What is a car loan EMI?
A car loan EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) is the fixed monthly payment for a new or used car loan, computed using the RBI reducing-balance method. Banks typically finance 80%–90% of the ex-showroom price; some lenders extend this to the on-road price at a slightly higher rate.
Most Indian car loans are fixed-rate (unlike home loans, which default to floating-rate post-October 2019). The rate is locked at sanction and the EMI stays constant across the tenure.
How is car loan EMI calculated?
The formula is the same RBI reducing-balance equation:
EMI = P × R × (1+R)ⁿ / ((1+R)ⁿ − 1)
Worked example — ₹8 lakh new-car loan at 9.5% over 5 years:
- R = 9.5 ÷ 12 ÷ 100 = 0.007917
- (1+R)⁶⁰ = 1.6053
- EMI = 800,000 × 0.007917 × 1.6053 ÷ (1.6053 − 1) = ₹16,797 / month
- Total payment = 16,797 × 60 = ₹10,07,820
- Total interest = ₹2,07,820
Factors that affect your car loan EMI
- Principal financed — banks typically lend 80%–90% of ex-showroom or 75%–80% of on-road price. Use a 20% down-payment as the default planning anchor.
- Interest rate — varies by car age (new vs used), bank, and credit profile. 0.5% rate change on ₹10 lakh / 5 years = ~₹260/month EMI difference.
- Tenure — longer tenure lowers EMI but the car may depreciate below outstanding principal by year 4–5 of a 7-year loan.
- Used vs new — used cars carry a 1.5–3 percentage point premium and often shorter max tenure (5 years vs 7 years).
- Co-applicant income — adds to eligibility but rarely changes the rate.
Where to plan beyond the EMI
- On-road price — RTO + insurance + TCS adds 12%–18% on top of ex-showroom
- Processing fee — 0.40%–1.0% of loan amount + 18% GST
- Prepayment / foreclosure: 2%–6% of outstanding (most banks)
- Comprehensive insurance is mandatory for the duration of the loan
Popular car-loan model variants
We have model-specific calculators with current finance-company tables for:
- Tata Punch · Tata Sierra · Tata Nexon
- Mahindra Scorpio N · Mahindra Thar · Mahindra Thar Roxx · Mahindra XUV 700
- Maruti Suzuki Fronx · Baleno · Brezza · Ertiga · Alto K10
- Hyundai Creta · Honda City · Toyota Fortuner