2010-2019: The Greatest Car Hits Of The Last Decade

A new decade will begin in a few hours. 2019 saw several new developments that will shape the Indian automotive industry. But it was the 2010s that showed us just how good things can be. It taught us to look forward to models launched internationally. India wasn’t just a localised commuter car market anymore. We saw both sporty German saloons and the best of our domestic products. We take a look back at the decade for all the great cars it gave us:

Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar immediately found its way into our hearts with its function-over-form ideology. It arrived in 2010 and lived its life as one of the most potent off-road packages that you could get from the factory. It spawned some interesting cars like the Thar Wanderlust -- a go-anywhere vehicle from Mahindra’s custom division. Mahindra finally bid the Thar goodbye with the limited edition Thar 700. With a redesigned BS6-compliant version in the works, the Thar endures.

Renault Duster

While the Thar was a proper off-roader, it required commitment to the lifestyle. Then came the Duster. It too had a diesel engine and all-wheel-drive, but it also featured a roof, seating for five adults, and room in the boot for luggage. While its features might seem sparse next to the 2019 Hyundai Venue, keyless entry, rear AC vents, rear wipers and defoggers made the Duster a desirable small ute back in 2012.

Isuzu V-Cross

The V-Cross wasn’t India’s first pick-up truck, but it was the first with road presence and street cred. Not everyone who could afford a V-Cross needed the utility, so the car never became popular like the two described above. But it was a godsend for independent rallyists who could load a bike and some gear in the bed and get to the edge of the dunes without breaking a sweat.

Mahindra XUV500

The XUV500 was Mahindra’s coming-of-age moment. It was the first car that the company exported to other countries. Before the XUV500, Mahindra’s only other SUV was the patchwork Scorpio SUV. The XUV500 was bigger, more sophisticated, and more powerful. It stole hearts and sales volumes from the rest of its segment. To this day, the XUV500 has an ardent following and decent sales figures.

Skoda Octavia

We got our first taste of the Octavia in 2002, and it was replaced with the Laura. The Octavia nameplate made a comeback in India for the third-generation sedan. And India loved it. The segment also had the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, but keen drivers preferred the Octy. The resurrection of the RS and RS230 models gave us India’s most affordable sport sedans.

Volkswagen Polo

The Polo was Volkswagen’s entry-level model in India. It was a supermini and we loved it. Even though it had a cramped back seat and expensive spares, the Polo was the ride of choice for college students and retirees alike. The GT TSI model introduced double-clutch gearboxes to the segment. There was also a 200PS, three-door GTI model.

Ford Ecosport

Ford’s compact utility vehicle was based on the Focus hatchback. It pioneered the compact SUV segment and set benchmarks for ride and handling. It also gave us a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. While compact SUVs from Mahindra, Tata, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai have populated the market, the Ecosport is still loved by enthusiasts.

Hyundai Creta

Named after the largest Greek island, the Creta was the right product at the right time. The sedan segment was getting a bit boring and there weren’t many affordable SUVs around. This car was just what the doctor ordered for everyone looking to upgrade from a sedan or hatchback. It was affordable and available with an automatic transmission.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki wasn’t the first to realize the potential of compact sedans. But the Indian carmaker has, by far, been the most successful. Before the Dzire, India’s bestselling car was the Alto. The Dzire was a symbol of the rise of the middle class, as it overtook the Alto’s sales numbers.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

If you have the means, why wouldn’t you own an E-Class? This car has been a bestseller in the luxury sedan segment for years. The E-Class was a popular luxury car in India before 2010, but it was in this decade that we got the coupe and the AMG E63 for the first time.