10 Most Beautiful Cars From The 2000s Era

The Indian automotive market is quite unique. In the usual car market, either powerful cars are a thing, or purpose-built cars are famous. But here in India, jo dikhta hai vo bikta hai. This translates, only that product holds the market that usually looks good. In engineering terms, form over function :). That said, since this industry was established, it has seen n-number of vehicles, good-bad, ugly-beautiful, powerful – not so powerful. So, today we take out time to see the cars from the 2000s that looked beautiful and were also functional.

1. Mitsubishi Lancer
   

   

   One of the cars that have always been and will be a 90s kids dream, Mitsubishi Lancer. Used in multiple racing events, like rally racing as well as time attacks, the sedan was one heck of an engineering marvel. That said, Mitsubishi Lancer back then was a perfect example of both function as well as good form. Indeed with outstanding and proportionate looks, Lancer was quick. However, the car didn’t see much daylight in India as it did in the market overseas. Hence, in a matter of years, the car company pulled the plug on its production.

2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno Altura
   

   

   The next vehicle on the list is from the company that has topped the sales charts here in India almost every time, Maruti Suzuki. There was a time when Maruti Suzuki was experimenting with different cars for the Indian market. Amidst this, the carmaker launched an unexpected vehicle, Baleno Altura. Maruti Suzuki Baleno was in itself a gorgeous looking sedan. But adding to beauty was a station wagon.

   Yes! if you are not aware, for some time Baleno Altura (station wagon) was a part of the Indian market. To be honest, station wagons never did good in the Indian market, but these vehicles are even more practical than SUVs when driving in the city. Sedan’s luxury with more than adequate boot space is what every station wagon screams. Altura was launch in the Indian market in 1999 and was discontinued in 2007.

3. Skoda Octavia Combi
   

   

   Well, the Japanese carmaker was not the only carmaker in India to introduce a station wagon in the market. Skoda, the Czech auto giant, did launch the Octavia in a station wagon avatar. Skoda Octavia looks astonishing with proportionate design, the Combi just adds practicality to it.

   With the sleek twin-pod headlights, low roofline and a long bonnet, the car truly had a mouth-watering design. Later it was the sedan, that took the market and is still a prominent part of the market in India. Back when it was new, the Skoda Octavia Combi was available in two trims, vRS and L&K. Where the vRS had a powerful 150hp motor, L&K had luxurious interiors.

4. Tata Safari
   

   

   We do have an icon on this list, the Tata Safari. Tata the Indian carmaker introduced this potent SUV back in 1998. Since then the car has gone through multiple facelifts and a couple of generation changes. It was 2012 when Tata Safari was introduced as Safari Storm, its first generation change. And in 2019 before the implementation of the BS6 emission norms, it was discontinued.

   This made a void that filled up quickly in 2021. In comes the new generation of the Tata Safari. But until Safari Storm, the SUV retained its gorgeous and signature silhouette or the reason to make it to the list. Well, looks being subjective, I’ll leave you with your thoughts about how the new Tata Safari looks. Though, do let us know what do you think of it as a legend.

5. Honda City (First Gen)
   

   

   A typical sedan is a long, low to the ground with a low roofline and ground clearance, most importantly well placed judged boot. This is what defined the first-gen Honda city. First City rolled out from the production line in 1998 from the Noida’s plant in the country and is apart from the industry since.

   Honda City also is one of the oldest vehicles in the county that are still in production. Well, it was this very first generation of Honda City with which, Honda brought the VTEC technology in India. Also, this sedan back in 1998 came with a powerful 1.5litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that was capable of generating peak power of 106hp. Still the current generation Honda City is the most powerful sedan in its category.
   

6. Hyundai Tucson
   

   

   There were cars in the Indian market that offer the perfect balance between, the price and what they offer. One of the values for money vehicles in the market was also among the most beautiful, Hyundai Tucson. The basic aesthetic of this mid-size SUV shouted anything but utility. After decent success back in the early 2000s, the Korean carmaker introduced the Tuscon in 2005.

   But despite having high hopes, the SUV didn’t sell in big numbers. This is because, at that time, Hyundai had a reputation for selling affordable cars in India. Despite that, Hyundai Tucson managed to receive the ICOTY award. Well, the Tuscon is still on sale in India but the numbers are even lower than marginal.

7. Daewoo Matiz
   

   

   Now, let’s move to the cute, adorable little hatchback, Daewoo Matiz. This small hatch came to our shores in 1998 and was among the famous offering from the company to the Indian audience. Matiz had a decent performance as it was powered by a 796cc engine that churned 52hp and peak torque of 71 Nm. Also, it had a amove average fuel efficiency of about 18.5 kmpl. On the inside, this Daewoo was very spacious and offered much needed comfortable ride to the occupants.

   In the end, due to poor service from the company and super tough competition from the already established cars like Maruti 800 and Hyundai Santro, this hatch could never make space for itself and henceforth was discontinued in 2000. With a little more planning from the company, Matiz could have done much better and would have been a great success. In 2002 General motors bought the Daewoo and again introduced Matiz in India in the form of Chevrolet Spark.

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8. Ford Mondeo
   

   

   The American carmaker Ford did have a premium sedan in India. Back in 2002, Ford launched its one of the best selling sedan in India, the Mondeo. At the time of its launch, the Mondeo was pitched against the other luxury sedans of the time, these include, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and more. Well, this sedan measured 4.7m which made the Mondeo, among the longest cars in the segment. The Ford Mondeo came to India with both Petrol and Diesel Engine options.

   Mondeo was powered by a 2.0 Litre petrol engine producing 142 Bhp and a diesel engine producing 128 Bhp both mated to 5-speed manual transmissions. The biggest bummer for Mondeo’s failure in the market was its price. Being a CBU unit, it was evedent to be expensive. Also, this sedan from Ford already had various options from distinct brands. Those cars seemed like a better deal for the money back then.

9. Mitsubishi Pajero SFX
   

   

   There always has been a different attitude toward the cars that were launched in the 2000s. They were built for a specific purpose and no one compromised on the aesthetics and the driving dynamics. Another vehicle from that era we find adorable to look at is the Mitsubishi Pajero SFX. In 2008, Mitsubishi launched the best offroading matching of the time, Pajero SFX in India. The Pajero came equipped with a 2.8-litre 4 cylinder SOHC turbo diesel engine.

   The motor generated a slightly low 118ps of peak power and about  300Nm of peak torque. Having high torque figures and the perfect off-roading gear make it the weapon of choice for people seeking adventure. Later in 2012, the company discontinued the Pajer SFX and introduced a rather boring (but still a capable off-roader) Pajero sport.

10. Chevrolet Forester
    

    

    The potent vehicle that Chevrolet bought in 2002 to India was truly unique in many aspects. To begin with, this car was a dream for many. Why? you may ask. Essentially this was a Subaru Forester that was marketed by Chevrolet in India. Being a Subaru, it was quick, it was fun and it had AWD.

    Powering the Subaru (Chevrolet) Forester was a 2.5-litre, 4 cylinder engine, generating 164 bhp. Powering all four wheels was a 5-speed manual transmission. This engine generated torque of 177 Nm. The car did well on-road and off-road equally, thanks to its AWD drivetrain. In the end, it was a head-turning car on the road as it looked nothing from this world then.

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