Year in Review | Top 5 hottest car launches in 2016

Full of ups and downs, the year 2016 is about to end. This year particularly has been a mixed bag with both moments of joy and agony for automobiles industry.

The first half of 2016 significantly was fruitful for automakers with sales volume notching up numbers nearly to double-digit growth.

But as soon the calendar hit November, it was all a changed story after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. Examining the condition, car, and other vehicle sale has declined drastically and growth in the auto industry is stalled for now until cash crunch situation gets normal.

Although looking at the cheerful prospect, various vehicle manufacturers have launched around 50 cars in 2016 with both new models and variants of different existing cars as well.

Summing up all the wow factors which automobile industry gave to customers in 2016, we bring you here the top 5 hottest cars which hit the roads this year.

News Nation brings you its selection of best 5 car launches in 2016 based on their looks, performance, sale and price:

1. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

A much-awaited Maruti model, Vitara Brezza, proved to be a front leader in terms of sales and also helped company to firmly foray into attractive-looking SUV segment, With around 10,000 units getting sold every month since its launch in October 2016, Vitara Breeza has emerged as a new king of the SUV cars segment, dethroning Hyundai’s popular SUV, Creta.

Coming with a price of Rs 6.98 lakh for the base variant, customers have to shell out around Rs 9.68 lakh to buy Vitara Breeza. (ex-showroom Delhi)

2. Renault Kwid

One of the best selling cars in the market in the year 2016, Renault Kwid is the best budget car option for customers looking to buy a new car during this demonetisation.

The cheapest car from the French manufacturer in the Indian market, Kwid changed the fortune of the company and emerged as the most selling car of Renault after its grand launch September 2006.

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With a new 1.0-litre engine variant followed by an AMT variant also hitting the market in December, Renault has played a right move to woo prospect car buyers with better options. Specially attracting the young or first-time car buyers, Renault Kwid is sculpted with a dynamic touch that proffers it with an SUV like appeal along with a feature-rich cabin.

3. Toyota Innova Crysta

One of the most popular car from the Japanese car maker, Innova has ruled the Indian roads for so many years. Taking a cue from Innova’s exceptional success, Toyota this year had launched, Innova Crysta-  initially a successor to the Qualis, and a useful MVP with large boot space.

Apart from fresh design and interior, Innova Crysta has been evenly successful with Toyota selling around 5000 units a month since its launch in April 2016.
The new Toyota Innova Crysta is priced at Rs 13.84 lakh to Rs 20.78 lakh for different variants (ex-showroom, Delhi).

4. Tata Tiago

Tata Tiago's launch in India has been really crucial for both the auto enthusiast and the company itself. Tiago has been one car which has really helped Tata to rejuvenate its reputation in terms of reliability and build quality.

An entry-level hatchback which is also priced very aggressively, Tata Tiago quickly gained popularity with its design, class, and comfort. The sales number clearly shows that Tiago has been a fortune turner for Tata with 30,000 units being sold after its launch in April 2016.

With Tiago, Tata has also been successful in foraying into the compact SUV segment, which is quite popular nowadays. Being branded by famous Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, whose son's name is also 'Thiago'. Tiago has really enlightened hope that this car will do well in future as well.

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The price of Tata Tiago starts at Rs 3.2 lakh and goes to Rs 5.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

5. Ford Mustang

And last but definitely not the least, a powerful presentation from the American car maker Ford, a sports car which you can drive in everyday use- Ford Mustang.

After its official launch in India in July 2016, Ford Mustang is a sheer epitome of style, class, charisma and comfort. With a long hood and a short rear deck, Mustang comes with a signature three slat tail lamp and never fails to acquire your attention from its looks.

Ford Mustang comes with a gigantic 5.0-litre and a Ti-VCT V8 engine with sporty body design apart from a good ground clearance to ply on Indian roads.
Customers have to shell out around Rs 65 lakh to buy Ford Mustang in Delhi (ex-showroom)

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Breeza

Renault Kwid

Toyota Innova Crysta

Tata Tiago

Ford Mustang