I am looking to buy a petrol automatic car with a budget of up to ₹8 lakh. I travel about 90 km daily in heavy city traffic (Gurgaon–Noida). Is the Hyundai Exter a good option, or can you suggest a better alternative, as mileage is a priority? I’m not interested in cars as small as the Celerio.

Asked by: varun sachdev

The Hyundai Exter is a good all-rounder and will be a nice upgrade from your existing Maruti Wagon R. However, considering you drive a lot in peak traffic, an automatic would be ideal, so you could consider stretching your budget for the automatic version of the Exter.

However, if you want to stick closer to your 8 lakh budget, consider the Renault Kiger 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. The automatic version would be only slightly above the 8 lakh mark, but you will get a car that is compact enough for the city, spacious inside, and has a good ride.

In both cases, the gearbox will be an automated manual (AMT), so there will not be a significant mileage difference compared to the manual versions.

Hyundai Exter

Hyundai Exter

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Autocar India Team

Nov 27, 2025

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