Driving and music go together like hot chai on a rainy day. Here, we take a look at the most affordable cars – those priced under Rs 25 lakh – which come with branded speaker systems. 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 8.23 lakh; Bose system
Hyundai recently launched a Knight Edition for its premium hatchback and updated the i20 range, which saw the mid-spec Sportz (O) gain the Bose sound system seen on the top-spec Asta and Asta (O) variants. It consists of 4 speakers, 2 tweeters and 1 subwoofer. The Rs 8.23 lakh price tag of the i20 Sportz (O) means it is the most affordable car on sale in India right now with a branded speaker system. The top-spec i20 N Line N8 (Rs 10.45 lakh onwards) also gets the same setup.
2. Mahindra XUV 3XO
Rs 11.66 lakh; Harman Kardon system
The Mahindra XUV 3XO gets a Harman Kardon speaker system consisting of 6 speakers, 1 amplifier and a subwoofer on the second-from-the-top AX7 variant, priced from Rs 11.66 lakh. That price tag means that the XUV 3XO is the most affordable SUV with a branded speaker system.
3. Tata Nexon
Rs 12.17 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 12.17 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 top-spec, ADAS-equipped Empowered + A 45 variant (Rs 17.29 lakh onwards), which gets the larger 45kWh battery pack.
4. Hyundai Verna
Rs 13.32 lakh; Bose system
The only sedan to feature on this list of the most affordable cars with a branded speaker system is the Hyundai Verna, which gets a Bose system from the SX+ variant onwards, priced from Rs 13.32 lakh. Its system is made up of 5 speakers, 2 tweeters, and a subwoofer.
5. Kia Sonet
Rs 13.60 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. If you're deciding between the Sonet and the new Venue, a point to note would be that you get the Bose system on the Kia for Rs 96,000 less than the Hyundai (see below).
6. Tata Curvv
Rs 14.55 lakh; JBL system
Available from the higher-spec Accomplished S variant onwards, priced from Rs 14.55 lakh, the Tata Curvv coupe-SUV also has 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. Hyundai Venue
Rs 14.56 lakh; Bose system
Only with the recently launched second-gen Hyundai Venue does the compact SUV make it to this list of most affordable cars with a branded audio system. Available only on the top-spec HX10 (Rs 14.56 lakh onwards) and Venue N Line N10 (Rs 15.30 lakh) variants, the Bose system consists of 5 speakers, 2 tweeters, and a subwoofer.
8. Kia Syros
Rs 14.56 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 14.56 lakh onwards).
9. Hyundai Creta
Rs 15.69 lakh; Bose system
The higher-spec Hyundai Creta SX Tech trim (Rs 15.69 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 midsize 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.
10. Kia Seltos
Rs 16.15 lakh; Bose system
The Kia Seltos HTX (O) (Rs 16.15 lakh onwards) is a higher-spec variant, and it is from this one onwards that this midsize SUV gets a Bose sound system. The Seltos’ music system is made up of 5 speakers, 2 tweeters and 1 subwoofer.
11. MG Windsor
Rs 16.30 lakh; Infinity system
The MG Windsor Essence variant, priced at Rs 16.30 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.
12. MG Hector
Rs 18.34 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 18.34 lakh onwards). Other than the amplifier, this setup includes a subwoofer and a mix of speakers and tweeters totalling 8.
13. MG ZS EV
Rs 18.50 lakh; JBL system
MG Motor India’s midsize 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.
14. Mahindra Thar Roxx
Rs 18.67 lakh; Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos
The Mahindra Thar Roxx’s top-spec AX7 L variant, which is priced from Rs 18.67 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.
15. Hyundai Alcazar
Rs 18.92 lakh; Bose system
Available on the second-front-the-top Platinum variant (Rs 18.92 lakh onwards), the Hyundai Alcazar also has the same 5-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer Bose setup seen in the likes of the Seltos and Creta.
16. Mahindra Scorpio N
Rs 19.15 lakh; Sony system
The top-spec Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 L, which is priced from Rs 19.15 lakh, gets a Sony speaker system. This 12-speaker setup includes a dual-channel subwoofer.
17. Kia Carens Clavis
Rs 19.27 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 (O) form (Rs 19.27 lakh onwards) gets a Bose unit. This is the same 5-speaker, 2-tweeter and 1 subwoofer setup seen in other Hyundai and Kia cars on this list. Its all-electric version, the Clavis EV. has the Bose system only on the top-spec HTX+ Extended Range variant (Rs 24.49 lakh), with the larger 51.4kWh battery option.
18. 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, respectively), the BE 6 Pack Two and higher variants get a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos and a sub-woofer.
19. 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 from Rs 22.24 lakh, gets the Sony speaker system.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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
