Driving and music go together like hot chai on a rainy day. This World Music Day, we take look at the most affordable cars, those priced under Rs 25 lakh, which come with a branded speaker system. Carmakers like Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai, Kia and MG Motors offer a number of models in this price bracket with a branded music system, representing every body style, from MPVs, SUVs and coupe-SUVs to hatchbacks and sedans.
1. Hyundai i20
Rs 9.38 lakh; Bose system
The top-spec Hyundai i20 Asta and Asta(O) variants, priced from Rs 9.38 lakh onwards, get a Bose system that consists of 4 speakers, 2 tweeters and 1 subwoofer. This makes the i20 the most affordable car on sale in India right now with a branded speaker system. The top-spec i20 N Line N8 (Rs 11.31 lakh onwards), also gets the same setup.
2. Mahindra XUV 3XO
Rs 12.80 lakh; Harman Kardon system
The Mahindra XUV 3XO gets a Harmon Kardon speaker system consisting of 6 speakers, 1 amplifier and a subwoofer on the second-from-the-top AX7 variant, priced from Rs 12.80 lakh. That price tag means that the XUV 3XO is the most affordable SUV with a branded speaker system.
3. Tata Nexon
Rs 13.30 lakh; JBL system
The most affordable Tata car with a branded speaker system is the Nexon, which gets a setup consisting of 4 speakers, 4 tweeters, and a subwoofer. It should be noted that the feature is only available on the top-spec Fearless + PS trim, priced from Rs 13.30 lakh. The all-electric version of Tata’s compact SUV, the Nexon EV, has the same JBL setup as the ICE model, though only on the higher-spec Empowered + 45 variant (Rs 16.99 lakh onwards), which gets the larger 45kWh battery pack.
4. Hyundai Verna
Rs 14.86 lakh; Bose system
The only sedan to feature on this list of most affordable cars with a branded speaker system, the top-spec Hyundai Verna SX(O), priced from Rs 14.86 lakh, gets a Bose system that is made up of 5 speakers, 2 tweeters, and a subwoofer.
5. Kia Sonet
Rs 14.94 lakh; Bose system
The top-spec Kia Sonet GTX+ (Rs 14.94 lakh onwards) and X-Line variants get the same 4-speaker, 2 tweeter and 1 subwoofer Bose system seen in the Hyundai i20. Interestingly, this feature ensures the Sonet one-ups its sister from Hyundai, the Venue, which gets an unbranded 4-speaker and 2-tweeter setup.
6. Tata Curvv
Rs 15.00 lakh; JBL system
Available from the higher-spec Accomplished S variant onwards, priced from Rs 15.00 lakh, the Tata Curvv coupe-SUV also the same 4 speaker, 4 tweeter, and 1 subwoofer JBL system as the Nexon and Nexon EV. The second-from-highest-spec Curvv EV Empowered+ 55 variant (Rs 21.25 lakh), also gets the same JBL setup as its ICE counterpart.
7. Kia Syros
Rs 16.00 lakh; Harman Kardon system
The Korean brand’s second compact SUV differentiates itself from the Sonet, and the rest of the Kia cars on this list, by having a Harman Kardon system rather than a Bose one. This 5-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer setup is available on the second-from-the-top Kia Syros HTX+ variant (Rs 16 lakh onwards).
8. MG Windsor
Rs 16.15 lakh; Infinity system
The MG Windsor Essence variant, priced at Rs 16.15 lakh, gets an Infinity speaker system, making MG’s electric car the most affordable EV with a branded setup. The higher-spec Exclusive Pro and Essence Pro variants also get the same music system. The Windsor’s Infinity system consists of 4 speakers, 4 tweeters and a subwoofer.
9. Kia Seltos
Rs 16.77 lakh; Bose system
The Kia Seltos HTX(O) (Rs 16.77 lakh onwards) is a higher-spec variant, and it is from this one onwards that this mid-size SUV gets a Bose sound system. The Seltos’ music system is made up of 5 speakers, 2 tweeters and 1 subwoofer.
10. MG ZS EV
Rs 18.50 lakh; JBL system
MG Motor India’s mid-size electric SUV gets a 4-speaker and 2-tweeter JBL system from the second-from-base Excite Pro variant, priced from Rs 18.50 lakh. The MG ZS EV is unique on this list as a branded speaker system is usually reserved for higher variants.
11. Mahindra Thar Roxx
Rs 19.79 lakh; Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos
The Mahindra Thar Roxx’s top-spec AX7 L variant, which is priced from Rs 19.79 lakh onwards, gets a Harman Kardon system that was recently updated with Dolby Atmos. The 5-door Thar has a 6-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer setup. The Roxx’s price tag also makes it the most affordable 4x4 model here with a branded system.
12. Hyundai Creta
Rs 19.06 lakh; Bose system
The higher-spec Hyundai Creta SX Tech trim (Rs 19.06 lakh onwards) has the same 5-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer Bose-sourced sound system as the Kia Seltos. The all-electric version of Hyundai’s mid-size SUV, the Creta Electric, also has the same JBL setup as its ICE counterpart, but from the mid-spec Premium variant (Rs 19.99 lakh) onwards.
13. Kia Carens Clavis
Rs 19.40 lakh; Bose system
The only MPV to feature on this list, also making it the most affordable MPV with a branded audio system, the Kia Carens Clavis in its higher-spec HTX+ form (Rs 19.40 lakh onwards) gets a Bose unit. This is the same 5-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer setup seen in the likes of the Seltos and Creta.
14. Hyundai Alcazar
Rs 19.60 lakh; Bose system
Available on the second-front-the-top Platinum variant (Rs 19.60 lakh onwards), the Hyundai Alcazar also has the same Bose sound system as the Creta, Seltos and Clavis.
15. MG Hector
Rs 20.86 lakh; Infinity system
The only model on this list to have an amplifier as well, the MG Hector gets an Infinity speaker system from the higher-spec Sharp Pro variant (Rs 20.86 lakh onwards). Other than the amplifier, this setup includes a subwoofer, and a mix of speakers and tweeters totalling 8.
16. Mahindra Scorpio N
Rs 20.89 lakh; Sony system
The top-spec Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 L, which is priced from Rs 20.89 lakh, gets a Sony speaker system. This 12-speaker setup includes a dual-channel subwoofer.
17. Mahindra BE 6
Rs 21.90 lakh; Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos
The Mahindra BE 6 Pack Two variant is a mid-spec one, which is only available with the smaller 59kWh battery pack. Priced from Rs 21.90 lakh (7.2kW and 11.2kW chargers cost Rs 50,000 and Rs 75,000 more), the BE 6 Pack Two and higher variants get a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos, and a sub-woofer.
18. Mahindra XUV700
Rs 22.24 lakh; Sony system
Mahindra’s flagship ICE SUV has the same 12-speaker, including 1 subwoofer, Sony system as the Scorpio N. Like its sibling, only the top-spec Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L, which is priced frmop Rs 22.24 lakh, gets the Sony speaker system.
19. Tata Harrier
Rs 24.35 lakh; JBL system
Like the other Tata SUVs on this list, the Harrier also gets a JBL sound system, but it gets one additional dashboard-mounted speaker, taking the total to 5 speakers, 4 tweeters and 1 subwoofer. This setup is only available on the top-spec Tata Harrier Fearless + trim, which is priced from Rs 24.35 lakh.
20. Mahindra XEV 9e
Rs 24.90 lakh; Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos
The Mahindra XEV 9e shares its 16-speaker and 1 subwoofer Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos with the BE 6. Like its smaller all-electric sibling, the XEV 9e’s mid-spec Pack Two variant (Rs 24.90 lakh onwards) gets this speaker setup.
21. Tata Safari
Rs 25.00 lakh; JBL system
Like with the Harrier, the three-row version of Tata’s flagship also gets the same JBL system – comprising 5 speakers, 4 tweeters and a subwoofer. This setup is available with the top-spec Tata Safari Accomplished + trim, which costs Rs 25.00 lakh.
Also see:
Mass-market sedans ranked by ground clearance
Mid size SUV AC torture test: Hyundai Creta to Mahindra Thar Roxx
Most affordable cars, SUVs with DCT gearboxes
