Hello all, I am looking to buy a new car with Rs. 10-12 lakh budget. I am confused between i20 IVT hatchback and mini SUV like the Kia Sonet DCA or Tata Nexon AMT. Most of my driving is 3000 to 4000km per month on the highway. I am in Bangalore.

autocar.india

•5h

The Maruti Fronx Delta+ AMT would be the best fit for your requirements. With a daily commute of just 20km and occasional 500km highway trips, a petrol automatic makes perfect sense. The Fronx feels like a genuine upgrade from your Swift with better ground clearance, a more spacious cabin, a larger boot and Maruti's proven reliability. It is also inexpensive to maintain and should give you complete peace of mind over the next several years.If you prefer a hatchback with a more premium cabin and an even smoother automatic, the Hyundai i20 IVT is an excellent alternative. The IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics in the segment, making it particularly well-suited to city driving, while the cabin feels more upmarket than the Fronx.The only drawback with the Fronx AMT is that the AMT isn't as smooth as the i20's IVT, especially in slow-moving traffic.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•19h

You are clearly an enthusiast who values a strong diesel punch and sharp handling, and the Figo S TDCi was one of the best cars in that space. At 9 years and 1.3 lakh km, the car has served you well, but the hard clutch and knee pain are a clear signal that it is time to move on. Resale value will be modest given the age and Ford’s exit, so the decision should be driven by your usage and comfort rather than the resale number.On the replacement, there is no direct hatchback equivalent today. The Skoda Kylaq is the closest in spirit, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The automatic is also a big plus if you want to avoid clutch fatigue in traffic. The fact that Skoda has opened a showroom in Shillong is a significant positive, and Skoda is a far more stable brand in India today than Ford was at the time of its exit. If you can stretch the budget, the Kylaq is the right move. The Skoda Kylaq price range extends from Rs 7.59 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).If the budget is tight, the Maruti Suzuki Swift is the best hatchback alternative. It is not as powerful or as sharp as the Figo S, but it is light, nimble and fun to drive in its own way. The Hyundai i20 N Line is another hatchback option that is quite fun to drive and looks nice and sporty too but its costlier than the Swift. In summary, replace the Figo now and stretch for the Kylaq if you can. It is the closest modern equivalent to what you love about the Figo S TDCi. If the budget does not allow, go for the Swift. Do not hold on to the Figo purely for sentimental reasons, and do not worry too much about resale value at this stage. The decision should be about comfort and driving enjoyment for the next 5-10 years.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•22h

The Honda Amaze CVT VX is a very sensible upgrade from the Nexon AMT. The CVT gearbox is far smoother than the AMT, which will make both city driving and hill climbs much more pleasant. The Amaze also offers excellent visibility, a comfortable driving position and a reliable ownership experience. However, it is a sedan, so you will lose the higher seating position and ground clearance of an SUV, which can be useful on highways and rough roads.Given your usage, a compact SUV with a proper automatic gearbox is a better fit. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is a strong recommendation here. It uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is much smoother than the Nexon AMT, and it offers excellent visibility, a comfortable driving position and low running costs. But it is on the pricier side.Overall, the Amaze CVT is a good alternative if you are happy to move to a sedan, but if budget permits, the Brezza is the more versatile choice.

Honda Amaze

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza