MO

Mohit

1d

I am looking to buy a new car within a budget of ₹10 lakh. My usage will be mostly city driving, with very minimal usage on weekends (around 50 km per month). My requirements are: Petrol engine only (naturally aspirated) Automatic or manual transmission High safety and strong build quality Good mileage and low maintenance Rear camera required No sunroof needed I am also confused between choosing a 1.2L vs 1.5L engine, and 3-cylinder vs 4-cylinder engines. I want to consider options only from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Kia. Please suggest the best suitable car.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1h

You should check out the Kia Sonet 1.2 HTK (O) manual, it fits your budget and needs best for safe, easy city driving. Your use is very low and only in the city, so the simple 1.2 petrol with no turbo is the right call. It is a 4-cylinder engine, so it feels smoother and quieter than most 3-cylinder engines. 

The HTK (O) trim includes a rear camera, though if you can increase your budget slightly, consider moving up to the Sonet HTK+, which will get you features like keyless entry and go, a wireless phone charger, a 60:40 split rear seat and alloy wheels.

The 1.2 in the Sonet doesn't get an automatic option, so if you decide you must have one, you would need to look at a different model. Consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 Delta+ AMT, which also gets a rear-view camera and a four-cylinder engine. If you don't mind a hatchback, there's also the Hyundai i20 1.2 IVT Sportz, which gets a smoother CVT automatic gearbox.

The only 1.5-litre engine in your price bracket can be found in the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. But as that very engine capacity disqualifies it from small car tax breaks, its price is higher than others, and you will only get a base model.

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet

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More questions on similar cars

SH

Shanmuk

1d

I am planning to buy a Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi Plus variant, but I am unsure about choosing between the manual (MT) and automatic (AT) transmission. I have only driven manual cars so far, and this will be my first automatic car. Is an automatic a good option compared to a manual? Will I encounter any issues if I opt for the AT? Please guide me.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

For a first-time automatic buyer coming from a manual, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT will suit you well and will make daily driving much easier. In traffic, you will feel a big difference right away, no clutch work, no left-leg strain, and the car moves forward gently when you release the brake, so crawling in bumper-to-bumper traffic is smooth and stress-free.The Brezza’s automatic is a torque converter unit that shifts seamlessly and responds in a natural way, so it feels easy to live with from day one. If you like some control on hills or quick overtakes, you can even slot the lever to manual mode and pick a lower gear yourself. Maruti’s wide service network is another plus for long-term peace of mind.A couple of things to be aware of: the automatic costs more upfront than the manual and will use more fuel, especially in city use. Choose the manual only if you truly enjoy changing gears yourself or want to save the extra money.

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RA

Rajiv

5d

I am planning to buy a car for my 22-year-old son, who will primarily be driving in the city in Mumbai. He has just learned to drive. Should I go for a new or a used car? My budget is below ₹20 lakh.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

We would recommend you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 Turbo-AT and the Hyundai Venue N Line 1.0 Turbo-AT. Given that your son has only recently learnt to drive, it will be better to buy him a 'relatively' compact car that's both user-friendly. It has a good audio system, and at the same time has the 'cool' factor that a young driver would be looking for. Both the Kylaq and Venue N Line fit the bill. Also, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines in these cars will be adequately powerful and fun to drive, without feeling overwhelming for a new driver.A hatchback alternative that you could consider is the Hyundai i20 N Line Turbo-DCT, which should cost you around Rs 14 lakh for the top-end version.All these will comfortably fall within your Rs 20 lakh budget with some cash to spare, which you could utilise to upgrade the vehicle down the line, once he has mastered the art of driving, and wants a bigger car.

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Posted on: 14 Apr 2026