Some say cars are a man's best friend. Whether that's true or not, a new car is something most people fancy. If you're looking for brand new cars under the Tk. 35 lakh price tag, here are our recommendations for you to consider.
Hyundai Accent offers respectful styling despite its reasonable pricing. All the variants come with a 1.4-litre 120-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and a trusty CVT (continuous variable automatic transmission). The Accent may not be exciting but it feels lively - the body can easily be tossed into a corner even though comfort riding is a priority over deft handling. It is brilliant for Bangladesh's rough roads, though harsh impacts generate vibrations through the cabin. The car even has a decent fuel economy of 15.5 km/l.
Brakes: Ventilated disc (front), drum (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), coupled torsion beam axle (rear)
Other features: Push-button start/smart key, rheostat & electronic stability control, seat folding system (60:40 type), static bending light, hill start assist control
Suzuki Swift used to be cheap and charmless in the 90s but now it is a funky car to drive. The deftly designed Swift is packed with practicality and ridiculous space on a small platform. The hatchback weighs around 900 kg which is on par with Lotus Elise. Using a 1.2-litre 12V mild-hybrid driving, either the front or all four wheels is an option. The car is agile and amazing to drive and lives up to the name 'Swift'. This small hot-hatch is easier to manoeuvre through the streets of Dhaka than most sedans.
Engine: Advanced K-series dual jet, dual VVT engine with idle-start-stop function
Brakes: Disc (front), drum (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut with coil spring (front), torsion beam (rear)
Other features: 17.78cm touchscreen smart play studio, auto gear shift technology, hill hold control
5th Generation Honda City is back with a new design and sharp styling, grabbing more attention than its predecessors. It follows the same design philosophy as the Honda Civic and Accord. The new City has a classy luxurious interior with astonishing cabin space and comfort. The City is all about refined driving and a very sensible family-oriented car. The previous generations kept an impression of good quality and the new model has been continuing this legacy.
Engine: 1.5L In-line 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC
Brakes: Ventilated disc (front), drum (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut with stabiliser bar (front), torsion beam (rear)
Transmission: CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission)
Other features: Hill start assist, seat folding system (60:40 type), paddle shifters, cruise control, smart entry and start, blind view monitor system
Toyota as a brand was always known to make very reliable cars and the new Yaris is no exception. It is one of the best subcompact cars ever made despite its sluggish acceleration. Yaris has nimble handling with a great fuel economy of 14 km/l in the city and 17 km/l on the highway. It provides a fairly comfortable ride but tends to jiggle over uneven pavement. The Yaris may not be as good as its GR Yaris counterpart but it does get the job done for its budget.
Engine: 2NR-FE, 4-cylinder Inline, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Brakes: Ventilated disc (front), drum (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), torsion beam (rear)
Transmission: CVT with Tiptronic transmission
Other features: 60:40 split seat ratio, Optitron metre with multifunction display, smart entry and start, EBD (Electronic brake force distribution)
DFSK is one of the biggest names in the Chinese automobile industry, sharing parts with French Renault and Peugeot, Japanese Honda and Nissan, Korean Kia, Italian Fiat, German BOSCH and lastly British Delphi. They took advantage of all these major brands to create the Glory 580 i-Auto, which didn't fail to disappoint as it is a 7-seater crossover with a price tag of a compact. The Glory is surprisingly filled with top-notch features, amazing driving experience, 200mm ground clearance, surprisingly stiff suspension, 5-star NCAP (new car assessment program) crash safety rating and lastly, a gorgeous design. The nifty crossover surely knows how to make a statement.
Engine: SFG 1.5L Turbocharged FIAT
Brakes: Disc (front), disc (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson independent suspension with stabiliser (front), torsional beam with stabiliser (rear)
Other features: ESP (ABS, EBD, EBA), Hill hold control, i-talk/voice command, electric power backdoor, crash auto, cruise control, TPMS, 70/30 split seats