Toyota Qualis:

Daewoo Nexia:

The Cielo was the model that endured. However,  it  was  time  for a change. Thus came the Nexia. At first glance, it looks much like the Daewoo.  Closer introspection however reveals the difference. The interiors are beautiful and give   the  feel  of  a  luxury  cabin. The steering  feel is powerful and smooth. Seating comfort is exceptional. It has a 92-bhp 1,500-cc engine that provides phenomenal performance, great acceleration and easeless overtaking. Its fuel efficiency is also better than Cielo with a combined cycle running resulting in 8.93 kpl with the air conditioning on. The only hitch is in the exterior designing, which is not much different from the Cielo, as far as the untrained eye is concerned. The biggest plus points with all these Daewoo cars is that they are Euro II compliant. Overall, a reasonable value for money.

Ford Ikon:

The Ford Ikon is the first car by a global manufacturer designed and developed specifically for India. It was made considering the values Indian customers attach to a car. The Ikon has a classy and well-proportioned look that makes it one of the best looking cars in the segment. It has a 1.6 litre Rocam petrol engine that takes you from 0 -100 km in 11.5 seconds. Its dazzling colors in a clear coat finish gives it an excellent finish. The interiors are well crafted. There is ample legroom, especially at the back. It has a CFC free air-conditioning, power steering and central locking. Its safety features include the Ford Dynamic Safety Engineering, childproof rear locks and side impact beams in both front and rear. The Ikon will be launched in two versions, the 1.8 Diesel and the 1.6 petrol. It uses a conventional McPherson strut and lower arm in the front and semi independent twist beam set-up in the back.

Maruti Baleno

The Baleno is among the latest in the Maruti stable. It is a 1.6 litre and 3 box sedan.    Inside  the  Baleno's  cockpit-like  cabin  are 13   Advanced  Noise Reduction Technologies dedicated to silent tranquility. Optimized space distribution between the engine compartment, cabin and the boot make for a very roomy interior. The thickly cushioned seats, a spring-mounted base and contoured headrests hold you firmly and comfortably. The Suzuki electric Air Flow Control System directs the air flow from the air conditioner at the touch of a button, ensuring homogeneous distribution throughout the cabin. The Baleno's smooth ride, superior road grip, excellent handling and predictable response is the result of Independent McPherson struts on all four wheels, mounted on subframes both in the front and at the rear which isolates the cabin from road noise. The Baleno is one of the safest cars on the road today. Its safety features include collapsible front and rear construction with crumple zones, thick construction doors with heavy duty tubular steel side impact beams, anti-submarine effect front seats and other such.

Mercedes Benz:

The Mercedes Benz is the only true luxury car that is produced in India.  It is excellent in performance, driveability, handling, and the ultimate in comfort. It has superbly crafted interiors with all the comforts, great looks and immensely driveable. It first introduced the E-class in India in 1995. In 1998 it introduced an E class with a next generation W210 platform. The most attractive feature of this new model is that its twin oval headlamps give it a distinctive look.  It is available in India in three models - the diesel 250 D and the two petrol versions. Its standard features include a drive authorization system, power assisted steering, a music system, power windows, central locking, AC with dual temperature control and outside temperature gauge.

Mitsubishi Lancer:

The Mitsubishi Lancer  is  a  car that  has  it  all and is also economical..   It  has  good  looks,  is  good  on  the   road,  has comfortable interiors and  a  great  engine. The   Lancer  has  a  1468 cc, 12 valve, 87 horsepower petrol engine which produces enough power to propel it from 0 - 100 in just 12 seconds.  The car has ventilated disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the rear. It has all the safety features expected of a family car - impact bars, child - proof locking, computer - designed crumple zones and an integrated side and upper frame to ensure that the cabin stays secure in the event of an accident. The Lancer has a comfortable and adjustable seating that assures ample head and leg room in both the front and rear.

Ford Escort 1.8 :

The Ford Escort 1.8 was ranked the highest in the J.D. Power and Associates 1997 Indian Customer Satisfaction Study. It was also voted the Best Quality Car in the J.D. Power India Initial Quality Study. A perfect combination of unmatched fuel economy and outstanding luxury.  Its engine emits a very low noise and an equally low vibration. The Ford Escort is powered by a 1.8 litre, new-generation, 8 valve diesel engine. Designed on the principles of Ford Dynamic Safety Engg, it ensures that the car manages impact more efficiently, leaving the occupants protected. Its CFC free air-conditioning,  power steering, CD compatible Stereo system, tachometer, remote boot release, and front and rear power windows provides an ample degree of comfort once you step inside the car.  The Ford Escort has two models - the Ford Escort  ORION (Diesel), and the Ford Escort ALPHA(Petrol).

BMW :

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is one of the latest dream machines to hit the Indian roads. The 5 models in the 3 series include the 318i, 320i, 323i, 328i, and the 320d. The 318i has a maximum output of 118 bhp @ 5500 rpm and a maximum torque of 180 Nm @ 3900 rpm. The price ranges between Rs 23 to Rs 38 lakh. The S class is luxury redefined. Discover the comfort of AIRmatic suspension that counters unevenness on the road; voice-controlled telephone;headlights that switch on automatically after dark; electronic navigator and a speed control system that maintains constant distance with the vehicle ahead.

Opel Astra :

The Opel Astra combines excellent looks with great performance and user comfort. It’s CLUB (Petrol) model comes with a customized electric sunroof that glides back at the push of a button. Its specially designed interior offers a high degree of comfort and convenience. In the sphere of safety, the Opel is equipped with integrated ramps in the seat frames in addition to the dual side impact protective bars. The Astra’s powerful CFC free air-conditioner keeps out the heat The Opel has a 1.6-liter engine. The different versions are the GM Opel Astra CLUB Automatic (Petrol), the GM Opel Astra Metro - 4 (Petrol, Diesel), which is the basic, budget version of the Astra, is powered by a 1.6-litre engine and comes with very few additional attachments. The GM Opel Astra MY - 99’s (Petrol, Diesel) basic features and technical specifications match that of the Metro Model.

Daewoo Matiz :

Designed by Giorgetto Guigiaro, the Matiz has won international acclaim - 'Most Beautiful Automobile' - Milan Show & 'Best Small Car' - UK Motor Show. The interiors are not cluttered, are comfortable and hold much space for a car its size. The car conforms to European Safety Regulations. The Matiz forms a protective shell around the passengers to protect them in case of serious accidents. The Matiz is the only car in India to have successfully passed the stringent 40% Offset Frontal Crash Test. The Matiz also meets the Euro II norms.The car runs on a 796-cc engine that produces 52bhp with a torque of 7.3kg-m. It has a Multi-Point Fuel Injection system. With a seating capacity of upto five people and five doors, it sure is a car to be in.

Tata Indica :

The Indica was conceived as a car “with the overall size of a Maruti Zen, as much interior space as a Hindustan Ambassador and priced just as much as a Maruti 800.” It has a 1405 cc diesel engine. Its design is conceived by the Italian design house, I.D.E.A., and is based on the TUD 5 Peugeot power plant. Its tea drop highlights and bison tail lamps are its unique features. The Indica is the roomiest car in its class, with fully foldable rear-seat that allows you to accommodate extra luggage. It also has energy absorbing crumple zones, side-impact beams, a rigid mono-chrome frame and child safety locks. In tune with its reputation of a world class car, the Indica confirms to current European safety norms for frontal impact. The different Indica models are: The Standard version, DLE Diesel A/C, and Diesel DLE

Fiat Siena

The Siena is a strong competitor of the  Daewoo Cielo and the Maruti Esteem.The Siena is rugged, looks good and is very competitively priced. It has made its mark in the Mid sized car segment.  It exudes Italian aesthetics that reek of style and class. Safety standards are high. The car has been engineered in such a manner that crashworthiness is on par with international safety standards. The interiors are well crafted and well packaged. The ELX model comes with a stereo integrated in the console, central locking and power windows. The Fiat Siena comes in two models: Fiat Siena Petrol and Fiat Siena Diesel. The difference between the Petrol and the Diesel version lie only in their engine, fuel type and unladen weight.

Opel Corsa:

The new Opel Corsa has been labeled India's 'millennium car'.  It is available in a notchback, sedan body style. It  and is being simultaneously launched across three continents: South America, Asia and Africa. It is offered with two 'e-TEC' engine variants - the 1.4 liter and the 1.6 liter. Both are microprocessor controlled Multi-Port Fuel Injected engines. The maximum power and torque of the 1.6 liter engine is 92PS/5600 and 126 Nm/3200 respectively. The 1.4 liter delivers 88PS/6000 and 110 Nm/3200. It has also aggressively priced the base version, Corsa GL 1.4 liter, at Rs. 5.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi ). The base version of the Corsa would come equipped with air-conditioning,  central- -locking and remote fuel and trunk opening. The other versions, the 1.4 litre GLS and the 1.6 litre GLS, costs Rs. 5.85 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi ) and Rs. 6.13 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi ) respectively. The safety features of the Astra have been retained. Power steering and central locking is standard on all models as is the a/c, centrally operated fuel flap and trunk opener, fabric door trim and body colored bumpers. The price of the model has not been revealed so far. The Corsa is expected to compete with the Esteem, Accent and Ikon.

Hyundai Santro :

The origin of the Santro is Korea, and it’s designer is Park Jong - Suh, Hyundai’s chief designer. The most distinguishable feature of the Santro is its unique ‘tall boy’ feature design, which allows easy entry and exit. It has a large windshield, a high driving position  and its a pillar slope allows greater visibility. Santro runs on the 12V SOHC 1000 cc Epsilon engine and has the multi-point Fuel Injection System with dual-intake valves. Keeping in tune with its image of a family car, it provides several safety features like child safety rear door locks, crumple zone to absorb frontal impact, collapsible steering column. The different models are GLS 1 and GLS 2. GLS 1 is the usual model with the regular Santro features described above. GLS 2 is the deluxe model with power steering and contains several extra features like central locking, power windows etc.

Honda City :

The Honda City is the perfect family vehicle. It is the Honda City’s driveability that has made it the topmost selling car in this segment. The City has been designed keeping in mind stringent collision safety regulations that include front and rear crumple zones, side impact door beams etc. It has a 1.5-liter water - cooled engine, in line, 16 valve, 4-cylinder engine. It also has a programmed fuel injection system that ensures optimum fuel efficiency. It has hydraulic servo - assisted brakes with ventilated discs in the front, and leading / trailing shoe drums at the rear. The different variations of the Honda City include the 1.3 Lxi, which is the basic model. The 1.3 Exi has more features like power steering, central locking, etc. The 1.5 Exi comes with a tachometer in addition to the other features of the 1.3 Exi model. The 1.5 Exi-S is equipped with alloy wheels and rear spoiler besides the other 1.5 Exi options. The 1.5 Exi AT comes with 4 speed automatic transmission apart from the other 1.5 Exi options.

Hyundai Accent :

The Accent is the car to look out for. With Hyundai’s Santro giving tough competition to Maruti Zen, it remains to be seen if this is repeated in the luxury segment too. The Accent is a much better looking car than the Hyundai, with its new look grille that is being marketed as the smiling look. Powered by the 1500 cc, 12 valve, 4- cylinder MPFI Hyundai Alpha engine, the Accent will be Euro II compliant from the day of its launch. The interiors are new too. It has a three-way adjustable seat and a three-spoke steering wheel. The car will feature an air conditioning system that was tested in the Thar Desert. The Accent comes with a 1500 cc petrol engine and the alternative TUD 5.