[GTO]

An interesting year for sure. We had just a single launch from Maruti, French + Chinese + German crossovers / SUVs, a sweet electric sedan, a wonderful 4x4 from a tiny manufacturer and a rare packaging misstep from Hyundai.

But IMHO, the year belongs to the XUV700. Excellent SUV that is an all-rounder in so many ways. When we had it here for our test, whoever saw it was totally "wowed" by it. Nice design, spacious interiors, excellent engines + AT gearboxes, sorted suspension and as if that wasn't enough, a 5-star GNCAP safety rating .

My vote goes for the Mahindra XUV700; the success it garnered is totally well-deserved.

[ashutoshb]

I voted for Tata Punch. It's a hatch which can claim to be a crossover and still get away with it. The value, safety and looks it offers at this price point is pretty hard to beat.

The XUV700 would have been my default choice, with the immense value it offers. But, it's fairly new, not many people have received their cars. We will only know how it actually is, in the next couple of months.

I did not vote for Kushaq, even after buying one. Simply because the above two are more deserving for the coveted award.

[achyutaghosh]

No brainer for most folks this year i guess- the XUV700 it is. The car that has not only turned its segment upside down, but also done the same to segments below and above it.

It redefines "value" as we know it, and makes erstwhile elite tech available for all. And this time it seems that this time round, it has most of the execution done right too. Unfortunate that it has been launched in this semiconductor challenged time, else the delivery would have been sorted too.

Proud to have an Indian brand do all that, and look forward to Mahidnra replicating this magic across their range too

The Tata Punch would have been my second choice had there been better engines offered on it. So my top 2 are Indian cars this year. How about that?

[Shreyas_H]

My vote has to go to the XUV700. A great package, feature loaded, good pricing and a safe capable SUV! Hard to find faults with it really!

[SoumenD]

Voted for XUV7OO.

Mahindra has hit it out of the park IMO. Right from 12L-22L, it’s cutting across a lot of segments and gives plethora of options. Petrol, diesel, manual, TC box, AWD, 5/7 seater, name it and you have a XUV7OO for almost all requirements. And finally what towers above all that IMHO is the 5* GNCAP rating. That’s how a car should perform when one is spending 20(+/-) big ones.

[aaggoswami]

Voted for XUV700.
Its home grown, got full marks on safety front and shows that an Indian manufacturer can take the envelope of safety, technology and overall engineering to international level. How the product's long term reliability pans out is a question that will be best answered with time. But full marks for the effort and courage to bring out a competitive product at a very smart price point. Just like XUV 500, I expect the 700 to age gracefully and Mahindra would definitely sort out niggles.

[harry10]

XUV700 is a no brainer.
Expect for the delivery fiasco Mahindra has got it right in most areas. If we needed a car of this size this will be our top contender. Though i have a real soft spot for Safari.

Another mention is for MG Astor and Tata Punch.
Astor looks and feels quite premium. Probably the best interiors in that segment.
Punch has everything going for it except for weaker engine and AMT gearbox. Only if Tata can correct these it will sell like anything.

[Car-Agey]

Voted for TATA Punch. Except for the weak engine, it has everything right about it.

[Shreyans_Jain]

My vote goes to the Tata Punch. Perhaps the most complete and well rounded small car there is in the market today. It is the right size, looks the part, is well built and well equipped and spacious and comfortable. Add to it the 5 star GNCAP rating.

The only chink in the armour is the weak NA engine and the AMT. With better engines and transmissions, this car is close to PERFECT. The good part is that the turbo petrol, a dual clutch automatic and a full out EV version will soon be launched. The Punch story will only get better. My prediction is that Punch will go down in history as one of the 3 most important cars in Tata Motor’s history: along with the original Indica and the Nexon.

[TorqueMonster]

I'm sure nothing comes close to the XUV700 currently in India. It's safe, well-specced and affordable too. Mahindra have certainly played their cards right for the past few years, and the XUV700 is the perfect example for this. So my vote is to the XUV 700

[vb-saan]

Voted for the mighty XUV7OO! After the Thar, this is one car from Mahindra which I like (from the pictures and videos). And this time it looks like they have finally nailed the interiors – looks classy and not the usual overdone look associated with some of their previous models.

The VAG twins occupies the 2nd and 3rd spots for me – handsome looking cars, with nice set of engines and gearbox options. If I am looking for a car in this segment, these two will be my top contenders, but I feel they have missed a massive chance here. Irrespective of the manufacturer, made for India, or Global product from India are unfortunately becoming negative catchwords that denote quality compromises.

[SShandilya]

My vote is to XUV700.
For me, it was not the rich features or GNCAP rating but the sensible pricing by Mahindra.
We’ve been seeing automobiles companies go berserk with pricing in last few years and honestly for me, everything looks overpriced below the 30 lakh mark.

[heydj]

My vote goes to Gurkha. After Thar this is the best looking SUV in market and it has good list of features.

Second vote goes to XUV 700. It is a good evolution over XUV 500 and pricing is quite good.

[vigneshkumar31]

Voted for the Gurkha.

In support of the earnest attempt of a tiny manufacturer who dared to launch a niche and proper 4x4 despite the runaway success of the much more acceptable Thar.

The pandemic has hit all manufacturers strongly from a production and chip shortage perspective, but little do we know how much Force got hit from the demand side.

With tourism industry frozen, the company had lost its mainstay demand for the people movers. Few ambulances had kept the counter ticking

(Revelations from my discussions with a friendly Force dealer. This may not be accurate or open for generalisation pan India but the facts are logical)


And still they went ahead and launched a brand new Gurkha this year, which they know wouldn’t bring in volumes or tip the scales. We often scream that enthusiasts’ pleas are not heard. Well their answer is a four seater with front and rear diff locks.

No denying, it could have absolutely been kitted better and priced more aggressively.

But my vote is for courage.

[DDIS_RE650]

Do we really need all the Cars to be listed here, when we already know the finalists- Punch vs XUV700.