Every car with a twin from another brand under Rs 30 lakh

By Uday Singh
64.4K views
Toyota's partnership with Maruti Suzuki has resulted in the highest number of badge-engineered models.

The automobile industry is highly capital-intensive, and developing a car from the ground up can take considerable time. By sharing features, powertrains and more, brands can cut costs and even benefit from economies of scale. And when the partnership clicks, badge engineering works just fine. Listed below are the popular badge-swap models under Rs 30 lakh in India.

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Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger

Rs 5.65 lakh-10.96 lakh, Rs 5.81 lakh-10.35 lakh

The most affordable models in this set, the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger differ in design and features, but their engine and gearbox options are identical. Both compact SUVs are offered with a 1-litre engine in 72hp NA petrol and CNG (via retrofitment) and 100hp turbo-petrol guises.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1L naturally aspirated petrol1L turbo-petrol
Power72hp100hp
Torque96Nm152-160Nm
Transmission5MT/ 5AMT5MT/ CVT

Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun

Rs 10.69 lakh-18.99 lakh, Rs 11 lakh-19.30 lakh

 

Next in line is the midsize SUV pair of Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. There is no naturally aspirated petrol option on offer here, with the lineup limited to two direct-injection turbo-petrol engines: a 115hp 1.0-litre and a 150hp 1.5-litre unit. With the 2026 update, both SUVs have received the 8AT transmission option with the smaller engine.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1L turbo-petrol1.5L turbo-petrol
Power115hp150hp
Torque178Nm250Nm
Transmission6MT/ 8AT7DCT

Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus

Rs 12.89 lakh-18.19 lakh, Rs 10.71 lakh-19.20 lakh

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Standing out as the only sedan pair on this list, the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus get the same powertrain setups as the Kushaq and Taigun SUVs, respectively. This also means there isn’t a single mass-market diesel sedan on sale right now, as even rivals like the Honda City and Hyundai Verna are offered only with petrol engines.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1L turbo-petrol1.5L turbo-petrol
Power115hp150hp
Torque178Nm250Nm
Transmission6MT/ 6AT6MT (only Virtus)/ 7DCT

Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder

Rs 10.77 lakh-19.72 lakh, Rs 11.31 lakh-20.19 lakh

The second half of this list is largely dominated by badge-engineered Maruti and Toyota SUVs, MPVs and hatchbacks. Talking about the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder midsize SUVs, these are the powertrain options: an 88hp CNG, a 103hp mild hybrid and a 116hp strong hybrid. It should be noted that the the 5-speed manual gearbox choice introduced initially with the AWD mild hybrid version is no longer on offer.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1.5L mild hybrid petrol1.5L hybrid petrol1.5L CNG
Power103hp116hp88hp
Torque137Nm141Nm121.5Nm
Transmission5MT (2WD)/ 6AT (2WD or AWD)eCVT5MT

Renault Duster, Nissan Tekton

Rs 10.49 lakh-18.49 lakh, Rs 10.49 lakh-18.59 lakh

 

 

The Renault Duster and its badge-engineered sibling, the Nissan Tekton, compete in the midsize SUV segment. 100hp 1-litre and 163hp 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine options, along with their respective manual and automatic gearbox choices, are on offer with both the SUVs. However, the 160hp 1.8-litre strong-hybrid powertrain set to be offered with the Duster by Diwali will not be made available with the Tekton.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1L turbo-petrol1.3L turbo-petrol
Power100hp163hp
Torque166Nm280Nm
Transmission6MT6MT/ 6DCT

Maruti e Vitara, Toyota Ebella

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Rs 15.99 lakh-19.99 lakh, Rs 23.60 lakh

 

The Maruti e Vitara and its badge-engineered sibling, the Toyota Ebella, are the only electric SUVs on this list. They also mark the first all-electric models from their respective brands in India. The e Vitara is available with two battery-and motor-options: a 48.8kWh battery paired with a 144hp motor, and a 61.1kWh battery paired with a 174hp motor. The Ebella, however, is offered only with the larger 61.1kWh battery and 174hp motor.

Engine and gearbox options

Battery48.8kWh61.1kWh
Power144hp174hp
Torque193193
Range440km543km

Toyota Innova Hycross, Maruti Invicto

Rs 19.53 lakh-32.95 lakh*, Rs 24.97 lakh-28.7 lakh

 
Compared to the Maruti Invicto MPV, the Toyota Innova Hycross has a more affordable entry point as it can also be optioned with a 173hp 2-litre petrol engine without the strong hybrid system. With the hybrid system, the combined power output rises to 184hp. A manual gearbox option is not offered with either of the MPVs.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine2L naturally aspirated petrol (only Hycross)2L hybrid petrol
Power173hp184hp
Torque204Nm206Nm
TransmissionCVTeCVT

*Some variants cost more than Rs 30 lakh.

Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza

Rs 5.99 lakh-9.17 lakh, Rs 6.73 lakh-9.99 lakh

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Not a lot differs between the Maruti Baleno and Toyota Glanza, with only subtle changes to the exterior and interior design. Even the powertrains are identical, including the 90hp 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 77hp CNG setups.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1.2L naturally aspirated petrol1.2L CNG
Power90hp77hp
Torque113Nm98.5Nm
Transmission5MT/ 5AMT5MT

Renault Triber, Nissan Gravite

Rs 5.81 lakh-8.48 lakh, Rs 5.73 lakh-9.08 lakh

 

The Renault Triber and the Nissan Gravite are built on the same CMF-A+ platform, and apart from minor cosmetic differences to the lights, grille, bumpers and wheels, there's very little to visually distinguish one from the other. Like the Kiger and the Magnite, the MPV twins use a 1-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine, producing identical outputs of 72hp and 96Nm. The Triber can be retrofitted with a CNG kit, and the Gravite is set to offer the same soon.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1L naturally aspirated petrol
Power72hp
Torque96Nm
Transmission5MT/ 5AMT

Maruti Fronx, Toyota Taisor

Rs 6.85 lakh-11.98 lakh, Rs 7.43 lakh-12.78 lakh

Like the Baleno and Glanza hatchbacks, there is very little that differentiates the Maruti Fronx and Toyota Taisor. The compact SUVs come with the familiar 90hp 1.2-litre NA petrol and 77hp CNG options, but they add a 100hp 1-litre turbo-petrol choice, too. The more sophisticated torque converter automatic gearbox option is offered solely with the latter engine, while the NA petrol can be had with an AMT unit.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1.2L naturally aspirated petrol1.2L CNG1L turbo-petrol
Power90hp77hp100hp
Torque113Nm98.5Nm148Nm
Transmission5MT/5AMT5MT5MT/ 6AT

Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Rumion

Rs 8.85 lakh-12.99 lakh, Rs 9.79 lakh-14.21 lakh

Rounding off this list at number 10 is the MPV duo of the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Rumion. As with other Maruti and Toyota badge-swapped models, design differences are subtle and may even go unnoticed at first glance. The Rumion has a relatively higher entry price due to its more feature-equipped base variant. Powertrain choices here are the familiar 103hp 1.5-litre NA petrol and 88hp CNG setups.

Engine and gearbox options

Engine1.5L naturally aspirated petrol1.5L CNG
Power103hp88hp
Torque139Nm121.5Nm
Transmission5MT/ 6AT5MT

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