The Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) awards have returned with a new edition, featuring a lineup of contenders competing for top honors in various categories. The ICOTY awards, which began in 2005, are considered the benchmark for evaluating new cars in India. A panel of expert judges assesses each vehicle based on factors such as price, fuel efficiency, design, comfort, safety, performance, and technological innovation.
This year’s contenders include the Hyundai Creta Electric, Hyundai Venue, Kia Carens Clavis EV, Kia Syros, Mahindra XEV 9e, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Skoda Kylaq, and Tata Harrier EV. These models are vying for awards in categories such as Indian Car of the Year, Premium Car of the Year, and Green Car of the Year.
The Hyundai Creta Electric, for example, is an all-electric SUV with two battery options, offering a range of up to 473 kilometers. The Kia Carens Clavis EV, on the other hand, is an electric MPV with a range of up to 490 kilometers and features such as an 8-speaker Bose audio system and 64-color ambient lighting.
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a sub-4 meter SUV with a 5-star safety rating and features such as a smart powered tailgate and Alexa Auto integration. The Skoda Kylaq is an affordable subcompact SUV with a 1.0-liter TSI petrol engine and features such as a 10-inch touchscreen and wireless charging.
The Tata Harrier EV is an electric SUV with two battery options, offering a range of up to 627 kilometers and features such as a new four-spoke steering wheel and a Samsung Neo QLED infotainment display. The Mahindra XEV 9e is an electric SUV with two battery options, offering a range of up to 656 kilometers and features such as a triple-screen cockpit and panoramic glass roof.
The ICOTY awards are sponsored by JK Tyre, which has been a trusted partner since the first edition. The awards will be judged by a panel of experts from renowned automotive publications, including Dhruv Behl and Ishan Raghava. The winners will be announced soon, and the awards are expected to be a closely contested affair.