India's 7 Best Highway Cars In The Affordable Segments - Cheapest To Expensive
A lot of people drive mostly on highways, and for them, choosing a car becomes very difficult. This is because what may drive amazingly in the city may not be good for driving on highways. It is because highway driving requires a very specific set of qualities from a car. And a good highway car should not only be safe, but it should also offer a punchy engine and strong high-speed stability. Now, if you are someone who frequently does long-distance trips, then here are the best highway cars ranked from most affordable to expensive.
The most affordable vehicle on this list is one of the best-selling cars in the country, the Tata Punch 1.2 Turbo Petrol. This micro-SUV has now become a very capable highway car after the introduction of the turbo engine with the facelifted model. Earlier, the Punch lacked the power required for highway driving. However, the new 120 PS turbo petrol motor has given it exactly what was missing.
With this engine, the Punch can now cruise comfortably at speeds of 100 to 120 kmph without feeling strained. Also, it offers strong mid-range torque between 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm, which makes overtakes quick and stress-free. The steering also weighs up nicely as speed increases, which adds to driver confidence.
In terms of ride quality, the suspension does a very good job of absorbing expansion joints and undulations. However, it has to be noted that due to its tallboy design, there is some body roll, and high-speed stability is not as strong as larger cars. Additionally, NVH levels are not the best because wind and engine noise become noticeable beyond 90 kmph.
Another Tata product on this list is the Altroz premium hatchback. It is regarded as one of the most stable hatchbacks in the country. This premium hatch offers excellent straight-line stability and feels planted even at speeds above 120 kmph.
One of the main highlights of the Altroz is its diesel engine, which is the best choice for highway driving, as it produces 200 Nm of torque, which makes overtaking effortless. Also, the suspension setup is tuned in a way that it becomes more comfortable as speed increases.
As for safety, the Altroz offers a 5-star safety rating, which adds a lot of confidence during highway driving. However, refinement is still a weak point, as engine and wind noise can be heard inside the cabin at higher speeds. The naturally aspirated petrol engine also lacks punch for quick overtakes.
Moving up the list is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which is known for offering the driving character of a bigger car on the highways. It offers excellent high-speed stability and feels planted even at triple-digit speeds. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine produces 131 PS and 230 Nm, which makes it the most powerful in its segment.
Cruising in this SUV is effortless, and it can perform quick overtakes with ease. The diesel engine is also a great option for long-distance driving due to its strong torque and efficiency. As for the suspension setup, the ride quality on highways is very smooth, and the undulations are not as prominent.
The XUV 3XO also gets Level 2 ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, which significantly reduces driver fatigue. However, some road noise does creep in at higher speeds. Overall, it is one of the best-driving sub-compact SUVs in the market.
Coming to the mid-size sedan segment, the current champion, the Volkswagen Virtus, needs no introduction. This sedan offers exceptional high-speed stability and feels extremely planted even at speeds of 100 to 120 kmph for long durations.
The 1.5-litre TSI engine, which makes 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque, is the highlight. It offers effortless cruising and strong overtaking performance. The car maintains 100 kmph at low RPMs, which makes it very relaxed for long drives. The suspension setup is slightly on the firmer side. However, it provides excellent control at high speeds and makes driving very enjoyable.
Its steering is precise and weighs up well, which adds to the overall confidence. Even though there is some tyre noise at higher speeds, the overall highway experience remains one of the best in this price range.
It looks like we have another Tata Motors car on this list, and this time around, it's the newly launched Sierra. This SUV has become the rage in the country due to its unique exterior design and feature-loaded cabin. However, apart from these, it has also become popular for offering amazing ride quality. On highways, it offers a very stable and predictable driving experience.
The turbo petrol engine provides strong mid-range performance for overtakes. Meanwhile, the diesel engine is better suited for relaxed cruising at speeds of 100 to 120 kmph. The ride quality is also excellent, thanks to the frequency-selective damping, which absorbs bad roads and expansion joints with ease.
Inside the cabin, the Sierra offers lounge-like seating with good under-thigh support. This makes it extremely comfortable for long journeys. However, there is noticeable body roll at higher speeds, which limits its sporty appeal.
The recently launched Mahindra XUV 7XO, which is the facelifted version of the XUV700, is one of the best vehicles for highway driving. It can mask high speeds and remain stable even at triple-digit speeds.
The 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 450 Nm of torque is the ideal choice for those looking to spend more time on highways. This engine makes driving effortless, and its strong mid-range punch adds to the confidence during overtakes. The petrol engine is also refined but less efficient for long drives.
One of the key highlights is the new Davinci suspension and its damping technology. It helps in absorbing road imperfections and maintaining stability. It also gets Level 2 ADAS features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which reduce driver fatigue during long journeys.
Finally, at the top of the list of best highway driving cars is the Mahindra XEV 9S. This 7-seater electric SUV has been designed for high-speed highway cruising. This EV offers exceptional stability even at speeds of 150 to 160 kmph and feels extremely planted on the road.
The top-of-the-line variant produces around 285 PS and 380 Nm of torque, which makes sure that the acceleration is very quick and overtakes are effortless. Adding to the driving characteristic is the semi-active suspension, which adjusts in real time to road conditions and strikes a balance between comfort and control.
The cabin of the XEV 9S is extremely quiet due to excellent insulation, which reduces fatigue on long drives. It also gets advanced Level 2+ ADAS features and a heads-up display, which makes the driving experience safer and stress-free.
Unfortunately, the only downside is that the range can drop significantly when driven at high speeds. The larger 79 kWh battery pack offers a real-world highway range of close to 450 to 500 km, which makes it a very well-rounded EV SUV for highways.