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-   -   Team-BHP Car of the Year, 2016. EDIT: It's the Tata Tiago! (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/182354-team-bhp-car-year-2016-edit-its-tata-tiago.html)

It's time to look back at the year and cast your vote for The Team-BHP Car of the Year. This is where YOU - the BHPian - will choose the car of 2016.

Listed below are the launches of 2016. Also included are some relevant high-points on each car, along with the market's response to it.

• The contenders have been sorted in a price-ascending order (cheapest first).
• It's only NEW cars that are included in our COTY award. That excludes the "refreshed" headlamp & tail-light versions, facelifts and engine variants.
• This is a public poll. Other BHPians will be able to see what car you have voted for.
• Models costing over 55 - 60 lakh rupees, and many fully-imported-cars (CBUs), have been excluded from our COTY. Reason = Low relevance & commitment to the marketplace.
• The 2015 COTY.
• As has always been the case, we insist there will only be ONE Team-BHP Car of the Year. Why? Simply because we don't believe in handing out an award for the "gear knob of the year" or "doorpad of the year" (as examples). Some award ceremonies have 25 awards to ensure there's one for each car manufacturer (aka advertiser) in India. We have no such inclination, and will only focus on the best, most important new car of 2016.

Look forward to your votes, and also the reasoning behind your choice. Thanks!

Update! The Tata Tiago bags the crown!

Datsun Redi-GO : Official Review



What you'll like:
• Funky styling! Looks great for an entry-level hatchback
• Value-for-money pricing. Starts lower than the Maruti Alto
• 799 cc petrol has good driveability & sufficient pep for the city. Fuel-efficient too
• 185 mm of ground clearance! Suspension's behaviour is well-suited to a city hatchback
• Tallboy interior offers high seating, supportive seats, decent space & a powerful air-conditioner
• 222 litre boot is more accommodating than the Alto's (177 litres)
• Warranty can be extended to 5 years / unlimited kms
• Equipment in a budget car (driver's airbag, DRLs, full MID, ICE remote & more)

What you won't:
• The superior Renault Kwid is priced only slightly higher
• 3-cylinder engine vibrates excessively (especially when idling) & sounds unpleasant (as the revvs climb)
• Mediocre highway performance & behaviour. Best driven <100 km/h
• Body-coloured metal inside the cabin looks really bad
• Missing essentials (internally adjustable ORVMs, central locking, keyless entry, retractable rear seatbelts)
• Cost cutting is evident in some areas (single wiper, 3 lugnut wheels, small 28L tank etc.)
• No 1.0L engine variant like the Kwid, Alto & Eon
• Nissan-Datsun's dealer & after-sales network is far weaker than that of Maruti or Hyundai

Market Response: Average. Doing about 3,000 units / month. Not a major success, but by no means a dud either. If it maintains these levels, that's alright for a newbie brand like Datsun.

Tata Tiago : Official Review



What you'll like:
• Great styling. A very chic-looking hatchback at a value-for-money price!
• Tata has put in a lot of effort on quality and it shows. No signs of cost cutting at all
• Solid build & construction, unlike most of its flimsy competitors
• High quality, well-designed interiors. Lots of storage and a useful 242 liter boot too
• Suspension offers excellent ride comfort with neutral handling
• City friendly nature: light controls, agreeable ergonomics & good driveability (both engines)
• Amazing 8-speaker Harman entertainment system. Sounds top class
• Feature list with 2 driving modes, parking sensors + display, cooled glovebox, full MID & more

What you won't:
• Mediocre 3-cylinder engines. Petrol, especially, is unimpressive
• Low refinement levels. NVH package has many holes
• Rear headroom is tight. Also, a rare Tata hatchback that cannot seat 5 (best for 4)
• Concerns over long-term reliability, more so of the freshly developed engines
• Tata's after-sales experience remains a gamble. Service quality is far from that of Maruti & Hyundai

Market Response: Success, especially considering Tata's weak position in the passenger car market. 6,000+ factory dispatches in October, with ~4,500 - 5,000 in the 3 months prior.

Mahindra KUV100 : Official Review



What you'll like:
• An SUV'ish hatchback! A unique offering in many ways
• Likeable cabin. Good interior space for a car with such a small footprint. Lots of storage too
• Both engines are city-friendly, while the gearshift quality is simply superb!
• Urban / low speed ride quality is compliant
• ABS standard across the range. Dual Airbags optional on all variants :thumbs up
• The features: DRLs, ambient lighting, power & eco modes (diesel), Blue Sense App, front armrest, cooled glovebox, Isofix child seat mounts etc.

What you won't:
• Overdone styling! The side profile, in particular, is weird
• Handling, NVH & braking are all poor at 100+ kph. Engines also lack punch on the highway
• Electric steering is horribly calibrated. Very vague, with inconsistent weight at speed
• It's not a 6-seater. That seating position is cramped & unsafe
• Usable space in the boot is much lesser than its on-paper spec would have you believe
• Mahindra’s after sales service is a hit or miss

Market Response: Below average. After a good start, sales have declined and are currently hovering at the ~2,600 levels.

Volkswagen Ameo : Official Review



What you'll like:
• A well-built, solid European sedan
• Aggressive pricing strategy; on par with the Polo
• Impressive feature list - cruise control, auto wipers, reversing camera, touchscreen ICE etc.
• Interior quality is among the segment best
• 1.2L petrol offers good city driveability. Sweet gearshift too
• Sorted ride & handling package. High speed stability is better than competition
• Dual airbags & ABS are standard across the range

What you won't:
• 3-cylinder petrol engine is weak & noisy. Vibrates as well
• Limited rear legroom & large floor hump. Competitors such as the Amaze are more spacious
• 1.2L TSI turbo-petrol unavailable (Polo gets it)
• 330L boot is the second-smallest from this segment
• Familiar face & interiors are starting to feel old
• The Polo & Vento's long-term reliability hasn't been as strong as the Japanese / Korean cars
• VW's sub-par dealership & service experiences

Market Response: No great shakes. 5 month average has been 2,200 units, but in two months, it hovered around the 1,500 mark. Unless VW manages to pull it up, the Ameo could become a flop by next year. Still, I think it's serving its intended purpose of maintaining the Polo siblings' overall volumes.

Mahindra e2o Plus : Official Review



What you'll like:
• 4 doors make the e2oPlus a lot more practical for Indian families
• Help save the planet! Zero tailpipe emissions and smaller carbon footprint
• Power steering, 'auto box' & narrow width make it a breeze to drive in the city
• Claimed 110/140 km range is adequate for daily commuting. Fast charging capability too
• Rear legroom is very impressive
• Features such as smartphone integration, android head-unit, GPS navigation, reversing camera etc.
• ABS body panels are dent-resistant and less prone to ugly scratches

What you won't:
• Still too expensive (especially outside Delhi) for what is a small hatchback
• Strictly a 4-seater car. Same price competitors can accommodate 5
• Top speed of merely 85 km/h. Not a car for the open road
• Bumpy ride quality (rear seat) & mediocre dynamics. Suspension needs better tuning
• Range restriction means you really can't take it out on the highway
• Fit & finish in some areas leave a lot to be desired
• You'll need a charging point in your parking spot

Market Response: Flop, but I guess even Mahindra expected that. It's going to be a long time before EVs go mainstream in India. The e2o's numbers are so poor that Mahindra won't even share them publicly!

Maruti Vitara Brezza : Official Review



What you’ll like:
• An all-rounded compact SUV. A neutral package at the right price
• Clean & proportionate styling. Dual-tone paint shades look nice
• Well-mannered suspension riding on big 215/60 R16 tyres. 198 mm of GC!
• Good cabin space for a sub-4 meter car. Lots of storage & a powerful air-con too
• 1.3L 89 BHP diesel is quick as well as fuel-efficient
• Driver airbag is standard. ABS + EBD and passenger airbag are available on every variant
• Features: Cruise control, touchscreen ICE with navigation, auto headlamps & wipers, projector headlamps & LEDs, reversing camera etc.
• Maruti's excellent after-sales support network

What you won’t:
• No petrol engine or automatic offered. Boosterjet turbo-petrol is still sometime away
• Ordinary interior quality. EcoSport has better quality & a more solid build
• Missing features vs cheaper Baleno (bi-xenons, telescopic steering, auto-dimming IRVM, leather steering)
• Diesel engine has some turbo-lag below 2,000 rpm (though not excessive)
• Boot has a practical layout, but is still the smallest in the segment at 328 liters
• Forget LDi, even VDi is basic & poorly equipped. ZDi & ZDi+ are the only recommended variants
• Waiting periods rapidly closing in on 6 months

Market Response: A super success that's averaging 10,000 units each month since July! Maruti hit the bull's eye with the Vitara Brezza.

Honda BR-V : Official Review



What you'll like:
• A 7-seater SUV, unlike its direct competitors. Front & rear styling is nice
• Spacious, practical interiors. Excellent legroom and headroom in the 1st and 2nd rows
• Fast petrol, efficient diesel & smooth CVT - take your pick
• Compliant ride quality & neutral handling. 210 mm of ground clearance!
• Effortless to drive: light controls, sorted ergonomics & easy maneuverability for the city
• Airbags standard across the range. ABS + EBD on every variant, except base petrol
• Practical 223 liter boot with all seats up. 691 liters of capacity with the last row folded away
• Equipment includes projector headlamps + LED pilot lamps, leather upholstery, keyless entry & go, roof-mounted rear air-con, paddle shifters etc.

What you won't:
• Hit or miss design. MPV-like appearance from certain angles
• Interior part quality is ordinary. Also, build quality is very light
• Limited cabin width. Middle row good for 2 adults, not 3
• Low 3rd-row seat is best for kids or occasional usage only
• Poor rearward visibility. No parking sensors or reversing camera either
• i-DTEC diesel can get noisy and isn't high-rpm friendly
• Priced above the City which is a more premium car overall
• Missing essentials (seatbelt height adjustment, modern head-unit, auto-dimming IRVM, telescopic steering adjustment, phone controls on steering, proper dead pedal)

Market Response: Flop, with sales in a continuous free fall. October saw 1,070 dispatches, while November had a paltry 419. Honda got the pricing completely wrong. The company continues to make one mistake after another - the Brio flopped, the City's quality took a nosedive, the Mobilio tanked & the Accord Hybrid is grossly overpriced. Honda seems to be completely out of tune with the Indian market.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross : Official Review



What you'll like:
• Macho styling & incredible street presence. Turns heads wherever it goes
• Very solid, very robust. Build quality is the best among pickups in India
• Practical 2.5L diesel engine. Good driveability too
• Proper 4x4 system with low range transfer case. Ground clearance = 225 mm
• Excellent cargo capacity makes it a talented work truck
• User-friendly cabin can easily accommodate 5 adults. Rear legroom is sufficient
• We find the overall package to be well-priced

What you won't:
• Sheer length, heavy steering & 6.3m turning radius make it cumbersome in the city
• Bumpy ride quality, especially at the rear (due to leaf springs)
• Isuzu's wafer-thin dealership network
• Short 5,000 km service interval. Dealer visits will be frequent!
• Heavy kerb weight, long wheelbase & rear overhang limit its offroad credentials
• No audio head-unit in a car costing 14 - 15 lakhs on the road
• The same $$$ can buy you a proper 7-seater SUV

Market Response: Unknown, but sales would be in the double digits only. An expensive pickup truck backed by a small dealer network.

Hyundai Elantra : Official Review



What you'll like:
• Fluidic design is stylish & contemporary. Will appeal to many
• Priced well - among the lowest in the segment. Offers the most value for money
• Spacious, high quality interiors
• Refined diesel & petrol engines mated to smooth 6-speed automatics
• Suspension delivers a comfortable ride & neutral dynamics
• Loaded with kit! Hands-free boot, ventilated seats, Eco / Sport driving modes, HD ICE etc.
• Top safety rating. Has 6 airbags, ESC, VSM, hill-start assist & more
• Hyundai's reliability, competent after-sales & 3 year unlimited km warranty

What you won't:
• Neither engine offers explosive performance. 1.6L diesel lacks the punch of competition's 2.0s
• Uninvolving to drive. Jetta & Octavia are a lot more fun on the highway
• Conservatively tuned AT can't match the speed of the VW group's DSG
• Some missing features (auto wipers, folding rear seat, glovebox illumination...)
• Shockingly, the Manual SX(O) is lesser equipped than the Automatic SX(O)
• Diesel AT - a popular combo - is available only in the top variant. No choice of trims

Market Response: Damn early to tell, yet we can safely assume that the Elantra is going to be a strong performer in the segment. I expect it to settle down as the no.2 D1 sedan, behind the Corolla.

Toyota Innova Crysta : Official Review



What you'll like:
• Indestructible build & durability. The Innova is known for its bullet-proof reliability
• Spacious, flexible & practical cabin. An extremely comfortable long distance commuter
• Upmarket interiors. The ZX AT variant is very plush
• Powerful diesel engines with user-selectable driving modes
• Balanced suspension & road manners. High speed stability is rock solid
• Top-notch safety kit. 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
• Feature packed! Leather seats, LED headlamps, mood lighting, cruise control & lots more
• Toyota's excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences

What you won't:
• Hefty price tag! 2 - 3 lakhs higher than the already expensive ol' Innova
• Top ZX variant is unavailable with a middle-row bench seat (8 seater)
• Lower variant's interior looks too basic. GX doesn't even get a stereo!
• 2.8's single-digit urban fuel economy due to the hefty kerb weight, engine size and AT
• 2.4's NVH package still has holes to fill (engine clatter, dancing gear lever)
• Heavy steering at parking / low speeds. Can get cumbersome in the city
• Poor sound quality from the ICE. Cheap speakers beg for an upgrade
• Short service interval of merely 5,000 km. Inconvenient for those with high usage

Market Response: Success! Toyota has successfully moved the Innova Crysta higher up in the market.

Hyundai Tucson : Launch Thread



Market Response: Can't say. Only just launched.

Ford Endeavour : Official Review



What you'll like:
• A big all-rounded SUV with no real deal breaker. Fantastic pricing as well
• Macho styling packs appeal. Solid build quality matches the butch presence
• Cabin is a nice place to be in. Likeable design, comfy seats & lots of storage
• Competent range of diesel engines. The 3.2L, especially, is very impressive
• Great balance between ride & handling for a body-on-frame SUV. Sweet steering too
• Offroad ready - Terrain Management System, rear diff lock, 225 mm GC & 800 mm of water wading
• 5 star safety: all wheel disc brakes, ESP & TC, 7 airbags, roll stability control, hill launch assist etc.
• Loaded to the gill with features! Panoramic sunroof, 8" touchscreen ICE + 10 speakers, parallel park assist, powered tailgate, xenon headlamps, triple-zone climate control & more

What you won't:
• Fortuner's cabin is roomier, offering more headroom & space at the back
• Missing essentials such as steering reach adjustment, satellite navigation, passive keyless entry & go, tumbling middle row seat & third row seat recline
• 2.2L engine feels lethargic over 120 kph. Not a fast highway express
• Mediocre fuel economy due to the fat 2,200+ kilo weight, AT & big diesel (3.2L)
• Ingress is difficult for the elderly / short folk. 3rd row access is terrible!
• Still has a waiting period
• No manual gearbox with the 3.2L

Market Response: Success. 6-month sales average is 553 / month.

Skoda Superb : Official Review



What you'll like:
• The benchmark D2-segment luxury sedan...all over again. Well priced for all it offers
• Timeless, elegant styling. Fit, finish & build quality are top notch
• Amazing rear seat comfort. Beats luxury cars costing twice as much
• Classy cabin is practical & user-friendly. Cavernous 625 liter boot!
• Terrific diesel & petrol engines mated to fast gearboxes. Manual tranny available too
• Loaded with features & technology. Equipment list runs pages long
• 5 star safety rating & kit - 8 airbags, ESP, TC, ABS + EBD, EDL and lots more

What you won't:
• DSG is known for breakdowns. Old Superb's long-term reliability was overall poor
• Skoda's scary after-sales service. Dealer network doesn't understand customer service
• Diesel's price premium (over the petrol) is 3 lakhs on the road! That's unusually high
• Some product planning goof-ups (limited colours, no navigation, no diesel MT)

Market Response: Success. Currently the best selling D2-segment sedan.

Toyota Fortuner : Preview



Volkswagen Polo GTI : Launch Thread



BMW X1 : Launch Thread



Honda Accord Hybrid : Review



What you’ll like:
• Fuel-efficient, environment-friendly Hybrid technology
• Fast performance, with good low-end torque
• Comfy low speed ride quality
• Safe handling matched with a steering that's nice to use
• Spacious interiors, well-bolstered seats & lots of equipment
• 5 star safety rating. Kit includes 6 airbags, lane-watch system, ESP & more

What you won’t:
• An overpriced CBU! 6 lakhs more expensive than chief competitor, the Toyota Camry
• Misses many rear seat features that the Camry has (reclining seat, air-con settings, audio controls...)
• Despite the fast performance, it is boring to drive
• Excessively soft suspension means an unsettled high-speed ride
• No spare tyre! Additionally, low-profile tyres are prone to damage on Indian roads
• Small boot for such a large luxury car. Hybrid hardware eats up space

Audi A4 : Review



What you'll like:
• Clean & timeless design. Very classy styling
• Well-packaged, high quality interiors
• Suspension offers a good balance between comfort & handling
• Slick 7-speed AT is nicely mated to the 1.4L TFSI. Adequate power + fuel efficiency
• Loaded with features & tech (smart MID, triple-zone climate control, wireless phone charger etc.)
• 5-star safety rating & equipment

What you won't:
• 1.4L is 'adequate', but not special. Will be smoked even by cheaper siblings like the Octavia & A3
• No diesel engine on offer. Period
• Is best suited to 4 onboard (and not 5), thanks to the tall transmission tunnel
• Looks a lot like the older A4! Layman won't be able to tell the difference
• 7-speed DSG has a notorious reputation for breakdowns & unreliability
• A FWD, when all of its competitors are RWD

Jaguar XE : Launch Thread



Mercedes GLC-Class : Review



What you'll like:
• Clean styling and solid road presence
• High quality workmanship all round and spacious interiors
• 5 star NCAP rating. Loaded with safety features - 7 airbags, ESP, ABS, attention assist & more
• 5 drive modes to suit most driving styles and a dedicated off-road package in all versions
• A punchy petrol option for places where >2L diesel engines are not allowed

What you won't:
• Usability of luggage space is compromised by the spare tyre kept in the boot
• Operation of some controls and equipment (sat nav, handwriting inputs) not user-friendly
• Petrol engine guzzles fuel when driven enthusiastically
• Some features might go missing when locally assembled versions roll out
• 9 gears are too many!

Jaguar XF : Launch Thread



Volvo S90 : Review



What you'll like:
• Built like a tank!
• Great looking face. Volvo's new design language packs appeal
• Well-crafted interiors. Adequate space too
• 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system is simply awesome
• Comfortable ride quality over most road conditions
• Top levels of safety & equipment

What you won't:
• Only a 2.0L diesel. No 6-cylinder option, no petrol engine
• Weird rear end styling. Doesn't match the smart front
• A FWD. Driving experience isn't as much fun as its RWD competitors
• Some glaring omissions (electric steering adjustment, sunshade for rear windscreen...)
• Volvo's tiny 15-dealer network
• Volvo badge lacks the lure & pull of its German rivals