Best Cars For Men

The Mahindra Thar is the go-to off-roader for the majority of Indians. With its rugged styling and adaptable chassis, the Mahindra Thar is well-suited for both personal adventure and motorsports usage. The light body plus the 4x4 drivetrain makes the Thar capable enough to take over most challenging terrains without much hiccups. The Mahindra Thar is also a popular choice for customisations; both cosmetic and mechanical.

The Ford Figo ‘Sport Edition’ aka the Figo S, is one of the best ‘affordable’ driver’s hatchback in India. Available in both petrol and diesel variants, the Figo S features the same power plants as in the regular model but gets a stiffer rear suspension. The Ford Figo S diesel with its 1.5-litre mill offers lots of performance for its dimensions, without compromising much on fuel efficiency. Being a Ford, the Figo is also known for its precise steering feedback and enthusiast-focussed throttle inputs.

The Volkswagen Polo features class-leading German engineering and craftsmanship. While the regular Polo’s petrol variant employs a heavily-underpowered 1.0-litre unit, the more fun Polo GT TSi comes powered by Volkswagen’s 1.2-litre turbocharged TSi engine. The Polo GT TSi comes mated only to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The Polo GT is also available in a diesel format – a 1.5-litre unit – which is available mated only to a 5-speed manual. The Polo GT is also one of the fastest cars coming under Rs 15 lakh.

The Abarth Punto, though being a market failure, is the fastest affordable hatchback available in India. It is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes lots of power and torque right from the lower RPM range. The car showcases Fiat’s excellent build quality and Abarth’s sporty styling elements which include red ‘Scorpion’ accents and alloy wheels. Being a hot hatch, the Abarth Punto also gets a stiff suspension, race pedals, all-wheel discs and a 5-speed manual.

The Volkswagen GTi is the high-performance three-door version of the Polo GT. It employs a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit, familiar from the previous-gen Skoda Octavia VRS. The hot hatch was initially sold as a limited-run CBU but when the demand increased, Volkswagen India cut its pricing and introduced more units. The GTi also comes with an updated version of Volkswagen reputed 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, along with paddle shifters.

The Skoda Octavia RS could arguably be the best sedan you can buy under Rs 40 lakh and is also a better choice than a base model Audi, BMW or a Mercedes-Benz. The Octavia RS comes with sportier body panels compared to the regular model along with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an improved 6-speed DSG automatic transmission. The Volkswagen-derived engine is also a tuner’s favourite since it can easily churn out 300bhp through minimal mods.

The Mini Cooper is widely known for its quirky styling and ‘go-kart-like’ driving experience. Available in both diesel and petrol formats; the Mini Cooper is considered more of a style statement. However, for those who are really into driving, it is the Mini Cooper S petrol which serves the best. There is also an even-more-engaging JCW variant which offers more performance, a stiffer suspension and a louder exhaust note. The British hot hatch is also available in convertible and five-door formats.

The BMW 3 Series is the best choice in its segment if you are looking forward to buying a driver-focussed sedan. In fact, it is one among the only two sedans which come in rear-wheel-drive format in its segment; the other one being the Jaguar XE. The current F30 3 Series is available in both 2.0-litre petrol and diesel avatars; both showcasing good performance and decent fuel efficiency.

The Jaguar XE is the best-looking sedan in its segment, thanks to Ian Callum and his team’s expertise in design. The base Jaguar sedan is quite a performer in both petrol and diesel formats. The XE comes loaded with a host of technology and driving aids while also giving excellent driving feedback. The lightweight aluminium chassis helps a lot in giving the Jaguar XE, the essential dynamics without making a big compromise on fuel economy.

The BMW 530d is the best diesel car you can buy today. It is powered by the German brand’s globally-acclaimed 3.0-litre straight-six engine which also comes in other high-end BMW models including the 7 Series. The current G30 5 Series’s 530d variant comes only in a sporty M-Sport trim which adds a lot of sharp styling bits. The 530d is a solid performer compared to the lesser 520d which features a conventional 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel powertrain. In fact, the BMW 530d has got a torque figure of over 600Nm; something in par with many sportscars.