Volkswagen has unveiled a significant facelift for its Taigun compact SUV, introducing a new 8-speed automatic gearbox for the 1.0 TSI engine, a panoramic sunroof, and a host of design and interior enhancements to sharpen its competitive edge in the bustling SUV market. But is it enough?
Glimpses from Beijing's grand Auto China exhibition reveal the rapid evolution of electric, autonomous and futuristic mobility.
'I own a few cars that I have had specified minutely to my taste, and it does feel nice to know that there are no other vehicles like them anywhere in the world.'
Volkswagen's new SUV is set to lock horns with half a dozen rivals, says Pavan Lall.
The Volkswagen Vento is a great car when we look at its styling, build quality, driving feel and dynamics.
Future and concept cars at the New York International Auto Show.
Quality-wise, and on the fun-to-drive scale, the T-Roc is in a league of its own, notes Pavan Lall.
Compact sedans (Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor)' share in the overall sedan category grew from 68% in 2021 to 74.6% in 2024. Mid-sedans' (Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Volkswagen Virtus) share declined from 26.2% in 2021 to 20.2%.
Except for Hyundai i20 Elite, the car gives a tough competition to rivals.
The Tiguan will appeal to people who don't like big, brawny SUVs with immense road presence.
People have embraced these compact cars because they are not only well appointed, but are also more practical, cheaper to own, have higher fuel efficiency, and are easy to park.
The design is timeless and only gets better with the revised front fascia.
The Volkswagen Polo GT TDI has been one of the most exciting cars.
Governments encouraged motorists to switch to diesel in the belief that its superior fuel economy would outweigh the higher pollutants per litre burned.
it's the cheapest car in the country to get a dual clutch automatic gearbox, and blends the best of both worlds - it's fast and fun, yet easy and efficient.
The Volkswagen Vento offers unadulterated German car feel providing strong driving dynamics along with a powerful diesel engine that comes with an efficient yet lightning quick DSG gearbox, writes Indian motoring website MotorBeam.com.
The new Duster will go head-to-head with popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, etc in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.
Go for the Dzire if you are looking for easy maintenance and a better driving car. But if you want your compact sedan to make a statement, get the Ameo
The German luxury car manufacturer is quietly building on the legacy of the Mini, enticing young, trend-conscious and quality-oriented buyers with the promise of making them stand out in the crowd.
Suspension that has fully acclimatised to Indian roads and handles potholes and bumps with ease, plush interiors that feel premium beyond just surface level, and aggressive and imposing design cues give this SUV a presence and profile that has little competition, says Pavan Lall.
While the Slavia comes in eight different variants, it's the base model that starts at around Rs 10.7 lakh that is most likely to take a bite out of the market share of its competitors, says Pavan Lall.
The latest Hyundai i20 is an exciting car, given the overall drive experience, transmission, ride quality and tech. And while it may not be as low cost as a Maruti or come with the "heavy German steel-feel" of the Volkswagen, it does carve out a niche for itself at pole position with a combination of technology, styling, drive and ride comfort, and low cost of ownership, says Pavan Lall.
Volkswagen could have made some extensive visual upgrades to the 2015 Jetta facelift but missed out on the opportunity.
Regional film producers have started echoing what their Bollywood counterparts have been saying for a while: If there is a movie, there will be products placed in it, mostly those that have paid big money to be in the frame.
The big feature is the introduction of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine.
Every M&M car shares a certain DNA which is rugged, with an off-roading quality and built for hard wear and tear. The XUV is all those, but also has a smoother edge for those who want city comfort now offered in competitor vehicles such as the MG Hector, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Tiguan and Tata's Harrier, says Pavan Lall.
The Carens is a warning for cars such as the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Innova Crista and Mahindra XUV 700, because Kia punches much harder than others in its weight category.
Zippy and comfortable, the Mini Convertible is a perfect car for short jaunts, but this isn't the ride you'd choose to take your entire family to the airport or pick for a long family excursion, says Pavan Lall.
High ground clearance, a wide cabin and tall stance all mean that the Carens glides over bad roads with ease and comfort and an engine performance that is adequate in terms of the power of this vehicle, says Pavan Lall.
Three hatchbacks have been muscled up to offer a more adventurous driving experience.
It offers all-round blend of performance, comfort and convenience with excellent build quality.
The German car maker has the best engine along with great driving dynamics.
Why is the Mini the only "lifestyle" auto badge that seems to be growing and staying strong? Pavan Lall finds out.
The Bentayga can go from a standstill to 100 km/hr in 4.5 seconds, and, if you can keep your foot down, the speedometer will climb all the way to 290 km/hr!
'More than one brand in a showroom is too risky because customer loyalty in this market is low. Most people don't drive different cars made by the same manufacturer for a lifetime, they experiment.'
The family that used to make the legendary sports car wants to bring the same design panache to luxury flats.
According to experts, Tata Tiago JTP and Tigor JTP -- a sedan and hatchback -- are not only powerful and faster than every other car in the segment, but also in the segment above, including their peers Maruti Baleno RS, Volkswagen Polo and others.
There are a whopping 10 sedans slated for a launch in India this year. Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com gives the lowdown.
The price tag ranges from Rs 5.3 lakh to Rs 8.59 lakh
