India, Sept. 30 -- The recent GST 2.0 reform has come as welcome news for car buyers across India. With the government slashing GST on small, mass-market cars from 28% to 18%, manufacturers have quickly passed on the benefits. The result? Popular hatchbacks and entry-level cars have become significantly more affordable. For budget-conscious buyers, this means more choice under the crucial Rs.5 lakh mark-a segment that caters to first-time car owners, students, and families looking for a practical second vehicle.

Here are five cars that now stand out as top picks under Rs.5 lakh after the GST cut.

Always a crowd favourite, the Alto K10 was already one of India's most affordable hatchbacks. With prices starting around Rs.3.70 lakh before ...