From Virtus to Scorpio-N: the top 10 cars that made headlines in 2022

After a difficult couple of years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2022 witnessed several new cars hitting Indian showrooms. Some were highly anticipated and set the sales charts on fire as soon as they launched. 

AutoStory has curated a list of the top 10 car launches in 2022 that created significant impact in the Indian market for various reasons.

Mahindra Scorpio-N

A very popular SUV among the masses, the Scorpio nameplate received a complete overhaul along with a new suffix, giving it a brand new identity— Scorpio-N. Despite being redesigned, the new Scorpio-N holds true to the Scorpio legacy with its rugged characteristics, thanks to an old-school ladder-on-frame chassis and the option of a 4x4 drivetrain with a low-range transfer case.

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Mahindra refreshes the old Scorpio with a new suffix

It is also the first time that the Scorpio is being powered by a petrol engine alongside a traditional diesel motor. While retaining its utilitarian appeal, the new Scorpio-N is much more advanced and modern than its predecessor with several new creature comforts included in the package. 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Although the transition from Vitara Brezza to Brezza primarily brought cosmetic updates, the new model is definitely more feature-loaded than its predecessor. This makes it a more worthy rival to premium sub-compact SUVs like Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. 

The new Brezza comes loaded with premium creature comforts like a 360-degree parking camera, a single-pane sunroof, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and a heads-up display. It also gets an updated 1.5-litre K15C mild-hybrid petrol powertrain that offers greater mileage. Moreover, the ageing 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox has been replaced by a new 6-speed automatic unit.

Citroen C3

French carmaker Citroen set foot in India last year by introducing C5 Aircross in our market, which is a CKD import. However, the carmaker made its first attempt to attract the mass market by launching the C3 earlier this year. The hatchback has been appreciated for its unique appearance of a crossover between a hatch and an SUV.

Priced competitively from Rs 5.88 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, the car offers good value for money, thus, helping its case as a small family car.

Honda City e:HEV

Honda’s passenger vehicle division isn’t as strong as it was a decade ago, due to lack of attractive options. The Japanese brand tried addressing this issue by launching the City e:HEV in India, a strong hybrid derivative of the executive sedan. The City hybrid makes it to our list simply because of the breakthrough technology it offers. 

Driven by an electric motor with the assistance of an internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid vehicles are considered to be the next big step towards mobility electrification. Although a bit on the expensive side with a price of Rs 19.92 lakh (ex-showroom), City e:HEV offers a very unique driving experience.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara / Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

These SUVs make it to the list since they share plenty in common and are the first new products to be born out of the marriage of Maruti Suzuki and Toyota. Both these models are essentially identical underneath including their underpinnings, features, and powertrain, but wear unique top hats to reflect their respective brand’s identity.

Both SUVs are offered with strong hybrid as well as mild hybrid powertrains, with the former offering an exceptional fuel efficiency of up to 28 kmpl (ARAI). The SUVs offer a wide range of options to choose from as far as engine, gearbox and drivetrains are concerned. They are also kitted out with features that make them an enticing option to consider.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Motors expanded its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio by launching the Tiago EV earlier this year. With a starting price of Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom), it is the most affordable electric car in India at the moment. It is also the last model from the company’s first generation of EVs comprising Nexon EV and Tigor EV.

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Tata Tiago EV launched at Rs 8.45 lakh, most affordable electric car in India

Hyundai Tucson

The new generation of Hyundai Tucson, which made its global debut in late 2020, finally made it to India this year. The SUV is the Korean carmaker’s highest-selling model globally till date and has undergone massive changes including a completely redesigned exterior reflecting Hyundai’s new design philosophy– Sensuous Sportiness.

Demand for the SUV was so high that waiting periods extended up to 10 months at the time of its launch. Offered with an array of features, Tucson is considered to be the benchmark of comfort in the premium mid-size SUV segment, although it does come at a hefty price tag starting at Rs 27.70 lakh (ex-showroom).

Volkswagen Virtus

Volkswagen replaces the ageing Vento with a more modern and refined sedan named Virtus that underpins the new generation MQB A0 IN architecture. Sharing most of its underpinnings with its sibling, Taigun, and Czech cousins, Skoda Slavia and Kushaq, Virtus is a well-rounded package which packs a decent amount of comfort, features, and performance.

Jeep Meridian

Jeep launched its second locally manufactured model in India this year in the form of Meridian. Based on the Compass, the seven-seat SUV takes on the likes of premium SUVs like Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and Skoda Kodiaq. Meridian packs a bucket-load of features offered at an enticing price tag, making it a well-rounded package.

Kia Carens

Kia expanded its portfolio by launching the Carens in India at the start of this year. Essentially a crossover MPV, Carens boasts of SUV-like styling elements that lend it a very distinctive appearance, making it an instant attraction for the eyes. 

Offered at a competitive price tag starting at Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom), Carens is a well-rounded package packing in features, comfort, and plenty of powertrain and gearbox options to choose from.

Honourable mentions

Apart from the cars mentioned above, there were some other launches this year that didn’t make it to our list but were equally attractive models. For instance, Toyota launched Hilux this year, making it only the second pickup truck in the passenger vehicle segment and one of only few lifestyle-oriented vehicles in the market.

Skoda Kodiaq made a return to India after a hiatus of almost two years, this time in a petrol-powered guise. Tata Motors launched a slightly more powerful all-electric Nexon called Nexon EV Max that offers more kilometres under a single charge. Kia launched its first EV in the country in the form of EV6 crossover that offers a mind-boggling range of over 700km (ARAI) although at a steep price tag between Rs 59.95–64.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

(Disclaimer: The cars included in the list are subjective to the author's opinion and may or may not align with general views)