Many manufacturers are now focusing on making cars and SUVs safer for Indian car buyers. Be it through achieving a 5-star safety rating at Global NCAP or by providing safety features like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The latter has a suite of features like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and more. Here’s a list of the 10 most affordable cars and SUVs that get ADAS at least on one trim.
1. Honda City
Price: Rs 12.45 lakh-20.39 lakh
The most affordable car on this list is the recently facelifted Honda City. The fifth-gen City first got a camera-based ADAS suite with the launch of the City hybrid in May 2022. With the facelift, even the petrol version of the midsize sedan gets ADAS features on the V, VX and ZX trims. The City gets a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine good for 121hp and 145Nm, and is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT, while the hybrid gets a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and two electric motors which produce 126hp (combined). While the facelift of the City didn't bring in many changes, and misses out on a few features, it gets the basics right and the ADAS will add to the appeal, for some.
2. Hyundai Verna
Price: Rs 15.99 lakh-17.38 lakh
The Honda City narrowly beat the new Hyundai Verna in being the first midsize sedan to offer ADAS. The driver assistance suite, which is available on the SX (O) trim, works well and gives the driver sufficient leeway to intervene before the car does it itself. However, the steering wheel needs a gentle tug to let the car know that the driver has put their hands on the wheel. The Verna is powered by a 115hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 160hp, 253Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. The petrol engine gets ADAS with the CVT, whereas the turbo-petrol gets it with both the manual and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes.
3. MG Astor
Price: Rs 17.00 lakh-18.59 lakh
The MG Astor is the only midsize SUV right now to offer the ADAS suite. MG offers it on the top-spec Savvy trim and it could be worth opting for as it could be a lifesaver in some scenarios. The Astor’s Savvy trim gets a 110hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a CVT and a 140hp, 220Nm, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic. The Astor is a refined and comfortable midsize SUV, but its laid-back character won’t appeal to driving enthusiasts.
4. Mahindra XUV700
Price: Rs 20.56 lakh-26.18 lakh
Another vehicle that was first in its segment to get ADAS was the Mahindra XUV700. Like most cars on the list, even it gets its ADAS suite on the top-of-the-line AX7 trim. The only aspect of the ADAS system that needs fine-tuning is the lane-keep assist, but that aside, it is very commendable and revolutionary. The XUV700 is powered by a 200hp, 380Nm, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 185hp, 420Nm (450Nm with the automatic), 2.0-litre diesel engine. Both are mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. While there are some niggles like cheap bits in the interior, the XUV700 is easy to drive and live with.
5. MG Hector
Price: Rs 22.09 lakh-22.94 lakh
Recently facelifted, the MG Hector and Hector Plus get the ADAS system on the top-spec Savvy Pro trim. The ADAS suite managed to keep the SUV well within the lane while maintaining a safe distance from the car in front. It only disengages when we encountered a poorly marked stretch of road. The Hector and Hector Plus are powered by a 143hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a CVT gearbox. It is a spacious and comfortable SUV, and feels more premium now with more gizmos.
6. Tata Harrier
Price: Rs 23.62 lakh-24.07 lakh
The Tata Harrier is the latest SUV in its segment to get the ADAS suite. However, Tata’s flagship SUV is due to get a facelift by October 2023. It got this driver assistance tech – available only on the top XZA+ O trim – with an update earlier this year that also brought in Tata’s new 10.25-inch touchscreen. Under the hood, the Harrier gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine capable of 170hp and 350Nm of torque. While it also gets an option of a 6-speed manual, the ADAS system is only available with the 6-speed automatic gearbox.
7. Tata Safari
Price: Rs 24.46 lakh-25.01 lakh
Like the Harrier, the Safari also gets ADAS only on the XZA+ O trim and is due to get a facelift by October 2023. It is expected to borrow design cues from the Safari EV showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year. The Safari is powered by the same 170hp, 350Nm, 2.0-litre diesel engine as the Harrier, with the ADAS being available only on the 6-speed automatic gearbox.
8. Toyota Innova Hycross
Price: Rs 29.99 lakh
The first Toyota to get ADAS in India is the Innova Hycross, and it's available only on the top-spec ZX (O) trim. Dubbed Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, it packs in many useful features like blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist. The latter isn’t very aggressive or intrusive, but most drivers would prefer leaving it turned off as it occasionally tends to intervene while tackling corners. The Hycross ZX (O) is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with a strong-hybrid system, and it produces 186hp (combined). Power is delivered to the front wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. The hybrid feels smooth, quick and responsive, and its monocoque construction improves its driving manners by a quantum leap.
9. Hyundai Tucson
Price: Rs 31.10 lakh-35.46 lakh
Similar to Toyota, the first Hyundai model to get the ADAS system is the Tucson and the brand says it has taken special care to calibrate it for Indian conditions. This prevents it from being distracting in typical Indian road conditions. The ADAS suite is available on the top-of-the-line Signature trim that is powered by a 156hp, 192Nm, 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 186hp, 416Nm, 2.0-litre diesel engine. While both are available only with automatic gearboxes, the former gets a 6-speed unit, while the latter gets an 8-speeder. The Tucson is a well-sorted SUV that’s got its basics – space, comfort and strong powertrains – just right.
10. BYD Atto 3
Price: Rs 33.99 lakh
The only EV in this list to feature ADAS is the BYD Atto 3, which the firm calls DiPilot. The SUV is equipped with a 60.48kWh battery pack that gets an ARAI-claimed range of 521km. The battery takes approximately 10 hours to charge using a 7kW AC charger, but that time drops drastically to 50 minutes (from 0-80 percent) when using an 80kWh DC fast charger. The Atto 3 is smooth to drive, comfortable to sit in and has a cool-looking, funky cabin. It isn’t for everybody though, but neither is standing out in a crowd, and BYD’s Atto 3 will clearly do that.
Why the MG ZS EV didn’t make the list
One would expect the MG ZS EV to be featured in this list since its ICE-powered counterpart, the Astor, does. Interestingly, while the ZS EV does not get the entire ADAS suite like the Astor, it does get rear-drive assist, which includes blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic assist.