I need an automatic sedan with a limited budget and essential features. I am confused between the Maruti Dzire and the Hyundai Aura for 90% city use.

Autocar India

•17h

For mostly city use for your parents with a few highway trips, pick the Honda Amaze ZX 1.2 Petrol CVT. It's smooth, automatic, and suits elderly drivers better than the Dzire's AMT. The Honda uses a CVT, which is an automatic that does not shift through fixed gears, so it pulls away smoothly and keeps moving without the small pauses you would feel in the Maruti's AMT. This makes it calmer and easier to drive in comparison. The range-topping Amaze also comes with ADAS safety features, which the Dzire misses out on.Trade-offs to note with the Amaze: if you press hard on the accelerator, the engine gets loud and boomy, and the cabin isn't very well insulated. If maximum fuel saving and Maruti’s very wide service network matter more than shift smoothness, the Dzire still makes sense. But for your brief, the Amaze CVT is the smoother, hassle-free choice.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Autocar India

•18h

With 500 km a month, mostly city and some highway, and a Rs. 10 lakh budget, the Honda Amaze V CVT is a good option. Its CVT automatic feels very smooth in traffic and when parking, making it very easy to drive and live with.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which is more comfortable as far as seats and ride quality goes. Its engine is more efficient too, with the only downside being that its gearbox isn't as smooth as Honda's. The Dzire has got a 5-star safety rating, and as far as size goes, its length is similar to the Fronx, and the Dzire is narrower, making it more compact, thus easier to park than the Fronx.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Autocar India

•11h

If your budget allows, go for a new Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel automatic. It is the safer and easier pick. You get a fresh car with full warranty, no past accidents to worry about, and the latest software and small fixes that usually come after the first couple of years. Finance is simpler on a new car, resale later will be stronger, and Mahindra’s service network is wide, so upkeep is straightforward. The diesel automatic suits long drives and also handles city traffic well, with strong pull when you need it. Space, comfort and road presence are all there in this Mahindra car, which is why you shortlisted it in the first place.One thing to keep in mind is its size. It is a large car, so tight parking will need practice. Also, a diesel can sound a bit gruff at idle, and if your usage is only short city drives, you should take it on a longer run once in a while to keep the exhaust system in good condition.The only time the 2-year-old previous model with 19,000 km makes more sense is if you are saving good amount of money and it is a well-maintained, single-owner car. In that case, demand a full service record from a Mahindra workshop, get a dealer scan for error codes, check tyre and battery age, and confirm if any extended warranty can be transferred.

Mahindra XUV 7XO