Important launches of 2022

The year 2022 was packed with some fantastic launches that we witnessed first-hand. Some cars really did exceed our expectations right from the time we saw the car to when we sat behind the wheel. As we bid farewell to 2022, let's take a dive into some cars that we enjoyed and that we think in all fairness will bring success to their manufacturer.

Toyota Innova Hycross

The Toyota Innova Hycross is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and comes in five variations: G, GX, VX, ZX, and ZX (O). The Innova Hycross' interior looks like a more contemporary space with a flat horizontal design, a large free-standing 10-inch touchscreen with a slim panel to AC control and a dash-mounted gear lever. The instrument cluster is new too with a new 7-inch MID as is the steering wheel. The interior is done up in a brown and black colour theme with silver highlights.

The Toyota Innova Hycross uses a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol motor that puts out 154PS and 190 Nm that pairs with a 113PS and 206 Nm electric motor with an e-CVT in the mix for a combined 186PS. The Innova Hycross will be a petrol-only offering for the first time now and lower-spec models could get a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol with 174PS and 202 Nm, again paired with a CVT.

Mahindra Scorpio N

The diesel engine option in the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio-N is the 2.2-litre mHawk unit. This motor is available in two states of tune with lower-spec Z2 variant putting out 132PS and 300 Nm, being offered with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel-drive only. The top-spec variants of the Mahindra Scorpio-N will get this diesel in a higher 175PS tune with torque outputs increasing to 370Nm when paired with the manual and 400 Nm with the six-speed automatic. The petrol engine is a 2.0-litre motor that puts out 200PS and 370 Nm with the six-speed manual and 380 Nm with the automatic.

The Scorpio N has a blocky, squared-off theme of previous generations of the SUV, but significantly modernized. The Scorpio-N gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment, 12-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control, connected-car tech, Alexa integration with what3words, LED lighting, wireless charging, powered driver's seat, six airbags, driver lumbar support, tumble-fold second row and a 360-degree camera. The Scorpio-N will be available in six and seven-seater options.

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580

The Mercedes EQS available in India has a WLTP-certified range of 676 km making it the longest-range EV in India, the ARAI certification is 857 km. The EQS 580 uses a large 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged at up 200 kW with a DC fast charger. The EQS 580 makes 523PS and 855 Nm and can do 0 to 100 kmph in 4.3s.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS gets a host of features like the digital lights, the massive 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, rear-wheel steer, 15-speaker Burmeister audio, sound modes, powered doors, HEPA air filter, 9 airbags, lane keeping aid, active brake assist and pre-safe.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 now moves to the Heartect platform with this update, which it shares with the likes of the S-Presso and Celerio. The motor is the 1.0-litre K10C Dual Jet petrol which puts out 67PS and 89 Nm and pairs with a five-speed manual or AMT.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 gets a fully redesigned all-black cabin. Notable features include a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple Carplay with four speakers, steering-mounted controls, central locking, power steering, front power windows, a digital instrument cluster, remote keyless entry and alloy wheels. Safety features include two airbags, ABS, speed warnings and seat-belt reminders. Two accessory packages are also available, Impacto and Glinto.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder/ Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and its Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara get a mild-hybrid as well as a strong hybrid powertrain option. The mild-hybrid version has been developed by Suzuki which points to it being the new 1.5-litre K15C seen in the refreshed Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and XL6 as well as in the Brezza facelift. This motor puts out 104PS and 136 Nm and can be paired with a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

The strong hybrid version uses Toyota's four-cylinder petrol motor which puts out 92PS and 122 Nm and pairs that with a 80PS and 141 Nm electric motor via a CVT. Effieicncy for this version is 27.97 kmpl.

Both cars are available with LED lighting, a dual-pane sunroof, 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay, 7-inch digital instrumentation, HUD, ventilated seats, cruise control, auto headlamps, connected tech, six airbags, hill-descent control(AWD), hill-hold, 360-degree cameras and TPMS.

Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 in its single-motor layout produces 229Ps/350Nm torque, while the dual-motor AWD model produces 325PS/605Nm torque, and you can read our review of this model here. Both can accept up to 350kW charge rates, for a 10-80 per cent charge in just 18 minutes, while a 50kW fast charger will achieve the same feat in 73 minutes.

Given the nature of the GT Line, the Kia EV6 packs a full feature list with a single-pane sunroof, twin 12.3-inch infotainment/instrumentation displays, heads-up display, 14-speaker Meridian audio, ventilated seats, 360-deg parking camera, wireless phone charging, 3-pin AC power socket, connected tech, 8 airbags, ADAS and more.

Skoda Slavia/ Volkswagen Virtus

The Slavia and Virtus both are available with a 1.5-litre engine in the Skoda Slavia puts out 150PS and 250 Nm of torque and also features cylinder deactivation. The 1.0 TSI is powered by a three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. It sends 115PS and 178Nm of torque to the front wheels. The TSI engine is rated for fuel efficiency of up to 19.47 kmpl.

The features list includes wireless phone charger, ventilated front seats, automated climate control, rear air-con vents, an electric sunroof, LED headlights, 10.1-inch entertainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a completely digital virtual instrument cluster, 40 safety measures, including standard equipment like twin airbags, ABS with EBS, parking sensors, a rear parking camera, electronic stability control (ESC), multi-collision braking, tire pressure deflation warning, hold control, and other safety features.

Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson can be had with two engine options. The petrol motor is the same 2.0-litre unit as seen in the alcazar and puts out 156PS and 192 Nm. This pairs with a six-speed torque-converter automatic. The diesel engine option is the 2.0-litre unit that makes 186PS and 416 Nm, paired with an eight-speed torque converter. The top-spec diesel can also be had with AWD, which comes with an AWD lock function and terrain modes.

Notable features available with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson are the parametric hidden DRLs, LED lighting, 64-colour ambient lighting, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 10-way powered driver's seat with lumbar, 8-way powered front passenger seat, a powered tailgate, heated and cooled front seats, wireless phone charging, cruise control, wireless charging, blue link connected tech, 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and Bose 8-speaker audio.

The Hyundai Tucson comes with Level 2 ADAS which includes functions like forward collision avoidance for cars, pedestrians and junction turning, blind sport warning and collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, driver attention monitor, safe exit monitor, adaptive cruise with stop/go, lane follow assist, auto high beam, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance and warning, 6 airbags, stability control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control and TPMS.

Jeep Meridian

The three-row Jeep SUV is powered by the familiar 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine, improved here for better NVH although it still outputs the same 170PS and 350 Nm. The gearbox options remain unchanged too, with a six-speed manual and nine-speed torque converter on offer, the latter reworked for more responsiveness. The Meridian will be available in 4x2 with both manual and automatic options and a 4x4 automatic option.

The Jeep Meridian will be offered in two variants - Limited and Limited(O). The Meridian Limited gets features like LED projector headlamps, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, LED cornering fog lamps, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, driver seat height adjust, keyless-entry, push-button start, powered mirrors, dual-zone climate control, 7-inch semi-digital instrumentation, wireless charging, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with nine speakers.

The Limited(O) variant of the Jeep Meridian further adds a dual-pane sunroof, powered tailgate, two-tone exterior paint, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 360-degree camera. Standard safety features include six airbags, an electronic parking brake, traction control, ESC, TPMS.

Honda City e:HEV

The Honda City hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol that put out 98PS and 127 Nm. This pairs with a 109PS and 253 Nm electric motor fed by a 0.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The system makes a combined 126PS and 253 Nm and returns 26.5 kmpl.

The hybrid City is differentiated from the regular sedan by a different grille mesh, new fog lamp inserts, a sportier rear diffuser, a boot spoiler and e;HEV badges. The interior is done up in a black and ivory colour scheme with LED headlamps, a sunroof, 16-inch alloys, climate control, powered seats, tilt and telescopic steering, semi-digital instrumentation, an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto/Apple Carplay, ambient lighting and newly added smartwatch integration for the Honda Connect suite of connected-car tech. The 2022 Honda City hybrid will be available in a single top-spec ZX variant at launch.