its class. It’s pretty well equipped across all variants with a premium cabin, thus making for a well-rounded package. It also has the bragging rights of a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.

Benefits on the XUV300 include a cash discount of up to Rs 30,000, an exchange bonus of up Rs 25,000 and corporate benefits of up to Rs 4,000. Customers can also avail additional offers and accessories worth up to Rs 10,000, bringing the total benefits to Rs 69,000.

Mahindra KUV100 

Up to Rs 61,055

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT is the smallest SUV the brand offers, but, under the skin, it has more in common with a hatchback, than an SUV. Its unique 6-seater configuration, however, helps it stand out in this segment and price range. The KUV100 NXT is a petrol-only model with an 83hp, 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine.

Benefits on the KUV100 NXT include a cash discount of up to Rs 38,055. There’s also an exchange bonus of up to Rs 20,000 and a corporate benefit of up to Rs 3,000, bringing the total up to Rs 61,055.

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross 

Up to Rs 45,000 off

The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross is a very underrated car, and while it doesn’t have the same punchy performance as some other SUVs in its segment, it is very practical, thanks to a tough suspension, lots of space and good reliability. Like most Marutis, it is very easy to service too. The ride and handling balance is a particular highlight of the S-Cross. It’s powered by a 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech.

The S-Cross is available with maximum benefits of up to Rs 45,000, which includes a cash discount of Rs 15,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 25,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 5,000.

Tata Harrier 

Up to Rs 40,000 off

The Tata Harrier is known for its spacious and comfortable cabin and a powerful 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine. The Harrier also has a very robust suspension set-up that gives it a fine ride and handling balance – something that suits Indian roads very well. The Harrier, however, is not the most feature-equipped SUV in its class, with even cheaper SUVs like the Creta and Seltos having a longer features list.

For the month of December, dealers are offering an exchange discount worth Rs 40,000 and a corporate discount of up to Rs 25,000 on all, except the Dark Edition variants. The Dark Edition, on the other hand, is being offered with a Rs 20,000 exchange discount.

Tata Safari 

Up to Rs 40,000 off

Tata’s flagship SUV, the Safari, comes in six- and seven-seater options and, just like the Harrier, offers a very comfortable ride. The SUV comes with a solitary 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, like the Harrier, with manual and automatic gearbox options. The Tata Safari rivals the likes of the Hyundai Alcazar and the Mahindra XUV700.

This month, buyers can avail an exchange discount up to Rs 40,000 on all variants of the Safari, save for the Gold Edition. There are no cash discounts on corporate benefits on the Safari for December.

Tata Nexon EV 

Up to Rs 25,000 off  

The Nexon EV has the novelty of being the most-affordable electric SUV in the country. The Nexon EV comes with a 30.2kWh battery pack with a 312km ARAI-certified range, which powers a single 129hp electric motor. Buyers will also like the Nexon EV’s well-sorted ride and decently spacious cabin. It’s also pretty well equipped for its price.

The Nexon EV is being offered with a Rs 15,000 exchange discount for the XZ+ Lux variant and Rs 10,000 exchange discount for the XZ+ variant.

Toyota Urban Cruiser 

Up to Rs 15,000 off

The Urban Cruiser was the second badge-engineered model from the Maruti-Toyota alliance and was based on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Like the Brezza, the Urban Cruiser’s strengths are its spacious cabin and well sorted ride and handling balance. Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech, the Urban Cruiser is also pretty fuel-efficient. However, it’s not as well equipped as newer rivals like the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue.

Benefits on the Urban Cruiser this December amount up to Rs 15,000, which is being offered as an exchange bonus. There are no cash discounts or corporate benefits on offer with the Urban Cruiser.

Year-end discounts on MPVs: December 2021

Renault Triber 

Up to Rs 60,000 off

The Renault Triber is a seven-seater offering from the French carmaker that measures under four metres in length. Powering the Triber is a 72hp, 96Nm, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. It can be had with either a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. The Triber is a very practical MPV, thanks to the flexible seating options, although performance is a little underwhelming.

Buyers of the 2021 Triber can avail benefits of up to Rs 40,000. This includes a cash discount of Rs 10,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 10,000. If, however, you are opting for MY2020 model, the cash discount and exchange bonus both rise to Rs 25,000 each, bringing the total to Rs 60,000.

Year-end discounts on sedans: December 2021

Hyundai Aura 

Up to Rs 50,000 off

The Aura is Hyundai’s competitor in the compact sedan space, taking on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze. The Aura is spacious, well-equipped and comes with three refined engine options – a 100hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, an 83hp, 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol and a 75hp, 1.2-litre diesel. It also has a CNG option for buyers.

This month, the Aura Turbo variant is available with benefits of up to Rs 50,000, while the CNG version gets benefits worth Rs 15,000. The rest of the Aura range, meanwhile, can be had with benefits worth up to Rs 25,000. Benefits for all versions are split into cash discount, exchange bonuses and corporate benefits, although the CNG models miss out on the cash discount.

Honda City 

Up to Rs 35,500 off

The City is Honda’s bestselling model in India and a great all-rounder. Buyers will like the City for its spacious and comfortable cabin and long equipment list. Keen drivers will enjoy the rev-happy nature of the new 1.5-litre VTEC petrol engine, which can be had with either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic. The diesel, on the other hand, is very tractable and frugal with linear power delivery and little by way of turbo lag. Gearbox options here though are limited to just a 6-speed manual.

Honda is offering a cash discount of Rs 7,500, an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000, a loyalty bonus of Rs 5,000 and a corporate benefit of Rs 8,000, all amounting to a total of Rs 35,500. There are also additional accessories worth Rs 8,000 on offer with the City.

Year-end discounts on hatchbacks: December 2021

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Up to Rs 50,000 off

The Grand i10 Nios is an ideal all-rounder, thanks to its spacious cabin, feature-rich interiors and city-friendly dynamics. It also has the widest choice of engine options of any hatchback in this price range – a 100hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol, a 75hp, 1.2-litre diesel and a 69hp 1.2-litre CNG variant. In fact, the Nios Turbo is the quickest mass-market hatchback on sale in the country, as per our testing.

Buyers can avail benefits of up to Rs 50,000 for the Turbo and Rs 15,000 for the CNG. The rest of the range is available with benefits worth up to Rs 25,000. This includes cash discounts, corporate benefits and exchange bonuses.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Up to Rs 48,000 off

Even though the current Alto has been in the market for several years now, it continues to be a consistent strong-seller for Maruti Suzuki. And while there’s nothing much to boast of in terms of features, looks or space, its price and fuel-efficiency (especially in CNG form) are among the reasons the Maruti Alto is still in demand. It’s powered by a venerable 47hp, 0.8-litre engine.

The ever-affordable Alto 800 is available with benefits of up to Rs 48,000 this December. This includes a cash discount of up to Rs 30,000, an exchange bonus of up to Rs 15,000 and corporate benefits of up to Rs 3,000.

Hyundai i20 

Up to Rs 40,000 off

The Hyundai i20 is one of the bestselling models in the premium hatchback segment. It’s available with a diverse range of engine options – an 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 100hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine. The i20 is also the most feature-equipped hatchback of its class. 

For December 2021, buyers can avail benefits worth Rs 40,000 on the Turbo iMT versions and Rs 15,000 for the diesel versions. There’s no benefits with the rest of the range.

Renault Kwid 

Up to Rs 35,000 off

The Renault Kwid is a great value proposition in the budget hatchback segment where it rivals the likes of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Alto 800. It’s quite well equipped for its price, the SUV-inspired styling really helps its looks and you get the choice of either a 54hp, 0.8-litre or a 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine under its hood.

Buyers looking to get their hands on a Kwid this December can avail benefits of up to Rs 35,000, which includes cash discount of up to Rs 10,000, exchange bonuses of up to Rs 15,000 and corporate benefits of up to Rs 10,000. Renault is also offering an additional cash discount of Rs 10,000 on MY2020 cars. Customers can also get Rs 10,000 as a loyalty bonus.

Honda Jazz

Up to Rs 33,000 off

The Honda Jazz was updated with a facelift in August last year, giving the ageing hatchback a cosmetic update and a couple of nifty features on the inside. Powered by a sole 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Jazz is liked for its roomy cabin, well-sorted ride and smooth automatic gearbox, though it’s not as well-equipped as some newer rivals, and higher variants do get pricey.

Benefits on the Jazz total up to Rs 33,000 and include a cash discount of Rs 10,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 5,000, a loyalty bonus of Rs 5,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 4,000. Honda is also offering an additional Rs 9,000 off as Honda-to-Honda exchange loyalty bonus.

Toyota Glanza

Up to Rs 22,000 off

The Glanza was the first Toyota model in India to come out of the Maruti-Toyota alliance and is essentially a badge-engineered Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The car is available with two 1.2-liter petrol engines, an 83hp unit and DualJet 90hp version that gets mild-hybrid tech.  Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox.

The Toyota Glanza can be availed with benefits of up to Rs 22,000 – cash discount up to Rs 10,000, an exchange bonus of up to Rs 10,000 and a corporate discount of up to Rs 2,000.

Disclaimer: Discounts vary from city to city. Please check with your local dealer for exact discounts, as they may not match figures quoted here.

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