Cars are back in demand after a forgettable 2020. Companies are seeing an upturn in sales, and the numbers could skyrocket this year with the long line of vehicles waiting to be launched. Over 100 cars are in the queue, with most of them being sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans. To give you a sense of what’s ahead, here are the five most-awaited upcoming cars of 2021.

Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is already up in the international market and is expected to be launched in our country on 3rd March at just over ₹20.77 lakhs. The hybrid model comes with a solar panel integrated into its roof for charging batteries. According to the company, this will help extend the car’s range by up to 1300kms annually. The vehicle will be powered by a massive 2.0-litre petrol unit, which could deliver a fuel efficiency of up to 20.1kmpl. As far as the colour options are concerned, the car will be offered in three colours – Mushroom, Sleek Silver, and Coral White.

Tata Altroz XM plus Diesel
At ₹7.75 Lakh (expected price), the Altroz XM presents a compelling case. The hatchback, which is expected to arrive in the country on 5th March, will be powered by a 1497cc engine and will come with a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel engine is expected to provide a fuel efficiency of 25.11kmpl and will have a max torque of 200Nm@1250-3000rpm. The boot space in the Altroz XM is a considerable 345 litres, while the touch screen display is intuitive. Tata will be offering the car in five colour variants – High Street Gold, Midtown Grey, Downtown Red, Avenue White, and Harbour Blue.

Mahindra XUV500 2021
Launched in 2011, the XUV500 quickly became an instant hit. It offered a stellar performance at a reasonable price, and the 2021 version is expected to continue that trend. Mahindra is expected to launch the vehicle on 9th March at ₹14 lakh (ex-showroom). Like the second-gen Thar, the XUV500 2021 will also come with the company’s all-new 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, along with the option of manual and automatic transmission. Coming to the design, the XUV500 2021 gets a more upright new grille than its predecessor, and the C-shaped headlamps and DRLs catch the eye.

Citroen C5 Aircross
Expected to launch somewhere in March, the C5 Aircross will command a price of around ₹30 lakhs. The SUV will come in a five-seater layout equipped with a 2.0-litre diesel engine (177PS/400Nm). The car will have up to eight-speed automatic transmission while expected to deliver a fuel efficiency of 18.6kmpl. Additional features in the car include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and a six-speaker sound system. The C5 Aircross is also incredibly safe as it comes with airbags, electronic stability, and blind-spot monitoring.

Jeep 2021 Wrangler
The Wrangler is expected to launch on 15th March, and bookings are in full swing. Like the current model, the latest version will also come with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, which will deliver an output of 268bhp and 400Nm of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission with a four-wheel-drive setup is also being provided, making the SUV perfect for off-roading. Inside the car, you’ll find an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.