Here’re The Top Mass Market Brands To Offer Connected Car Tech In India

Not too long ago, the phrase ‘connected car technology’ would be one that is considered for a luxury carmaker. That’s because it uses the internet and dedicated apps to provide customers with a variety of features including real-time access to car data, getting updates on the news, navigation, communicating with authorised dealerships as well as remotely controlling car features via a smartphone. 

Fast forward to 2021, and connected car tech has pretty much become the mainstream, with most top-spec hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs from mass market brands now being ‘connected’ models. With that in mind, here are the top mass market carmakers to offer connected car technology in India:

Hyundai- BlueLink

Hyundai is one of two carmakers that really began the trend for connected car technology in India with the Venue SUV, the first to get it when it launched all the way back in May 2019. Called BlueLink, it offers a suite of features which include roadside and emergency assistant, vehicle tracking, tire pressure information, real-time traffic alerts, and map controls. It also allows for voice commands where you can check out the weather status, Indian holiday dates, time and date, as well as live scores of an ongoing cricket match. You can also remotely start or stop the engine, unlock/lock the car, control the climate control, and turn on the purifier via the Blue Link app on your smartphone.

Blue Link is currently in the majority of Hyundai’s lineup which includes the Creta, Verna, i20/i20  N Line, Elantra, Alcazar, as well as the Tucson. 

Kia- UVO

Kia had begun its Indian innings with the Seltos, and with it also came UVO connected car technology which is also present in the Sonet and Carnival. With a three-year free subscription, it comes with up to 58 features, including live traffic information, destination sharing, live vehicle tracking, remote controls for the engine start/stop, horn and lighting, AC and purifier controls, lock/unlock, geofencing, and smartwatch connectivity. There’s also voice commands for controlling bits like the sunroof, driver side power window, AC controls, media and navigation, as well as weather data and cricket scores. 

Mahindra- AdrenoX

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While Mahindra did have some form of connected tech via the BlueSense app, functionality was quite limited. But with the recently launched XUV700 it looks like the carmaker is making huge strides in this department. With Mahindra’s new AdrenoX infotainment system debuting in the XUV700, it comes equipped with Amazon’s Alexa (AI) connectivity. You can control a variety of features via voice commands, such as operating in-car entertainment and navigation, opening/drawing the windows, setting cabin temperature, checking traffic status, managing smart home functions, and finding parking spaces.

Alexa AI also offers offline functions like operating the sunroof and windows, switching to a USB or Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and adjusting climate control. If voice commands aren’t your thing, you can remotely access vehicle information (like checking fuel level or tyre pressures), locking/unlocking commands, and setting the cabin temperature in advance via Alexa-enabled devices such as Echo smart speakers, FireTV, and the Alexa app on your smartphone.

MG Motor India- i-Smart

The other carmaker aside from Hyundai that really made connected car technology mainstream for India starting with the MG Hector. As if the i-Smart suite wasn’t extensive enough with a multitude of remote based functions, an embedded eSIM, as well as a suite of apps onboard, the recently launched Astor seems to have taken things to a new level.

The party trick in the Astor is a  small robot on top of the dash which is MG’s personal AI voice-command-based assistant. It not only looks at you and shows certain emotions, you can tell it to open the sunroof,  update you with the latest news, crack jokes, and even tell you real-time scores of a cricket match. All you need to do to activate is to say “Hello Astor”.  

Tata- iRA 

It started with the Nexon SUV, but Tata Motors’ iRA connected suite of technology is now also offered in the Altroz, the Safari, and even in its recent entry-level SUV, the Punch. Features include geo fencing, live vehicle diagnostics, what3words voice navigation, live vehicle tracking, and roadside assistance. It also allows remote controls such as door locking/unlocking, as well as controlling the horns and lighting.