The festive season has always been one of the best times to buy a new car in India. This year is no different. With Navratri already underway and Diwali around the corner, carmakers are rolling out a mix of cash discounts, exchange bonuses, scrappage benefits, loyalty schemes, corporate offers and special festive bonuses.
But there is an interesting twist to the 2026 festive season. The biggest headline discount does not necessarily mean the biggest cash saving. In many cases, the maximum benefit is made up of several conditional offers, and buyers may qualify for only some of them.
Still, there are some genuinely attractive deals available this October.
Here is a look at some of the biggest festive-season car offers currently available in India.
Hyundai Creta: Up to ₹1.15 Lakh
The Hyundai Creta is among the most prominent SUVs carrying a substantial festive-season benefit.
For October 2026, eligible petrol variants of the Creta are being offered benefits of up to ₹1.15 lakh. The package combines a cash discount, Navratri booking bonus, exchange or scrappage support and an upgrade benefit. The Creta N Line goes even further, with reported benefits of up to ₹1.25 lakh on eligible stock.
The important point is that these are maximum combined benefits, rather than a straight ₹1.15 lakh or ₹1.25 lakh price cut.
For buyers already considering a Creta, however, the festive period could be a good time to negotiate.
Honda Elevate: Up to ₹2.35 Lakh on Outgoing Stock
One of the most interesting deals this festive season is on the outgoing Honda Elevate.
Honda is offering benefits of up to ₹2.35 lakh on eligible pre-facelift Elevate ZX variants. The package includes a cash discount of up to ₹50,000, exchange bonus of up to ₹80,000, loyalty and corporate benefits, along with additional schemes and warranty packages.
This is particularly interesting because the updated Elevate has already arrived in India.
For a buyer who is comfortable purchasing the outgoing version instead of the facelift, this could represent a significant value opportunity. The older Elevate still offers the same fundamental 1.5-litre petrol powertrain and spacious SUV package, making the outgoing stock worth considering if the price difference is large enough.
Tata Curvv: Up to ₹1.25 Lakh
Tata Motors is also getting aggressive for the festive season.
The Curvv gets benefits of up to ₹1.25 lakh on eligible non-Series X variants. The package can include a ₹30,000 cash discount, exchange or scrappage support and a ₹50,000 loyalty benefit.
The Nexon is another strong option, with selected petrol-manual variants receiving benefits of up to ₹75,000. The Nexon CNG gets benefits of up to ₹60,000, while the diesel version gets up to ₹20,000.
Other Tata models are also part of the festive campaign. The Altroz gets up to ₹55,000 on select CNG variants, while the Harrier and Safari get benefits of up to ₹45,000.
For buyers looking at Tata’s SUV range, the Curvv and Nexon appear to be among the more interesting festive deals.
Maruti Grand Vitara: Up to ₹1.36 Lakh
Maruti Suzuki has also joined the festive discount race with offers on several Nexa models.
The Grand Vitara gets the highest benefit in Maruti’s October programme, with savings of up to ₹1.36 lakh on the Sigma petrol manual variant. This includes a combination of cash discount, pre-Navratri booking benefit, exchange bonuses, loyalty and corporate benefits.
Strong-hybrid versions also receive benefits of up to ₹1.20 lakh, along with additional benefits such as an extended warranty and, in applicable cases, road-tax support.
The XL6 gets benefits of up to ₹61,000, while the Jimny gets a ₹35,000 cash discount. The e Vitara electric SUV gets an exchange benefit of up to ₹30,000 along with a free charger and home installation.
Interestingly, the recently launched Baleno facelift does not get festive benefits under this particular Nexa offer programme.
Renault Duster: Up to ₹1.60 Lakh
Renault is another manufacturer making a strong push during the festive season.
The Duster gets benefits of up to ₹1.60 lakh in October, while the Kiger and Triber get benefits of up to ₹50,000 under the reported October scheme. The offers combine cash, exchange, loyalty, scrappage, corporate and other benefits depending on the model and buyer eligibility.
The Duster deal could attract buyers who are already comparing it with established midsize SUVs such as the Creta, Seltos and Grand Vitara.
Kia Carnival: Up to ₹1.70 Lakh
If you are shopping at the premium end of the mainstream market, Kia has some notable offers too.
The Carnival gets the highest benefit in Kia’s October lineup, with savings of up to ₹1.70 lakh. The package includes exchange, scrappage and corporate benefits.
The Carens Clavis gets benefits of up to ₹95,000, while the Carens Clavis EV is eligible for up to ₹75,000 through exchange, loyalty, scrappage and corporate schemes.
The Sonet gets up to ₹65,000 on selected variants, while the Syros gets benefits of up to ₹55,000 along with a free extended warranty on eligible cars.
Nissan Magnite: Up to ₹1.06 Lakh
For budget-conscious SUV buyers, the Nissan Magnite is another interesting option.
The October festive campaign offers benefits of up to ₹1.06 lakh on selected Magnite Turbo variants. The package includes cash and accessory support, Navratri bonuses, exchange incentives and corporate benefits.
The Magnite’s relatively low entry price makes even a five-figure discount meaningful for buyers working with a tight budget.
Mahindra Thar and XUV 3XO Also Get Festive Benefits
Mahindra has kept the festive momentum going across several popular models.
The XUV 3XO gets benefits of up to ₹60,000, while the Thar 4WD gets benefits of up to ₹80,000, according to current October offer listings. The schemes include combinations of cash discounts, accessories, exchange and corporate benefits.
For popular Mahindra SUVs, however, availability and variant-specific pricing can make a major difference. Buyers should therefore negotiate on the exact vehicle available at the dealership rather than relying only on the advertised maximum.
Should You Buy a Car This Festive Season?
The answer depends on the model you want.
If you are flexible about the brand or variant, October 2026 offers several opportunities to get more equipment or a lower effective purchase cost. Outgoing models can be particularly attractive because manufacturers and dealers may be more willing to clear existing stock.
But there is one golden rule: do not treat the headline discount as guaranteed cash in your pocket.
A ₹1 lakh or ₹2 lakh “benefit” can include exchange, scrappage, loyalty, corporate and rural schemes that may not apply to everyone. Some benefits are also mutually exclusive.
Before booking, ask the dealer for a written breakup of:
- Cash discount
- Exchange bonus
- Scrappage benefit
- Loyalty benefit
- Corporate discount
- Insurance discount
- Accessories
- Extended warranty
- Finance benefits
- Final on-road price
Also check the manufacturing year and month, especially if the discount is unusually high.
AutoVerse Take
The 2026 festive season is shaping up to be a good time for car buyers, but the smartest buyers will look beyond the big banners and “up to” numbers.
The Honda Elevate’s outgoing-stock offer, Maruti Grand Vitara’s ₹1.36 lakh maximum benefit, Tata Curvv’s ₹1.25 lakh offer, Hyundai Creta’s ₹1.15 lakh benefits and Nissan Magnite’s ₹1.06 lakh package stand out for different reasons.
Ultimately, the best festive deal is not necessarily the car with the biggest advertised discount. It is the car that gives you the right combination of purchase price, variant, model year, ownership cost and actual dealer discount.
So, if you have been waiting for the right time to buy, this Diwali could be worth a trip to the showroom. Just remember to negotiate before you light the lamps.
