Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•10h

Go for the Kia Seltos. While they are both similar SUVs that use the same engines, the Seltos is a larger vehicle built on a newer platform. It thus offers better space and comfort, as well as new-generation tech, which the Creta will only get when its next-gen model is launched in 2027. It also has a higher-quality interior with better fit and finish. Depending on the engine, gearbox and variant you choose, you may find a few more features in the equivalent Creta compared to the Seltos, but overall value for money, the Seltos should still come out on top, considering its inherent benefits. That said, some reasons you might want to opt for the Creta is because you already own a Hyundai and are already in their system, and have an established relationship with the service centre. Also, if you are planning to exchange your i20, ask the dealer for a loyalty bonus or any other deal they might have; this could swing the purchase in favour of the Creta.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•1h

Yes, switch to an EV if you have a fixed parking spot where you can install a home charger - for a pure city, second car, the Tata Punch EV fits best. Stop-go traffic is where EVs save the most, and with low maintenance and cheap electricity, the math works out over a few years. If you cannot charge at home, skip the EV idea.As a city commuter, the Punch EV is easy. Light steering, smooth creep, strong regen that lets you use the brake less, and ground clearance for bad roads. In real use, the Medium Range handles a typical week of school runs and errands on a single charge; the Long Range provides more buffer if others in the family do longer loops. Tata’s EVs have held up well so far, and support is wide. For variants, pick the Medium Range if your daily running is short and you can top up at home; choose the Long Range only if you want to charge less often. The 7.2 kW home charger is nice to have, not a must-have.Also, look at the Tata Tiago EV for a lower price, and the MG Comet if you want something compact. If you stay petrol, the Hyundai i20 IVT or Amaze CVT automatics are the easiest city alternatives.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV

MG Comet

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze

autocar.india

•5d

Unfortunately, there are no new automatic cars that are not AMTs in that price range, and the closest you will get are the Honda Amaze or Hyundai i20, both of which use CVTs and cost around Rs 10 lakh on road. If the budget can be stretched to that much, they are both excellent options, albeit capped at low to medium variants because of your budget.Look at the same two cars; a pre-owned example and a 3-4-year-old one should fall within your budget. The CVTs' smooth shifts will make Bangalore’s bumper-to-bumper traffic a breeze, and you’ll find clean, low-mileage cars within Rs 8 lakh. They are both compact to park, with light controls, and service is not pricey, which helps a first-time owner.If he prefers a small SUV shape, look at a Nissan Magnite automatic or Renault Kiger turbo-petrol automatic. Both use a smooth auto, ride well on bad roads, and have good ground clearance for speed breakers. If you're willing to look at 5-year-old-plus cars that are in good condition, you could even get a midsize SUV or sedan. Whichever you pick, insist on full service records, get an independent inspection, and budget a little for fresh tyres and fluids so the first year is headache-free.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

autocar.india

•4d

The Hyundai i20 N Line N6 manual is a good highway car. Its tall sixth gear allows it to cruise comfortably at highway speeds while returning respectable fuel efficiency. The engine has a strong mid-range, making overtakes easy, and it feels stable at high speeds. For your use case, performance will feel noticeably dulled with four people on board, and pushing the engine harder will reduce fuel efficiency. It also suffers from a weak bottom end, so performance below 2,000rpm is not particularly strong. A full load can also leave ground clearance marginal over taller speed breakers, and the ride is on the firmer side, which passengers may find uncomfortable. While cabin space is generally good for the segment, the boot may feel tight when carrying luggage for four.The Honda Elevate has a definite advantage when it comes to space. While your family of four, all under 170cm tall, will fit comfortably in the i20, the Elevate gives them more room to stretch out, which matters on longer journeys. Its shorter gearing means performance is actually quite good for a naturally aspirated engine, but as you pointed out, it does not feel particularly relaxed at highway speeds.If you can live with the i20 N Line’s shortcomings, it is a good fit for your needs and significantly cheaper than the Elevate. Before making a decision, take your family on an extended highway test drive to see how they feel in the rear seat. As a family car, though, the Elevate is the better choice.Alternatively, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual. It offers better highway performance than the Elevate, more space than the i20, and is one of the best-handling SUVs in its class, which you are likely to enjoy.

Hyundai i20

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

autocar.india

•1w

Since you plan to keep the car for 10-12 years, cover 80% highway driving and live in a Tier II town where both the Honda and Skoda service centres are 60km away, long-term reliability and ease of ownership become more important than outright performance. The Amaze has a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a smooth CVT, is known for its dependable reliability and should require fewer unscheduled visits to the workshop. Scheduled servicing is also straightforward and maintenance costs are generally very reasonable.The Skoda Kylaq Signature AT is an excellent SUV and offers better ground clearance, a stronger turbo-petrol engine and a more engaging driving experience. However, given the distance to the service centre, we'd still give the edge to the Honda car for long-term peace of mind.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza Automatic. It has a smooth torque-converter automatic, excellent reliability, low maintenance costs and Maruti Suzuki's unmatched service network, which is a significant advantage in a Tier II town. Another option is the Hyundai i20 CVT, which offers a refined petrol engine, a smooth CVT and a premium cabin, while Hyundai's widespread service network makes ownership easier.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1w

With an annual running of just 8,000km, mostly in the city, the Hyundai i20 simply makes more sense. It offers the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the Venue, but being lighter, it should feel a little more responsive and should also be slightly more fuel-efficient. Considering you're comparing the top-spec i20 Asta (O) with a mid-spec Venue HX6, the i20 also offers a more premium cabin, a richer feature list and, at over Rs 2 lakh less, represents significantly better value for money.The Hyundai Venue HX6 is worth considering if you specifically want the higher seating position and SUV styling. However, with the same engine, the extra weight means it is unlikely to offer any performance advantage, and you'll be paying a significant premium primarily for the SUV body style.Coming from a 2015 Wagon R, both cars will feel like a substantial upgrade in terms of refinement, comfort and features. Unless the higher driving position is a non-negotiable requirement, we'd save the money and choose the i20.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

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Pick the Hyundai i20 Asta IVT. For mostly Bangalore city use, it feels light and easy to drive and its clean, sporty look will still feel young in five years. It's very efficient too, though some others might be better. The automatic is the smoothest to drive and the most polished in traffic, but that trim will likely go past your Rs 10 lakh budget; settle for the Sportz (O) instead. A quick word on the rest. The Honda Amaze CVT is smooth, friendly and efficient, but as a compact sedan it might not deliver the style statement or road presence you want. The Baleno will be the most efficient; in real-world traffic you can expect around 11-13kpl if you are judicious with the throttle, and the cabin is airy and comfy for the daily grind. However, the AMT is not as smooth as the i20’s automatic. Tata Nexon AMT gives you SUV stance and presence, but the AMT is clunky in stop-go and city economy is weaker, so your 10-12kpl requirement is a stretch.

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

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Pick the Tata Altroz for your trips. It stays flatter through ghats than the Punch and feels steadier than the i20, which helps people who get sick. On winding Konkan roads, side-to-side roll and float at the back are what trigger nausea; the Altroz sits lower and has a firmer, more tied-down tune, so there’s less sway in bends and less bobbing over crests. It is calm at highway speeds, too, so your family won’t be tossed about.A few tips for travel sickness: seat the most sensitive person in front and tell them to keep looking out and at the road and horizon. Motion sickness is caused mainly due to your body receiving differing signals, so if your are reading you eyes and looking down and at something steady, but your body is sensing motion. Thus, for people who feel sick its best to look out of the windows and not at a phone, for example. Also, if required, keep the windows cracked a bit for fresh air, which helps, and take short breaks more often rather than one break after a long drive. Eat a light meal and lime and ginger if you can, as it helps reduce nausea.

Tata Altroz

Tata Punch

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•1w

The Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic is a strong fit for your usage. Its smooth 6 speed automatic, light steering and compact footprint make it very easy to live with in the city, especially in traffic and tight parking conditions. Importantly, it already ticks your feature requirements, including a 360° camera, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, and even ADAS, within your stretched budget of around Rs 14 lakh. It also feels reassuringly solid. The XUV range has built a good safety reputation, and the turbo petrol engine offers strong low end performance, making it well suited to both city driving and occasional highway runs.On the i20, while it remains a well rounded premium hatchback, the current version does miss out on features like a 360° camera and ADAS. There is talk of a facelift, but timelines are not confirmed, and it is unclear whether Hyundai will add these features, so waiting specifically for that may not guarantee what you are looking for.As for the upcoming Bayon, Hyundai is expected to bring it around September, but it will likely be a larger, around 4.3 metre crossover as a Maruti Suzuki Victoris rival and positioned below the Creta. That means it may not be as feature rich in the variants that fall within your budget. It could also end up competing more with mid size SUVs rather than sub 4 metre options.The Venue and Sonet are polished and easy to recommend, but the variants that offer both ADAS and a 360 degree camera tend to stretch well beyond Rs.14 lakh on road.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Bayon

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•2w

You can go ahead and buy the Hyundai i20 Asta IVT now. There's no further facelift planned, and the Bayon-based crossover will be positioned much higher and closer to the Hyundai Creta in price. For mostly city use, the i20's smooth, automatic and light controls make traffic a breeze, and it fits your budget better than most compact SUVs would. You still get six airbags, a big screen, a sunroof and all the everyday comforts, and it’s fine for the odd highway run. However, the i20 doesn’t get a 360 camera, and Android Auto/CarPlay aren't wireless unless you buy a special adapter accessory.If a 360 camera is a must and you want the SUV look, the Hyundai Venue SX(O) DCT or Kia Sonet GTX+ have it, but they’ll sit well past Rs 14 lakh on-road in most cities, and their dual-clutch automatics aren’t as smooth as the i20’s CVT in bumper-to-bumper traffic.Another alternative you could consider is the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor Turbo Petrol V AT, which gets a punchy but efficient engine, a smooth automatic, and the features you want at around your Rs 14 lakh budget.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor