Top 10 Newly Launched Cars With Standout Features You Cannot Ignore

Brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Tata aim to equip their models with essential as well as nice-to-have features. Often, these additional niceties become key reasons for consumers to choose a particular model over the one they initially considered, even causing them to stretch their budget in a few cases. 

In this report, we highlight ten recently launched cars that boast standout features, making them unique in their segment. 

MG Windsor EV

When MG launched the Windsor EV, it created a lot of buzz due to its unique pricing model, along with a premium interior. The standout feature in its cabin being the 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, which is the largest in the segment. This unit not only offers usual smartphone connectivity but also integrates important vehicle functions such as climate control, drive mode settings, and brake regeneration. 

Additionally, the MG Windsor EV boasts excellent recline functionality for rear-seat passengers and features a panoramic glass roof, further distinguishing it in the sub-Rs 15 lakh segment.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Mahindra launched the larger version of its lifestyle SUV, the Thar Roxx, featuring a panoramic sunroof. This is a first for a mass-market off-roader, making it stand out even among compact SUVs like the Honda Elevate and VW Taigun. The panoramic sunroof in the Thar Roxx elevates the cabin ambiance, at times eliminating the need for a convertible top, which comes with additional hassle of maintaining it. 

Tata Curvv EV

Tata's highly anticipated model, the Curvv EV, had already caught attention from its spy shots because of its SUV coupe body style. It became the first mass-market offering in its segment to feature the sloping roofline coupe-like styling, which is a unique proposition in the mass market segment, helping it stand out (literally) from the myriad of existing compact SUVs . Its design is further accentuated by elements such as flush-fitted door handles and aero-friendly 18-inch alloy wheels, while the dual roof-mounted spoiler adds a dash of sportiness to its sloping roofline.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

The Mahindra XUV 3XO became the first subcompact SUV to be available with a panoramic sunroof. However, it is limited to the top-spec variants, while lower-spec variants come with the option of a single-pane sunroof. Before the 3XO got this feature, it was only the segment above compact SUVs that used to boast this feature. 

Apart from this, the XUV 3XO had also received a major design overhaul with a revised fascia and connected LED tail lamps. The interior also features new additions, such as a 10.25-inch infotainment unit and a digital driver’s display.

Hyundai Creta N Line

We all, at times, prefer performance-oriented enhancements for our cars, and if you’re looking for one in a larger family SUV, then the Hyundai Creta N Line is your best choice. 

For the uninitiated, the N Line is the sportier iteration of the standard Creta and is the only car in its segment to offer a treatment like this. The standout features of the Creta N Line are its mechanical tweaks, which include a stiffer suspension setup, a quicker steering rack, and a dual-tip exhaust system that delivers a throatier exhaust note. It is powered by a 160 PS/253 Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, with option for a 6-speed manual gearbox along with the 7-speed DCT transmission, elevate the Creta N Line's sporty upgrades.

Hyundai Alcazar

With its 2024 facelift, the Hyundai Alcazar now comes equipped with a digital key feature. This advanced connected car tech not only allows you to lock and unlock the car without a physical key but also lets you drive it. All you need to do is register your smartphone with the Hyundai Bluelink app. Then by simply tapping your smartphone on the door handle, it  unlocks your car, and by placing it on the wireless charging pad, it lets you start the engine. This is a handy feature of the 2024 Alcazar for those times when you forget your keys but have your smartphone to operate the vehicle.

Tata Nexon CNG

Tata Motors launched the Nexon CNG with dual-cylinder CNG technology, starting at Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The unique aspect of the Nexon CNG is that it is the first car in India to pair a turbo-petrol engine with a factory-fitted CNG kit. Typically, these kits are offered with naturally aspirated petrol units, however, the Nexon CNG features a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that delivers 100 PS and 170 Nm in CNG mode, and 120 PS and 170 Nm in petrol mode. Transmission option is limited to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

BYD eMAX 7

BYD launched the eMAX 7, essentially the facelifted e6, at Rs 26.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The standout characteristic of the eMAX 7 is that it is the only all-electric MPV in India that offers three-row seating under the Rs 40 lakh budget (on-road). It is available in two variants, Premium and Superior, both of which come with 6-seat and 7-seat layout options. The eMAX 7 offers two battery pack choices: a 55.4 kWh battery that delivers a claimed range of 420 km and a larger 71.8 kWh battery that provides a claimed range of 530 km.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Recently, Mercedes launched the new-generation 2024 E-Class in India, priced at Rs 78.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Like other models from the German carmaker, it features a premium interior, but its standout feature is the MBUX Hyperscreen setup, which incorporates three displays: a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 12.3-inch entertainment screen for the front passenger. This makes the 2024 E-Class the only car under Rs 1 crore to be equipped with a triple-screen layout. Additional amenities include four-zone climate control, a 17-speaker Burmester sound system, and powered seats with a massage function.

Citroen Basalt

To rival the Tata Curvv, Citroen launched the Basalt at an aggressive price point of Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Although it shares a similar interior layout with other C3 models, it stands out by offering improved under-thigh support, which is better not only than above mentioned Citroen offerings but also greater than other models offered in the same price segment. That’s because it gets a unique adjustable underthigh support (the tip of the seatbase has 87mm of vertical travel), which can be extended as per your requirement. To further elevate the comfort quotient, it also gets winged headrests.

Its feature set also includes niceties like a wireless phone charger, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch digital driver's display. 

This concludes the list of cars with standout features available in India. While some of them might not be unique in the larger scheme of things, the listed features are unique or segment-firsts in their respective classes. Let us know in the comments section below which model’s standout feature you liked the most.