I’m buying my first car and want an automatic hatchback for mainly city driving with occasional long trips. My budget is around ₹12 lakh. I’m torn between the Hyundai i20 and the Tata Altroz - I’m worried about Tata’s after-sales service and the i20’s mileage. I’ve researched for months and still need guidance. Thanks!

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol AMT. With 90% city driving, diesel is not the right choice. Modern diesels with DPFs are not happy with short city runs, and the cost savings wont add up with limited running. The Dzire is light, easy to drive, reliable, the AMT makes city traffic far less tiring and the 1.2-litre engine is very fuel efficient. It is also backed by Maruti’s massive service network and low running costs, which is exactly what you want as a long-term city car under 10 lakh. The Altroz diesel is a good car, but diesel simply does not make sense for your usage pattern. The Dzire is the safer, more sensible and more hassle-free choice for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Tata Altroz

autocar.india

•18h

Go for the Tata Tiago EV. As a first-time driver with a dedicated home charging spot and heavy city traffic, it is the most sensible choice. The Tiago EV is extremely easy to drive, with smooth, linear acceleration and no gear changes to worry about, which makes stop-start traffic far less stressful. It is also quiet, refined and very cheap to run compared to petrol cars. The range is more than adequate for daily city use, and with home charging, you will never have to worry about fuel stations.The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Maruti Suzuki Swift AMT are both reliable and easy to drive, but their AMT gearboxes can feel jerky at low speeds, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Tiago EV, by comparison, is seamless and far more relaxing to drive in the city. The only real drawback is that long highway trips require more planning, but for your usage pattern, that is not a major concern.If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Punch EV is also worth considering as it offers a higher seating position and better visibility, which can be reassuring for a new driver. Overall, the Tiago EV is the best fit for your needs.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Punch EV

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Maruti Suzuki Swift

autocar.india

•3d

For mostly city driving with a budget of around Rs 10 lakh on-road, the Hyundai i20 1.2 IVT is the best upgrade from your current i10. It is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, the smooth CVT auto keeps running costs reasonable, and Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. Though a mid-spec variant is what you'll get on your budget, the car is also decently equipped for the price, and the 1.2 petrol engine is smooth and reliable for daily city use.The other CVT available at this price is the Honda Amaze CVT, and here, too, you will get a mid-spec variant that is decently equipped. The sedan body style will feel like an upgrade from your i10, and offers more interior space and a bigger boot. The engine is more powerful and fun to drive than Hyundai's 1.2 petrol, and is also incredibly fuel-efficient.If you want an SUV body style, check out the Nissan Magnite, though, at your budget, you might have to settle for the naturally aspirated petrol with the AMT gearbox, and not the turbocharged engine with the CVT gearbox. Overall, however, we think the Hyundai car is the best upgrade for you.

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Honda Amaze