Autocar India
4w

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.

Verified
4w

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet

4w

@bhavesh012 Go for i20 because The Hyundai i20 outperforms the Kia Sonet on highways thanks to its lower center of gravity, sleeker aerodynamics, and an 80 mm longer wheelbase, which together deliver superior high-speed stability, minimal body roll, reduced crosswind susceptibility, and a far more spacious, fatigue-free rear-seat ride. Carrying up to 100 kg less weight gives the i20 a higher power-to-weight ratio for snappier acceleration and better high-speed fuel efficiency, all while undercutting the Sonet by ₹80,000 to over ₹1.5 Lakh across comparable trims. Anchoring this value is Hyundai’s unmatched pan-India service and spare parts network for effortless breakdown support, lower long-term maintenance costs, and iconic nameplate liquidity in the pre-owned market.

4w

@satish.18 greetings of the day. Being an i20 owner I felt the each and every advantages what you wrote here. Considering his requirement my suggestion is also i20. Even my family also favour the i20 ride though we have a Creta in our garage.

3w

@bhavesh012 Go for Sonet Diesel because for Your Highway usage and Kias good Diesel Engine

3w

Withh 3000 + km highway drive Ho for Sonet - Diesel Only Higher cabin position and fuel efficiency will make you smile forever

3w

Why not a grand vitara

3w

Please look Skoda Kylaq as well it's a better fit for engine, safety and features .. or Hyundai venue it feels more spacious and seating comfort

3w

Try Nissan tekton... Highly comfortable highway ride and great handling

3w

How about Nissan Texton? Take a test drive , the CVT gearbox and driving will be super in highways

3w

Hi Bhavesh, Please look at the Skoda Kylaq, 1.0 AT...... The 6 speed Aisin torque converter auto box is the best of the lot as is the pick and handling Given the amount of your highway running it's the one that exceeds your expectations!!

4w

Try the India's only budget Diesel Automatic Sonet, torque converter is good option and you get nice mileage in highways more than 20 kmpl

4w

Aircross kaise car hai average kya hai

4w

Nothing beats CVT technology of Honda. If you have money....blindly go for Honda CVT variants for complete peace of mind.

4w

Neither of these cars.... Go for Honda Amaze or Hyundai Venue.

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1d

I am planning to buy a hatchback. We currently own a Swift ZDi AMT and an Ertiga ZXi AT. The Swift has done around 1,30,000 km, while the Ertiga has only 12,000 km on the odometer. I am based in Bangalore. I mainly use the Ertiga for my daily commute to work, which involves a lot of bumper-to-bumper traffic and finding It difficult to drive Ertiga. I drive around 1,200-1,500 km per month, mostly for my daily office commute (around 20 km) and highway driving on weekends. I am considering trading in the Swift and upgrading to a new Swift ZXi+ AMT. My main priorities are hassle-free ownership and decent mileage. Before I finalise the Swift, are there any other hatchbacks that I should consider?

Verified
1d

Given your priorities of hassle-free ownership, decent mileage and a comfortable city driving experience, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi+ AMT is a sensible choice. The Swift is reliable, easy to drive in traffic and offers good fuel efficiency, which aligns well with your daily commute and weekend highway runs.However, since you already own an Ertiga, it is worth considering the recently-updated Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT as well. The Baleno offers a more spacious cabin, a larger boot, more features and a more premium feel, making it a better all-rounder for both city and highway use. It is also easy to drive and delivers the same reliability and efficiency.If you are open to looking beyond Maruti, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another strong contender. It offers a comfortable ride, a well-built cabin and a smoother CVT automatic gearbox, making it well-suited to Bangalore's traffic conditions.Overall, the Swift remains a solid choice, but the Baleno AMT is worth serious consideration given its additional space and comfort.

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2d

I am currently looking to upgrade my vehicle. My existing Ford Freestyle petrol has covered 1,46,000 km over seven years. My typical driving pattern consists of 60% highway and 40% city driving, primarily in a mining region where road conditions are challenging. I am considering the Kia Sonet diesel, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder as potential replacements. I would greatly appreciate your recommendation.

Verified
1d

Given your usage pattern of 60% highway driving, challenging road conditions and high annual running, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel would be our first recommendation. The 3XO diesel is well-suited to rough roads thanks to its robust suspension setup, good ground clearance and strong low-end torque, which makes it easy to tackle broken surfaces and steep inclines. It is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs, with a wide cabin that comfortably accommodates five passengers, and it offers excellent value for money with a strong feature set.The Kia Sonet diesel is also a solid option, offering a refined engine and a more premium cabin feel, but it is not as spacious as the 3XO and does not feel as rugged on poor roads. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid is a good long-term ownership proposition with Toyota’s reliability, but it is not the best fit for your usage. The hybrid system is most effective in city driving, and on highways and rough terrain it does not offer the same torque or durability benefits as a diesel.Overall, the 3XO diesel strikes the best balance between durability, comfort and running costs for your specific requirements.

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Posted on: 10 Aug 2026