I am a first-time car buyer, but am confused between Altroz DCA and i20 IVT. I am 5.4ft, and have a family of four. City usage with 1/2 long trips in a month.

Autocar India

•3w

Considering your primary usage is in the city, a CVT gearbox is a better option than a DCT. DCTs can be jerky in stop-and-go traffic and are prone to overheating, which results in more frequent wear and tear. With that in mind, the Hyundai i20 CVT would be a better choice for you.

This Hyundai car is easy to maintain and comes equipped with most of the features available in the segment. Its CVT is also one of the smoothest on the market. The i20 has a larger wheelbase (2580mm) compared to the Tata Altroz (2501mm), translating into better second-row space. The engine is refined, and the power delivery is smooth, making it an overall easier car to live with.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.66 Lakh

Tata

Altroz

from ₹7.18 Lakh

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Shubham Sharma

•3w

Both car are well good in sense of looking and transmission wise But I prefer you for i20 because more refined engine you will get in this car No doubt altroz is better But I prefer i20 Sorry tata 😇

Latest questions people are discussing

Sharmila

•4d

I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the 2026 Hyundai Creta EX(O) IVT, Kia Seltos HTK IVT and Honda Elevate V CVT. My usage will be around 50 percent in the city and 50 percent on highways. I also plan to sell the car after 3-4 years, so good resale value and overall value for money are important factors. Which of these cars would you recommend?

Autocar India

•4h

Among your three choices, the Hyundai Creta is in high demand in the used market and therefore holds its value the best. The current Kia Seltos is too new to accurately predict its resale value, but going by the resale values of the last generation, we expect it to be only slightly behind the Creta. Interestingly, the Elevate, despite Honda's good reputation, will likely see the most depreciation of the three, but in the V CVT variant you've chosen, it is also the cheapest to buy, and Honda dealers regularly offer sizeable discounts on it.The Creta is the safest bet if you want the best value for money and strong resale value. It is good to drive, well-equipped, the engine is smooth and refined, and the IVT works seamlessly. However, do take a test drive of the Elevate as well. It offers better acceleration than the Creta, the seats are very comfortable, and the suspension feels more robust. If you can negotiate a good deal, it can represent very good value for money.

Faraz Mohammed

Hi Autocar Team, I am a first-time car buyer and am considering the Citroen C3. My daily running is less than 50 km and I will use the car for both daily driving and occasional long trips. However, I am confused between the Citroen C3 and the Nissan Magnite and am also unsure about the Citroen brand in India. Is Citroen a reliable brand, and how does the C3 perform in terms of maintenance and mileage? Which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•5h

As a first-time buyer, it’s good that you’re looking at both sides carefully.The Citroen C3 is a solid and very likeable car. Its biggest strength is ride comfort, it handles bad roads better than most cars in this segment and feels mature for its size. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol, in particular, is a gem. It’s strong, smooth and easily one of the nicest small-capacity turbo-petrol engines around today. If you enjoy driving and want something that feels a bit different from the usual crowd, the C3 stands out. For your daily run of under 50km and occasional long drives, it will be perfectly comfortable. Mileage is reasonable, especially with the naturally aspirated engine, though the turbo will be slightly lower.The Nissan Magnite has other strengths. It has better road presence with its SUV styling, a more practical cabin, a bigger boot and a feature list that feels more complete. Nissan, as a brand, has built a reputation for reliability, and its dealership and service network is currently more established than Citroen’s in most cities. That adds peace of mind, especially for a first-time buyer.So if you like to drive and value comfort and engine performance, the C3 is the more enjoyable car. But if you want a safer, more practical and lower-risk ownership experience, the Magnite is the wiser choice.

Citroen C3

Nissan Magnite

Manoj Talele

•4d

I want to buy a 7-seater car and am confused between the Jeep Meridian and the Toyota Innova Hycross. Could you please explain the pros and cons of both models and help me decide which one would be the better choice?

Autocar India

•6h

Both are very different cars, so the choice really depends on what you want from your 7-seater.The Jeep Meridian is a proper SUV. It feels solid, has excellent ride quality, and really shines on broken roads and highways. The 2.0-litre diesel paired with the 9-speed automatic is relaxed and effortless at cruising speeds, making it a very good long-distance tourer. It also feels more planted and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds. However, the third row is tight and best suited for kids, and overall space isn’t as generous as the Toyota.The Toyota Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is more urban in nature. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with a strong hybrid option that delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city use. It’s significantly more spacious, especially in the second and third rows, and comfort is a big highlight. For family use and city driving, it feels easier and lighter to live with. Long-term ownership peace of mind is also a big plus, thanks to Toyota’s strong reliability reputation.To sum up; Go for the Meridian if you enjoy driving, do long highway trips and want that SUV feel.Take the Hycross if space, comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership matter more, especially for urban use.

Jeep Meridian

Toyota Innova HyCross

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