2016 was a car freaking year in which Indian automotive industry witnessed new achievements and failures including demonetization mayhem. We have seen pretty interesting launches in 2016 from Tata Tiago to Vitara Brezza and puny Ford Mustang. And next year seems to be much bigger and exciting as some of the iconic models are lined up to grace Indian roads. In 2017, there would be something for everyone as many carmakers set to sortie the industry with new and facelifted offerings. The 2016 saw some cars making headlines while others found the dud corner and blown over. To keep you abreast, here is the list of most loved cars of the year:-
1 Tata Tiago
Tata’s best offering Tiago has been a star performer that offered much needed resurgence to the carmaker and one of core reasons for brand’s outrageous numbers. Since Zica fiasco there is no looking back for Tiago and it clocks an average 4000 units a month. Tata’s only new offering is a great bang for your buck and decent looking city cruiser which is available with both the fuels- Petrol and diesel. Loaded with many great features, Tiago offers an impressive mileage of 27.28 Kmpl and a deserving chart topper.
Price: Rs. 3.20-5.71 lakh
2 Maruti Vitara Brezza
After a dream run with Baleno hatchback last year, Maruti entered the vigorous compact SUV segment with Vitara Brezza earlier this year. The funky exteriors, compact yet spacious sub 4m dimensions, dual color shade, competitive pricing and Maruti’s trust made it earn the prestigious Indian car of the year award (ICOTY 2017). Within few months, the booking numbers have reached around 1.9 lakh mark with a waiting period around six to nine months.
It comes loaded with touchscreen infotainment, first in segment projector headlamps with LED DRLs, automatic climate control and popular i-customization scheme. Under the hood is a famed 1.3l DDis diesel engine that makes 89bhp power and 200Nm of torque, linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The compact SUV will get a petrol heart by April 2017.
Price: Rs. 7.19-9.88 lakh
3 Ford Endeavour
New Ford Endeavour was one of the most applauded launches of 2016 which garnered lots of attention. The Endeavour was launched at the beginning of this year in the verge to dethrone segment leader Toyota Fortuner and it succeeded in doing so by decent margin. New Gen model ticks all the right boxes from pricing, to features, chic boxy design, macho build and brute engines. Just before new Fortuner’s launch, Ford has slashed its prices by up to Rs. 2.82 lakh for the trend variants. It also updated infotainment system from SYNC 2 to SYNC 3 which supports Android Auto and Apple car play.
Endeavour is well versed with features like Projector headlamps, dual zone automatic climate control, MID, one touch power rain sensing wiper, touch screen infotainment system, power folding 3rd row seat, cruise control, Ford’s terrain management system etc.
Price: Rs. 25.4-29.19 lakh
4 Toyota Innova Crysta
The fourth in our list is new Gen Innova with Crysta suffix to its name was one of the great success stories of 2016. Undoubtedly, the most successful MPV of the decade which has been crushing the competition has just gone more powerful and premium. Toyota has made new Innova smarter, loaded it with luxurious features and better performer than the previous generation. Despite hefty prices, the MPV has been a runaway success for Toyota and every aspect of Crysta is notch higher. The new version is offered with a new range of engines- 2.4 litre and 2.8 litre diesel along with 2.7litre petrol engine.
Price: Rs. 13.75-19.66 lakh (Petrol)
Rs. 13.99-20.97 lakh (Diesel)
5 Hyundai New Elantra
The Elantra come back in new avatar is one of the highlights of 2016, within a week of its launch the saloon registered 7800 enquiries and 405 bookings and still going strong. In its sixth generation, Elantra is one of the modular looking sedans in its segment with more European feel. It now flaunts more mature design based on carmaker’s latest design philosophy with projector LED headlamps, chrome plated hexagonal front grille and LED tail lamps. Besides striking looks, lots of goodies, advanced safety aids, refined engines and attractive pricing has rewritten the glory for the South Korean carmaker.
6 Ford Mustang
Our list would be lifeless without the Iconic Ford Mustang which finally landed in India this year with a sticker price of Rs. 65 lakh. In its sixth generation, the American sensation retains the familiar long hood, sleeker headlamp cluster, sloping roofline and vertical taillights making it more aggressive than before and a worthy successor. The Indian spec version is loaded with a 5.0 litre engine that makes 401bhp power and 515Nm of torque, linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Price: Rs. 65 lakh
7 Volkswagen Ameo
The Ameo, German carmaker’s first attempt in the compact sedan segment is one of the decent handlers in its segment. The sub 4m car is available in petrol and diesel powertrains, a 1.2l petrol delivers 74bhp power and 110Nm of torque while the familiar 1.5l TDI diesel engine is good for 108bhp power and 250Nm of torque. Transmission options include manual and DSG automatic gearbox. Features list include touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and automatic climate control with rear AC vents. Ameo certainly helped Volkswagen to recover from the dieselgate scam.
Price: Rs. 5.51-9.43 lakh
8 Datsun Redi-Go
Nissan’s low cost brand, Datsun had nothing to cheer about till it launched Redi-Go in India which gave company the needed boost. Build on similar CMF A platform, the tall boy hatch garnered decent numbers thanks to good looks, impressive mileage and attractive pricing. It launched Redi Go sport with additional features and cosmetic changes. It houses the same engine of Kwid that makes 53bhp power and 72Nm of torque.
Price: Rs. 2.4-3.57 lakh
9 Toyota Fortuner
Just like Innova Crysta, new Fortuner just boomed the charm of Fortuner badge with its macho new looks and premium features. The brute profile enhanced by new sleek LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, 7 inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control and improved ride quality making it one of the successful launches of this year. It gets the same Innova Crysta powered engines and despite sky rocketing prices it gets 6200 bookings in two weeks with more to come.
Price: 26.02-31.22 lakh
10 Jaguar F Pace
Jaguar has launched its much anticipated SUV F-Pace in India this year with unique launch event. Available in Pure, Prestige and the R-Sport trims, it is available in 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine options, linked with an eight speed automatic transmission. Some of the features include cruise control, Gesture tail gate, adaptive dynamics, Jaguar Drive control, two zone climate control, speed limiter and much more.
Price: 68.4-1.12 crore
