Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Buying a car today isn’t about MRP—it’s about math. GST, registration, and road tax can inflate a ₹13 lakh sticker to a ₹22 lakh bill. The dream is taxed before it even begins.
EMIs go up, incomes don’t. With essentials like rent and education swallowing budgets, families find saving for a car harder than ever—let alone financing one.
Remember ₹3–4 lakh hatchbacks? They’re extinct. Entry-level options now begin at ₹6–7 lakh, while SUVs dominate sales—and demand deeper pockets.
Auto loan EMIs have jumped by over 30% in three years, thanks to rising interest rates and stricter lending. Banks want bigger down payments; buyers are left recalculating dreams.
It’s not just the car—it’s the lifetime cost. Fuel prices are high, and new compliance rules mean insurance, maintenance, and servicing are heavier on wallets than ever.
Urban India has run out of room. With limited residential parking and chaotic public options, owning a car often means renting space—or risking damage.
What used to mean freedom now feels like punishment. Congested roads, endless tolls, and potholes sap the joy out of weekend drives and weekday errands.
BS6 upgrades, 6-airbag mandates, and sudden bans on older vehicles make long-term car ownership uncertain. What’s legal today may be landfill tomorrow.
Many are ditching new car dreams for used rides—or skipping ownership entirely. Subscriptions, ride-hailing, and public transport are the new middle-class mobility plan.