Over 20 Cars Launched This Year In India – Thar, Sonet, Karoq, Gloster, T-Roc

Skoda Karoq rear three quarter

A host of big car launches have taken place this year, ranging across different segments and body formats, and we have compiled a list of the top 20

2020 has certainly been a year of big launches, starting off with a range of new cars being introduced in January, followed by the 2020 Auto Expo – which became the stage for manufacturers to launch their new products as well as reveal plans of future products. While the next few months didn’t go as planned, manufacturers had full faith in their products and most of them went ahead with planned launches.

The Indian car market scene has seen a drastic change this year, and segments that were scarce a while ago, are now packed with competitors from various manufacturers. We have put together a list of the top 10 car launches that have taken place in 2020 so far, take a read to know more about these cars –

1. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Facelift

The BS4 Vitara Brezza was a diesel-only offering, but since Maruti Suzuki had planned to part ways with oil burners, the sub-4m SUV was re-introduced with a new 1.5-litre NA petrol engine rated at 105 PS/138 Nm at this year’s Auto Expo. During the transition, Maruti Suzuki also facelifted the car and added some new features. The Vitara Brezza comes with a 5-speed MT, as well as an optional 4-speed AT. The car is currently priced between Rs 7.34 – 11.40 lakh (ex-showroom).

2. Hyundai Verna Facelift

2020 hyundai verna (2)

The Hyundai Verna was facelifted earlier this year, but the visual changes aren’t as significant as the changes made under the hood. The sedan now gets a 1.5-litre petrol engine that puts out 115 PS power and 144 Nm torque; a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit rated at 120 PS/172 Nm; as well as a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 115 PS and 250 Nm. Hyundai retails the Verna from Rs 9.02 lakh to Rs 15.17 lakh (ex-showroom).

3. 2020 Hyundai Creta

4. Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet suv-1-5

Just like the 2020 Hyundai Creta made use of the Kia Seltos’ platform, Kia used Venue’s platforms to enter the sub-4m SUV segment with the Sonet, which at an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 6.71 lakh, is the most affordable car in the segment. However, the top-end GT Line variants of the car have been loaded with features.

It gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine (83 PS/115 Nm); a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit (120 PS/172 Nm); as well as a 1.5-litre engine that makes 100 PS and 240 Nm when had with a manual transmission, and 115 PS and 250 Nm when coupled wit ha 6-speed AT. Other transmission options include a 5-speed MT (1.2L petrol), 6-speed iMT & 7-speed DCT (1.0L turbo petrol).

5. Kia Carnival

The Carnival is Kia’s flagship offering, since it is currently retailed at a base price of Rs 24.95 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 33.95 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom) for the top-end trim. Powering the Carnival is a sole 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that has a maximum power output of 202 PS, and a peak torque rating of 440 Nm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed auto. Kia offers the Carnival with a 7-seat, an 8-seat and even a 9-seat configuration.

6. Mahindra Thar

Earlier this month, Mahindra launched the new-gen version of the Thar in the Indian market, and the updated off-roader has received an overwhelming response across the nation, thanks to all the updates that Mahindra has introduced with the SUV to make it nto only a better off-roader, but a better on-road vehicle as well.

2020 mahindra thar-5

It gets a 2.2-litre four-cylinder mHawk turbo diesel engine that generates 130 PS of max power as well as 300 Nm of peak torque, as well as a 2.0-litre mStallion four-pot turbocharged petrol TGDi engine that generates 150 PS power and 300 Nm torque (320 Nm with AT). The Thar is currently priced between Rs 9.80 – 13.75 lakh (ex-showroom).

7. MG Gloster

MG recently entered the premium 7-seat SUV segment with the launch of the flagship ‘Gloster’, that has been priced between Rs 28.98 – 36.88 lakh, and rivals the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner in India. The mighty SUV is available with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that is offered in two states of tune – 163 PS/375 Nm and 218 PS/480 Nm. An 8-speed AT is standard with both powertrains.

8. Tata Altroz

9. Volkswagen T-Roc

Volkswagen T-Roc Compact SUV Dual-tone

Volkswagen launched the T-Roc mid-size SUV in March this year, and by September, the car was sold out for the year. Limited units of the car were imported to the country through the CBU route, and the T-Roc was priced at Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The T-Roc came equipped with a sole 1.5-litre TSI engine producing 150 PS of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG as standard.

10. Honda City

Honda launched a new-gen model for the City in the Indian market this year, and the updated sedan is being offered with 1.5-litre petrol (121 PS/145 Nm) and diesel (100 PS/200 Nm) engines. The Japanese car manufacturer retails the 2020 City in India at a base price of Rs 10.89 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 14.64 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom) for the top-end trim.

11. Skoda Karoq

The Karoq is Skoda’s version of the aforementioned Volkswagen T-Roc, since both of them are based on the same platform and make use of the same 1.5-litre TSI powertrain rated at 150 PS/250 Nm. However, the Karoq comes with a few additional features over its sibling, and hence, costs Rs 24.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the sole fully-loaded variant.

12. Nissan Magnite

Nissan recently launched the Magnite sub-4m SUV in the Indian market, which marked the Japanese carmaker’s entry into the sub-4m SUV segment. The Magnite has the looks, a turbo petrol powertrain, and some of the best-in-class features; which point to the fact that Nissan has got almost everything right with the Magnite. In addition, its aggressive introductory starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom) makes it the most affordable car in the segment.

13. 2020 Hyundai i20

2020 hyundai i20 real pics-4

The i20 is one of the most popular premium hatchbacks in the country, and Hyundai finally introduced the car’s third-gen model in India about a month ago. The new i20 leads the segment with its equipment list, and makes even more expensive cars run for their money. However, the pricing (Rs 6.79 – 11.32 lakh) is a bit on the higher side. Keeping that aside, the plethora of powertrain and gearbox options are also the best in its class.

14. Toyota Urban Cruiser

Toyota made use of its global product-sharing partnership with Suzuki to launch the ‘Urban Cruiser’ in India, which is basically the rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Toyota retails the Urban Cruiser between Rs 8.40 – 11.30 lakh (ex-showroom), and the car gets the same 1.5-litre NA petrol engine (105 PS/138 Nm) as the donor car.

15. Hyundai Tucson facelift

At this year’s Auto Expo, Hyundai revealed the Tucson facelift, which was launched in the country a few months later. The Tucson continues to be Hyundai’s flagship offering in the Indian market with a starting price of Rs 22.30, going all the way up to Rs 27.03 (both prices, ex-showroom). The SUV is offered with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines.

16. Tata Nexon facelift & Nexon EV

Tata Nexon
Tata Nexon EV top view

Tata updated the Nexon SUV at the beginning of this year, and the facelifted car gained an all-new front fascia, some new features like an electric sunroof, a digital instrument console, connected-car tech, as well as updated BS6 1.2-litre Revotron turbo-petrol (120 PS/170 Nm) and 1.5-litre Revotorq (110 PS/260 Nm) diesel engines. The Nexon is currently priced from Rs 6.99 lakh to Rs 12.70 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Motors also launched a fully-electric version of the Nexon facelift earlier this year, which went on to become the carmaker’s first electric SUV. The e-SUV is being offered in three trims – XM, XZ+ and XZ+ Lux priced at Rs 13.99 lakh, Rs 15.25 lakh and Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively. The car gets an IP67 rated 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, and has a claimed range of 312 km.

17. Tata Tiago facelift

The Tata Tiago is one of the safest cars in the Indian market, with a 4-star adult occupant protection safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests. The car was facelifted at the beginning of this year, and the update brought along a new front fascia, slightly updated interiors and some new features too. The hatch is offered with a sole 1.2-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine that belts out 86 PS of max power and 113 Nm of peak torque.

18. Tata Tigor facelift

2020 Tata Tiago, Tigor, Nexon Launched

Along with the Tiago, its sedan sibling Tigor was also updated. The Tigor gets the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the Tiago, and also shares the feature list. The sub-4m sedan is currently priced between Rs 5.39 – 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom), and rivals the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Aura and Ford Aspire.

19. Toyota Innova Crytsa facelift

After being on sale for over four years, Toyota finally introduced a mid-life refresh the Innova Crysta a few weeks ago. The update includes a redesigned front-end, front parking sensors, smartphone connectivity, new 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on the higher trims, as well as a slight bump in its pricing. The 2.7-litre petrol and 2.4-litre diesel powertrains have been retained.

20. Skoda Superb facelift

2020-skoda-superb-plug-in-hybrid-front.jpg

Skoda had a star-studded stall at the 2020 Auto Expo, and one of the cars displayed was the stunning Superb facelift, which is currently offered in two variants – Sportline and Laurin & Klement, priced at Rs 29.99 lakh and Rs 32.99 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively. The facelifted car gets a sole 2.0-litre TSI engine mated to a 7-speed DSG, with 190 PS max power and 320 Nm peak torque rating.