I am from Goa, have sold my Celerio AMT & am planning to buy an automatic hatchback in the price bracket of ₹8.00 to ₹10.00 lakhs. My usage is about 50-60 Kms a day, mostly in the city with occasional highway runs. Would it be prudent to buy the existing Maruti Baleno or wait for the upcoming facelift, or go for the Hyundai i20 with the CVT(IVT)? My only grouse with the Baleno is that it's no longer available with the CVT, but the AMT. Also, neither of these cars is 5-star rated for safety, hence I was also thinking of the Tata Altroz DCT, but then it comes only with a 3-cylinder NA engine & not with the Turbo, what say?

autocar.india

•2d

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

autocar.india

•7h

Of your shortlisted options, the Tesla Model Y L seems like the best bet. The Mercedes CLA will require some care over speed breakers, especially on your long drives to your hometown, but the Tesla Model Y L is not as bad. Its wheelbase is long, but it has sufficient ground clearance and can clear most bumps. It also has the most practical cabin of the three, with a third row in case you have more passengers that can be folded away to reveal immense luggage space. It's also packed with tech that will keep the kids occupied, and once you get used to the lack of buttons, it makes for a great overall driving experience. The iX1's range is very good and should serve your needs just fine, but yes, it's not as good as the other two. Another car you should consider is the BYD Sealion 7, which is a great mix of style, functionality, range and luxury. However, overall, we feel the Tesla Model Y L suits you best.

Tesla Model Y

BYD Sealion 7

autocar.india

•8h

It is not worth going for these electric scooters from unproven brands, which are likely of Chinese origin, sold here under dubious names and in a slapdash fashion, especially since your usage is on the higher side. If something goes wrong, then going to a reputed brand for a fix will be easier than these upstarts, which have no guarantee of being there tomorrow.Given your Rs 1.20 lakh budget, we'd recommend going for the TVS iQube 3.1 or Chetak 3503, which will give you over 100km of real-world range on a single charge, and both come from reputed brands. These scooters have also made a name for themselves by having the fewest reported widespread issues. Whichever one you choose, you can't go wrong with either of them, and we'd recommend a test ride of both before you make a decision.