5 cars I would choose if I were buying my first car today

The Indian automotive market has witnessed changes recently, owing to shifting consumer preferences towards SUVs and visually appealing cars. While consumers continue to purchase big SUVs that have undeniable road presence, it does not necessarily mean that they will be reliable and offer one of the best driving experiences. Driving is all about experiencing, and here are 5 cars I would choose if I were buying my first car today:

Driving is all about experiencing, and here are 5 cars I would choose if I were buying my first car today

The Skoda Slavia looks great while it offers plenty of features on the inside, including a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, front ventilated seats, a digital instrument cluster and sunroof, among others. The sedan boasts a ground clearance of 180 mm and has a boot space capacity of 521L, which is more than enough for the entire family to accommodate their luggage. While the car might not boast a great mileage number, it will definitely put a smile on your face when you drive it.

The cabin is minimalist with everything in reach at arm’s length from the driver’s seat. In addition to that, it gets Level 2 ADAS with Honda Sensing, which makes the car one of the safest as well. Features like adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch digital infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, front ventilated seats and sunroof, among others ticks all major boxes of customer requirements these days. The Honda Elevate boasts a boot space of 458L, which is one of the highest in the segment. On top of that, the Honda Elevate is one of the most reliable cars on the market, thanks to its Japanese origin. Drive it with a light foot, and your wallet will thank you despite its bulky size.

Powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 147.51 bhp and 373 Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The feature list of the MPV includes automatic climate control, AC vents for all three rows, an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, an 8-way power-adjustable front seat, blue ambient lighting, and up to seven airbags, among others. The Innova Crysta does not compromise on reliability, safety or driving experience, making you feel confident when going on long drives on highways.

Powered by a 1.2L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 81 bhp and 113 Nm of torque, it is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or AGS (auto gear shift). A punchy engine that likes be revved high, it makes for a good driving experience. On top of that, you get 240L of boot space, a 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, and all four power windows, among others. While the feature list isn’t lush, you get Maruti Suzuki’s reliability and after-sales service. Moreover, it is a great compact-sized car which can go almost anywhere you would like it to, owing to its 180 mm ground clearance. Not only that, but it is more capable than its Maruti Suzuki counterpart, the Swift, making it one of my top picks.

Offering Battery-as-a-Service, it offers some respite from EVs’ usually high acquisition cost, with customers giving EMI for the battery as per their usage, which is particularly beneficial for those who would use this as a second car. The feature list of the MG Windsor EV includes a 15.6-inch digital infotainment system, 135-degree reclining rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, a digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger and a 360-degree camera, among others.

The MG Windsor EV also gets Level 2 ADAS and other safety features in its Pro variant, offering a complete experience. Furthermore, it offers 604L of boot space, which is one of the biggest at its price point.