Types Of Cars In India
Cars have revolutionised the world in their way. They have contributed well to reducing the travelling time, making the journey faster and more comfortable. It has created a significant impact on the minds of Indians also. If you talk to any citizen of our country from any age group, they will have one thing in common they have a desire to buy a car one day, or in case they already have a car, they will tell you that they want more cars. And that is why India’s automotive industry is one of the largest in the World. Are you aware of the fact that India’s first car that was made from scratch in India was Tata Indica? Since then, the unstoppable manufacturing of cars has begun in our country. A Car has various models and body types. They are manufactured keeping the need of the passenger and driver in mind. Multiple elements like comfortable seats, more luggage space, off-road capabilities, etc., influence the innovation of different car models. There are various types of car models, but we will discuss the ones which are mainly available in Indian Markets. Let us begin our discussion with Hatchback Cars.
HATCHBACK
A hatchback is one of the most common cars in India. It is a five-seater car with a rear door that opens upwards. It is advised to set up only four people in the car to sit comfortably. It is a small car with four doors and a boot for your luggage. Another type of Hatchback having two doors is also available in the Market. Although it has many advantages, its fuel efficiency is commendable. Due to its small size and lightweight, it yields better mileage. Its budget-friendliness makes it a perfect match for small families. It suits best in congested cities and roads where the car size is a significant concern. It equipped you with ease in parking. Many hatchback cars use the front-wheel drive train to set the vehicle in motion.
On the other hand, hatchbacks can either be rear-wheel or front-wheel driven. One of the significant drawbacks of a hatchback is that it facilitates you with tiny boot space, and due to this, it cannot be used to carry high-volume luggage. Some examples of Hatchback are :
- TATA INDICA
- HYUNDAI i10
- MARUTI ALTO
- MARUTI SWIFT
- FORD FIGO
SEDAN/ SALOON
A sedan is also one of the most common cars in the market in India. The word Sedan originates from American English, while the word Saloon is from British English. This type of car is ideal for families as it provides sufficient space for all requirements. It provides a separate passenger and boot space. It has four doors with a much larger boot or trunk that can carry heavy luggage. A sedan is a 3 -box Configuration Vehicle with an Engine, Passenger, and Cargo. A sedan is somewhat similar to a Hatchback. The only difference that a Hatchback and a Sedan have is the extra boot space that a Sedan provides. However, Sedan is much classier, stylish, and comfortable. The sedan is classified into different categories, which are :
- Notchback
- Fastback
- Compact Sedan
- Subcompact Sedan
Examples of some Sedan are :
- HONDA CITY
- MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ
- BMW 3 - SERIES
- HONDA AMAZE
- MERCEDES - BENZ S - CLASS
UTILITY VEHICLE
Utility Vehicle is mainly classified into two categories that are as follows :
SUV
So, as we all are aware, that SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle, and it is the most common car on Indian Roads. It is manufactured in such a way that it facilitates passengers and at the same time has features of an off-road vehicle like higher ground clearance, four-wheel drives, and other off-road capabilities. SUVs are large with big wheels and can easily accommodate 7-8 members of a large family with ample legroom. Most SUVs that provide enough space can carry huge luggage of all kinds. SUVs are stylish, and their performance is unmatchable. Conventionally, SUVs are designed for various terrains ranging from smooth highways to bumpy country roads. Some SUVs are manufactured to facilitate exceptional technology and performance, even on rough roads. It is an ideal vehicle for long drives on highways. The only drawback that it has is its large size. It creates problems on congested city roads and even during parking. SUVs are further classified into :
- Crossover SUV (also known as CUV)
- Coupe SUV
- Compact SUV
Some examples of SUVs in India are: - HONDA C-RV - TATA SAFARI - TOYOTA FORTUNER - SCORPIO
MUV
MUV stands for Multi Utility Vehicle (or Multi-Purpose Vehicle / Minivan). As the name suggests, this type of car is used for multi-purpose. It looks similar to an SUV but is distinct in structure, design, and space. Moreover, it can carry heavy loads and has a flexible interior. It offers considerable space for passengers and a massive area for luggage. One of its best features is its ample space and convenient seats. Irrespective of its uncountable advantages, it is unsuitable for small families and city drivers because of its large size and less fuel efficiency. Top MUVs available in India are:
- TATA SUMO
- MAHINDRA BULERO
- FORCE TRAX
- TOYOTA INNOVA CRYSTA
- MAHINDRA MARAZZO
COUPE
A Coupe has a sloping roofline which gives it a sporty posture and luxury feature. It has two doors and a powerful engine. It is a two-seater car with smaller rear seats. Usually, it is not preferred in India as it is mainly for luxury markets, and affordable car manufacturers generally do not provide a variety of coupe models. Well, you can easily find a 4- door coupe in North America and certain European countries. Some examples of Coupe available in Indian Markets are :
- AUDI TT
- ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM
- BENTLEY CONTINENTAL
MICROCAR
Carmakers come with an idea of a car that is affordable and easily driven. Micro Car is a pocket-friendly four-wheeler that is convenient. Many expensive car manufacturers also provide a microcar with powerful engines that are super compact. An example of a Micro Car available in India is:
- TATA NANO
CONVERTIBLE / SPYDER / CABRIOLET
This type of Car is also known as “OPEN TOP CAR”, providing a soft and a hardtop. Convertible cars are also called Spyder or Cabriolets, or Roadster. One of the most remarkable features of a convertible car is its retractable rooftop. A convertible car is mainly available in the Luxurious segment. Our country has a tropical climate, so a handful of models are available in India, and people generally don’t prefer to buy them. Generally, this type of car is preferred in the area where the air pollution is minimal. Convertible Cars didn’t suit the Indian roads. Indian Car lovers choose to buy Convertible Cars just because of their stylish looks and features. Some Examples of Convertible Cars available in India are :
- PORSCHE BOXSTER
- BMW Z4
- ROLLS ROYCE DAWN
- AUDI A3
HYBRID
These types of cars are predominantly manufactured to make them eco-friendly and offer better performance. A hybrid vehicle is a petrol or diesel engine with at least one electric motor. Many times an electric motor functions, or sometimes it is the petrol or diesel engine, or often they both work in duet and eventually it leads to lower consumption of fuel. Due to these reasons, this type of car is quite expensive. There is also a mild hybrid car model, which reduces energy consumption but is not as expensive as the pure ones. Examples of some hybrid car models are :
- MG HECTOR
- TOYOTA GLANZA
- TOYOTA CAMRY
PICK - UP TRUCK
Pick-up trucks are traditionally commercial vehicles. They are transformed to become personal vehicles nowadays. Pick-up trucks have cargo to carry and transport goods. It also has space for passengers inside. It has features similar to SUVs, like 4 - wheel drive and off-roading capabilities. Here are some examples of Pic trucks in India :
- ISUZU D - MAX V - CROSS
- TATA XENON
- MAHINDRA IMPERIO
- MAHINDRA BOLERO CAMPER
ELECTRIC CARS
Electric Cars are charged by batteries, so they don’t contain petrol and diesel engine. This is one step taken by the automobile industry to reduce dependence on gasoline and diesel and make the vehicle more eco-friendly. Batteries charge for Electric Cars, so they don't contain petrol and diesel engine.
(I) ELECTRIC SUVs:
- TATA NEXON EV
- MG ZS EV
- HYUNDAI KONA
- MAHINDRA eKUV100
(II) ELECTRIC SEDAN CARS :
- MAHINDRA e - VERITO
- TATA TIGOR EV
(III) ELECTRIC HATCHBACK :
- MAHINDRA e2o PLUS
- MAHINDRA eKUV100