2020 was like a zero year in almost all fields. Everything was shut down and we were all confined to our homes. Businesses, manufacturing plants were all shut down and they were not to be opened anytime soon. The automobile industry was also badly hit. 2021 was like the light at the end of the tunnel and all of us were eagerly waiting for it. Although 2021 also had some turbulence, by and large, it was a great year for the Automobile industry. We saw several new arrivals and facelifts of age-old models. Keeping that in mind today, we bring to you a list of cars that we found to be the most impressive of the lot and had the greatest impact. First, let’s talk about the Daily Drivers;
Mahindra XUV700
The newest iteration of the XUV700 stole the spotlight. The new flagship model by Mahindra is a complete all-rounder. Whether it is looks or performance. The car is loaded with some of the latest technology that gives it Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. In terms of looks, the car offers quite a resemblance to the XUV500. But the overall look is refreshed. Power is drawn from either a 2.0L Turbopetrol or a 2.2L mHawk Diesel. Electronics include; autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and driver drowsiness detection. It also gets 7 airbags with dynamic stability control, ABS, EBD, and customizable voice alert for overspeeding. The car also got a 5-Star rating in Global NCAP.
Price: ₹12.49 – ₹22.99 Lakh
Tata Tigor EV
Tata has become a leading brand in the Indian EV industry. The brand has brought electric cars within the reach of common people. The brand’s Tigor EV was the first mid-range electric sedan in India. The car looks the same as its ICE counterpart with the only difference of the EV badge spread here and there. It is powered by a 26kWh lithium-ion battery which puts out 55kW of peak power and 170Nm of peak torque. Thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor, this car can go from 0-60kmph in just 5.7 seconds. It supports fast charging and offers a range of 200Km. A long-range version of the car was also released by Tata. The Tigor EV is equipped with dual airbags, ABS, EBD, and CSC.
Price: ₹11.99 – ₹13.14 Lakh
Skoda Kushaq
Kushaq became the crown of jewels for Skoda in 2021. The car was launched mid-year and it received an amazing response from Indian buyers. This 5-Seater SUV offers sharp and edgy looks on the outside and a luxurious cabin on the inside. It was the first India-bound Skoda to get the new interiors with the twin-spoke steering and 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The cabin is stitched in leather and the seats are ventilated. Kushaq is offered with two powertrain options; a 1.0L TSI and a 1.5L TSI offered in a host of transmission options including MT, AT, and a 7-Speed DSG.
Price: ₹10.79 – ₹17.99 Lakh
Tata Punch
The latest arrival from Tata also grabs a spot on our list. Tata Punch is a micro-SUV that is ready to make a big impact. What makes the Punch stand out among its rivals is the bullish look that the car offers. It looks more like an SUV and at the same time is very compact. The front fascia bears an uncanny resemblance to the Safari with the spilt headlight and DRL set up. It looks bold and strong from all angles. The interiors take inspiration from the Altroz and the instrument cluster is the same semi-digital unit. It also gets a 7-inch infotainment system and a dual-tone black and white dashboard. It is powered by the same 1.2L petrol engine borrowed from the Altroz. The car gets high-level electronics like; iRA connected car technology, selectable drive modes, cruise control, ABS, EBD, CSC, brake sway control.
Price: ₹5.48 – ₹9.08 Lakh
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
The new Celerio gets a completely new exterior for the second-generation model. The car now has a more rounded look as compared to the solid and sharper corners of the old model. The interiors also share a similar change of heart. The major highlight is the Smart Play touchscreen infotainment system, seen on the top-spec models. Maruti’s K10C 1.0-liter 3-cylinder naturally aspirated dualjet petrol engine features an idle engine start/stop system and produces 66HP and 89Nm of torque. Maruti claims that the Celerio is India’s most fuel-efficient car with a fuel economy of 26.68 km/l for the VXI AMT variant and 24.97 km/l for the ZXI+ Manual variant.
Price: ₹4.99 to ₹6.94 Lakh
Audi Q5
The new 2021 Facelift Q5 is much sharper than the 2016 model. The car gets a major design overhaul on the exterior and the interior, as well as a change under the hood. The new design makes the car look nimble and less beefy. On the inside, the car gets sports seats. The car also gets a host of features including a new 10.1-inch touch screen and the latest infotainment package (MIB 3). As always, the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit continues in its newest iteration. The car is powered by a 2.0L Turbo petrol engine that puts out 245PS of power and 370Nm of torque. This engine is coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and also offers Quattro all-wheel-drive.
Price: ₹68.35 Lakh
BMW iX
BMW has finally entered the Indian EV space, with the release of its flagship iX SUV. The car gets futuristic looks inside out. iX carries the same design elements as the iNext Concept and features a larger and more vertical chrome grille surrounded in gloss black at the front. On the inside, the main highlights are the hexagonal steering and the single-piece curved glass featuring the infotainment system and digital cockpit. The xDrive40 variant of this electric crossover is being offered for the Indian market. It gets a 71kWh battery and a dual-motor setup that pumps out 326HP of power and 630Nm of torque. It sprints from 0-100kmph in just 6.1 seconds. It gets a fast charge that gets the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 31 minutes.
Price: ₹1.22 Crore
Porsche Taycan
The all-electric sports car; Porsche Taycan also made it to India in 2021. It offers elegant and stylish Porsche looks. From the front, it looks sophisticated and the curved wheel arches and a dipping nose give it an extremely aerodynamic look. This car is offered in four variants; standard the 4S or the Turbo, or the Turbo S. While the standard variant produces the lowest power figures at 408PS and 344Nm, the top of the line Turbo S variant produces a whopping 761PS of power and 1050Nm of torque with a range of 420Km.
Price: ₹1.5 Crore
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