Mumbai

Maxwell Vethanadan

•14w

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

•14w

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 ₹8.83 Lakh

Hyundai

i20

from ₹7.08 Lakh

Tata

Punch EV

from ₹10.28 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Bharggav Paranjape

•2d

I was planning to buy the Honda Amaze CVT earlier, but due to uncertainty around a higher percentage of ethanol blending, I have decided to go with the Tata Altroz diesel. But now I read that the government is also planning to blend isobutanol in diesel. Should I buy a diesel vehicle or not? Will isobutanol adversely affect diesel engines and affect fuel economy?

Autocar India

•8h

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

Tata Altroz

Honda Amaze

Raju

•2d

I am planning to buy an automatic car within a budget of Rs.10-11 lakh. I am a beginner driver, and most of my usage will be within the city. Which between Hyundai Exter and Honda Amaze would be the better choice for my needs?

Autocar India

•12h

The Honda Amaze CVT would be the recommendation here. For a beginner driver with predominantly city usage, the Amaze's CVT automatic is a major advantage. It is smoother, more refined and easier to drive in stop-start traffic than the AMT offered in the Exter. The sedan also offers a more comfortable ride, a larger boot and a mature driving experience that will remain satisfying even as your driving skills improve.The Hyundai Exter counters with its higher seating position, which some new drivers find reassuring, along with better ground clearance for rough roads and speed breakers. However, its AMT gearbox is not as seamless as the Honda's CVT.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Exter

Anjum

•2d

Which is the best option to buy a budget-friendly car? Which has adaptive cruise control and ESP? Please Suggest.

Autocar India

•2d

Get the Honda Amaze and opt for the top spec ZX variant, which is the most affordable ADAS-equipped car in India.The ADAS suite is a camera-based system that includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot monitor, among others. Adaptive cruise control works well in stop-go conditions, and besides the ADAS, the Amaze is also a calm, easy drive in traffic, will give you good mileage, and you will benefit from Honda’s fuss-free ownership.If you want an SUV instead, consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which also offers an ADAS suite; bear in mind that fuel efficiency will not be as good as the Amaze. One thing to know: adaptive cruise is most useful on open highways. In messy city traffic, it will brake often, and you may switch it off.

Honda Amaze

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am confused between buying Skoda Kylaq and Kia Seltos. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•4d

Buy the Kia Seltos. It is simply easier to live with for most buyers, thanks to a much wider service network and many more variant and powertrain choices, including good automatics across a wider price range. For daily city runs with the odd highway trip, the Seltos will feel like the more complete package and it has a more spacious and premium cabin. The Skoda Kylaq will suit you only if you really enjoy driving. It feels tighter and more confidence inspiring on the move, and the steering has more feel. If you plan long, frequent road trips and care more about how it drives than gadgets, that’s where the Kylaq shines. The flip side is fewer dealers and fewer variant choices.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kylaq

Vaibhav Vats

•6d

I own a Hyundai Venue Turbo Petrol, which is driven around 4,000 km per year and is occasionally used by my parents. I have been considering to upgrade it, as I am tired of spending money on maintenance. The car has been problematic since its second year of ownership. I am currently considering the Kia Syros HTK (EX) manual and HTK+ (DCT). However, some automobile enthusiasts have advised me against buying a DCT if I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, especially since the car will mostly be driven in Delhi’s office-hour traffic and the overall running is quite low. Could you please suggest whether I should opt for the DCT, stick with a manual, or consider a diesel automatic instead? Alternatively, if there are better options within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh, I would be open to considering them. I can also wait if there are any promising new launches expected this year within my budget. I am not interested in an EV at the moment. Thanks in advance.

Autocar India

•5d

Given your low annual running and predominantly city use in Delhi, a diesel does not make sense. Modern diesels are happiest when regularly driven on longer runs, and with just 4,000km a year, the higher purchase cost and potential emission system issues are difficult to justify.As for DCTs, they have become far more reliable than early examples, but if the priority is a smooth, stress-free ownership experience in heavy urban traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the safer bet. It is generally smoother at low speeds and better suited to constant stop-start driving.Rather than moving to a Syros DCT, it would be worth considering the Skoda Kylaq automatic or the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. Both use torque-converter gearboxes and offer a more relaxed driving experience in city conditions. The Kylaq feels particularly polished to drive, while the 3XO counters with a richer feature list and a more spacious cabin.If you like the Syros, the manual remains a sensible choice given your limited annual usage, but if an automatic is preferred, a torque-converter-equipped rival would be a better fit than a DCT.

Sachin kumar gupta

As we all know, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel still has a long waiting period. In that case, how does the Tata Safari Adventure X Plus Automatic Diesel compare to it? Since it is available for quicker delivery, would it be a good alternative to the XUV 7XO AX5 Diesel?

Autocar India

•3d

The Tata Safari Adventure X Plus Automatic Diesel is a good alternative if the waiting period for the XUV 7XO is proving too long.The Safari's biggest strengths are its comfortable ride, spacious cabin and excellent second-row seating. It is a very capable long-distance cruiser and feels premium. The diesel automatic powertrain is well suited to highway use and delivers relaxed performance for family touring.That said, the XUV 7XO still has the edge as an overall package. Its diesel engine feels stronger and more refined, the automatic gearbox is better calibrated, and it offers a more modern feature set in comparable variants. It is also the more engaging SUV to drive.If immediate delivery is important, the Safari is not a compromise that will leave you disappointed. In fact, buyers who prioritize rear-seat comfort and long-distance travel may even prefer it to the Mahindra car.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Posted on: 7 Mar 2026

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