Delhi

•13w

Hi, this will be my first car and my budget is Rs. 10 lakhs for an automatic transmission. I am looking for a city car primarily with occasional long distance trips. Can you suggest a car that has smooth transmission within this budget and also has a decent after sale service but still it is not too expensive to maintain? I am okay with both hatchback and sub-4 meter SUV options if available.

•13w

For a first car under 10 lakh and a focus on city driving with occasional long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT is the most sensible recommendation. It is a well-rounded hatchback with a smooth AMT gearbox, excellent fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs. Maruti’s service network is the strongest in the country, which keeps ownership hassle-free and affordable. The Baleno also offers a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and enough boot space for weekend getaways.

A strong alternative is the Hyundai i20. It comes with a CVT which is totally seamless and much smoother than the Maruti's AMT. It is also comfortable, easy to drive and Hyundai has a strong reputation for reliability and aftersales service.

The Baleno strikes the best balance between smoothness, practicality and long-term ownership costs.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.50 Lakh

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.51 Lakh

•13w•

@autocar.india Would you recommend I10 to be a good option given the car would be mostly driven by my wife who has no prior 4 wheeler experience. Any alternatives that would be more feasible is highly appreciated.

•13w•

Venue owner

@sid_dandapath

Go for Baleno because

More posts on similar cars

•2d

We are planning to buy a Hyundai Exter HX8, but we are confused about whether we should buy a petrol automatic or a CNG manual, as our daily running is about 38 to 42 km. And my wife also wants to drive, but she is not confident with a manual car. Also, for the daily commute, we mostly use our scooty, and we mostly use our car in the rainy season and on special occasions.

•1d

Your average daily running of 40km and a monthly running of 1200km isn't much to justify the premium you would pay for a Hyundai Exter CNG over the petrol-manual version. On the other hand, the AMT gets you the convenience of an automatic without compromising fuel efficiency significantly (compared to the manual version), so it is certainly worth paying for; even more so, since your wife isn't comfortable driving a manual. If you're open to other options and absolutely want CNG along with the convenience of an automatic, consider the Tata Punch CNG AMT or the Maruti Baleno CNG AMT.

Which car would you choose as a first-time buyer?

•4d

Hello, I am looking to buy my first car and am leaning towards the Tata Altroz DCA. I will mainly use it for city commutes in Bengaluru, with occasional drives of around 500km a month. Safety is a priority, and I also like the low step-in height and 90-degree-opening rear doors, especially for my elderly parents. Would you recommend the Altroz DCA for my needs, or should I consider other options?

•2d

The Tata Altroz DCA is a good fit for your needs, particularly because safety, easy ingress and egress for your elderly parents, and city driving are priorities. Its 90-degree opening rear doors and low step-in height make getting in and out easier, while its compact dimensions suit Bengaluru traffic. The DCA automatic is convenient for daily commuting, though the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine isn't the most refined, and the gearbox can feel hesitant and isn't particularly quick with shifts.The Hyundai i20 IVT is worth a test drive as well. Its engine is smoother, and its CVT automatic is more fluid in stop-start traffic, making it the more relaxed option to drive. However, the Altroz's wide-opening rear doors may make it easier for your parents to get in and out, so the Hyundai isn't automatically the better family car.Shortlist both, but lean towards the Altroz if your parents' comfort and ease of access are decisive. Take them along for a test drive and check how easily they can get in and out of both cars before booking.

Tata Altroz

Hyundai i20

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•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

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•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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