Five brand new cars under 18 lakh
Tired of being one with the crowd? Here are five brand new alternatives you can have for less than a reconditioned Toyota Axio
Proton Saga
Dealer: PHP Automobiles Limited
Price: Tk1,800,000
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The Malaysian Proton Saga has a few things going for it. Firstly, the car is put together in Bangladesh, specifically at Sagarika in Chattogram where about 265 PHP workers assemble 10-12 vehicles per shift. And unlike the other sedan on this list, the Saga was built from the ground up to be a sedan and is much more pleasing to the eyes.
The interior comfort and features are about what you expect from a recon unit of the same price, except for a bit less padding and more hard plastic. The car's 1.3-litre VVT four-cylinder produces a sufficient 94HP and 120Nm of torque and handles quite well on corners. If you do not care much about resale value and would like to support the local car industry, give the Saga some thought.
Mitsubishi Attrage 1.2L
Dealer: Rangs Limited
Price: Tk1,650,000
If you are set on owning a Japanese sedan, there is the Mitsubishi Attrage. Essentially a Mirage hatchback with a boot tacked on, the Attrage is well suited for folks looking for an A to B transport. The interior is spartan but well put together and has a few nice touches such as keyless entry, automatic climate control, and a USB port inside the glove compartment.
The 1.2-litre MIVEC litre three-cylinder petrol engine is light and fuel efficient, making 78HP and 100Nm of torque. In short, if you want a brand new Japanese sedan at this price point, Attrage is the only viable option.
MG 3
Dealer: Rancon British Motors Limited
Price: Tk1,650,000
Moving from sedans to hatchbacks, the MG 3 is an attractive proposition for someone looking for a hot-ish hatch. Being a Shino-British brand, the car comes with some neat features such as LED DRL (daytime running lights), multifunctional steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, and a few other options not typically seen in this price bracket.
The 1.5-litre VVT four-cylinder engine generates 160HP and 150Nm of torque, making the car most powerful on this list. Overall, if you are lamenting the lack of a Swift Sport in your life, this might be a good alternative, especially considering the actual Swift Sport is now a mild hybrid.
Suzuki Wagon R 1.2L
Dealer: Uttara Motors Limited
Price: Tk1,425,000
Although the MG 3 is a decent substitute for a hot hatch, it is not a Kei car. If you are looking for something vaguely resembling one of those cute little Japanese city cars, the Suzuki Wagon R should do the trick. The boxy design of the car is reminiscent of a few tiny JDM favourites, though fortunately, it is much bigger in size.
The interior is spacious and brightly coloured and has some modern amenities such as steering wheel controls, leatherite upholstery and a 12-volt plug. The 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputs84 HP and 112Nm of torque, which, while not great, is good enough.
Renault Kwid Climber
Dealer: Karnaphuli Wheels Limited
Price: Tk1,450,000
While the Wagon R is quite quirky in its own right, this small French hatchback takes it to a whole new level. Proportioned like a crossover yet sized as a hatchback, the Renault Kwid Climber looks like nothing on road. The interior is also very quirky, from its dual-tone upholstery, gear selection knob and a sporty gauge cluster, all working together to remind you this is not your average boring econobox.
In terms of power, the 68HP and 91Nm of torque from its 1-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is the lowest on this list but is adequate for a car of this size. So if you are looking for a budget car that will grab everyone's action, the Kwid is for you.
