International Women’s Day 2015: 6 Cars Pakistani Women Love to Drive

Women, the most fragile creature yet the strongest to bear any hardships, are the color of this universe. They bring happiness, strength, love and balance to any family and give great sacrifices just for the sake of it. To honor women, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated each year on 8th of March. Also known as International Working Women’s Day, it focuses on giving respect to women and appreciating their efforts in domestic, economic, political and social fields. Special campaigns are run by NGOs and human rights activists for creating awareness among people regarding this aspect. In some regions, people also wear purple and pink ribbons, as a symbol of respect for women.

In Pakistan, International Women’s Day is celebrated with great fervor and respect. Today, we will put light on the women empowerment in Pakistan, especially on female drivers. Driving in Pakistan is not an easy task, as there is lack of traffic control with crowded roads, but Pakistani women are highly motivated to have their own cars and drive them independently. This could be the prime reason of rapid increase in the number of female drivers and the car sales over the past decade.

Here, Carmudi has compiled a list of cars loved by Pakistani women. All these come from Suzuki and Toyota and are regarded for their performance, design and innovative features.

1.Suzuki Mehran

The Suzuki Mehran has been the bestselling car across Pakistan for the past many years. Even though it is equally popular between men and women, ladies love it more due to the compact size and easy handling. Other reasons behind the high sales of this city car include moderate performance, low price, cheap aftermarkets and great resale value. The core feature of Suzuki Mehran is its 800cc three-cylinder EFI engine that produces 40 horsepower and 59 Nm torque mated to a four-speed manual transmission. You can buy this car in four new colors including Graphite Grey, Solid White, Silky Silver and Pearl Red. It is offered in two trim levels, Mehran VX and Mehran VXR, which are priced at PKR 625,000and PKR 678,000, respectively. This is the perfect choice for women, who are fresh behind the steering wheel.

2.Suzuki Swift

Here is another vehicle from Pak Suzuki, which is relatively larger than the Suzuki Mehran. It was brought to the Pakistani markets in 2010, and is offered only in the hatchback body style. The Suzuki Swift is one of the most favorite cars among women in Pakistan due to its comfort, convenience, performance and design features. Under the hood it retains a 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 91 horsepower and 116 torque, using either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Sold in three versions; 1.3 DLX (PKR 1,282,000), 1.3 DX (PKR 1,221,000)and 1.3 DLX (PKR 1,418,000) Automatic, you can opt any of the six body paints which include Pearl Red, Sand Beige, Solid White, Silky Silver, Graphite Grey and Phoenix Red. The biggest reason for its popularity among women drivers is that it delivers the performance and comfort of a large sedan in a small design, making it quite easier to handle.

3. Daihatsu Mira

Next on the list is another city car from the Japanese automaker Daihatsu. Although the Daihatsu Mira is not officially obtainable in Pakistan, it is being imported for a long while now. Latest in this regard is the seventh generation Mira, which is coded as L275 Series. Based on the year of manufacture and given features, there are many versions of Daihatsu Mira including X Limited Smart Drive Package, G Smart Drive Package, E:S, X Limited ER, X Special and TX Special. Being based on a 660cc three-cylinder front-mounted engine, the car uses front-wheel drive system and continuously variable automatic transmission to generate up to 63 horsepower and 76 Nm torque. These specs are quite appropriate for female drivers who have to rush through crowded cities for work or shopping. Due to official unavailability, you can get the Daihatsu Mira only in used or refurbished condition at prices ranging between PKR 400,000 to PKR 1,360,000.

4.Suzuki Alto

After Mehran, the Alto is the second bestselling car in Pakistan. However, the production of this car was suspended in 2012, so now can only be purchased in used condition. Nevertheless, the Japanese version of Suzuki Alto, which is still in production, is imported and sold across Pakistan. The Pakistani Alto encloses a 1000cc four-cylinder engine producing 50 horsepower and 83 Nm torque with four or five-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, the Japanese Alto uses a more efficient 660cc engine with manual or automatic transmission system. It is a reliable car with Suzuki badge ensuring durability and low cost, making it a ladies’ favorite here. The Pakistan-made Alto is obtainable at a price range of PKR 300,000 and PKR 800,000, while the Japanese versions are available from PKR 600,000 to PKR 1,200,000.

5.Toyota Vitz

This is one of the most popular Toyota hatchbacks in the Pakistani auto markets. Although this Japanese car is not offered by authorized distributors in the region, it is imported from Japan in great numbers. This is more advanced as compared to its competitors from Suzuki, and comes with an uplifting design and performance standards. The third generation of Vitz was recently brought to Pakistan featuring a sharper and more stylish exterior. A wide range of handling features and available engines make Vitz a desired car for enthusiastic and fun-loving girls. Based on the model year, trim level and embedded features, a used Toyota Vitz would cost you between PKR 700,000 and PKR 1,500,000.

6.Toyota Passo

The last car on our list is Toyota Passo, which is quite similar to the Toyota Vitz. However, it is being manufactured by Daihatsu Motor Corporation. It arrived in the Pakistani markets after 2010 and became one of the most successful high performance hatchbacks in the country. It is either built with a 1.0 liter three-cylinder or 1.3 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions. The exterior styling elements are very similar to the Suzuki Swift comprising of flat roof, headlamps and aerodynamics. Pakistani women love this hatchback for its highly comfortable leatherette upholstered seats and state-of-the-art features. The Toyota Passo can be obtained betweenPKR 650,000 and PKR 1,300,000.

So there you have it! The best and the most favorite cars among the ladies of Pakistan. The main reasons of their popularity are fuel saving, auto transmission, awesome exterior, low turning radius, safety specs and smooth handling.