Tata Aeris vs Maruti Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Hyundai Aura: Best Compact Sedan in 2026

The compact sedan segment just got its most aggressive price tag in years. Tata launched the Aeris, the replacement for the Tigor, on 25 September 2026 at an introductory Rs 5.29 lakh (ex-showroom). That undercuts the Hyundai Aura, the Maruti Dzire and even the older Honda Amaze. We covered the Aeris before launch; this time the question is simpler: with prices out, which sub-4 metre sedan should you actually buy?

Tata Aeris vs Dzire vs Amaze vs Aura: specs and prices compared

All prices are ex-showroom as listed by Autocar India, CarDekho and CarWale in the last week of September 2026. The Aeris figures are Tata's introductory prices. Mileage is the ARAI claimed figure, not what you will see in traffic.

Tata has not published Aeris mileage yet, so we left it blank. Aura CNG claims vary from 22 to 28.4 km/kg across listings, so check the brochure at the dealer.

Which is the cheapest compact sedan in India in 2026?

The Aeris, clearly. Its base Smart petrol manual costs Rs 5.29 lakh, about Rs 71,000 less than the Aura and Rs 1.02 lakh less than the Dzire. The Honda Amaze is the costliest new-generation car here, though Honda still sells the older second-generation Amaze from about Rs 5.99 lakh, per CarDekho.

Introductory prices usually rise within weeks, so book early if price is your main reason. Deliveries start on 11 October 2026, per Autocar India.

Which compact sedan has the biggest boot?

The Aeris and Amaze are almost tied, and both swallow a family's weekend luggage. The Dzire is smallest at 382 litres. For long drives, keep a compact 150 PSI tyre inflator in the boot; it takes little space and saves you from hunting for air at highway pumps.

Which sedan gives the best mileage?

On paper, the Dzire. Its 24.79 kmpl manual and 25.71 kmpl AMT petrol claims are the best in the class, and its 33.73 km/kg CNG figure is the highest here too. The Aeris could change the order once Tata announces its numbers; until then, the company has not officially confirmed this information.

Which is the safest compact sedan?

The Dzire is the only one here with 5-star ratings from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. The new Amaze scored 5 stars for adult protection and 4 stars for child protection at Bharat NCAP. The Aeris has not been crash tested yet, and the Aura has no current rating, though both get six airbags as standard.

What features does the Aeris get that rivals miss?

Tata has loaded the Aeris for the price. Higher variants get a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, a factory dashcam, a blind view monitor and a 360-degree camera. The Dzire offers a sunroof and a 360 camera on its top trim, and only the Amaze offers ADAS (on the ZX).

If you pick a lower variant of any of these cars without wireless phone mirroring, a plug-in wireless CarPlay and Android Auto adapter adds it for under Rs 1,000.

Which one should you buy?

• Tightest budget or first car: Tata Aeris. Nothing else gets you six airbags, a 419-litre boot and a sedan badge at Rs 5.29 lakh.
• High daily running or taxi-style use: Maruti Dzire. Best claimed mileage in petrol and CNG, plus Maruti's wide service network.
• Safety first: Maruti Dzire, with double 5-star ratings. The Amaze is a close second.
• Smooth city automatic and refinement: Honda Amaze. The CVT and four-cylinder engine are the most relaxed here, and ADAS is on offer.
• Easy, quiet commuter: Hyundai Aura. Smooth four-cylinder, simple ownership.

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