2017 brought along a lot of new cars to the Indian market. Of these, here are the 5 that grabbed our attention the most.
* Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz shook the mid-size luxury car segment by raising the bar and stretching the wheelbase of its E-Class. This segment comprises of cars that have to do it all—they have to satisfy those who like to take the wheel and also those who prefer taking the back seat. It's also difficult to enter a crowded field and emerge victoriously.
* Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS
The RS variant of the Baleno is not just a sticker job with cosmetic updates. For the first time, a Maruti car has—somewhat—earned the RS name as it gets the new 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine. This is also the first time a Maruti Suzuki gets a turbocharged petrol engine, and the Baleno's light body helps it post some decent acceleration figures. The handling isn't all that exciting, though. After all, it's not a hot hatch. It's just a faster and more expensive variant of the Baleno. But it shows that Maruti Suzuki is willing to take risks and get out of its comfort zone to attract enthusiasts.
* Maruti Suzuki DzireWith the new Dzire, Maruti Suzuki once again proved that it's not riding on its extensive dealer network and brand loyalty to drive up sales. The new car brings along stylish curves, a proportionate side profile, spacious cabin and a long list of features. No wonder it outsells its competition—combined. In fact, it controls two-thirds of the compact sedan space.
* Jeep Compass
FCA looked like it was dying a slow death when Jeep announced its plans to make the Compass in India. We weren't sure of what to expect. That's because Jeep's short history in India tells us that its products are either overpriced or extremely overpriced. We were prepared to hear a Rs 30 lakh starting price for the Compass but were surprised to find out that it starts at about Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
* Skoda Octavia RS
As SUVs continue treading into the territory of sedans, three-box cars face a real threat of obsolescence. They need a revolution. The Skoda Octavia RS is it. It's a sedan with the performance that punches above its weight. It's a great car even without the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. 230PS and 350Nm just make it a better all-rounder that's at home doing grocery runs and fast laps on a race track. And the price tag looks like a typo. It could've justified its cost even if it were dearer by a few lakh rupees.