The Indian automotive market, over the years, has evolved a lot. It has seen numerous models being launched and numerous ones getting discontinued. Now, as we all know, today the entire rage in the market is SUVs. However, a while ago, it was the sedans that were the most popular. Today, we have brought to you a list of 25 iconic sedans that once used to be the pride of Indian streets.
Maruti Kizashi
This list is a mix of old and relatively new sedans, and the first car is the Maruti Kizashi. This sedan was Maruti Suzuki’s ambitious attempt to enter the premium sedan segment in India. The Kizashi was launched back in 2011, and it was a well-equipped car. It came with a powerful 2.4-litre engine and high-quality interiors that rivaled European cars. However, despite its solid build, nobody wanted to pay a premium for this sedan, and hence it failed and was discontinued.
Maruti 1000 and Esteem
Launched back in 1990, the Maruti 1000 was India’s first modern sedan and marked Maruti’s entry into the luxury car market. It was later upgraded to the Esteem, which became one of the most popular sedans in the country during the 1990s. The Esteem was a well-regarded car, and it was a favorite among families and taxi operators.
Hyundai Sonata (Old Shape)
In Hyundai’s Indian portfolio, the Sonata was the top-of-the-line model. At the time, it was one of the most exclusive cars in the country, particularly the model with twin headlamps that resembled a Jaguar. It was a head-turner when it was launched. However, despite its attractive looks and comfortable interiors, the Sonata could not make it big in India.
Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent, which was launched as a budget-friendly sedan, managed to become one of the best-selling sedans in India during the early 2000s. It became popular for its smooth ride, durable engine, and fuel efficiency. It also gained attention for its sporty CRDi diesel variant. It was then spiritually replaced by the Hyundai Verna.
Opel Astra
Known for its solid build quality, the Opel Astra was introduced to the Indian market in the mid-1990s. It was one of the first cars in India to offer European-level safety and comfort, including features like ABS and airbags. However, the brand’s exit from the market led to a decline in its popularity.
Opel Corsa
The Opel Corsa also managed to gain popularity for its solid German engineering and comfortable ride. It was launched in the early 2000s, and its unique selling points included a well-appointed interior and a smooth, quiet engine. However, like the Astra, Opel’s eventual withdrawal from India limited its long-term success.
Chevrolet Optra
The American automaker Chevrolet also entered the mid-size sedan segment with its Optra. It came with a powerful 1.8-litre engine option that made it a favorite among those who appreciated a bit of extra power. However, Chevrolet could not continue to operate in India due to increasing losses and exited the country. This then led to the discontinuation of this popular sedan.
Chevrolet Sail
The Chevrolet Sail was introduced as a more practical and budget-friendly sedan. It was launched to cater to the needs of the average Indian family. It boasted a simple design, spacious interiors, and an efficient engine, which made it a sensible choice for those looking for a no-frills vehicle. However, it struggled to stand out in a competitive market filled with more feature-rich options.
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra was the most luxurious sedan offered by the German brand in India. It was launched in India in the early 2000s, and the Vectra came with a host of features. The list included a sunroof and leather seats, which were considered premium at the time. Unfortunately, despite its luxurious offerings, the Vectra’s high price and Opel’s eventual exit from India led to its failure.
Rover Montego
The Rover Montego was one of the first British cars to be introduced in India in the 1980s. It was known for its spacious interiors and a taste of British luxury. However, its high maintenance costs and the decline of the Rover brand globally led to its eventual disappearance from the market.
Premier Padmini
The Premier Padmini is an iconic car in Indian automotive history. It is often associated with the streets of Mumbai. The Padmini was launched in the 1960s, and it became a symbol of the urban middle class. It was known for its compact design and fuel efficiency. It became extremely popular for being the preferred taxi cab, especially in Mumbai, and it also became a part of Indian pop culture.
Fiat Petra
Next up on the list is the completely forgotten Fiat Petra. This was introduced as a sedan version of the popular Fiat Palio, offering more space and a larger boot. Sadly, Fiat’s limited service network and stiff competition from more established brands became an issue when it came to this car’s popularity in India.
Fiat Siena
Another Fiat sedan that once used to be seen in India was the Siena sedan. It was another attempt by Fiat to capture the Indian sedan market. Like the Petra, the Siena was known for its sturdy build. It featured a distinctive European design and a comfortable interior. However, it struggled to gain significant traction due to Fiat’s weak market presence and limited after-sales support.
Mitsubishi Lancer
The Japanese automotive giant Mitsubishi’s Lancer became an icon of performance and style when it was launched in India in the late 1990s. Already popular for its rally heritage, the Lancer was popular among enthusiasts. It was also one of the few cars in its segment to offer a diesel engine.
Mitsubishi Cedia
The Mitsubishi Cedia was positioned as a more premium and sportier successor to the Lancer. It was launched in the mid-2000s, and the sedan was praised for its sharp handling, responsive engine, and solid build quality. It also featured a sporty body kit and alloy wheels. Both of these made it a favorite among those who wanted a car with a bit of flair.
Tata Indigo XL
Tata Motors launched the Indigo XL as one of the first affordable luxury sedans in India. It was designed to offer limousine-like rear legroom. It was launched in 2007 and offered features like leather seats and rear air conditioning vents. Unfortunately, poor after-sales service and a higher price tag than the standard Indigo meant it could not generate a lot of sales.
Ford Escort
One of the first offerings from the American carmaker Ford was the Escort sedan in India. It was launched in the mid-1990s and was known for its solid build and European styling. The Escort offered a comfortable ride and good handling. It was available with both petrol and diesel engines. However, it faced stiff competition from Maruti’s Esteem and struggled to maintain its market share.
Ford Mondeo
Following the Escort, Ford launched the Mondeo in India as a premium sedan in the early 2000s. It offered a level of luxury and performance that was relatively new to the market. It became popular for its powerful engines and European design and was aimed at the executive segment. Unfortunately, despite its advanced features and strong performance, the high price tag and limited brand recognition in India led to its modest success.
Ford Ikon
The Ford Ikon, affectionately known as the “Josh Machine,” was one of Ford’s most successful models in India. It was launched in 1999, and the Ikon was praised for its peppy engines and sporty handling. It was also one of the first sedans to introduce the concept of “affordable fun” in the Indian market.
Volkswagen Phaeton
The Volkswagen Phaeton was a luxury sedan that was launched by Volkswagen to take on the super-luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series. It was launched in India in 2010 and came equipped with top-of-the-line features, including a 6.0-litre W12 engine. However, its understated design and high price made it less appealing to Indian buyers who preferred more established luxury brands.
Nissan Teana
The Japanese carmaker Nissan introduced its flagship luxury sedan, the Teana, in India with a very plush interior and a smooth, comfortable ride. It was known for its spacious cabin and high-quality materials. It even came with a powerful V6 engine, but its success was limited due to stiff competition. Also, Nissan’s lower brand recognition in the luxury segment meant it could not become a success.
Renault Fluence
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The Renault Fluence was launched as a premium sedan in India by the French carmaker. It was one of the first cars in its segment to offer dual-zone climate control and keyless entry. Despite its modern design and comfortable interiors, the Fluence struggled to compete against more established rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
San Storm
The San Storm is one of the most unique offerings in the Indian market as one of the country’s first locally produced convertibles. It was launched in the early 2000s and was a two-seater sports car designed for Indian roads. It featured a fiberglass body and a modestly powered engine. However, its niche appeal and limited production numbers meant it remained a rare sight on the roads.
Daewoo Cielo and Nexia
The Daewoo Cielo was one of the first sedans introduced by Daewoo in India. It was known for its spacious interiors and smooth ride. The Cielo was later replaced by the Nexia. It featured a more modern design and upgraded features. Both cars were appreciated for their comfort and value for money, but Daewoo’s bankruptcy and exit from the
Peugeot 309
The Peugeot 309 is another sedan whose success was hindered due issues out of its control. In the 309 sedan’s case, labour trouble at the Premier Automobile Limited’s factory that Peugeot had jointly set up, was the cause of the latter making a hasty retreat out of India. This move killed the 309. The Peugeot 309 was sold with petrol and diesel engines.
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