Hi, I already own a Honda City and I am planning to buy another new hatchback for my wife that will be chauffeur-driven. Our usage will be mostly in the city and occasionally on the highway. I am looking for an automatic car with good rear seat comfort and legroom, strong safety, and good drivability as I will also use the car on weekends. My budget is ₹10 L.

Autocar India

•8w

Since your buying decision hinges on the rear seat, we will eliminate options that miss out on adjustable rear seat headrests, which are critical for safety. Sadly, versions of the otherwise likeable Hyundai i20 IVT and Tata Altroz AMT within your budget make do with fixed headrests only, and hence have not been considered.

Your best options among hatchbacks include the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS Alpha and the slightly pricier Toyota Glanza AGS V. The sister models (both are made by Maruti) score well for seat comfort, ride comfort and rear legroom.

Rear headroom, though, could be an issue for taller occupants. Performance in town is pleasant and decent enough for highway use, so long as you adopt an easygoing driving style. The AGS (AMT gearbox) isn't suited to sporty driving, just in case that's important to you.

Between the two, the differences inside are down to the Glanza's use of lighter colours that help make the cabin seem airier.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.65 Lakh

Toyota

Glanza

from ₹7.36 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Arpit

•2d

Hi, I already own a Hyundai Creta IVT and am now looking to buy another car for my wife, primarily for city driving in Pune. The Creta feels a bit large for her to manoeuvre on narrow city roads and in traffic, so I am looking for a more compact option. My key requirements are: Automatic transmission (mandatory) Compact size and easy to drive Low budget (do not want to spend much) Petrol only (cannot consider EV due to lack of charging space) I have ruled out Tata due to reliability concerns. I also had a previous Hyundai Grand i10, which had AC issues, so I am hesitant about that as well. The Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic looks appealing but may be too powerful for city use. The Hyundai Venue is a good option, but at a price of ₹14-15 lakh, the XUV 3XO seems like a better value. I am also unsure about Maruti options like the Swift (concerns about fit and finish) and the Baleno (feels slightly large and low-slung). Given these considerations, which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•13h

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT is a good option for your wife’s city use in Pune, it is the right size, has a smooth automatic and is not too powerful, and it's easy on the pocket. Compared to your Hyundai Creta, the Brezza feels much smaller in traffic and easier to park. The high seat and big windows make it simple to judge gaps and U-turns, which will help on narrow Pune roads. The AT here is a regular automatic (not an AMT), so it moves off gently, shifts with minimal jerks, and is very calm in stop-go traffic. AC performance is strong, and overall fit and finish are better than in the Maruti Suzuki Swift or Baleno. Maruti’s service reach in Pune is a bonus for easy ownership. The cabin does not feel as plush as a Venue or XUV 3XO, but for daily city use, it works very well. If you want to spend less and still want a very smooth auto, look at the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT. It is very compact, and the CVT is easy in traffic, though the cabin feels simpler, and Nissan’s service network is smaller. If you do stretch, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L AT is also easy to drive despite its power and offers top safety and features.

Krishna Das P

I would like to buy a smaller car than the Baleno I am currently driving. I prefer an automatic/AMT, as I am 64 years old and a retired banker. My budget is under ₹9 lakh. What do you recommend?

Autocar India

•19h

Opt for the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R ZXi+ AMT. It fits your brief for a smaller, easy automatic under Rs. 9 lakh. Compared to your Baleno, the Wagon R feels much easier in the city. It is shorter, turns in a tighter space, and is simple to park. The AMT is tuned well here, so starts and slow traffic are smooth enough, and the steering and pedals are very light. The seat is set at a friendly height, so getting in and out will be easier than in many low cars. Maruti’s service network is everywhere, which means stress-free ownership.One thing to be aware of is that the cabin will feel simpler than your Baleno, and on rough roads, you may feel more movement. It is fine for daily city runs, but on highways, it might not feel as solid as bigger cars. If you want a plusher cabin and a bit more comfort, look at the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz (O) AMT. It too has a smooth AMT, but is a tad larger in size than the Wagon R.During the test drive, try some stop-and-go traffic and tight parking situations to assess smoothness and visibility.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

K V NARAYANAN

•3d

I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze VX CVT, as I am looking for a sub-4m car that is good to drive, senior-friendly, and suitable for occasional long drives. My monthly running will be around 500 km. Is this a good choice for my needs?

Autocar India

•49m

Go ahead with the Honda Amaze VX CVT; it is a very good choice for your needs. The CVT is seamless in operation, very user-friendly, and the cabin is quite spacious for its class. The steering is light, the controls are easy, and visibility is good, so low-speed traffic and parking are simple. The ride is comfortable on most roads, and the boot is large enough for luggage on the occasional highway trip. With only about 500km a month, a petrol automatic like this makes the most sense, and Honda’s service reach and long-term reliability add peace of mind.One thing to be aware of: fuel efficiency isn’t as good as its main rival, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. In our real-world testing, the Amaze managed 13.28kpl (combined), while the Dzire delivered 15.41kpl (combined). If that is a priority, then consider the Dzire instead, but do note you will be getting an AMT, which is inferior to the Amaze’s CVT.Overall, the Amaze VX CVT fits your brief best. On the test drive, focus on seat comfort, how easy it is to get in and out, and how smoothly it moves at very low speeds.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

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