I currently have 2017 Celerio AMT. I am looking for a small car with a smooth automatic transmission as an upgrade. My daily usage is just 20 kms and a monthly once long trip of around 200kms. Majority of the journey will be in city trafic. What are my best options under 10 Lakhs, and should I also consider the Punch ev.

Autocar India

•1w

If you are looking for a smooth automatic experience, a CVT is your best option. While most cars in this price range use an AMT like your Celerio, there are two options with CVTs – the Hyundai i20 and the Honda Amaze. Both these cars get 1.2-litre four-cylinder engines mated to CVT transmissions that are smooth and easy to use. Both have reasonably roomy cabins, but the Amaze has the advantage of a larger boot. It is also the newer car and therefore gets our vote.

With regard to your query about the Punch EV, there is no denying that it is a phenomenal city car. However, your limited commute of just 20km does not really justify an EV. Also, in our real-world test of the previous Punch EV we managed 216km on a full charge on the highway. The new Punch EV will improve on that with its larger battery pack, but the range might still be a limiting factor on your monthly road trips.

Before you decide, do take a test drive of all these cars.

Honda Amaze Front Right Three Quarter — Front Right Three Quarter

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.49 Lakh

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.66 Lakh

Tata

Punch EV

from ₹10.28 Lakh

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Latest questions in the community

Rachna Hans

•1d

I have been driving a Hyundai Santro (AMT) for the last six years, and now I am planning to upgrade with a budget of ₹12-13 lakh. My current car has done only 15,000 km in six years, so my usage is relatively low. In my next car, I am looking for features like a reverse camera, Android Auto, and voice commands to make driving easier. I am interested in the Kia Seltos, Kia Sonet, and Tata Nexon, but I am open to other suggestions as well. Which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•36m

The Hyundai Venue will feel like a big upgrade from your Hyundai Santro AMT. The turbo petrol engine paired with the DCT gearbox offers strong performance and smooth shifts, which makes driving in the city effortless. It also gets features like a reverse camera, Android Auto connectivity and voice commands that you are specifically looking for. Overall, it will be a noticeable step up in terms of power, features, space and overall comfort.Among the other cars you mentioned, the Kia Sonet is also a good option. However, the Venue is the newer car and is more spacious. Also, a replacement for the Sonet is expected next year, which means it may feel dated sooner. The Tata Nexon petrol is another option that offers good space and a comfortable ride, but the Venue feels more refined and easier to drive and is the newer car as well. As for the Kia Seltos, it is a good SUV, but it belongs to a higher segment and will stretch well beyond your ₹12-13 lakh budget in comparable variants.

Abhinaba

I own a Grand i10 2016 model. I am looking to upgrade to an SUV (not sub-4m ones) with good power and torque. I prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid a turbo if possible. Focus is also on after-sales service. 80% of my runs are in the city. What are the options that I can consider?

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Hyundai Creta 1.5 SX MT. As a non‑turbo manual, it balances city drivability, adequate 115hp / 144 Nm performance, and Hyundai’s large, reliable service network.Since you prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid turbos, this 1.5‑litre NA with CVT gearbox suits you. With 80% city running, its linear throttle makes crawling and short bursts easy without turbo lag. The 115hp output is enough for quick overtakes up to city speeds. Hyundai’s service network and typical 10,000 km/1‑year intervals (confirm with your dealer) keep upkeep predictable. At over 4.3m, it’s a clear upgrade, not a sub‑4 m compromise.The one thing you give up is the mid‑range surge of a turbo; quick highway passes above 90-100kph will need a downshift or two to access performance.

Hyundai Creta

Yogesh Gautam Kamble

•1d

I need a car for my daily commute, and my travel will be around 50-60 km every day. Most of my driving will be within the city, along with occasional highway drives on weekends. My budget should allow for an EMI of less than ₹20,000 per month. Considering my usage, should I go for a diesel or a CNG car, and which option would you recommend?

Autocar India

•1h

With your daily running of around 50-60 km, your monthly usage will easily cross 1,500 km, so choosing a fuel with low running costs makes sense. In this case, CNG is generally a better fit than diesel, especially since most of your driving is in the city.One of the better options to consider is the Tata Nexon CNG. Unlike most CNG cars, the Nexon uses a turbo-petrol engine, which means it still feels reasonably strong and comfortable even on the highway. The turbo engine produces good torque, which helps maintain performance despite running on CNG. This makes the Nexon CNG a good balance between low running costs for the city and decent highway performance for weekend drives.Another practical option is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG, particularly the LXi or VXi variants. The Brezza uses a 1.5-litre engine with factory-fitted CNG. It is known for being smooth and reliable while still offering good mileage and reasonable performance.

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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