I am in Bangalore and planning to buy my first automatic car as a new driver, with a budget of ₹10-12 lakh. I am confused between the Baleno AMT, i20 iVT and Sonet. Earlier, I was thinking of buying the Punch, but due to service issues, I am not considering it. The Exter AMT also seems like a good option.

Autocar India

•2w

Given your requirements, you should consider the Hyundai i20 IVT. Unlike the Maruti Baleno and Hyundai Exter which get AMTs, the i20 offers a more seamless drive experience thanks to the CVT automatic, which is smooth and user-friendly. The Sonet, meanwhile, comes with a DCT automatic, which is more jerky in stop-and-go traffic than the CVT.

The Hyundai i20 IVT is powered by a refined 88hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine that has a claimed efficiency of 20kpl. This hatchback offers a spacious and comfortable cabin and comes with all the features expected in this class. Being a Hyundai car, the i20 will also be reliable and easy to maintain. Hyundai i20 IVT prices range from Rs 8.13 lakh to Rs 10.34 lakh (ex-showroom).

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.66 Lakh

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.28 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.65 Lakh

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Ashutosh

•1w

I am in Pune and planning to buy my first car automatic as a new driver with budget around 14-16 lack. I am looking for long term, reliable engine, safety and good mileage. Torque converter diesel is also a good choice but not sure which car is best under my budget. Please suggest.

Latest questions in the community

Shivathmaja PS

•17h

I am looking to buy a car for my parents, who do not drive, so it will mostly be chauffeur-driven. My main priority is rear seat comfort. We are upgrading from a 2011 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. The car will mainly be used for highways and long trips, with minimal city usage. However, I would prefer an automatic transmission in case I need to use it occasionally in the city (Bengaluru). Before starting test drives, I wanted your suggestions on some suitable vehicles. Based on my initial research, I have shortlisted the following options: Honda City ZX CVT Kia Seltos HTX iVT Honda Elevate ZX CVT Škoda Slavia 1.5L Sportline DSG or 1.0 Monte Carlo AT Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT My budget is around ₹20–21 lakh. Which option would you recommend, especially considering rear seat comfort and highway usability?

Autocar India

•11h

Go for the Honda City ZX CVT. For chauffeur‑driven parents, it offers the comfiest rear bench, ample legroom, and a smooth CVT for Bengaluru traffic within your ₹20-21 lakh budget.Rear comfort is its strength: the 2,600 mm wheelbase helps knee-room, the rear seat is well-cushioned with good thigh support, and the ride is tuned soft for long trips. The 506‑litre boot easily swallows luggage for highway runs. ZX adds 6 airbags and ADAS with adaptive cruise control, useful on long highways. The CVT’s smooth creep and no shift‑shock make occasional city use easy. Versus your shortlist, Elevate’s rear bench feels upright, while Slavia/Virtus ride firmer and are more driver‑centric for back‑seat comfort.The one thing you give up is ground clearance in comparison to the Elevate. Also, if getting in and out is a concern, the Elevate's high-set seats would make it easier. A test drive should sort that out. For now, we recommend the City for its hassle-free ownership experience, reliability and most of all, a refined and comfortable cabin.

Amit Khanna

I am confused between the Mahindra XUV700 AX7T automatic and the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 2 (above 70 kWh). My usage is mostly in the city with occasional long trips.

Autocar India

•12h

If you have home charging available, the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack 2 makes a lot of sense. Electric cars are extremely smooth in city traffic, offer instant torque and have much lower running costs compared to petrol SUVs.However, if home charging is not easily available and you prefer the convenience of quick refuelling for occasional long trips, the Mahindra XUV 7XO automatic is the safer and simpler choice. It removes the need to plan charging stops and will feel more convenient for highway travel.Choose the XEV 9e if you have home charging and want lower running costs with a smoother city drive. Choose the XUV 7XO automatic if you want maximum convenience for long trips without worrying about charging.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XUV 7XO

pooja

•2d

I am planning to buy a new petrol car with a manual gearbox. My budget is around ₹13 lakh. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway. Could you please suggest SUV options within this budget?

Autocar India

•13h

With a daily running of around 50 to 60 km, a diesel automatic makes good sense as your monthly usage will easily justify the better fuel efficiency and relaxed nature of a diesel engine.Between the two options, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better choice overall. The diesel engine is refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well-suited for normal city traffic as well as highway drives.The Tata Sierra is also a strong Midsize SUV with more cabin space. But its diesel engine is noticeably noisier and less refined than the Hyundai-Kia diesel. It is also over a lakh more expensive in comparable automatic variants.For your usage and preference for an automatic, the Seltos diesel automatic is the more balanced and sensible option thanks to its refinement, smooth gearbox and lower price.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

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