JOIN US#DHRecaps | New car releases in 2018
The year 2018 saw quite a few new cars being introduced in the Indian market. While some were new models, there were a lot of cars that received facelifts and performance and safety improvements.
DH lists some of the top cars that hit the Indian market this year that cost below Rs 20 lakh.
Tata Harrier
One of the most awaited launches from the Tata stables, the stunning-looking Harrier is the most premium four-wheeler from the Indian manufacturer. Based on the Land Rover’s legendary D8 architecture, the Harrier has a 2 litre diesel engine that has been mated to a six-speed transmission. The maximum power from the engine is 140 ps and produces 350 Nm of torque.
It has ABS with EBD, front passenger, seat side and curtain airbags. The AV system has an 8.8 inch touchscreen with nine JBL speakers. The other features are smartphone-based navigation, SMS readout, voice commands and a multi-information 7.7 inch instrument cluster display. The SUV has xenon HID projector headlamps, dual function LED daylight running lamps and 3D taillamps. The Harrier is fitted with 17 inch alloy wheels.
Expected to hit the roads early in 2019, the price is expected to be in the Rs 13-15 lakh range.
Ford Freestyle
This mid-year crossover launch from the American carmaker has a chunky look. The Freestyle is available with a 1.2 litre petrol or 1.5 litre diesel engine. The petrol engine pumps out 96 ps and 120 Nm of torque, while the diesel mill puts out 100 ps and 215 Nm of torque. Both are available with a five-speed manual gearbox and in four variants. The first two variants have 15 inch steel wheels, while the top two get 15 inch alloys.
Some of the features are ABS with EBD, front dual and side curtain airbags (depending on variant), engine immobiliser, reverse parking sensor, keyless entry, push button start, power fold outer mirror, automatic climate control, an audio system with a 6.5 inch display, rain sensing wipers etc. depending on the variant.
The ex-showroom Delhi price varies from Rs 5.23 to Rs 7.93 lakh.
Toyota Yaris
Think of Toyota and the first names that come to mind are the Innova and Etios. But the Japanese company seems to have put together a nice package in the Yaris. It is available with a 1.5 litre petrol engine across four variants. The engine puts out 107 ps of power and 140 Nm of torque. Mated to this engine is a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed CVT transmission.
Other features include projector headlamps, LED daylight running lamps, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, tyre pressure monitoring system, seven airbags, vehicle stability control and ABS with EBD, hill start assist control, 7 inch LED touchscreen audio with gesture control, cruise control, paddle shift, start-stop button, smart entry, power driver seat etc. depending on the variant.
The ex-showroom Delhi price varies between Rs 9.29 and 14.07 lakh.
Mahindra Marazzo
This seven/ eight seater utility vehicle from the Indian giant features a 1.5 litre engine that can produce 121 bhp and a whopping 300 Nm of torque. This engine has been mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Marazzo, which could give the Toyota Innova some serious competition, has front and rear disc brakes, multi-focal reflector halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, entry assist lamps, integrated temperature sensor, 16-inch alloy wheels, manual/ fully automatic air-conditioning with a rear manual AC with central mounted ducts, electrically foldable rear view mirrors, seven inch touchscreen infotainment display, onboard navigation, voice recognition and SMS read out and other technologies depending on the variant.
In the safety aspect, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensor, rear camera, impact and speed sensing auto door lock, car theft alarm, again depending on the variant.
The Marazzo is priced between Rs 9.9 and 13.9 lakh (ex-showroom pan India).
Hyundai Santro
Undoubtedly Hyundai’s best-seller in India, the Santro was reintroduced in 2018 with a more modern look. The Santro is bigger than previous models and Hyundai has improved the safety in the body structure. The 1.1 litre engine has options of 5-speed manual or automatic. The engine puts out 69 ps with 10.1 kg-m of torque. There is also a petrol-CNG bi-fuel option. Other options include ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, touchscreen AV system, rear AC vents, voice recognition, electrical rear view mirror adjustment, rear defogger, 14 inch wheels and a host of other features across variants.
The ex-showroom Delhi price is between Rs 3.89 and 5.64 lakh.
Nissan Kicks
This compact SUV from the Japanese automaker was announced late in the year and is expected to be launched in January. There are two engines to choose from, a 1.5 litre petrol or diesel engine. The petrol mill has an output of 106 ps and 142 Nm of torque, while the figures for the diesel are 110 ps and 240 Nm. The petrol engine is mated to a five-speed, while the diesel variant has a six-speed transmission (both manual).
As with other vehicles, the Kicks has LED projector headlamps, floating roof design, 17 inch alloy wheels, functional roof rails, ABS with EBD, auto headlamps, cruise control, Eco mode on the outside. As far as the interiors are concerned, automatic AC is standard, there is cooled and illuminated glove box, 8 inch floating AV system, rain sensing wipers among other convenience and comfort features.
The Kicks is expected to be priced between Rs 11 and 16 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
This sports utility vehicle, which has become one of the company’s best-selling products, got an enhanced look this year and looks sportier than the previous edition. Projector headlamps with front and rear bull horn light guides add glamour to the car. However, the best upgrade is in terms of technology as on offer is the Auto Gear Shift (AGS) as an option.
On the exterior, the Brezza gets new alloy wheels and more muscular wheel arches, while the dual tone colour is available too. The interiors got a facelift too, with an all-black colour scheme and complementing accents.
The Brezza is priced between Rs 7.58 and Rs 10.49 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
The third generation of this hugely popular hatchback was launched. The most prominent change is the front grille. Apart from that there are daytime running lights with LED projector headlamps on the front. The upgrade includes the Floating Roof Design and precision cut alloy wheels that give the Swift a sportier look. There is an option to personalise the exterior with body graphics, roof wraps and styling kits. The engines remain the same, while some safety features like front dual airbags, ABS with EBD, child seat restraint system and reverse parking sensors with camera.
The ex-showroom Delhi price varies from about Rs 5 to Rs 8.76 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The makeover that the 2018 Ciaz has received makes it look very sharp and stunning. The narrower and sleeker grill and front bumper makes for a rather impressive looking car. In addition, the 2018 car gets LED combination lamps with hints of chrome on the front and the addition is LED taillamps.
Inside, the dashboard has hints of birch blonde wood finish with satin chrome accents and these give the interiors a great look.
The 2018 car gets a new 1462 cc petrol engine, while the diesel engine is the unchanged 1248 cc. The petrol engine puts out just over 104 ps and 138 Nm of torque. The diesel puts out figures of 89 and 200 Nm. There are options of manual and automatic but the best technologies are the idle stop/ start, brake energy regeneration and torque assist function in which the energy stored in a lithium-ion battery during braking is used for acceleration.
The ex-showroom Delhi price varies from Rs 8.19 to Rs 10.97 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
The changes on the new second generation Ertiga are very noticeable. The second generation offering from Maruti Suzuki has a new chrome grille and LED headlamps and fog lights. The sides of the car get dimples, while the rear part of the car has been changed too. The taillamps have an impressive shape too. All in all, the exterior looks far better now with the new model also slightly bigger now.
The diesel engine variant is the same but the new Ertiga, a seven-seater, has the new K15 smart hybrid engine that is also used in the Ciaz.
The new Ertiga is priced between Rs 7.44 and Rs 10.90 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Ford Figo Aspire
The Figo Aspire is another car that received a facelift in 2018.
The front looks beefy and now comes with a different grille and some chrome around the fog lamps.
Also, Ford has introduced a new 1.2 litre petrol engine that produces 96 ps, while there is also a 1.5 litre 123 ps petrol engine as well. The diesel engine is again 1.5 litre and can produce 100 ps. The 1.2 litre petrol and diesel engines get a five-speed manual transmission, while the 1.5 litre petrol engine has a six-speed automatic transmission on the Titanium variant.
The Figo Aspire is price between Rs 5.5 and Rs 8.49 lakh.
Hyundai Elite i20
The 2018 Elite i20 has received new front and rear looks. The front is what Hyundai calls the cascade design grille with projector headlamps. The rear gets stylish taillamps. The front gets a characteristic line across the front hood, while the rear also has some additional detail that gives the car good looks.
There is also a trendy dual tone option.
The Elite i20’s engines remain unchanged with the 1.4 litre diesel and 1.2 litre diesel plants. The diesel has a six-speed manual transmission, while the petrol engine is mated with a five-speed manual transmission.
Safety has been upgraded with ABS and EBD, six airbags and rear defogger included.
The Elite i20 is priced between Rs 5.42 and 9.23 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Honda Amaze
The second generation Amaze has undergone a major facelift on the front with narrower headlamps and a bold chrome streak going across. The rear gets a lip-like bump at the edge of the boot.
Additionally, the interiors have been improved.
Some new features include paddle gear shifting, start-stop button, 7 inch touchscreen, AV and navigation system, front airbags, ABS with EBD et al.
There are manual and automatic gearbox options for both the 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engines.
The price varies from Rs 5.8 to Rs 9.1 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.
Hyundai Creta
The 2018 Creta is what the Korean carmaker calls the Fluidic design. The Verna also had come out with a Fluidic design. There are more hints of chrome on the front with wrap-around headlamps. The hood has crease lines and so do the sides. There are front and rear skid plates, while the car gets a shark fin antenna too.
The 2018 Creta now comes with a smart key band seven inch touchscreen AV and navigation display, wireless phone charger and auto link to smartphones among other things.
The 1.6 litre petrol and 1.6 and 1.4 diesel engines remain the same with manual and automatic options.
The price ranges from Rs 9.5 to Rs 15.1 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Mahindra XUV500
One of the premium cars from the Mahindra stables, the XUV500 gets plush interiors that include quilted leather seats and soft faux leather dashboard and door trims.
The front grille has been completely redesigned and is an impressive mixture of chrome and black.
The engine has been enhanced with the mHawk engine. The 2.2 litre engine puts out an impressive 155 bhp with a torque figure of 360 Nm. There is a petrol engine variant that puts out 140 bhp and 320 Nm respectively.
The new XUV500 is priced between Rs 12.5 and 19.21 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai.