1. Maruti Swift Dzire
Maruti Suzuki pleased every middle-class Indian when it introduced the Swift Dzire, two months back. A new front bumper with a wider smile, shorter boot (just 145mm longer than the Swift) and new tail lamps with chrome accent adds extra bling to the Dzire.
The low-cost sedan specifically meant for fleet owners is offered in petrol and diesel version. 4 petrol and 3 diesel variants are rolled out in its fleet namely LXi, VXi, VXi AT, ZXi, LDi, VDi and ZDi.
Maruti has managed to pull off an amazing feat by keeping the kerb weight the same as the award winning Swift. The space for rear seats has been increased considerably seeing the longer wheelbase which makes it sweet.
The rally based suspension system to impress the consumers of the spirited drive the car is capable of travelling smoothly down the tipsy curvy roads seamlessly challenging the hurdles like the speed bumps without spoiling the overall balance of the car.
In terms of fuel economy, customer satisfaction, looks, road presence and performance, the company has indeed delivered with Dzire. Both the models are priced at Rs 4.88 lacs and Rs 5.91 lacs.
2. Honda City
Honda City has emerged as the best-selling car in C+ segment now. This marvelous sedan car which has ruled in its segment for more than a decade now was launched back in 1998. Since then a lot of changes have been brought to the sedan.
The Honda City sedan clocks major share of sales in India because of the Honda’s global vision of creating products that attract customers, with speed, affordability and low CO2.
Honda presented New City with Automatic Transmission (AT) in the affordable entry level ‘Corporate’ variant.
The new car is specifically adorned with cosmetic changes in the exterior as well as interior front. Front bumper has been rendered more sportiness and same is the case with rear bumpers which are given reflectors at the bottom. The length of the new City is 4440 mm (20 mm longer than its predecessor).
Honda City is spread over four trim versions namely, Corporate, E, S, V. The innovation and design theme that Honda has put in City is phenomenal and other car makers definitely need to pull up their socks now as Honda City is back in roaring action.
Honda City price, post budget is ranged between Rs.7.1 lacs to Rs. Rs 10.33 lacs.
3. Hyundai Eon
Within no time after its incorporation in 1996 in India, Hyundai Motor India became the country’s second largest car manufacturer and it offers seven cars including three hatchbacks, three sedans and one SUV. EON which is the eighth addition of a hatchback means ‘long period of time’. Car India’s Micro Car of the Year 2012: the Hyundai Eon has got the right looks, small dimensions, drivability and, most importantly, the price and fuel efficiency.
Produced at Hyundai’s Chennai plant, the EON car has been conceived designed and developed over four years, keeping the Indian consumer’s preferences in mind and is not a hurried result..
Hyundai EON inherits its looks from Hyundai i10 but it is relatively smaller. Overall, EON is a city car with a decent engine tuned to perform well in even congested city roads promising a speed of 135 km per hour. The new Hyundai small car is sure to stir competition in the under Rs 3 lacs price range as it is accorded with a starting price of Rs 2.69 lacs.
4. Mahindra XUV500
The US $12.5 billion Mahindra Group has a fleet of SUVs in India and has produced some of the sturdiest and performance driven cars in India.
In 2011, Mahindra and Mahindra decided to take the game to the next level and truly become a global automotive company by creating XUV500. The Car was presented the Car India’s SUV of the Year Award Mahindra drifted away from traditional ways of designing and building an SUV by making a contemporary SUV that featured modern monocoque chassis and safety features such as ESP and hill hold control, a first for the Indian giant. The 2179cc mHawk engine of Mahindra Scorpio inside that helps this SUV challenge any terrain globally.
Good handling, ease of driving, stability and power delivery clubbed with a contemporary design, excellent features and an attractive price tag for a fully loaded modern SUV made the XUV500 an instant hit. The Prices range between Rs. 11, 38,000and Rs. 13, 81,000.
5. Hyundai i-Gen i20
In the hatchback category of cars, Hyundai’s new i-Gen i20 is the upgraded model of the popular Hyundai i20. Belonging to the Hyundai family, it ensures comfort, safety and reliability at an affordable price.
The features of the new fluidic Hyundai i20 are outstanding. The roomy and spacious interiors along with the sleek and smart looks of the car, add a positive sense to the overall appeal and appearance.
A variety of premium features like Smart Key with Push Button Start, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Gear Shift Knob, Tilt and Telescopic Steering, Bluetooth connectivity along with Steering Mounted Audio are also present in the new version of this car.
The i-Gen i20, available in 12 variants comes in both petrol and diesel variants with a price range from Rs. 4.73 lacs- Rs.7.44 lacs.
6. Skoda Rapid.
With Skoda India having presence in most of the car segments, the company has made one more addition to its Product line by launching the all new smoking hot Skoda Rapid.
Skoda Rapid has prominent exteriors and plush interiors and shares a striking similarity with its cousin sedan, Volkswagen Vento. The emblematic nose accompanied with huge stretched headlamps gives it a delightful look. The centre grille of the sedan has a chrome band along with a brand new bonnet that has a little pouted design. It is also the lightest car in its class, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 11.9 seconds. Rapid also features an adjustable power steering, central locking, power windows, and adjustable front seats. No surprises it won Car India’s Mid-size Car of the Year 2012 (Diesel) Award.
The Skoda Rapid is priced at Rs 6.75 lacs for the base petrol variant.
Symbolizing Skoda’s brand value – “Simply Clever”, the Rapid is ideal for the Indian streets with an attractive design, ample space, excellent safety equipment and modern proven technology.
7. Toyota Etios
Simple looks, good cabin space, segment leading performance and good drive quality and handling are enough to explain why the Etios won the Car India’s Mid-size Car of the Year 2012 (Petrol) Award.
This compact car targets the masses in India. The design concept for the car is Bold Simplicity which is combined with affordable luxury and functionality in one machine.
Etios comes equipped with 1.5 litre petrol engine and a 1364cc, 68PS diesel engine. Toyota Etios diesel price in India starts at Rs. 6, 44,000.
8. Chevrolet Beat
The hatchback segment contributes 70% of car sales in India. Launching Chevrolet Beat in the bracket of Rs 3.34 lacs to Rs 3.94 lacs, General Motors seems to have judged the Indian sentiments right. The Car has got immense response from umpteen critics across the car industry.
The chic instrument cluster with LED backlit speedometer and tachometer has been built taking inspiration from superbikes. The Chevrolet Beat interiors strike a chord with the young crowd and installs freshness in passenger’s mood. Beat turned out to be a trend setter with its sporty and trendy looks.
What makes it unique is that it is the smallest diesel engine on offer with highest power and torque figures and a claimed fuel efficiency of 24 km per litre.
It was also accorded the title of ‘Most fuel efficient car’ and won Car India’s Variant of the Year 2012 award.
9. Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen launched the new-generation Jetta in India last year. Now in its sixth generation, the Jetta, is a global model for the company and has an upmarket executive look. It has greater power and space than the older model and a host of other features such as a shark-fin antenna, touch-screen multimedia system with eight speakers, cruise control, park assist, hill hold control, front seat belt height adjustment.
The Jetta comes in three variants: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. All the variants have the same 1,986-cc turbo-diesel engine as the older model, but with a drastic increase in performance and efficiency. The Jetta’s power and torque figures stand at 140 PS at 4,200 RPM and 320 Nm between 1,750-2,500.
It won Car India’s Executive Car of the Year2012 (Petrol) and costs between Rs 16.25-20.46 lacs.
10. Hyundai Verna Fluidic
Described as “Fluidic Sculpture” in new Hyundai Verna reviews by test drive experts, Hyundai has made a comeback in Sedan C+ segment with the “New Hyundai Verna Fluidic.” The car provides a blend of exquisite, comfortable & classy interior with sporty exterior.
Launched in eight different models namely 1.4L petrol/diesel and 1.6Lpetrol/diesel, the Sedan is going to allure quite a good number of customers.
Interiors have always been plus point for this South Korean car company so definitely this time also a big thumbs-up for this Sedan. The interior of New Hyundai Verna Fluidic is packed with comfort, luxury and safety measures which includes stylish central “V-shaped” console with integrated music system, six airbags for front seat driver and passenger, ABS, front & rear seat belts and adjustable steering wheel.
