In the stop-and-go traffic of Indian roads, maneuvering is the most important skill set one has to get familiar with. After the emergence of small commercial vehicles in India, punctuality while delivery has become an additional feature of shipping companies. SCVs can carry a maximum of 4000 kgs load in a single stretch without breaking down midway.
The small commercial vehicles are upping their game due to consumer demands that won’t be satisfied anytime soon. Consisting mainly of pickup and mini-trucks, their price can range from 90K-20 lakhs INR. This widespread popularity is dependent on their multi-functionality, placing them among the essential modes of transportation in every shipping business, both in urban and rural areas alike.
The Origin of Small Commercial Vehicles
The origin can be traced to 2005 when Tata Motors first introduced Tata Ace, consequently jump-starting India’s small commercial vehicles segment. Soon after, Mahindra & Mahindra followed in the footsteps of Tata Motors, featuring their first-in-class SCV Bolero Pik-Up. For some time, Tata Motors and M&M presided over India’s small commercial vehicles segment because their brand value assured quality, value for money, and durability. However, as the Indians streets started frequenting more and more SCVs since they could practically ship and deliver anything and everything, Maruti Suzuki and Ashok Leyland jumped in.
From then it has been a constant rivalry of one-upping each other in terms of innovation and practicality. Naturally, it seems the most rational thing to note down the best small commercial vehicles in India, including price and specs.
7 Best Small Commercial Vehicles in India: 2022
1. Tata Ace Gold
In its genre, Tata Ace Gold, a trailblazer, belongs in India’s first loader vehicle segment, simultaneously earning itself a rightful place in the list of best small commercial vehicles in India. Available in three variants – petrol, diesel & CNG – and priced in the range between 4.60 – 5.61 lakhs INR (ex-showroom price).
Tata Ace Gold is often the first choice of anyone wishing to upgrade from a three-wheeler to a high-performance 4-wheeler. The best-fitted truck that performs optimally in both urban and rural roads, Tata Ace Gold, is aerodynamically sound – 2200 X 1490 x 300 mm, with enough cargo space to carry 750 kgs of load. Equipped with parabolic and semi-elliptical leaf spring suspensions in the front and rear wheels, respectively, this versatile vehicle delivers fuel efficiency at the lowest running cost.
2. Tata Ace Mega
From India’s very first SCV lineup, Tata Ace Mega is another iteration that paved the way for the mini-truck genre. As the name suggests, it belongs to the upper echelon of the Tata Ace series. Having a starting price of 4.67 lakhs INR (ex-showroom price), Tata Ace Mega features a robust DICOR engine capable of producing 40 HP power and 100 Nm of torque. Additionally, the cargo space (2.14 m) is much more now, now making it able to carry 1030 kgs of load. Radial tube tires heighten its aesthetic, sleek body design appeal to the onlookers and top speed of 80 km/h with desirable fuel economy is another cherry on top.
3. Tata Super Ace Mint
The Ace series alone has three consecutive contributions to this list of best small commercial vehicles in India. First, presenting Super Ace Mint – a mini-truck that delivers all the desirable qualities of any heavy-duty truck. It’s available in multiple colors (i.e., Blazing Red, Twilight Grey, Arctic White) with a price range of 5.55 lakhs INR. A powerful DICOR engine (same as the others in the Ace segment) sits under the hood, providing 18 kmpl mileage. The front independent suspension allows the driver and his companion (2-seater) to drive from the city to city without straining their backs comfortably. As for payload, its 2.6 m cargo can carry 1000 kgs easily.
4. Tata Intra V10
The entry-level 1T cargo delivery vehicle and Tata Motors’ first contribution to the Intra-family. The upcoming small commercial vehicles in India can also be coming from this segment. Tata Intra V10 is a modern-day mini-truck. Powered by a BS-VI compliant engine producing 44 bhp power, Tata Intra can carry a maximum payload of 1000 kgs. All thanks to its top-class leaf-spring suspensions. Priced at 6.76 lakhs INR (ex-showroom price), it promotes EPAS (Electronic Power Assisted Steering). EPAS minimizes rigorous handling making it easy to maneuver at the same time.
5. Tata Intra V30
To tackle the needs of constantly growing and highly demanding transport industries and their many demands comes Tata Intra V30. A notch higher than V10, it incorporates everything a modern-day mini-truck can require. It has bigger space, stylish outlook, & high fuel efficiency – all within a price range of 7.35 lakhs INR. Among India’s small commercial vehicles segment, it earns its place on this list. 70 HP power, gear shift advisor, EPAS, leaf suspensions, and payload capacity of 1300 kgs are some of the highlights.
6. Mahindra Supro
One of India’s lower-priced small commercial vehicles (the ex-showroom price of 4.35 lakhs INR base variant) but excels in performance. Mahindra Supro is, at first glance, rather aggressive-looking as the Supro HD series now feature it. The current highlights of it are the Fuel-Smart feature (enabling one to opt between max speed and maximum mileage). It features spring suspensions in both wheels. It also provides 70 km/h of peak speed, cargo (7.5 ft) capable of carrying 850 kgs payload, & 23 kmpl mileage.
7. Maruti Suzuki Super Carry
Yet another genre-defining small commercial vehicle Is Maruti Suzuki Super Carry, currently priced at 5.28 lakhs INR. Rivaling segment-best mini-trucks like Tata Ace Gold and Mahindra Jeeto, MS Super Carry is powered by an 1196 cc BS-VI engine (petrol/CNG) mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox, offers comfortable cabin space and spacious storage area and ultimately, the last entrant of M&M to enter into the 2T mini-truck series.
Special mention goes to Ashok Leyland BADA DOST, Mahindra Bolero Maxitruck Plus, Ashok Leyland Dost+, and Mahindra Jeeto. Without whom the segment of small commercial vehicles in India, cannot be considered varied and diverse.
