The Elevate is priced from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 16 lakh (introductory ex-showroom Delhi)
200 Honda Elevate SUVs delivered on the same day at a mega event in Chennai.
The SUV is available in four broad variants: SV, V, VX and ZX.
Gets the City sedan’s 1.5-litre petrol engine with 6-speed MT and CVT options.
Features a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging and single-pane sunroof.
Safety kit covers up to six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts and ADAS.
In mid-September 2023, customers started getting deliveries of the Honda Elevate SUV. Given the significance of the SUV in the lineup, the carmaker organised a mega event by handing over 100 units of the SUV to customers in a single day in Hyderabad. Now, Honda has done an ‘encore’ as it recently delivered more than 200 units of the Elevate SUV to buyers in Chennai in a single day. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest Honda SUV in town:
As mentioned above, the Honda Elevate employs the same 1.5-litre petrol engine (121PS/145Nm) as the City. It comes with a choice of 6-speed MT and CVT. There’s no option of strong-hybrid powertrain with the SUV but Honda has announced that it will get an EV version by 2026.
Honda has provided the Elevate with a 10.25-inch touchscreen system, a single-pane sunroof, wireless phone charging, auto climate control, and a 7-inch semi-digital driver’s display.
The compact SUV’s safety net is composed of up to six airbags, a LaneWatch camera (mounted on the underside of the left ORVM), ISOFIX child seat anchorages and some advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
It is sold in four broad variants – SV, V, VX and ZX – priced from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 16 lakh (introductory ex-showroom Delhi). The Honda Elevate takes on the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Citroen C3 Aircross, and MG Astor.
The LXi variant of the Alto K10 is priced at Rs 4.83 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)
The Maruti Alto K10 is currently one of the most affordable cars in India. It is available in four broad variants – Std, LXi, VXi, and VXi+ – and offers the option of both petrol and CNG powertrains. The hatchback received its last major generational update in August 2022. While the top-spec model of the Alto K10 comes equipped with all the necessary features, this article will focus on what the lower-spec LXi trim has to offer.
When viewed from the front, there isn’t much difference between the lower-spec LXi and the higher-spec variants. They share body-colored bumpers, the same hexagonal pattern grille, and a halogen headlamp setup. However, it’s worth noting that the LXi trim lacks the roof antenna, a feature offered in the higher variants.
Moving on to the side, the Alto K10’s LXi variant lacks body-colored door handles and ORVMs, and it rolls on 13-inch steel wheels. Notably, to gain entry to the car, you’ll need to use the key as this particular variant does not include keyless entry and central locking features.
The rear end also looks practically identical to the higher-specced versions of the Maruti Alto K10. It features the same halogen tail lamps at the rear, and the brake light is positioned on the inner side of the rear glass. Additionally, aside from the Suzuki and Alto K10 badges, there are no specific markings to identify which variant of the Alto K10 this is.
Inside, the dashboard of the Alto K10 LXi is plain and simple, with AC vents on the top, a hazard button above the manual AC control panel. You still have the benefit of a semi-digital (digitized) instrument cluster, which displays crucial information such as speed, fuel level, and other necessary indicators. Furthermore, all four doors of this Alto K10 come with manual windows, and you can’t adjust the ORVMs on this car from inside.
As expected, both front and rear seats don’t get adjustable headrests. Talking about safety, it comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and high-speed alert system.
Powertrain
The Alto K10 uses a 1-litre petrol engine which makes 67PS and 89Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. The same engine is also offered with the CNG, but with the reduced output of 57PS and 82Nm. The LXi variant is also available in CNG, while the higher-specced petrol models are also available with a 5-speed AMT.
Price Range & Rivals
The prices of the ALto K10 range between Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 5.96 lakh (ex-showroom pan India). It competes with the Renault Kwid, while it can also be regarded as an alternative to the Maruti S-Presso.
The Hyundai i20 Magna is priced at Rs 7.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and is only offered with the manual gearbox option
The Hyundai i20 facelift went on sale in India with a starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The update includes a new base-spec Era variant, which has lowered the starting price of the premium hatchback. The new i20 is now available in five variants: Era, Magna, Sportz, Asta, and Asta (O). In this article, we will take a detailed look at the second-from-base Magna variant through five images:
How Does It Look On The Outside?
The most noticeable difference between the Magna variant and higher-spec variants is the absence of LED headlights, which are replaced by halogen units. However, the Magna variant does come with basic LED daytime running lights (DRLs) near the fog lamp housings. It features a gloss-black finish grille and a silver finish front skid plate, similar to the better-equipped variants.
From the side, the i20 Magna variant comes with body-colored ORVM housings and door handles. It rides on 15-inch steel wheels with covers and features turn indicators on the front fenders. At the rear, it has connected taillights and an ‘i20’ badge on the tailgate.
The i20 Magna variant features a black and grey cabin theme with silver accents and black and grey fabric upholstery. As for features, it comes equipped with manual air conditioning with rear AC vents, all four power windows, an 8-inch touchscreen system, a semi-digital instrument cluster, and steering-mounted audio and calling controls.
The i20 Magna variant now comes with six airbags as standard for enhanced safety. Other safety features in the Magna variant include a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), electronic stability control (ESC), 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, and rear parking sensors.
A Petrol-only Offering
The i20 is now available with a single 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, delivering up to 88PS of power and 115Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT. However, the Magna variant is only offered with the manual gearbox option.
The Hyundai i20 Magna variant is priced at Rs 7.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It competes with the Toyota Glanza, Tata Altroz, and Maruti Baleno in the premium hatchback segment.
The Ford Escape Hybrid is reasonably priced, starting at $29,345 for the 2023 model year, making it competitive with other compact SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
The Escape Hybrid offers ample cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and a total of 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, making it versatile for everyday needs like grocery shopping or family trips.
The Ford Escape Hybrid combines “mild” hybrid technology with a full hybrid system, allowing the gasoline engine and electric motor to run separately or together for optimal fuel efficiency. It achieves an impressive 42 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, with a combined rating of 39 MPG.
In 2001, Ford announced the first Escape which was essentially a twin to the Mazda Tribute. Since then, the Ford Escape has been one of Ford’s best-selling vehicles thanks to its compact size. The Escape is still a popular Ford model since it is an SUV with the ability to perform in the outdoors and the family-carrying capacity of a Sedan. Although the Escape didn’t have a hybrid for a while, the 2020 model year saw a complete redesign that brought back a battery-assisted vehicle focused on efficiency.
To maintain its position as a contender among vehicles with exceptional fuel efficiency, the Escape lineup, including the Hybrid, is under an update. The Escape Hybrid, especially the 2022 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid is one of the best in a long line of practical and compact SUVs. With a revolution on the horizon and BEVs and PHEVs popping up everywhere, if you are looking to enjoy your daily drives again without having to worry about fuel, look no further than the Ford Escape Hybrid.
The 2023 Ford Escape kicks off at $29,345. Opting for the Hybrid variant starts at $33,340 with the ST-Line trim. Ford’s pricing strategy aligns with the competitive compact SUV segment, mirroring the pricing of rivals like Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Chevy Equinox. Here’s how the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is priced:
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Pricing
ST-Line
$33,340
ST-Line Select
$35,040
Platinum
$36,965
ST-Line Elite
$39,460
Plug-In Hybrid
$40,500
9Where Cargo Meets Versatility
Ford
Although the cargo space on the Ford Escape Hybrid isn’t something special, it is more than enough accommodating to your day-to-day needs. The rear consists of a spacious cargo area of 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, providing ample storage for a variety of needs. With the rear seats folded down, the total cargo capacity expands to a generous 65.4 cubic feet.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Cargo Dimensions
Cargo Space (with rear seats up)
37.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space (with rear seats folded)
65.4 cubic feet
This space is perfect for accommodating the luggage of a medium-sized family or handling those massive grocery hauls. All the Escape Hybrid trims come with the choice of a manual liftgate, which is the standard, and a power liftgate also an option.
The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid Platinum is a practical five-seater SUV for families, easily accommodating children and their belongings, making it a good fit for family trips and traveling. Despite its compact design, the Escape Hybrid promises and delivers a roomy and cozy cabin. Passengers seated in the front enjoy abundant head, leg, and shoulder space, while those in the back receive ample room for comfort.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Interior Dimensions
First-row Headroom
40.0 inches
First-row Legroom
42.0 inches
First-row Shoulder room
57.6 inches
First-row Hip room
55.2 inches
Second-row Headroom
39.3 inches
Second-row Legroom
38.9 inches
Second-row Shoulder room
56.0 inches
Second-row Hip room
53.3 inches
Manually adjustable front seats and sliding rear-row front seats allow you to customize your seating arrangements as well. The Ford Escape Hybrid truly caters to families, with built-in connectors for child safety seats in the rear. There’s enough room for five full-sized adults.
7The Ford Escape’s ‘Mild’ Hybrid Technology
Ford
Most ‘mild’ hybrid design vehicles use the gasoline engines as their main engine while the electric motor just augments it by adding a little extra horsepower to save some fuel. But Ford has come out with a full hybrid system for the Escape line-up. In its full hybrid system, the gasoline engine and the electric motor can both run separately or at the same time. Whenever brakes are applied, the kinetic energy of the Escape Hybrid’s motion is released as heat.
The electric motor works as a generator and uses this heat to put power back into the batteries. This is why Ford Hybrids actually get better mileage in city driving than they do in highway driving. The gasoline engine handles the majority of the labor when traveling at highway speeds. When more speed is required, the electric motor engages and boosts the horsepower of the gasoline engine.
The Escape Hybrid promises one of the most impressive fuel economy ratings among hybrid SUVs, giving the 2023 Toyota RAV4 a run for its money. With a robust 192 horsepower, it’s not just efficient but also exhilarating.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Fuel Efficiency vs. Competition
SUV
City
Highway
Combined
Range
Ford Escape Hybrid
42 MPG
36 MPG
39MPG
558 Miles
Honda CRV Hybrid
40 MPG
34 MPG
37 MPG
518 Miles
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
38 MPG
38 MPG
38 MPG
507 Miles
According to the EPA estimates, it can cover approximately 558 miles on a single tank. In comparison, the Honda CR-V falls slightly behind, offering a rating of 40/34/37 MPG city/highway/combined and a range of 532 miles. Similarly, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson Hybrids lag behind with ratings of 38/38/38 MPG and a range of 507 miles. The Escape Hybrid’s exceptional fuel efficiency is setting a new standard in its class.
5Power On Offer Is Adequate
Ford
Hooked up with a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery, and an electric motor, the Ford Escape Hybrid delivers a combined output of 192 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The Escape Hybrid isn’t the most powerful performance vehicle out there, it is meant to be a reliable everyday driver and it’s more than enough you’ll need to get through the day.
When it comes to drivetrain, front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel-drive optional. The four-cylinder engine propels the Escape Hybrid from 0-60 mph in just 7.7 seconds while the quarter-mile varies depending on how you prefer to drive.
The Escape might not be the most exciting vehicle to drive or to look at, but it offers a practical and reliable driving experience, making it an excellent choice for your daily urban commute.It has a sleek, and urban demeanor, a departure from the earlier generations. It’s contemporary and handsome on the outside.
The Ford Escape Hybrid comes equipped with a range of impressive exterior features, including LED fog lamps, heated side mirrors, configurable daytime running lamps, roof rack side rails, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual chrome exhaust tips, and a choice of 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheel options. It measures 15 feet in length and weighs around 3,298 to 3,566 pounds at the curb.
The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid comes with its own range of hues to choose from:
Frozen White
Stone Blue
Agate Black
Blue Metallic
Star White
Solar Silver
White Platinum
Rapid Red
Carbonized Gray
3Ample Tech Features Inside The Cabin
Ford
The standard features within are nothing short of remarkable. It all starts with the base S model, boasting a 4.2-inch radio display. As you ascend the trims, beginning with the SE, you’ll be welcomed by an expansive 8.0-inch touchscreen infused with Ford’s cutting-edge Sync 3 infotainment interface. The 2023 Escape Hybrid Platinum breaks the norm and comes with a captivating 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, seamlessly integrated with Ford’s cutting-edge Sync 4 software.
As you delve deeper into the Escape Hybrid’s interior, you’ll discover a 10-speaker B&O Play audio system, elevating your in-car entertainment to new heights. This is where technology meets sophistication. Seamless connectivity is the name of the game, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims except the base model.
The calm, fashionable, yet cozy interior of the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid complements the outside. The serene interior provides a haven from the outside world. The door panels, seat trim, center armrest, floor mats, and steering wheel draw attention to the Ebony inside. Titanium trims come with an optional height-adjustable passenger seat which is unusual in this class.
Safety features like Active Park Assist 2.0 and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control are there to prioritize your safety and convenience. The voice-activated touchscreen navigation system keeps you on track and enhances your driving experience. Evasive Steering Assist offers added security in critical moments. The Ford Escape Hybrid has undergone rigorous evaluations by both NHTSA and IIHS, ensuring its commitment to safety.
Both the Escape and RAV4 hybrids can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The 2023 Escape Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder coupled with an 88-kWh electric motor, delivering 192 horses and 155 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds. In the RAV4 Hybrid, you’ll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, producing 219 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. It achieves a 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds.
These compact sedans match the similarly priced SUVs in terms of size, performance, and features, while delivering the elegance of owning a sedan
In a budget of Rs 20 lakh, there are a plethora of upmarket SUV options available, but far less sedans to choose from. In fact, even if you increased your budget cap to Rs 30 lakh, you will not have any new choices for a sedan. While these cars are a dying shape in the mass market, they are still the primary choice of some due to their comfort, big boot, driving dynamics, and elegant styling.
So, these are the five premium sedans priced below Rs 20 lakh that you can get instead of something with added seats or more ground clearance:
Honda City
Price
Rs 11.57 lakh to Rs 16.05 lakh
Rs 18.89 lakh to Rs 20.39 lakh
Engine
1.5-litre petrol
1.5-litre strong-hybrid
Power/Torque
121PS / 145Nm
126PS / 253Nm
Transmissions
6-speed MT / CVT
e-CVT
Feature Highlights
8-inch touchscreen system, 7-inch digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger, electric sunroof, ambient lighting
Safety Feature Highlights
Up to six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, TPMS, rear camera, lane watch camera, ADAS
Honda City is the oldest running nameplate in this space and is well known for its reliability. Currently in its fifth-generation, the City is still the benchmark when it comes to in-cabin quality and comfort.
It’s the only sedan in its segment to get the option of a strong-hybrid powertrain, which claims an efficiency of up to 27.13kmpl. The top-end hybrid option is costlier than the top-end variants of rivals by up to Rs 3 lakh, but the high mileage will keep the daily running costs significantly lower.
Interestingly, the Honda City is equipped with basic ADAS features from the lower-level V variant, which is priced just at Rs 12.45 lakh (ex-showroom), and a lot more affordable than any ADAS-equipped rival.
Volkswagen Virtus
Price
Rs 11.48 lakh to Rs 18.77 lakh
Engine
1-litre turbo-petrol
1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Power/Torque
115PS / 178Nm
150PS / 250Nm
Transmissions
6-speed MT / 6-speed AT
6-speed MT / 7-speed DCT
Feature Highlights
10-inch touchscreen system, 8-inch digital driver’s display, electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless charger
Safety Feature Highlights
Up to six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, TPMS, rear camera
The Volkswagen Virtus is a more feature-rich and larger successor to the Vento. The sedan is classy and sporty to look at, packs the punch for a spirited drive, and flaunts a premium in-cabin experience, delivering the expectations you would have from a German auto brand.
Virtus offers the best-in-class safety with a 5-star crash test rating for both adult and child occupants. However, it does miss out on ADAS, which is available on the Honda City and Hyundai Verna.
Skoda Slavia
Price
Rs 11.39 lakh to Rs 18.68 lakh
Engine
1-litre turbo-petrol
1.5-litre turbo-petrol
Power/Torque
115PS / 178Nm
150PS / 250Nm
Transmissions
6-speed MT / 6-speed AT
6-speed MT / 7-speed DCT
Feature Highlights
10-inch touchscreen system, 8-inch digital driver’s display, electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless charger
Safety Feature Highlights
Up to six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, TPMS, rear camera
The Skoda Slavia came in as a bigger and more powerful and premium replacement to the Rapid. It is a sibling offering to the Virtus with many commonalities under the different metal skin. The premium quotient here is much in line with the Octavia, which was positioned a segment-above.
It shares the stage with the Virtus in being the safest car of India, securing high scores and five stars each for child and adult occupant protection as tested by Global NCAP. However, this sedan also lacks the option of ADAS on any variant.
Dual 10.25-inch screens for touchscreen system and instrument cluster, 64-colour ambient lighting, electric sunroof, ventilated and heated front seats, wireless charger
Safety Feature Highlights
Six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, TPMS, ADAS, rear camera
The new Hyundai Verna undercuts the German sedans for entry pricing but it is a more feature-rich and spacious offering. Its turbo-petrol option makes it the most powerful sedan in its class.
While the safety features are at par with its rivals, Verna is the only car after the City to get the ADAS safety suite.
Maruti Ciaz
Price
Rs 9.30 lakh to Rs 12.29 lakh
Engine
1.5-litre petrol
Power/Torque
105PS / 138Nm
Transmissions
5-speed MT / 4-speed AT
Feature Highlights
7-inch touchscreen system, automatic LED headlights, automatic AC, push button start, cruise control
Safety Feature Highlights
Dual front airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear camera, ESP, hill hold assist
The Maruti Ciaz is the most affordable compact sedan right now, but also the most outdated one. However, don’t let its affordability trick you into thinking of it as a sedan compromised by pricing. It gets a humble 1.5-litre petrol engine with the option of an age-old 4-speed torque converter automatic. This powertrain is not exactly punchy, but certainly quite economical.
Compared to its rivals, the Ciaz is slightly smaller in terms of length and width but still has a fairly spacious cabin. While being equipped with necessary features, it misses out on many feel-good elements like an electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a wireless charger. Safety is also low with the absence of six airbags and tyre pressure monitoring system.
However, in terms of design, the Ciaz has aged gracefully without any major updates to the outside and it still offers a great value proposition as a comfy and accommodating sedan.
Earlier, there were a lot more premium sedans to choose from. Without having to enter the luxury space or spend north of Rs 30 lakh, you could go for the likes of Toyota Corolla Altis, Hyundai Elantra, Skoda Octavia, and Honda Civic. However, none of these monikers remain today and only one is expected to return (the Octy).
In today’s mid-size sedan segment, the compact sedans have filled in their shoes by offering a similar experience. The performance, dimensions, features, and the premium quotient of these compact sedans are now somewhat at par with sedans a segment above.
The C5 Aircross now gets a new entry-level variant called Feel priced at Rs 36.91 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India)
Citroen C5 Aircross facelift was launched in single variant in September 2022.
The SUV is now sold in two variants, Feel and Shine, as offered with its pre-facelift version.
The Shine variant has become costlier by Rs 50,000.
Feature differences could include a smaller touchscreen and no panoramic sunroof.
It gets the same 2-litre 177PS/400Nm diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic.
Prices now range from Rs 36.91 lakh to Rs 37.67 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).
Being the flagship product in its marque’s Indian lineup (also its debut model here), the Citroen C5 Aircross, has now regained an entry-level variant called the ‘Feel.’ The carmaker has also hiked the price of the SUV’s top-spec Shine variant. The pre-facelift version already got both these variants but the ‘Feel’ trim was discontinued with the introduction of the facelifted C5 Aircross last year.
Revised Variant-wise Prices
Variant
Old Price
New Price
Difference
Feel
–
Rs 36.91 lakh
–
Shine
Rs 37.17 lakh
Rs 37.67 lakh
+Rs 50,000
All prices, ex-showroom pan-India
With the latest update, the C5 Aircross’ top-spec Shine trim has become costlier by half a lakh rupees, but the SUV overall has become more affordable by Rs 26,000. Both the Feel and Shine variants are available in monotone and dual-tone paint options priced equally.
Although Citroen is yet to reveal what features the new entry-level trim misses out on, we believe the C5 Aircross Feel is likely to get a smaller touchscreen unit, no panoramic sunroof and some other comfort and convenience features also being removed.
As far as the Shine variant of the C5 Aircross is concerned, the carmaker has equipped it with a 10-inch touchscreen system, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and electrically adjustable driver seat. Its safety kit consists of 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, six airbags, hill-assist and descent control, and a reversing camera.
A Diesel Engine Only
The midsize premium SUV is offered with a 2-litre diesel engine (177PS/400Nm). This unit is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has two drive modes – Eco and Sport – and multi-terrain modes: Standard, Snow, Sand, Mud and Damp Grass.
The hatchback is one of the most stylish and competitively priced models on sale, with an EV derivative on offer as well
The Citroen C3 has completed its first anniversary in India. The hatchback was the French carmaker’s second and most-affordable model for our country. While it essentially is sized to compete with premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20, its prices put it on par with more affordable cars like the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Maruti Swift.
So, here’s a recap of the Citroen C3 and the changes it has been through over the year:
Price Change
Variant
Launch Price
Latest Price
Difference
Live
Rs 5.71 lakh
Rs 6.16 lakh
Rs 45,000
Feel
Rs 6.63 lakh
Rs 7.08 lakh
Rs 45,000
Feel DT
Rs 6.78 lakh
Rs 7.23 lakh
Rs 45,000
Feel DT Turbo
Rs 8.06 lakh
RS 8.28 lakh
Rs 22,000
Shine
–
Rs 7.60 lakh
–
Shine DT
–
Rs 7.75 lakh
–
Shine DT Turbo
–
Rs 8.80 lakh
–
The Live and Feel variants have grown costlier by Rs 45,000, while the Feel Turbo sees a hike of Rs 22,000 since its launch.
The C3 now ranges from Rs 6.16 lakh to Rs 8.80 lakh (ex-showroom).
New Top-End Variant
Citroen has added a new top-spec Shine variant to the C3’s lineup. This variant adds electrically adjustable ORVMs, fog lamps, 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, connected car tech features, day/night IRVM, rear parking camera, and a rear wiper with washer.
Feature Additions
The turbo variants exclusively get electronic stability programme (ESP), hill-hold assist, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and idle-engine start/stop as standard.
The made-in-Brazil Citroen C3 failed the Latin NCAP crash tests. The crash tests were performed on the Brazil-spec model, where it scored zero stars in the assessment. It scored 31 percent (12.21 points) in adult occupation protections and 12 percent for child protection.
BS6 Phase 2 Updates
The hatchback, just like other cars on sale, received the BS6 phase 2 emission norms update earlier in 2023. The C3 is offered with 82PS 1.2-litre petrol and 110PS turbo-petrol engines, respectively. The naturally aspirated option gets a 5-speed manual transmission, while the turbo unit gets a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Gets An Electric Version Too!
In February 2023, Citroen also introduced an electric version of the C3 hatchback. It looks identical to the ICE version, with a few eC3 badges, but minus the exhaust pipe. It gets a 29.2kWh battery pack which claims a driving range of up to 320 kilometres. The eC3 is priced from Rs 11.50 lakh to Rs 12.43 lakh (ex-showroom).
Future Changes
In future, we can expect the C3 to finally get the choice of an automatic transmission. The Brazilian-spec model gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is likely to debut on the India-spec C3 too.
The Volkswagen Virtus’s DCT option gets Rs 2.37 lakh more affordable
It is priced at Rs 16.20 lakh, which is Rs 70,000 less than the GT+ MT variant.
Exterior highlights include red callipers and “GT” badges.
Inside, it gets red ambient lighting and GT-specific upholstery.
Features on board still include a 10-inch touchscreen, cruise control and dual airbags.
Powered by the larger 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that puts out 150PS of power.
Shortly after getting an affordable GT manual variant, the Volkswagen Virtus has now been given a new entry-level GT DCT trim priced at Rs 16.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It is more affordable than the range-topping GT+ DCT by Rs 2.37 lakh, while costing as much as the Topline AT variant of the sedan.
Variants
Price (ex-showroom Delhi)
Topline AT
Rs 16.19 lakh
GT DCT (new)
Rs 16.19 lakh
GT+ MT
Rs 16.89 lakh
GT+ DCT
Rs 18.56 lakh
The GT DCT variant costs Rs 70,000 less than the GT+ MT, thus becoming the new entry-level variant in the GT Line. Furthermore, the Topline AT uses the 110PS 1-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 6-speed torque converter.
Any Noticeable Changes?
While the GT variant gets the same treatment on the outside as the GT Plus (which includes the red brake callipers and “GT” monikers), you can tell it’s the lower trim since it doesn’t get the blacked out alloy wheels and the chrome windowline. On the inside, the Virtus GT DCT gets the GT-specific upholstery and red ambient lighting, which is also available on the GT Plus variants.
Differences In The Features List
Being a lower variant, the Virtus GT DCT misses out on features such as a single-pane sunroof, digital driver’s display, leatherette upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, auto-headlights, LED DRL turn indicators, height-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and auto-dimming IRVM. Its equipment list isn’t totally scarce either as it still packs cruise control, a 10-inch touchscreen, paddle shifters, and auto AC with rear vents.
Its safety kit includes dual front airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and rear parking sensors. In case you’re worried about the extra airbags, the Virtus is also currently rated as the safest mass market car in India as per the Global NCAP crash tests.
As the GT Line product, the GT DCT features the larger 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (150PS/250Nm). While it gets just the 7-speed DCT, the manual GT variant gets a 6-speed unit. This engine also features cylinder deactivation technology that can boost your fuel economy while cruising at steady speeds.
Maruti shocked us when it announced that the Jimny is priced from Rs 12.74 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Maruti Jimny has been one of the most highly anticipated SUVs for India since it was first confirmed for the market years ago. While the fourth generation of the three-door Jimny globally premiered in 2018, Maruti insisted on only bringing us an extended five-door version and made us wait five years for it. After all that, the country’s largest carmaker finally launched the lifestyle SUV this June and a lot of the public’s response on the interweb was far from welcoming. The problem? Its prices.
How high are the prices?
The five-door Jimny has entered the market with prices ranging from Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). For a subcompact SUV that can only seat four and has a decent but not expansive boot capacity, those prices are certainly eye-watering. Even though Maruti stretched it out and added rear doors, the rear passenger space and overall practicality in the Jimny is less than that offered by typical subcompact offerings like the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. Most of those models are priced between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom).
But then, it’s not competing against typical small SUVs. The Jimny is a niche offering for lifestyle enthusiasts who want a capable off-roader, not a tech-laden city-suited family car. So, is the pricing still a pain point if compared to an appropriate competitor, like the Mahindra Thar?
Jimny’s Arch Rival
The second-gen Mahindra Thar is also a sub-4 metre off-roader and it has dominated the affordable lifestyle SUV space since its launch nearly 3 years ago. Even though it’s a three-door offering with no real boot, buyers directly compare it against the five-door Jimny.
On paper, the Mahindra has these advantages over the Maruti SUV:
Entry-level prices are lower by more than Rs 2 lakh.
Offers choice of a convertible soft-top (like the Maruti Gypsy)
Has more road presence thanks to chunkier proportions
Offers more performance with its 2-litre turbo-petrol engine (150PS vs 115PS) and a better automatic transmission (6-speed vs 4-speed)
Also gets the choice of diesel powertrains, the popular choice among off-roaders.
Assured safety with 4-star rating from Global NCAP crash test
Let’s take a closer look at each of those factors to see if they make it hard for the Jimny to justify its pricing.
What the internet is overlooking is that the Thar’s more affordable variants only have a rear-wheel drivetrain. When it comes to the 4WD Thar variants with the petrol engine, the petrol-only Jimny which offers 4WD as standard is more affordable by nearly Rs 1 lakh, and by nearly Rs 2 lakh between the petrol-automatic options.
Then there’s the features list where the Maruti comes with a touchscreen infotainment unit, 6 airbags, a rearview camera, hill descent control and a TFT MID as standard. Its top trim also comes with auto LED headlamps with washer, a larger touchscreen, auto AC and rear power windows, none of which are available on the Mahindra Thar. Furthermore, once 6 airbags become mandatory, the price gap between the two SUVs will increase in favour of the Maruti Jimny.
Does less performance affect its capabilities?
Yes, the Jimny may seem underpowered in comparison and the Thar certainly offers punchier performance but the smaller engine is sufficient since its body is much lighter than that of the Thar. Fun fact: A Jimny loaded with 4 occupants is still lighter than a Thar unladen!
This makes it just as capable of conquering difficult terrains and the 4×4 system is also set up for the same. The transmission options may seem dated in comparison to the Thar, but these are proven worldwide and might even be cheaper to service and maintain thanks to Maruti’s scale of business.
It is also worth noting that the Jimny, like the second-gen Thar, is also aimed at city buyers. While fuel economy is not their primary concern, it is a priority nonetheless and the Maruti Suzuki powertrain is more frugal. Furthermore, as the regulations clamp down on emissions and diesel engines in particular, a petrol powertrain is at a lower risk of being affected by such changes.
No fun roof option
The current generation of the Jimny never got a soft-top option so it’s not an India-specific omission. However, it is clear that lifestyle vehicle buyers do like such options as even the Jeep Wrangler comes with a removable roof and doors.
While the fixed metal roof does reduce the fun factor, it has advantages over soft tops in terms of body rigidity and overall safety in case the car were to roll over while off-roading.
The five-door Jimny has debuted in India and is yet to be crash tested by a well-known New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). However, the three-door Jimny was tested by Euro NCAP where it scored a three-star safety rating (the tested car was also equipped with ADAS tech such as lane-assist and auto-emergency braking).
While the Thar did score higher in the Global NCAP test, it is worth noting that the testing parameters have changed since then and it may not score as highly anymore. In comparison, the Euro NCAP is much more thorough and factors in a lot more scores than just a frontal-offset and side-impact crash test.
We cannot say with certainty if the Jimny is as safe or safer than the Thar, but it certainly appears to be safer than the average Maruti.
So, is the Maruti Jimny priced fairly?
In our opinion, Maruti could have done better with the prices for the Jimny. Given the six-month-long wait since its unveiling, and with Mahindra introducing the more affordable rear-wheel drive Thar variants, the target consumer was expecting Maruti to flex its market dominance and introduce the Jimny with a more reasonable starting price.
As far as first impressions go, it was an unpleasant shock that the Maruti SUV arrived with a starting price of nearly Rs 15 lakh (on-road). The off-roader may be better equipped on paper than any competitor, it wasn’t short on compromises either and the biggest issue was that it lacked the physical presence of its more affordable rival.
In our opinion, the Maruti Jimny should have debuted with an introductory price range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 13.5 lakh (ex-showroom) at least for a limited number of early buyers. Mahindra is adept at this “early-bird” strategy where it will accumulate a sizable order book for a highly anticipated product at competitively low launch prices for the first ten to fifty thousand buyers, before raising the rates over the next 12 months.
Compared to the Thar, the omitted cost of turbocharging, the old transmissions and smaller wheels/tyres should’ve allowed for the Jimny’s prices to be Rs 1.5-2 lakh cheaper.
Will this really affect the success of the Jimny?
If we could accurately predict such a thing, we’d have the ear of every carmaker in the world. It is too early to say if the Jimny’s prices will affect the overall demand and popularity of the SUV, but they will certainly have an initial impact with some of the more budget-restricted buyers changing their plans. At its current price, the Jimny is, no doubt, an indulgence.
Perhaps, Maruti has played a different strategy altogether which could pan out to its benefit in the long run. By introducing the five-door Jimny at these prices, it will not be hiking the rates by a couple of lakhs in the first year or two, while the Mahindra Thar’s prices are expected to keep rising.
Notes On The Jimny’s Business Case
We also asked our resident review expert, Tushar, to weigh in on the matter as he has spent some time with the Jimny and also had a chance to interact with Maruti’s representatives. Here’s what he had to add to the matter of the Jimny prices:
Maruti Suzuki already expects the Jimny to be a low-volume car. This could’ve motivated a stronger focus on margin-per-car vs more cars sold
Like the 3-door, the 5-door Jimny will also be exported generating more revenue for the Jimny product line
The Jimny’s K15B engine, manual transmission that’s an evolution of the unit used in the Gypsy and 4-speed automatic transmission have saved a lot of money in developmental costs for Suzuki.
The powertrains used in the Thar have been freshly developed at great cost to Mahindra. While they are in use/will be used in multiple products (Thar, upcoming Thar 5-door, XUV700, Scorpio-N), Mahindra has a tighter timeline to get the most profitability out of them, especially considering the increased pressure to shift to electric/electrified powertrains.
What do you make of the prices of the Maruti Jimny? Were you someone who changed their car buying plans or cancelled a booking for the SUV after the price reveal? Let us know in the comments below!
The Maruti Invicto will be the most expensive car from Maruti, with a starting price of around Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom)
Booking for the Maruti Invicto can now be made for Rs 25,000 at Nexa dealerships.
The Maruti Invicto is a rebadged version of the Innova Hycross, but with some exterior design changes.
The Maruti Invicto will come equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen, ventilated front seats, dual-zone AC, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS.
The car will be powered by the Innova Hycross’s 2-litre petrol engine with the option of a strong hybrid variant.
The expected starting price for the Maruti Invicto is around Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom).
You can now book the Maruti Invicto MPV for Rs 25,000 before its launch on July 5. It will be available at Nexa dealerships and will be the most expensive car from Maruti so far.
(Toyota Innova Hycross Picture Used For Reference)
The Maruti Invicto is essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, which is part of the Toyota-Suzuki global partnership. Like other cars in this partnership, such as the Grand Vitara/Hyryder and Glanza/Baleno, the Invicto will have some exterior design differences compared to the Hycross.
Based on the Innova Hycross, the Maruti Invicto will have a luxurious and premium interior. It will feature a panoramic sunroof, digital driver’s display, ventilated front seats, dual-zone AC, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Safety will be enhanced with up to six airbags, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and radar-based ADAS technology.
The Maruti Invicto will use the same powertrain as the Innova Hycross, which is a 2-litre petrol engine with the option of hybridization. The strong hybrid powertrain delivers up to 186PS of power and has a claimed efficiency of up to 23.24kmpl. Similar figures can be expected for the Maruti Invicto as well.
The Innova Hycross is priced from Rs 18.55 lakh to Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Maruti Invicto is expected to have a slightly higher starting price of around Rs 19 lakh. While there won’t be any direct competition, the Invicto will be positioned as a more premium alternative to the Kia Carens.
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