Small commercial vehicles still matter to Indian traders, shop owners, farmers and delivery businesses. Shopping for a mini truck this festive season? You’ve got choices from Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland.
This list covers different budgets and jobs. Prices start at around Rs. 4.50 lakh (ex showroom) for the Tata Ace Gold and reach up to Rs. 8.70 lakh (ex showroom) for the Ashok Leyland Dost+. The trucks do different work, from vegetable runs and local deliveries to heavier regional cargo. Before buying, you can also compare payload, fuel options, engine performance, and maintenance costs. The Tata Ace Gold and Maruti Suzuki Super Carry fit smaller businesses. The Mahindra Supro Profit Truck Mini, Tata Intra V10 and Ashok Leyland Dost+ are the picks for heavier loads.
Note: The prices below are indicative ex showroom figures. Actual prices vary by location, variant and dealer. The comparison uses currently available price references, not confirmed dealer quotations.
Here’s how five mini trucks stack up for commercial transport and daily business use.
|
Mini Truck Model |
Indicative Ex Showroom Price |
Estimated 20% Down Payment |
Main Use Case |
|
Rs. 4.50–6.69 lakh |
Rs. 90,000–1.34 lakh |
Mandi deliveries and local transportation |
|
|
Rs. 5.16–5.58 lakh |
Rs. 1.03–1.12 lakh |
City deliveries and highway connectivity |
|
|
Rs. 5.74–6.40 lakh |
Rs. 1.15–1.28 lakh |
Small fleet operations and goods transportation |
|
|
Rs. 6.71–7.51 lakh |
Rs. 1.34–1.50 lakh |
Higher payload and longer working hours |
|
|
Rs. 8.25–8.70 lakh |
Rs. 1.65–1.74 lakh |
Heavy regional transportation |
The down payment assumes 20% of the ex showroom price. Registration, insurance, taxes and accessories push the actual amount higher.
Your monthly EMI depends on the loan amount, interest rate, processing charges and repayment period. Get a written finance quotation before you compare installments.
Rs. 4.50–6.69 lakh, indicative ex showroom price.
The Tata Ace Gold is one of the best-known names in India’s small commercial vehicle segment. It’s built for small business owners who need a compact vehicle for regular goods transport.
Tata sells it in petrol, diesel and CNG. Pick the fuel that fits your daily distance and running costs. The petrol version runs a 694cc, two cylinder engine. It makes 22.1 kW (30 HP) and 55 Nm of torque, with a mileage of 22 kmpl. Tata lists maximum gradeability at 33%, which tells you how steep a slope it can climb. The diesel version uses a 700cc engine making 16.17 kW (22 HP) and 55 Nm.
The payload is 900 kg on both the petrol and diesel versions, and 660kg on the CNG. The petrol GVW is 1,740kg. The cargo body is 2,200mm long and 1,490mm wide. That’s enough for groceries, farm produce and packaged goods. The petrol version also gets a three year or 1,00,000km warranty, whichever comes first.
Why consider it?
But check the payload of the fuel variant you actually want. The CNG version carries 660kg against 900kg on the petrol and diesel.
My take: the Ace Gold is the perfect buy if affordability and local runs come first. Carrying heavy loads over long distances? Look elsewhere.
Rs. 5.16–5.58 lakh, indicative ex showroom price.
The Maruti Suzuki Super Carry is another compact goods carrier. It targets e commerce deliveries, courier services, FMCG distribution and small businesses. Maruti Suzuki’s commercial vehicle website lists a 1.2 litre G12B multi-point fuel injection engine rated at 65 HP. The gearbox is a five speed manual. Maximum speed is 80kmph and gradeability is 34%. GVW is 1,600kg and payload is 625kg. You get two fuel choices, petrol and CNG. For CNG buyers, Maruti Suzuki claims a certified 23.24km/kg. That helps you estimate fuel costs, though real consumption moves with traffic, load and driving.
The safety kit includes Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with EBD and front disc brakes. Maruti Suzuki added ESP to the model in March 2025.
Why consider it?
That 625 kg payload is the lowest on this list. If your goods are heavy, compare them against the others first. Honestly, couriers, retailers and city to city operators should look hard at this one. Long hours on the road make that engine and safety kit count.
Rs. 5.74–6.40 lakh, indicative ex showroom price.
The Mahindra Supro Profit Truck Mini is for operators who want a compact vehicle with useful load capacity. It sits between entry level mini trucks and larger commercial pickups. Diesel and CNG are both on the menu. The diesel uses a 909cc, two cylinder direct injection engine.
It makes 19.4 kW (about 26 HP) and 55 Nm of torque, with a mileage of 22 kmpl. You also get a four speed manual gearbox and a 30 litre fuel tank. The diesel LX variant carries 800kg. The VX variant goes up to 900kg, going by the listed specifications. Gross vehicle weight in LX form is 1,802kg. The wheelbase is 1,950mm, so the footprint stays compact.
Mahindra also lists 40% gradeability for the diesel. That’s the rated climb ability under specified conditions.
Why consider it?
Know the LX and VX gap before you book. VX carries more but may cost more. The base version carries less. I’d point small fleet owners, wholesalers and traders here. It balances vehicle size and cargo capacity well.
Rs. 6.71–7.51 lakh, indicative ex showroom price.
The Tata Intra V10 is the more utility focused pick for businesses that need higher payload. It sits above the Ace Gold in Tata’s small commercial vehicle range. It runs a 798cc, two cylinder diesel. Output is 33kW (44.25 HP) and 110Nm of torque. A manual transmission handles the shifting. Gross vehicle weight is 2,120kg and payload is 1,000kg. Mileage is 17 kmpl.
The cargo deck is roughly 2,510mm long and 1,600mm wide. That’s extra room for larger consignments. Electric power assisted steering (EPAS) cuts steering effort. You’ll feel the difference in repeated manoeuvres and long shifts. The cabin also gets a digital instrument cluster, Eco Mode and driver plus two seating. Tata lists a two year or 72,000km warranty in its product brochure.
Why consider it?
Price and mileage are the catch. At 17 kmpl it has the lowest mileage on this list, and if you rarely carry heavy loads, don’t pay extra for it. Distributors and building material suppliers are the natural buyers. And drivers logging long hours will like the cabin kit.
Rs. 8.25–8.70 lakh, indicative ex showroom price.
The Ashok Leyland Dost+ is the priciest truck here. But it also carries far more than the other four.
It comes with a 1.5 litre, three cylinder BS6 diesel. Ashok Leyland lists 70 HP and 190Nm of torque. Gearbox is a five speed manual, and the fuel tank holds 40 litres. Mileage is 19.6 kmpl. Gross vehicle weight is 2,805kg and rated payload is 1,500kg.
The cargo deck is 2,645mm long and 1,620mm wide. That’s room for construction materials, farm produce and wholesale supplies. Seating is driver plus one. Power steering and air conditioning depend on the configuration you pick.
Why consider it?
At this starting price, work out your expected earnings first. Lighter loads will run cheaper in the smaller trucks.
My take: the Dost+ belongs with established businesses, fleet operators and distributors moving heavy goods. Higher payload can mean fewer trips.
These five aren’t the only options in India’s small commercial vehicle market. Compare these alternatives too.
|
Alternative model |
Indicative ex showroom price |
|
Rs. 4.50–5.46 lakh |
|
|
Rs. 7.66–8.49 lakh |
|
|
Rs. 6.90–7.60 lakh |
|
|
Rs. 7.88–8.20 lakh |
The Mahindra Jeeto is the smaller, cheaper way in. The Tata Intra V30 suits businesses that need more cargo capacity. Ashok Leyland’s Dost Strong and Dost XL deserve a look too. Prices and payloads vary, so compare individual variants, not just model names.
Ex showroom price is only one number. Work out expected earnings, monthly expenses and financing costs too. A cheaper truck isn’t always the saver. Too little payload means extra trips, and that means more fuel and driver cost.
Here are five things to check before booking:
Say you finance 80% of the ex showroom price. The loan amount then depends on the variant. Take the Tata Ace Gold. Its indicative 20% down payment starts at approximately Rs. 90,000. The financed amount starts at approximately Rs. 3.60 lakh. The Ashok Leyland Dost+ needs a higher estimated down payment of Rs. 1.65 lakh at entry level price. Its financed amount comes to approximately Rs. 6.60 lakh. These figures exclude registration, insurance and other charges. So the real loan could be higher. And don’t pick a truck just because the monthly EMI looks easy. A longer repayment period raises the total interest you pay.
It comes down to your business and your daily runs.
First time commercial vehicle buyers, work out your monthly earnings before signing for a loan. Then test drive your shortlisted models at an authorised dealer.
The Tata Ace Gold has the lower entry price, while the Intra V10 and Dost+ cover higher loads. The Super Carry and Supro suit businesses balancing fuel costs and payload differently. Buy on actual business needs, not festive discounts.