With the rise in SUV culture, legendary D-segment sedans that were discontinued in India

Rise of SUV culture: India’s automotive industry has evolved with time and advancements in technology. The consumer’s trend for opting for a vehicle that would fulfill their requirement has changed over a while. This has led auto manufacturers to adapt to the consumer's trends and behaviour patterns of their purchasing decisions. There were some great sedans in the C-segment and D-segment categories that used to offer spacious interiors, features, and powerful engines for performance. Since the trend has now shifted towards SUVs in each segment, these sedans were discontinued slowly by the auto manufacturers due to poor sales and low demand among consumers. This has eventually resulted in enthusiasts losing some great sedans and the C-segment and D-segment sedans becoming extinct. 

Let us have a look at the three legendary sedans that were discontinued in previous years: 

Skoda Octavia: 

Skoda Octavia was the German manufacturer's first sedan, leading to their entry into India’s automotive industry. It was a great car with solid interiors, a plush cabin experience, and a punchy engine. The 2017 facelifted model updated its design and characteristics. It was powered by a 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine that was a delight to drive, and the well-calibrated suspensions used to provide comfort on point. The facelifted version had a bigger 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine that produced more power. The Czech Republic manufacturer eventually discontinued it due to poor sales and customer demand before the BS-6 Phase-II emission norms were applied in 2023. 

Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze was known for its powerful performance from its diesel engine in its era. Chevrolet used to produce some great vehicles for India’s auto industry before closing its operations in India. It offered decent cabin space but on the contrary, it was a driver’s delight. Due to declining operations in India, the American automotive manufacturer decided to shut operations in 2017, and eventually, the Chevrolet Cruze left the market. 

Honda Civic

When launched, the Honda Civic was a beautiful-looking sedan with low ground clearance and even used to offer a hybrid engine option before the facelift. In 2019, Honda launched the Civic with a facelift with fresh exteriors and interiors with a petrol automatic and diesel manual. The driving experience of the petrol engine was minimalised with the automatic gearbox which should have been offered with the diesel. However, due to poor sales and consumer trends shifting towards SUVs in the segment, the Honda Civic was discontinued in 2020 before the BS-6 era started.