The automakers predominantly focused on the SUV segment as it is the most popular section in India currently among masses. Though, a few hatchbacks were also introduced that received immense recognition and appreciation by the buyers. Sadly, the sedan segment did not get the expected attention this time around due to a heap of products already available in this division. Here, we have listed 5 car launches that made it to the top of our list in 2020 in India:
1. Mahindra Thar: Unquestionably, Mahindra Thar was the biggest launch of 2020 and the company did not leave any stone unturned to live up to the expectation of people in the country. Mahindra took the covers of the all-new Thar on August 15 which also marked the 73rd Independence Day while the price announcement was made on October 2, 2020 - the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The country's most loved off-roader was introduced with several firsts to its name such as automatic transmission, petrol engine, front facing captain seats etc. to mention a few. Being introduced in two trim levels namely AX and LX, the New-Gen Mahindra Thar was launched in a price range of Rs 9.80 – Rs 12.95 lakhs (ex-showroom).
2. Kia Sonet: Kia Motors India continued the onslaught with its third product Sonet in the country. Equipped with a myriad of never-seen-before features, Kia Sonet took the Indian market by storm as it registered over 25,000 bookings even prior to the official launch which took place on the 18th September 2020. Marking Kia's entry in the highly lucrative subcompact SUV segment, the Sonet was introduced in a price range of Rs 6.71 - Rs11.99 lakhs (ex- showroom), India. It was presented in two trims: Tech Line and GT Line. The Tech Line trim received five variants namely HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX+ while the GT Line had a lone fully loaded GTX+ variant. Kia Sonet's engine options included two petrol and one diesel unit while a total of five transmission choices were up for grabs.
3. Hyundai Creta: Hyundai Creta needs no introduction at least in the Indian market as it has been conquering the hearts of people for more than five years. Hyundai India introduced the Second-Generation Creta on March 16, 2020 in the country and needless to say that it created humongous buzz in the automotive arena. The next-gen SUV not only was advanced, rich and upmarket in terms of features and appearance, but it was also available with three BS6 compliant powertrains. Being priced in a range of Rs 9.99 – Rs 17.20 Lakhs (ex-showroom), Delhi, it had already bagged 15000 plus bookings even before the official launch. The SUV was introduced in five trims namely E, EX, S, SX, and SX (O) while powered by the twin 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines alongside a 1.4-litre turbocharged Kappa petrol engine.
4. Tata Altroz: Tata Motors started 2020 with a bang and how? It launched the Altroz premium hatch on January 22, 2020 in the Indian market to give sleepless nights to the likes of Hyundai i20, Maruti Baleno and Volkswagen Polo. Being the first ever Tata car to be based on the ALFA platform, it was introduced in five grades namely XE, XM, XT, XZ and XZ (O). At the time of its launch and many months later as well, it was the only vehicle in its segment to come powered by a BS6 compliant diesel engine, of course besides the petrol motor. Tata Altroz was priced in a range of Rs 5.29 – Rs 9.29 lakhs (ex-showroom) while it received almost unbeatable 5-star credentials from Global NCAP in safety crash tests.
5. Audi Q2: Audi India started a new chapter by introducing its smallest SUV, the Q2, in the country. Being launched in five derivatives namely Standard, Premium, Premium Plus I, Premium Plus II and Technology, it was aggressively priced in a bracket of Rs 34.99 – Rs 48.89 lakhs (ex-showroom), India. Furthermore, the company also offered two additional styling packages for further customization and personalization in the form of Advance Line & Design Line. Underpinning the Volkswagen Group's MQB architecture, Audi Q2 went on sale in October with only a BS6 compliant petrol engine. The German luxury automaker made it a peculiar product by offering the Quattro all-wheel-drive system as standard feature.