Here’s a detailed look at the Maruti S-Presso’s current pricing, its positioning relative to the Alto K10, and whether it can really be called “India’s cheapest car”:
Current Price of Maruti S-Presso (2025)
After the recent GST rate change (from 28 % to 18 % for small cars), Maruti has revised prices downward for models like the S-Presso.
- The ex-showroom base price starts at about ₹ 3,49,900 for the STD (basic) trim.
- The top variant (petrol / automatic) goes up to about ₹ 5,25,000 (ex-showroom) in many markets.
- In Delhi, the S-Presso’s on-road price (including registration, insurance, etc.) starts around ₹ 3.84 lakh for the lowest variant.
Because these are showroom / ex-showroom prices, the “on-road” cost will vary by city (due to taxes, registration, insurance, etc.).
With the GST cut, the S-Presso’s price has been reduced by as much as ₹ 1.30 lakh in some variants.
So, effectively, the S-Presso now begins in the ~ ₹ 3.50 lakh bracket (ex-showroom) for its entry model.
Price of Alto K10 (2025) & Comparison
Let’s compare with the Alto K10’s pricing, after similar GST revision:
- The Alto K10’s new starting ex-showroom price is ₹ 3,70,000 (i.e., ₹ 3.70 lakh) after the GST cut.
- Earlier, Alto K10’s price was higher (e.g, ₹ 4.23 lakh or more).
- The top variants of Alto K10 go up to about ₹ 5,45,000 ex-showroom.
Hence, even after price cuts, the Alto K10 remains more expensive across most variants compared to the S-Presso’s base pricing.
To summarise:
| Model / Variant | Approx Ex-Showroom Start Price* |
|---|---|
| S-Presso (base) | ~ ₹ 3,49,900 (≈ ₹ 3.50 lakh) |
| Alto K10 (base) | ~ ₹ 3,70,000 (≈ ₹ 3.70 lakh) |
*These are ex-showroom prices; on-road will be higher by city-level charges.
So in this direct comparison, the S-Presso is priced below the Alto K10 at the base level, making it more “entry-level” in cost.
Is S-Presso Now India’s Cheapest Car?
Pros in favor of “cheapest car” claim:
- Lowest Seat in Maruti’s Lineup
With its base version at ~ ₹ 3.50 lakh ex-showroom, it is the cheapest among new Maruti models (after GST cuts). - Beating the Alto K10 (at base level)
Since Alto K10’s new base price is ₹ 3.70 lakh, the S-Presso’s ~ ₹ 3.50 lakh does undercut it, making S-Presso a lower-cost alternative. - Tax Benefit / GST Cut
The government’s lowering of GST on small cars helps lower the entry-level pricing, thereby enabling the S-Presso to claim this “cheapest among small cars” status.
Caveats and What “Cheapest” Means:
- “Cheapest car” depends on what you count
There are ultra-low-cost models (for example, older versions of the Renault Kwid, or small EVs) that, in some cases, may undercut prices or have special promotional offers. So “cheapest” typically refers to mainstream petrol cars from mass brands. - Other costs (on-road, ownership)
Even if the ex-showroom price is the lowest, for a customer, the real cost will depend on registration, insurance, taxes, fuel/energy, maintenance, etc. In some states, those may erode the “cheap advantage.” - Feature tradeoffs
To hit a low price, base variants typically omit many premium features. The S-Presso base version is very Spartan. Buyers might prefer slightly higher variants or go for the Alto K10 or others for more amenities, safety features, etc. - Top trims may cross price lines
While the base S-Presso is the lowest, its higher trims (automatic, premium features) may approach or exceed some versions of other small cars. So “cheapest” is really about starting trims, not the whole range.
Given all that, after the recent GST adjustments, the S-Presso does stake a compelling claim to being India’s lowest-priced new petrol car (among mainstream models) — at least at its base variant — undercutting even the long-popular Alto K10.
Additional Observations (Performance, Positioning)
- Engine & Efficiency:
The S-Presso uses a 998 cc petrol engine (shared with many small Maruti cars).
Fuel efficiency (for manual) is broadly in the ~ 24 km/l region; the AMT (automatic) version does slightly better due to optimized gear shifts. - Design / Use Case:
It’s styled as a micro crossover (taller ride height, upright stance), though mechanically it is a city hatch. It aims to combine affordability with a bit of crossover flair. - Safety & Features:
The base variant likely has minimal features (no fancy infotainment, fewer convenience items). Buyers wanting safety features (ABS, airbags beyond the mandated ones) may need to move up trims, which increases cost. - Market Impact:
This price move can help Maruti attract more first-time car buyers, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where buying a car is still a major investment. Also, by making the base pricing more accessible, Maruti strengthens its grip in the low-cost segment.
Conclusion
- As of late 2025, the Maruti S-Presso’s base ex-showroom price is roughly ₹ 3,49,900 (≈ ₹ 3.50 lakh) after the GST cuts.
- By comparison, the Alto K10’s base ex-showroom price is ~ ₹ 3,70,000 (₹ 3.70 lakh).
- Thus, the S-Presso does come in at a lower starting price than the Alto K10, making it the new “cheapest Maruti petrol car” at its entry trim.
- But “cheapest car in India” is a broader claim and depends on how you measure (all brands, all fuel types, base editions vs loaded ones). Within mainstream petrol models currently sold, the S-Presso is one of the lowest priced.
- Buyers should consider the tradeoffs in features and the full on-road cost, rather than just the ex-showroom number.