I need a compact city car - automatic, petrol or electric. I checked the Comet but found it overpriced and the seats uncomfortable. My budget is under ₹10 lakh, though I can stretch slightly. Which models should I consider?

autocar.india

•9h

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Hyundai i20

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•14h

The Maruti Fronx Delta+ AMT would be the best fit for your requirements. With a daily commute of just 20km and occasional 500km highway trips, a petrol automatic makes perfect sense. The Fronx feels like a genuine upgrade from your Swift with better ground clearance, a more spacious cabin, a larger boot and Maruti's proven reliability. It is also inexpensive to maintain and should give you complete peace of mind over the next several years.If you prefer a hatchback with a more premium cabin and an even smoother automatic, the Hyundai i20 IVT is an excellent alternative. The IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics in the segment, making it particularly well-suited to city driving, while the cabin feels more upmarket than the Fronx.The only drawback with the Fronx AMT is that the AMT isn't as smooth as the i20's IVT, especially in slow-moving traffic.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•1d

Budget EVs can handle highway runs, but you need to plan your trip a bit differently. Most budget EVs like the Tata Punch EV or the MG Windsor have a real-world range of 200-300 km, so on longer journeys you will need to factor in charging stops.If you plan your route around fast chargers and start each leg with a full battery, you can keep your schedule fairly predictable. Charging times are the key variable. A 30-40 minute fast charge is typical, but availability and queue times can add up.In terms of performance, most budget electric cars can cruise at highway speeds comfortably, but you will see range drop if you drive aggressively or use the air conditioning heavily. Overall, a budget EV can do highway trips, but you need to build in charging time and be a bit more organised than you would be with a petrol or diesel car. If you are doing this kind of trip regularly, a diesel or petrol car is still the more convenient option. If it is occasional and you are happy to plan, an EV can work.

Tata Punch EV

MG Windsor