Indian Mid-size cars segment.

India is the seventh largest Car manufacturing economy in the world. In 2009 India manufactured 2,632,694 automobiles. But the Indian market is distinct than major markets in that it relies more on small cars (Kei cars) than mid-size sedans.

A mid size car is a proper sedan. The segment includes cars which are about 4500mm in length and are bigger than entry level sedans (mostly based on hatchbacks) but smaller than entry level luxury cars. Here are some sedans available in India for you to announce your arrival to the next stage in life.

1. Audi A4 (INR 3200000-4200000) - The mid-size sedan from Audi is more akin to the entry level full size A6 with a length of 4703mm. It is a desperate attempt to cement Audi's Status against its German step brothers the C-class and 3-Series. The car is definitely a looker and it is easy to mistake the A4 for an A6 thanks to the bigger size.  Following engine sizes are available

2.0 TDi    I4   Front wheel drive     (Diesel) 140bhp/320nm 8-Automatic 16.09 kmpl
3.0 TDI   V6  Quattro wheel drive (Diesel) 240bhp/500nm 7-Automatic 13.97 kmpl
1.8 TFSI  I4   Front wheel drive    (Petrol) 160bhp/250nm 8-Automatic  12.48 kmpl
2.0 TFSI  I4   Front wheel drive    (Petrol) 179bhp/320nm 8-Automatic  12.76 kmpl
3.2 FSI   V6  Quattro wheel drive (Petrol) 265bhp/330nm 6-Automatic  10.02 kmpl

2. BMW 3-Series (INR 2500000-3800000) - The German Definition of Fun to Drive, this car is just what the doctor ordered. The taut chassis provide preise handling and the steering has the perfect feedback. Bmw's best selling car worldwide, It looks understated and elegant against the competition but distinctive with its kidney grille. The car is now in its fifth generation with record sales in the segment especially in North America.

2.0 I4 Rear Wheel Drive (Petrol) 154bhp/200nm 6-Automatic 12.1 kmpl
3.0 I6 All Wheel Drive    (Petrol) 254bhp/300nm 6-Automatic 09.8 kmpl
3.0 I4 Rear Wheel Drive (Petrol) 174bhp/380nm 6-Automatic 15.9 kmpl

3. Chevrolet Optra (INR 800000-1000000) -  A very small car as per the GM stable Chevrolet Optra has been mostly replaced by the new Cruze. But GM has let the car run as a value for money product. A Daewoo Lacetti under the skin, this car is Korean by all means. The car is not performance oriented but provides good comfort at the rear.

1.6           I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 104bhp/148nm 5-Manual 13.50 kmpl
2.0 TCDI I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 120bhp/320nm 5-Manual 16.52 kmpl

4. Chevrolet Cruze (INR 1300000 - 1600000) -  The car based on which General Motors made a comback is the next generation Optra. While based on the same platform the car looks much better and comes loaded to the gills like its predecessor. The fun to drive factor is present though unlike most GM cars. The same diesel from Optra sourced from VM motori runs at a higher state of tune. No petrol engines are on offer.

2.0 VCDI Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 150bhp/327nm 5-manual 17.34kmpl 6-Automatic 14.4kmpl

5. Fiat Linea ( INR 750000 - 1000000) -  Fiat's car along with the Punto for its last ditch attempt at the Indian market has been partially successful. A brilliant car to be driven in also gets some brownie points for its driving dynamics. That it is a looker is a given hailing from Italy. Fully loaded to the gills just like the Cruze at a lower price point, The Linea makes perfect buying sense.

1.4 T-JET   I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 114bhp/207nm 5-manual 14.7 kmpl
1.4              I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 090bhp/115nm 5-manual 13.5 kmpl
1.4 Multijet I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 093bhp/209nm 5-manual 19.9 kmpl

6. Honda Civic ( 1300000 - 1600000) -  The largest selling car in North America at a lower price point than the 3-Series, Honda Civic also comes with another name tag ... the most stolen car ever. Honda's Vtec engine runs along with your adrenaline all the way to the redline. But Honda is yet to learn Diesels. Ergonomics will make the legends of Automotive industry writhe in their graves.

1.8 VTEC I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol)  130bhp/175nm 5-Automatic 13.9 kmpl 5-Manual 14.8 kmpl
1.4 VTEC I4 Front Wheel Drive (Hybrid) 094bhp/123nm 5-Automatic 21.3 kmpl

7. Maruti SX4 ( INR 775000 - 950000) - Suzuki is the Indian Car leader. While it may not do well Sx4 definitely shows how Value for money maruti cars are. Developed alongside the Fiat Linea, the roots show similarity. The engine is puny compared to competition though and the build quality has nothing positive to write about.

1.6 VVT     I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 105bhp/145nm 5-Manual 15.6 kmpl 5-Automatic 12.6kmpl
1.6 VVT     I4 Front Wheel Drive (CNG)  087bhp/122nm 5-Manual (13kmpl estimated)
1.3 Multijet I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 093bhp/207nm 5-Manual (NA) (not released)

8. Mercedes-Benz C-Class ( INR 2900000 - 4100000)-  The Best way to join the three pointed star club is to buy the C-Class. While it may not be the sales leader, the sedan is the most exclusive one amongst the competition. Diamler Benz has recently updated their designs to stay shoulder to shoulder with Audi and BMW. The Current W204 platform is extremely competitive when it comes to driving dynamics but is known more for the comfort levels. Pick the C63 AMG if money permits.

2.5          V6  Rear Wheel Drive (Petrol) 204bhp/245nm 7-Automatic 11.1 kmpl
1.8 CGI   I4   Rear Wheel Drive (Petrol) 186bhp/285nm 5-Automatic 11.5 kmpl
2.5 CDI   I4   Rear Wheel Drive (Diesel) 204bhp/500nm 5-Automatic 15.1 kmpl
6.2 AMG V8 Rear Wheel Drive (Petrol) 457bhp/600nm 7-Automatic 09.0 Kmpl (Estimated)

9. Mitsubishi Cedia (INR 1000000/ 4000000) - The Best sedan from Mitsubishi India after the Lancer was the Cedia. But what this excellent car lacked was a generation of innovation. The Cedia is a wonderful car in the hands of tuners but is outshone by rivals. Revised models make for an excellent value with OZ alloys, Navigation and Ralliart accessories. But we want the X generation lancer and soon. The EVO version though the perfect car is priced so steep it will make you sell your house.

2.0            I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 116bhp/178nm 5-Manual     13.17 kmpl
2.0 Mivec I4 All Wheel Drive     (Petrol)  280bhp/480nm 6-Automatic 09.00 kmpl (estimated)

10. Skoda Laura (1500000 - 2000000) -  Skoda Laura is the current generation Octavia. Skoda has on a large scale managed to sell more units ofthe old and New Octavia. With the discontinuation the Laura is running the sedan show for Skoda. This is a good thing as the Laura is extremely capable car. The Diesels are the one to go for but the 1.8TSI is also extremly fun to drive.

1.8 TSI  I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 160bhp/ 255nm 5-Manual 13.37 kmpl
2.0 TDI I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 110bhp/250nm 5-Manual 20.04 kmpl 5-Automatic 18.42 kmpl

11. Tata Manza ( 560000 - 780000)- The cheapest car in this segment beats the German Rivals by 6 times. But this excellent car does come at a price. The engines are puny and the quality is nowhere near as close. Also while the car is fully loaded for the price, the rest of the competition outclasses it completely. TATA has definitely taken over this segment by offering sheer value for money. Buy it today.

1.4          I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 90bhp/ 116nm 5-Manual 13.70 kmpl
1.3 VGT I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 90bhp/ 200nm 5-Manual 20.04 kmpl

12.  Toyota Corolla ( 990000 - 1377000)-  Toyota is the largest carmaker in the world and a large contribution to this fact has been made by the Corolla. Toyota Corolla is the largest selling nameplate in the world. Toyota has went on to take a major pie of the Indian Mid-Size segment with the introduction of a diesel engine. The redesign to Altis has worked wonders though it is still not as good looking.

1.8 VVTi  I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 132bhp/170nm 5-Manual 14.53Kmpl 5-Automatic 14.36 Kmpl
1.8 VVTi  I4 Front Wheel Drive (CNG)  132bhp/170nm 5-Manual 11.9 kmpl (Estimated)
1.4 D4-D I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 89bhp/209nm 5-manual 21.43kmpl

13. Volkswagen Jetta (1525000 - 1858000) -  The Badge version of Skoda Laura is a nice car and well built. Infact the Jetta is surprisingly better built than the Laura and the attention to detail is best in class. The engines are a dissappointment for the mid-size segment and the Volkswagen looks to be an expensive bet. The Jetta drives like you are sitting in your couch at home and that's the German strength. A new version of Jetta is well on its way and prospective buyers should wait for the new version which totally betters the current generation.

1.6        I4 Front Wheel Drive (Petrol) 102bhp/ 148nm 5-manual 13.04 kmpl
2.0 TDI I4 Front Wheel Drive (Diesel) 110bhp/250nm 5-Manual 19.53 kmpl