[GTO]

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 our car of 2020. The Team-BHP COTY is by actual car owners & enthusiasts, not advertorial experts or paid judges. Just as well since us car owners are the ones who pay the auto industry's bills .

Listed here are the launches of 2020. 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 ALL-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 Indian marketplace.
• The 2019 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 "horn of the year" or "brake pedal 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 2020.

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

EDIT on 15th December:

Originally Posted by GTO

Grabbing 41% of the votes on this poll, the Mahindra Thar is the Team-BHP Car of 2020. This 4x4 generated a lot of hype, lived up to it IMHO and exceeded the sales projections of its own maker! Mahindra actually added 50% manufacturing capacity (2000 -> 3000 units / month) to address the long waiting list for the car.

The 2nd-generation car has sure expanded the Jeep's appeal. Because of its superior build, better interiors & all the amenities, the Thar can be used as a daily driver. But only if you accept its many compromises.

I've said this before and will say it again = Few cars pull the strings to your heart the way that the Thar does. You'll enjoy looking at it, you'll enjoy driving it, and it'll fill your drives with smiles & laughter .

[GTO]

Nissan Magnite : Review Link



Market Response: Just launched, so can't tell. What we can tell you is that the Magnite is Nissan's last shot at the Indian market & genius Rakesh Srivastava is putting all his might behind it. More than the car (which is competent), what will play spoilsport is Nissan's brand image & lousy dealer network in India. IMHO, the Magnite will still do good (not excellent) volumes and its mission will be accomplished. Don't forget that the Triber from the same group is currently doing ~5000 cars / month because of its unique offering & VFM price.

[GTO]

Tata Altroz : Official Review



What you'll like:

• Looks absolutely stunning! Solid build too
• Nice interior with good quality parts & adequate space
• Accommodating 345-litre boot is among the biggest of the segment
• Competent turbo-diesel engine. Good driveability, punchy & fuel-efficient
• Mature on-road behaviour, including at highway speeds
• 5-star NCAP safety rating! Safety package includes dual airbags, CSC, break reminder etc.
• Enjoyable Harman 6-speaker ICE. One of the better systems in this segment
• Impressive kit (auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control, ambient lighting, adjustable armrest...)
• Factory-fitted customisation packs available

What you won't:

• Under-powered, lame & noisy 3-cylinder 1.2L petrol engine
• Suspension has a firm edge at low speeds (16" rim variants). Bad roads will bother you
• Diesel variant carries a stiff price premium!
• Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (1 year / 10,000 km is the norm today)
• Some missing features (auto-dimming IRVM, thinner spare tyre on top trims, split-folding rear seat...)
• No automatic variant in a market that loves its ATs
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• Concerns over niggles in a freshly-baked Tata product

Market Response: Started off slow (Feb sales = 2806), but the Aug - Oct sales average has been 5900 units / month. Let's see how the Altroz does in the longer-term once pent up demand from the lockdown eases down.

[GTO]

Hyundai i20 : Drive report



Market Response: Only just launched, so can't pass a verdict.

[GTO]

Hyundai Aura : Official Review



What you'll like:

• An all-rounder of a compact sedan. Very well-priced for what it offers
• Precise build & quality (including interiors) are easily the segment best
• Turbo-petrol engine is fantastic! The top choice for a Petrol MT compact sedan
• Economical & practical BS6 diesel available. With an AMT automatic too
• Balanced road manners & easy-to-drive nature
• Features such as cruise control, wireless phone charging, rear view monitor & more
• Dual airbags, ABS & ISOFIX child seat mounts are standard across all variants
• Hyundai's competent after-sales, fuss-free ownership experiences & customisable warranty

What you won't:

• Its hatchback sibling - the Grand i10 Nios - got just 2 stars in the GNCAP crash test
• Overdone styling - particularly at the rear - is polarising (it grew on us though)
• Narrow width makes it a 4-seater. Some competitors offer more spacious cabins
• 1.2L diesel has the lowest power & torque figures in the segment. Merely 74 BHP!
• Tasty 1.0L turbo-petrol doesn’t get the DCT Automatic seen in the Venue
• Low speed ride quality is firmer than what one expects in a Hyundai. Bad roads are felt
• Some misses (auto-dimming IRVM, thinner spare tyre, non-adjustable neck restraints)
• Ordinary stereo. Hyundai’s ICE hasn’t kept up with the times (sound quality = 6/10)

Market Response: Jan & Feb saw an average of 5800 / month which is good, but recovery post-lockdown has been slower. Aug - Oct had an average of 4229 units, but October itself was strong @ 5577 cars.

[GTO]

Kia Sonet : Official Review



What you'll like:

• A mini-Seltos in almost every way! Same formula, in a smaller package
• Sharp & handsome styling. In our opinion, this is the best-looking Compact SUV
• Excellent spread of powertrains including a fast & enjoyable turbo-petrol
• Diesel AT is fantastic; the only smooth torque-converter gearbox in a sea of AMTs
• Well-tuned suspension offers a good balance between ride & handling. 205 mm GC too
• Top safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.
• Very enjoyable 7-speaker Bose sound system
• Impressive kit (ventilated seats, sunroof, auto LED headlamps, cruise control, wireless charger)

What you won't:

• Rear seat legroom is just adequate, while its limited width makes the Sonet a 4-seater
• Top variants are pricey! More expensive than its sibling, the Hyundai Venue too
• Some misses ( 60:40 rear seat split, auto wipers, steering reach adjustment, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims…)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• As always with Kia, the variant spread is tough to figure out. Good luck finding your perfect Sonet!
• The tasty 1.0L turbo-petrol doesn’t come with a manual gearbox. Venue has that option
• Waiting periods are already a couple of months long for some trims

Market Response: A smash-hit from the start. Last month, it was the best-selling Compact SUV in India.

[GTO]

Mahindra Thar : Official Review



What you'll like:

• Fun, fun, fun! A loveable car that will bring you loads of laughs & smiles
• Handsome Jeep styling & brute character. Tough build too
• Far more user-friendly than the ol’ Thar due to superior interiors & the amenities
• Very competent, refined turbo-petrol & diesel engine range
• Butter-smooth 6-speed Automatics available with both engines
• 4x4 hardware, offroad capability & 226 mm GC. Get ready for slush, muck, deserts, jungles & the mountains!
• Practical hard-top or fun convertible available in the Thar – take your pick
• Features such as removable doors, ESP, cruise control, hill hold / descent, TPMS…
• 4-star rating in the GNCAP crash test (more information)

What you won't:

• Very bumpy ride quality. The Thar is never settled, no matter what the road or speed
• Poor road manners at high speed. Best to cruise at 100 - 110 km/h only
• Impractical due to the 2-doors, 4 seats (not 5) & difficult access to the back seat
• Laughably small boot simply isn’t enough for holiday luggage
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 150 BHP & torque-converter AT
• Premium pricing for the higher variants. Lot of money for the Thar's limited usability
• Sad feature list for a 17-lakh car. No reversing cam, auto-dimming IRVM, auto headlamps & wipers, electrically-folding ORVMs, rear wash & wipe…
• Apprehensions of niggles & Mahindra's hit-or-miss after-sales service quality

Market Response: Strong for a 2-seater offroader. The Jeep is sold out for 6 months, a price hike has been rolled out & Mahindra is ramping up production capacity. This 2nd-gen Thar has been executed to near perfection.

[GTO]

Hyundai Creta : Official Review



What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
• We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. These are fantastic engines
• Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available. With the useful "auto-hold" feature too
• Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
• The Creta's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & upto 5-years standard warranty

What you won't:

• Oddball love it or hate it styling. We find the Creta's exterior design to be too weird & futuristic
• Firmer suspension isn't as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta. It is more comfortable than the Seltos though
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Hyundai Creta Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment. Old 1.6L CRDi was superior
• No manual transmission available with the fast 1.4L Petrol (Seltos offers this combo)
• The stiffer Seltos has an edge in the handling department. IMHO, the Kia is better looking too
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500)

Market Response: As expected, the Creta is continuing its extremely strong run. It is outselling even last year's blockbuster & its sibling, the Seltos.

[GTO]

Honda City : Drive Report



What's hot: This is the benchmark C2-segment family sedan, insanely rev-happy 1.5L petrol is the benchmark naturally-aspirated engine, sounds terrific at high rpm, slick gearbox & sweet clutch (smooth AT available too), quick & responsive steering, as much fun as the Rapid 1.0 TSI until 120 kmph, compliant ride quality, part quality has overall improved, spacious cabin, practical boot, safety features include 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all, ESP, Hill Start Assist etc., goodies like sunroof, Honda connect with Alexa, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control, Honda's reliability

What's not: Rear end gets bouncy at high speeds on undulating roads (typical Honda City trait), chassis & suspension don't match the potent engine at 120 kmph and above, jerky rev-limiter in the petrol, diesel's 98 BHP power is ordinary by current standards, puny 185-section tyres give up easily - an upgrade to 195 / 205 mm rubber is mandatory, petrol's midrange feels flat in this era of turbo-petrols, sad audio head-unit has an outdated interface, ICE sound quality is just average, low seating isn't senior citizen-friendly, poor sound insulation at high speeds

Market Response: We expect it to be a success, just as the 4th-gen City was. However, cannot pass a verdict as it was launched right after the lockdown and sales have been growing slowly (from 2299 in Aug to 4124 in Oct).

[GTO]

Tata Nexon EV : Samba's Review



As you know, we don’t include mere ‘engine variants' (e.g. new Duster 1.3 Turbo) in our COTY, but the Nexon EV is a significant overhaul of the car to make it an EV. This is like a different car under the skin. It’s a totally different segment, price point & customer type. This is also the first affordable proper EV (Mahindra-Revas don't count), hence we’re making an exception just this one time to include it.

Market Response: The numbers are obviously small, yet it is the best-selling EV in India. Not bad for a model that will teach Tata how to build electric cars.

[GTO]

Volkswagen T-Roc : Seahawk's ownership review



Market Response: Does not matter as it is a CBU available in limited numbers.

[GTO]

MG ZS EV : Yajaman99's superb drive report



Market Response: No one expects a 25-lakh EV to sell in volumes. That said, the ZS EV is outselling the Kona by 4 - 5 times which is an achievement in itself! The car is currently doing ~125 units / month.

[GTO]

Skoda Karoq : Mr. Perera's ownership report



Market Response: Does not matter as it is a CBU available in limited numbers.

[GTO]

Kia Carnival : Official Review



What you'll like:

• A truly luxurious MPV that’s also high on practicality
• Top quality, spacious & comfortable interiors. 3rd-row is usable for adults too
• Fantastic engine & gearbox combination! 2.2L diesel & 8-speed AT impress
• Comfy ride quality & neutral road manners
• Available in 7, 8 and 9-seater configurations
• 540L boot space with all three rows up and 1,624L with the third row down
• Impressive kit (2 sunroofs, premium Harman Kardon sound system, electric rear doors & more)
• 5-star safety rating. Kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, CBC etc.

What you won't:

• Massive size can make it cumbersome in the city, while parking & in narrow lanes
• Ordinary urban fuel economy due to the 2.2 ton weight, 197 BHP engine & AT gearbox
• Underbody does scrape on bad roads & large speed bumps, especially with a full load
• Top Limousine variant isn't sold as an 8-seater & its 3rd row access is difficult
• Steering is a level too firm at parking speeds & a level too light at 120 km/h
• Some misses such as paddle shifters, a skinny spare tyre, no auto-wipers or front camera...
• Model is now 5 years old in the international market; next-gen Carnival is being tested
• Stylish 4x4 SUVs like the Fortuner / Endeavour / Kodiaq can be had at the same price

Market Response: Started off well for a pricey luxury MPV with 1000+ dispatches in Feb & Mar. October sales were 400. Clearly no Innova killer this MPV is, yet I expect the Carnival to carve its own niche & create its own following.

[GTO]

MG Gloster : Official Review



What you'll like:

• Huge & imposing size! Bigger than even the likes of the Fortuner and Endeavour
• Splendid long-distance mile muncher. The Gloster is built for expressway cruising. Just set the adaptive cruise control and let the Gloster waft along
• ADAS safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane change assist are cool & work well
• Suspension is tuned for comfort. Gloster owners will enjoy its ride quality
• Spacious cabin with captain seats at the back and a usable third row too!
• Interior ambience is nicer vs the competitors which are utilitarian in comparison
• Loaded with features - panoramic sunroof, 12.3" touchscreen ICE, driver seat with massage function, 360 degree camera, three zone climate control, PM 2.5 air filter etc.
• 343 liter boot even with the 3rd-row seat being used

What you won't:

• Engine and gearbox tuning are shockingly terrible inside town. Turbo lag and the gearbox's reluctance to downshift make things awful in city traffic
• Massive size can be a handicap in urban India. Quite cumbersome in tight areas
• While the interior looks premium, you know it is not as well-built as a Toyota or Ford
• Top-end Savvy variant is optimistically priced at par with the well-established Fortuner & Endeavour
• Savvy variant doesn't get the 3-seater bench option for the middle row. Captain seats = 2 occupants
• 4,000 rpm redline is too early. Engine has a very narrow powerband
• Urban fuel economy is mediocre due to the power & fat kerb weight
• Twin-turbo diesel, 8-speed AT & gizmos bring a lot of complexity. Long-term reliability is unknown (unlike the Fortuner & Endeavour)

Market Response: Only just launched, so can't say.

Audi Q2 : Nitrogary's report



Market Response: Only just launched, so can't pass a verdict. But its terribly overpriced and small, so we don't expect it to do well. At least not until the typically-Audi massive discounting begins.

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe : Launch Thread



Range Rover Evoque : Karan561's review