We are approaching the end of 2024, a remarkable year for the Indian automotive industry. The industry launched many vehicles, from stylish SUVs to bold sedans and innovative electric vehicles (EVs). All the vehicles that came to the market were intended to redefine our driving experiences. Moving forward, sustainability has become the guiding force for manufacturers. They are basing their designs and technology on that basis, and 2024 was a testament to their commitment to sustainability.
So, before the year ends, come with us on a journey where we shall revisit some of the most popular cars launched in 2024. These cars are not only modernising our driving experience but also channelling our passion for the open road and redefining the future of mobility in India.
Here are some of the notable vehicle launches of 2024:
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Hyundai Creta
The 2024 facelift of the Hyundai Creta was launched on January 16, 2024. This car has been successful for the brand, having sold more than a million units since its launch. This year, it underwent a facelift and was launched at a starting price of Rs. 11 lakh (ex-showroom).
The car has a 1.5-litre engine and is available in petrol and diesel. It has 52 variants on sale. This compact SUV offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and performance and can easily carry five people. With the 2024 facelift, it became even more feature-packed. It is now offered with ADAS, 360° camera, dual-zone climate control, front-ventilated seats, and advanced internet features. The facelift has yet to undergo a safety rating test, but the experts expect a good score for the vehicle.
Since its launch in January, it has sold more than 10,000 units per month (approx. figure) till November 2024, with numbers mostly expected to rise in the coming months.
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Tata Punch EV
The electric car by Tata Motors was launched on January 17, 2024. The car is the electric version of their successful vehicle, the Tata Punch. Launched at a starting price of Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the car offers a range of 315 kilometres while it is fully charged. The car has a seating capacity of five people, with decent seating space for all passengers. Upon its launch, it became a popular option for those looking for EVs, as its various features made it a lucrative deal.
Inside the cabin, you will find a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster. It also offers a wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats, and a 360° camera with a blind-spot monitoring system. The car is offered in twenty variants and two battery pack options: 25 kWh and 35 kWh, which give a range of 315 kilometres and 421 kilometres, respectively. The cherry on the cake for this car is that it achieved a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP (BNCAP), making it one of the safest electric vehicles in India.
Since its launch in January 2024, it has sold more than 10,000 units per month until November 2024 (approx. values), making it a popular choice for consumers willing to purchase EVs.
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Lexus LM
The luxury car maker Lexus launched its Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Lexus LM on March 15, 2024. It is priced between Rs. 2 crore and Rs. 2.50 crore (ex-showroom).
The car is available in a single variant with two seating configurations: LM 350h (7-seater) and LM 350h (4-seater). A 2.5-litre hybrid petrol engine powers it with an e-CVT gearbox and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. It is a feature-packed car that offers its occupants the utmost luxury and comfort. On the inside, it has a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital display for the driver, four-zone climate control, and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. It has a 48-inch entertainment screen and heated and ventilated seats for the rear occupants.
It also gets eight airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), hill assist, ADAS, and other advanced features, making it worth every penny spent. After its launch, the vehicle became very popular, especially among Bollywood celebrities. Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Jahnvi Kapoor, and Ram Charan are a few of the names seen in their luxury Lexus LM 350h.
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BMW i5
The German car manufacturer launched its new luxury performance electric vehicle on April 25, 2024. It is available at a price of Rs. 1.20 crore (ex-showroom) across India.
The car is powered by an 81.2 kWh battery pack, which offers a claimed range of 516 kilometres. The battery pack is paired with an AWD dual motor setup, generating a staggering 601 PS and 795 Nm. This allows the car to go from 0-100 in mere 3.8 seconds. It is offered in a single variant, which is the M60 xDrive variant. This is the same variant that is available globally.
On the inside, it has a curved screen setup, which includes a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. It also has wireless phone charging, a heads-up display, and four-zone climate control. It is also equipped with ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof. The car has been launched against the Audi e-Tron GT, entry-level variants of the Porsche Taycan and the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan.
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Tata Curvv EV
Tata Motors launched this brand-new car in August 2024. The vehicle has a starting price of Rs. 18.57 lakh (ex-showroom) and is offered in seven variants.
Curvv EV’s battery offers options ranging between 45 and 55 kWh and provides a range of more than 500 kilometres in full charge. Like its other Tata siblings, this car also received a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP (GNCAP), making it a very safe option.
In addition to safety, the car is packed with features. It has a large 12.3-inch touchscreen, which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. For sound enthusiasts, the car is equipped with a tremendous 9-speaker JBL-tuned sound system with a subwoofer. It also has a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, and wireless phone charging. If you are travelling with your family, you need not worry about space, as it is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate five people. Along with the passengers, it can also easily accommodate loads of luggage as it has 500 litres of boot space and an 11.6-litre trunk (space beneath the bonnet).
The above-mentioned cars are just a few of the many that were launched. Brands like Mahindra launched their much-anticipated Thar Roxx in August 2024; Nissan launched their X-Trail in August 2024; luxury car maker BMW launched the facelift of the 5-Series in July 2024; and Nissan also launched the facelift of their car, Magnite, in October 2024.
The list of cars is very long, and this meant that the auto-enthusiasts rejoiced this year as the launches were made across different spectrums. The cars had different prices, segments, features, etc., making it a little tough for the consumers to make their final choice. However, it is also important to know that now consumers have more options in one segment, making it convenient for them to find their desired or dream car within their budget.
