Top 5 Mid-Range Cars in India 2021: Q1-Q2

The Indian market competes highly in the Luxury Cars and the Entry-Level Cars segments. As a result, the mid-range cars' section can't boast of many entries. At present, there are no more than 50 models of cars that are available in India, that lie in the mid-range segment. Manufacturers in this segment, hence, get a whole lot to explore when it comes to the car specifications.

In this analysis, we compared all the models of cars that lie in the mid-range segment (with on-road price ranging from Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 70 lakhs INR). We took into our research, the following specification indices:

Engine Details:                            Engine Type, Displacement, Transmission Type, Drive Type

Performance:                              Fuel Efficiency, Fuel Type

Communication:                         Connectivity standards

Safety & Features: 

ABS, Central Locking, No. of Airbags, Seat Adjustments, Speed-sensing door locks, Auto Climate Control, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Parking Sensors, Alloy Wheels, Headlamp Type, Remote Trunk Opener, Tyre Diameter & Type, & Turning Radius.

Before going in to the Top 5 in our list, here are a few cars that came very close to making it to the Top 5. These cars, nonetheless, have the ability to compete against the Top 5 on any given day:

Rank 7: A tie between Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, Hyundai Tucson, & Toyota Camry

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Interiors
Photo Courtesy: volkswagen.co.in

The New Tiguan has the most advanced BS6-compliant engine which generates a 320Nm torque at 1500-4100 rpm using its 7-speed DSG 4Motion transmission. The 2.0L TSI engine brings to the table 190 PS of raw untamed power. Its Panoramic sunroof, Paddle Shifter, 7 Airbags, 18" alloy wheels, and leather interiors are features that kill the competition face-front.

As Hyundai puts it,

"The drive of the driven. The power that compliments the force within you. The Style that marks your presence"

Hyundai Tucson Dashboard
Photo Courtesy: hyundai.com

Well, we do agree. What more would you want when you get up to 5 years of Wonder Warranty?

Toyota Camry had been there for quite a while, and it's our favorite hybrid car in the world as well. The 4th Gen self-charging hybrid engine producing 131 kW of power at 5700rpm and displacement of 2487cc, are probably some of the best specs in the world of mid-range electric vehicles.

Toyota Camry Upholstery
Photo Courtesy: Toyota Bharat

Rank 6: MG Gloster

MG Gloster Interiors
Photo Courtesy: cardekho.com

The Gloster is marketed as India's first autonomous Level-I premium SUV. Morris Garages (MG) had been in business since the early 1920s, and is now owned by SAIC Motor (China), in collaboration with Nanjing Automobile (China). This is perhaps the only Chinese car that has made considerable progress in the Indian mid-range cars' market. Features like 2+2+2 seating arrangement, Blind-Spot Detection, and Driver Seat Massager make this car stand out.

Top 5 Mid-Range Cars in India (2021: Q1-Q2):

Rank 5: Ford Endeavour

Ford Endeavour Seats
Photo Courtesy: India.ford.com

Being the most hated auto brand in India, Ford Motors, however, has made quite an impact with the Endeavour. Without going by the external looks of this vehicle, if anyone wants to take a peek at its features and specifications, this BS6-compliant car is really a good bet against the mighty Kias, the Toyotas, the Mahindras, and the legendary Volkswagens.

Rank 4: Kia Carnival

KIA Carnival
Photo Courtesy: KIA

The South-Korean giant, Kia Motors, entered the Indian market just about 4 years back. Generally regarded in the US as "the poor man's Shelby", Kia Motors have come around much stronger than where it was back when it started in 1944. The Kia Carnival happens to be the costliest car in the Kia range that it has unleashed in India. With a new EV to be showcased in India next month, Kia Motors is here to stay in India, especially with its entry-level Sonet & Seltos.

KIA Carnival
Photo Courtesy: KIA

Kia Carnival has an average fuel efficiency of 9.2kmpl for its 2199cc engine with automatic transmission.

Rank 3: Toyota Fortuner

Toyota Fortuner 2021
Photo Courtesy: cardekho.com

At an On-Road price of Rs. 38.17 lakhs, the legendary Fortuner (launched in 2009), is still a beast.

Toyota Fortuner Dashboard
Photo Courtesy: cardekho.com

This 2694cc 7-seater vehicle has an average fuel efficiency of 10kmpl. It has Manual transmission system with Rear-Wheel Drive. It features both Front & Rear parking sensors, along with standard features like Cruise Control & Keyless Entry. For safety, it features 7 airbags.

Rank 2: Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova Crysta
Photo Courtesy: ToyotaBharat

Costing much lower than the Fortuner and the new Legender, the Innova Crysta comes up as the 3rd best mid-range car in India. At an average on-road price of Rs. 22.93 lakhs, the 2393 cc engine of Innova Crysta delivers a fuel efficiency of 13.5 kmpl. However, per safety, this car delivers just 3 airbags. It has Automatic Transmission, against the Manual transmission of Fortuner.

Innova Crysta Dashboard
Photo Courtesy: ToyotaBharat

It features Rear Wheel Drivetrain, and you can connect via both Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.

Innova Crysta safety
Photo Courtesy: ToyotaBharat

It doesn't give you Cruise Control, and it's a 7-seater minivan that gives you only Rear parking sensors. It comes in no less than 18 variants, ranging from differences in fuel type, no. of seats, displacement, to even kind of transmission. Yes, you can choose between Manual and Automatic.

Rank 1: Mahindra Alturas G4

Mahindra Alturas G4 4WD
Photo Courtesy: Mahindra Auto

Until November 2020, this beast had a tough competition on paper, against the ISUZU mu-X, until the latter was discontinued. At an On-Road price of just Rs 31.36 lakhs, this is the cheapest Premium SUV in the Indian market. However, due to the Mahindra-SsangYong alliance coming to an end later in 2021, this car, might also see the curtains by then. Speaking about sales, the Indian buyers have so far preferred MG, Toyota, and even ISUZU over Mahindra.

Memory Profile Seat - Alturas G4
Photo Courtesy: Mahindra Auto

"Memory Profile - This state-of-the-art feature memorises the driver's preferred seating and ORVM position, so that you can focus on what matters most - the adventure"

The flagship full-sized premium SUV from the house of Mahindra gives a fuel efficiency of 12.03kmpl at 2157cc displacement. It's a 7-seater SUV with Automatic transmission that offers as many as 9 airbags for the safety of the driver and all passengers. It's a cleverly designed vehicle that also offers an SD Card Reader apart from Android Auto & Apple CarPlay for connectivity.

Easy Accessibility - Alturas G4
Photo Courtesy: Mahindra Auto

"Easy Accessibility - The driver's seat lowers and slides back automatically, when you open the door, so that your entry is as fine as your ride"

With both Front & Rear parking sensors, this beast also gives you the comfort of a 4WD. Getting marked a "Yes" to all the safety features that we put in this comparison, we believe this is the best mid-range car to hit the Indian market ever. You might want to grab one of these before the Maharashtra plant runs out of manufactured units. It is albeit what you can say, "Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride".