Hi, I am Kunal from Kolkata and am planning to buy my first car. I have recently started learning to drive. My usage will be around 45% city and 55% highway. I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. My priorities are a solid build quality (as a first-time car owner), good mileage, LED lamps, a quality music system, and low maintenance. Please advise.

Autocar India

•3h

Go for the Hyundai Venue HX10 1.0 Turbo Petrol DCT. It is a good fit for your needs and will feel like a big upgrade over your i10 Sportz.Comparing the top trims of both vehicles, the Venue does cost significantly more, but it also comes with more features and is based on a newer platform than the Kia Sonet. The cabin of the Venue looks and feels premium, and the interior space has also improved with the new generation. In terms of powertrains, both vehicles use the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but the Venue offers a more comfortable ride, while the Sonet has a firmer edge.The one thing you give up compared to the Sonet is boot space; the Venue offers about 350 litres, whereas the Sonet gives roughly 392 litres.If you need that extra luggage room or feel that the features the Venue offers do not justify the premium, then go for the Sonet instead. Test drive both over some rough patches to see which you prefer, and also check for any jerkiness from the DCT when driving slowly or during downshifts.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•4h

Go for the Hyundai Venue with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol DCT combination; it is a good fit as a city car, with compact dimensions, light steering and good visibility making it easy to drive and park. It is also based on a newer platform than the Kia Sonet.Since your usage is mainly in the city and limited to around 800-900km a month, performance from the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is more than adequate, and the DCT is generally smooth in operation, with only occasional hesitation. Ride quality has also improved compared to the previous generation, with better low-speed bump absorption. The cabin feels modern and well-built, and the top trims get a crisp and responsive infotainment system.The one thing you give up compared to the Kia Sonet is boot space; the Venue offers about 350 litres, whereas the Sonet gives roughly 392 litres, so airport runs with three to four bags may need some planning.If you need that extra luggage room or prefer the styling of the Sonet, then go for it instead. It uses the same powertrains, so it will feel similar in that regard, but the ride quality is on the firm side.Test drive both over some rough patches to see which you prefer. Also check for any jerkiness from the DCT when driving slowly or during downshifts.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•1d

It's hard to recommend a car without knowing more of your specific needs, rear seat space, importance of headroom, mileage, driving pattern, etc. However, since you state daily use, we assume you mean mostly city driving, thus we would recommend the Skoda Kylaq. The auto gearbox is a torque convertor unit, which is the smoothest type of autobox to have. In city conditions, its smooth and seamless shifting is something you would really appreciate. At around your budget of Rs 12 lakh, you would also get the Signature trim, which comes fairly well equipped with features like a height adjustable drivers seat. A sunroof and a touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Skoda Kylaq