Hi, I am looking to buy my first-ever car. Currently, I am driving a 13-year-old Hyundai manual. My usage will be relatively low, mostly at night or on weekends, along with one trip to my hometown every month (about 400 km roundtrip). I am a new driver and started driving four months ago. I will mostly be driving alone. The cars I am considering are: Venue HX5/6 DCT turbo-petrol, Sonet HTX turbo-petrol, and Elevate VX CVT. I think a sub-4m car is enough for me since I will be driving in NCR, and it will be easier to park. What features are good for new drivers? What accessories or add-ons should I take? What should I check while taking delivery?

Autocar India

•2w

Given your requirements, we would recommend the Hyundai Venue, the 1.0 T-GDi DCT HX6 variant. It is a well-rounded package that offers a good mix of features, comfort and performance. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is peppy, and the DCT gearbox is quick to shift, although it can be a little clunky at lower speeds.

As for accessories, you can consider getting a good set of floor mats, seat covers, and a car perfume. You can also consider getting a dash cam for added safety. While taking delivery, inspect the car thoroughly for any dents, scratches, or stains on the interior. Also, ensure you take a thorough test drive to confirm that you are comfortable with the car before making your booking.

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Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.07 Lakh

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Viraj

•1w

I am planning to buy my first car. My usuage will be daily 30 kms atleast and on weekends upto 300 kms. I want a whole round car and I am 26. Which cars would you suggest. I was planning on Curvv creative plus petrol. I liked its design and 360 camera and sunroof. I am not sure of mileage and performance. Please suggest or advice if I am making a right choice ?

Mayank

•1w

Venue superb choice

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Krishnav

•2d

I have been looking for a secondary car, primarily to be driven in the city. A petrol automatic would be preferred. Mileage is not a very big criterion. Good engine performance, features and a hassle-free ownership experience are on the must-have list. We are looking for something compact and easy to maneuver in the city and park in tight spaces. Budget is around ₹15 lakh, plus or minus a lakh. A lack of dealerships in the city we reside in restricts us to only a few brands: Maruti Suzuki (Nexa too), Kia, Hyundai, Mahindra, Toyota and Tata. We test drove the Hyundai Venue (new gen), Kia Sonet and also looked at the Toyota Fronx and Nexon. Which car would you kindly suggest?

Autocar India

•6h

The Hyundai Venue is a good option to consider. It is compact, has a good feature list, and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is punchy and fun to drive. The DCT automatic gearbox is also smooth and quick to respond. Being the newest entrant to the compact SUV segment, it gets a modern cabin that is well-equipped and gets all the features you would want.This Hyundai car also has decent space at the rear, and the ride comfort and sales and service experience is good, too. Overall, it is a well-rounded package that does everything the way you'd want it to. The HX 8 trim is one shy of the top-spec, but it will fit in your budget and offer a long equipment list.

Hyundai Venue

Vigneshwar S

•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under ₹7 lakh. I am looking for a car with smooth engine performance and enhanced safety features.

Autocar India

•2h

We would recommend you look at the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. Refinement from the 1.0 litre engine is much better than you would expect from a three-cylinder engine, and minimal vibrations filter into the cabin. The overall performance is smooth and easy for normal everyday driving, and at low city speeds, it even feels a bit eager, and it is thus quite enjoyable to drive. In terms of safety, the car is well equipped with safety features like 6 airbags, anti-locking brakes (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP). It also scored a three-star crash safety rating in the GNCAP test. You can get cars with a better crash rating, like the Tata Tiago, for instance, but you will not find the engine as smooth.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

RATHI MRINALINI

•1d

I'm a new driver on the road. Been driving a Celerio (second-hand) for the last 2 years in Bangalore. Looking for an automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹9.5 lakh. My priority is safety and ease of adapting to the new car. I am thinking of a Punch. Looking for your suggestion.

Autocar India

•2h

Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Nissan Magnite

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