It’s that time of the year again, when every other car or bike is nominated for some award or another. And why not, as many of the cars and bikes launched have unique characteristics that make them stand out. There were more than 22 cars and 20 bikes launched this year. Here is a list of five cars, in no particular order, that we think are special, not just for the technology or design, but also for the purposes they serve.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has been India’s largest selling car many a time. It is still among the top three largest selling cars in India, and is the largest selling compact sedan as well. Why is it so popular? Well, it’s what the masses desire. With the 2017 model, Maruti has made the car even more desirable, adding a host of features and increasing the space in the car. The desire just got more desirable. Watch the full review here.
Jeep Compass
The Compass is a comeback of sorts for Fiat Chrysler India. It is a relatively affordable compact SUV from the Jeep brand, which is quite a status symbol among the swish set. It is a pretty capable SUV too, with proper Jeep DNA, as the top-end variant has a four-wheel drive setup. It comes with a pretty powerful 2-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission or a 1.4-litre turbo-charged petrol motor with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Read the full review.
Skoda Octavia
The updated Skoda Octavia was launched in July 2017, followed by the more powerful Octavia RS variant in September 2017. The Skoda Octavia RS is an enthusiasts delight, and will thrill buyers looking for almost supercar performance at premium sedan prices. While the regular Octavia comes with 1.8-litre turbo petrol and 2-litre diesel engines, the Octavia RS comes with a 230 bhp, turbocharged petrol engine that makes it a delight to drive. Priced at Rs 24.62 lakh, it’s a pretty good deal. More on the Skoda Octavia range here.
Tata Nexon
This is one of Tata’s best efforts at a compact SUV and it shows. The Tata Nexon is good value for money, when you compare it with the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Vitara Brezza. It is loaded with features, drives surprisingly well and comes with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Those looking for a compact SUV on a tight budget would do well to check out the Tata Nexon. Read the full review here.
Volvo XC 60
Volvo is known for making ‘safe’ cars. With the XC 60 SUV, Volvo has taken the tech around safety and comfort to another level, and yet kept the pricing at relatively value for money Rs 56 lakh, when compared to a BMW X3 or an Audi Q5. The Volvo XC 60 is a tech-laden compact SUV that can almost drive itself. It is quite comfortable and spacious and is just the ideal size for buyers looking at compact luxury SUV.
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