The Nexon EV is the all-electric version of the Tata Nexon compact SUV we’re familiar with. Headline numbers include 129hp power, a 312km ARAI-certified range and an 8 year/160,000km warranty on the 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack. At present, the Tata Nexon EV is sold in select cities and comes priced at a premium to the standard petrol and diesel Nexons.
The *Nexon *is Tata’s swanky sub-four-metre compact SUV. And there’s a lot more to it than just show-car looks. Available across a wide price range, the Nexon can be had in multiple engine-gearbox options. On offer are petrol-manual, petrol-AMT auto, diesel-manual and diesel-AMT auto versions. The Tata Nexon holds the distinction of being the first Indian car to be rated 5 stars for safety by Global NCAP. 2020's update brings in revised styling and BS6-spec engines.
The *Tiago *is Tata Motors’ smart and likeable city hatchback. What makes it more likeable still is its competitive pricing. 2020's update brings in refreshed styling and a BS6-spec petrol engine that is available with manual and AMT gearbox options. The Tata Tiago diesel has been discontinued. Impressively, the Tiago has been rated 4 stars by Global NCAP on adult occupant protection.
The *Tigor *is Tata’s stylish sub-four-metre compact sedan. The Tata Tigor sits a sub-segment below the other compact sedan models and correspondingly undercuts them on price. Updated for 2020, the Tigor is available in petrol-manual and petrol-AMT versions. Global NCAP has rated the Tigor 4 stars on adult occupant protection.
The Tigor EV is the all-electric derivative of the Tata Tigor compact sedan. While initial sales were restricted to commercial buyers, the Tigor EV is now available to private buyers as well. 2019’s update brought in a higher capacity battery that has enhanced range to a claimed 213km. The Tigor EV is an interesting option to those keen on zero emissions motoring but the high asking price limits the car’s appeal.
The *HBX *will be built on Tata Motors’ new ALFA platform and will sit below the Nexon in Tata’s SUV line-up. The new Tata SUV will be smaller than the Nexon too, measuring in the region of 3,840mm in length and 1,635mm in height, with a 2,450mm-long wheelbase. The HBX sports a chunky, squared-out design and looks like a scaled-down SUV. There are styling cues from the Harrier SUV too – most notably in the two-part headlight setup. There are LED DRLs at each end of the slim grille while the main lamps are positioned lower down on the bumper. Exaggerated wheel arches and a floating roof effect are other style elements likely to make it to the production HBX.
Tata Motors is developing an all-electric version of the new Altroz hatchback. While final specifications haven’t been released as yet, the** Altroz EV** will use Tata’s Ziptron powertrain comprising a permanent magnet AC motor that powers the front wheels via a single-speed gearbox. Performance will be brisk and we expect the Altroz EV to post a sub-10 sec 0-100kph time. Tata has made public that the Altroz’s lithium-ion battery pack has a ‘target range’ of 250-300km, and can be charged to 80 percent in 60 minutes with DC fast charging.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is the second model in the Japanese brand's line-up to be rebadged from an existing Maruti Suzuki model - in this case, the hugely popular Vitara Brezza. It's Toyota's entry into the hotly contested compact SUV space, and unlike the Glanza that came before it, it sports a greater visual distinction from its Maruti counterpart. Mechanically and on the equipment front, it's identical, except that Toyota has started the line-up from a higher trim level and doesn't offer a bare-bones 'base' model like Maruti does. Toyota also offers a more attractive warranty than Maruti.
Japanese carmakers Toyota and Suzuki entered a global agreement in 2018 to share certain models. And the first shared model for India is here in the form of the Glanza. The Glanza is Toyota’s version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the two cars are near-identical in every way. The Toyota does get a longer warranty and is not offered with a diesel engine. The Glanza is available with petrol and petrol-electric hybrid engines, and there’s the option of a CVT auto as well.
The Toyota Vellfire has 1 Petrol Engine on offer. The Petrol engine is 2494 cc . It is available with the Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Vellfire has a mileage of 16.35 kmpl. The Vellfire is a 7 seater and has length of 4935mm, width of 1850mm and a wheelbase of 3000mm.
The** Toyota Fortuner** is 166hp, 2.7-litre petrol engine might not be the engine of choice for the majority of buyers but it does impress on the refinement front, even if it does miss out on a strong mid-range. Diesel Fortuner buyers, on the other hand, will take keenly to the 177hp, 2.8-litre engine’s tractability and build of speed. Refinement is also impressive, so long as you don’t drive in a hurried manner. The diesel’s 6-speed manual is slick and the auto also shifts with a pleasing smoothness.
Bold and modern in look, the Innova Crysta successfully distances itself from the utilitarian image of the model that preceded it. It’s rather nice on the inside as well, with a smart dashboard lending the cabin an upmarket look. The Crysta doesn’t disappoint as an MPV, either. Ingress-egress is convenient and the one-touch tumble for the middle-row seats also provides relatively easy access to the last row. The front- and middle-row seats (in both bench and captain-chair form) are comfortable and even the third row is useable – although the seating position isn’t the best. There’s also reasonable luggage space with all seats up, and the option to fold seats to make more space for cargo is handy, too.
While you will be drawn to the Toyota Yaris on the strength of the Toyota brand, the car comes across as quite underwhelming in many of the other areas that matter. The design is rather plain, the interior doesn’t feel premium enough and cabin space, although decent, is down against most rivals. Also, while there are some unique features, on the whole, the Yaris is not as well-equipped as its price would have you expect.
Want a luxurious sedan and are not hung up on that badge on the bonnet? Then the *Toyota Camry *could be just the car for you. The latest Camry is large, comfortable and well-equipped, and its hybrid powertrain also gives it somewhat of a green image. It is surprisingly cheap to run but also surprisingly expensive to buy.
You could think of the *Innova Touring Sport *as the ‘lifestyle’ version of Toyota’s popular MPV. The Touring Sport is an option for Innova buyers who find the standard Innova Crysta a bit too commonplace. Do keep in mind that you also have to pay a slight premium for the Touring Sport’s unique look. It is available in petrol-manual, petrol-auto, diesel-manual and diesel-auto forms, just like the Crysta. Also, the Touring Sport is only available in seven-seat form with captain’s chairs for the middle row.
The Prius hybrid powertrain comprises a 98hp, 1.8-litre petrol engine and a 72hp electric motor, with a total system output of 122hp. So long as there’s enough charge in the battery, you can get by on pure-electric mode alone. The engine kicks-in when the battery is low on charge or when more power is needed. The hybrid system works seamlessly and also helps deliver excellent fuel-economy numbers. Ride comfort is up there with other premium sedans and surprisingly enough, the Prius is reasonably nice to steer too.
The latest Volvo S60 was launched in India in early 2021 after a long delay, and the biggest news is that it foregoes diesel entirely in favour of a petrol powertrain. It has been launched in a single variant - the fully loaded T4 Inscription - which is powered by a 190hp, 300Nm turbo-petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. More variants are likely to follow, potentially including even a petrol-electric hybrid version. As before the Volvo S60 is the Swedish brand's answer to the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C class, Jaguar XE and Lexus ES.
The Volvo XC60 doesn’t look particularly rugged or outdoorsy; but does have a classy appearance. It’s superbly done on the inside and the minimalist dashboard and rich materials give the XC60's cabin a very premium look. The 9.0-inch touchscreen is another talking point but physical shortcut buttons to frequently used features are missed. Like all Volvos, front-seat comfort is excellent. However, rear-seat passengers will find the doors a bit small for convenient ingress-egress and the backrest also a touch too upright for comfort.
The Volvo XC40 is a funky take on the traditional upright SUV silhouette. The cabin is a break from the norm too. Like other Volvos, the talking point in the cabin is its portrait-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen. Again, like in other Volvos, you’d wish for a few more physical buttons to operate routine functions. Front-seat comfort is fine but those seated at the rear will find their seats too low and backrest a touch upright. Moreover, the small rear-door openings are a bit of a bother, too.
The Volvo XC90 is Volvo’s full-sized SUV. It’s not only big in size but is also big on comfort, equipment and safety. In India, the Volvo XC90 is available in diesel and even tech-laden petrol-electric plug-in hybrid versions. Also, while seven seats are standard, the range-topping XC90 Excellence trims are unique for their four-seat and three-seat configurations.
The Volvo S90 is Volvo’s large luxury sedan. Its character is different from its contemporaries and the onus is on comfort, above all else. The *Volvo S90 *is available in India in diesel-automatic form only but petrol-electric hybrid versions are planned. With 190hp to offer, the S90’s 2.0-litre diesel engine matches its rivals’ engines on power. The engine feels strong and performance is good. However, with the rest of the car being so quiet, you can hear the engine more than you’d like. The S90 doesn’t pretend to be a sporty car but does drive with confidence. Ride quality is good too, although the relatively low ground clearance can be an issue for some.
In look, the handsome and well-turned-out Volvo V90 Cross Country is far removed from the boring *Volvo *estates past. The cabin is new-age Volvo too so the ambience inside is soothing and quality is really good. Most functions are controlled by the 9.0-inch touchscreen but a few shortcut buttons could have made life simpler. The *V90 *is loaded to the gills with features which include a massage function for the front seats. Rear occupants don’t have it quite as nice with slightly firm seats. Luggage space is fantastic, both with and without the rear seats folded down.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country’s 235hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engine is smooth, strong and likeable. Equally likeable is the V90’s confident handling and ride comfort is impressive too. What’s more – the Volvo V90 Cross Country is also rather adept on mild off-road trails; it’s no SUV, though.
That BMW-sourced, 3.0-liter turbo-6 now makes 382 horsepower and rockets the Supra from 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.9 seconds, down from 4.1 seconds in the 2020 model year. The Supra 2.0-liter turbo-4 hits 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. Both are backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission and power flows to the rear wheels.18-May-2020.
The VW *Polo *hatchback has soldiered on for more than 10 years, but Volkswagen has constantly updated it to try and keep it relevant. The latest addition is a new 110hp 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine that's available in manual and automatic guises, in addition to the 76hp, 1.0 MPI naturally aspirated petrol from before. As with all VW products, the diesel engine has been discontinued.
While the replacement for the long-standing Volkswagen Vento might still be some time away from an India launch, the carmaker has successfully enhanced the current-gen car. The updated Vento compares well with newer rivals on equipment while still offering all that we’ve liked about the model, over the years. The Volkswagen Vento is available in petrol-manual, petrol-automatic, diesel-manual and diesel-automatic versions.
