Autocar India
•6w

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
•6w

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

•6w•

@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.

•6w•

@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.

•6w•

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

•6w•

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

•6w•

Why not a grand vitara

•6w•

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

•6w•

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

•6w•

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

•6w•

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!!

•6w•

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

•6w•

Aircross kaise car hai average kya hai

•6w•

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

•6w•

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

More posts on similar cars

•1d

Hi, I am looking for an automatic car for my dad for 70% travelling on open highways/country roads and 30% in slow moving (not heavy) traffic. with quarterly over 350km of travel. Fuel efficiency is not a concern to me and features as well as cabin toys are not deal brakers. My pure focus is on engine, transmission and reliability. I have shortlisted i20 CVT as the belt drive is smooth, but I am not sure about longer 110kph cruising and overtakes. I have also shortlisted, 3XO TC as the MPFi is convincing but I am not convinced about the service of Mahindra. The car is also a bit bulky for my dad. I have also shortlisted Kylaq automatic as this car is compact but has enough power but I am a bit worried about the 2.0 Skoda/Volkswagen reliability. The nearest ASC is 70kms away, which is the major concern as accessibility worry when i face some issues. Also, I am not sure how the engine will feel while driving in the city because of direct Injection in the long run. Other cars are rejected because of AMT/DCT/Budget/strict petrol requirement.

Verified
•5h

Go for the Hyundai i20 CVT. Your priorities are reliability, ease of ownership and a stress-free driving experience for your father, and the i20 CVT fits that brief perfectly. The CVT is smooth and predictable, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is well suited to both city and highway driving. It will cruise at 110 km/h comfortably and overtakes are manageable with a little planning. Hyundai's service network is extensive and ownership is generally hassle-free, which is important given your father's usage pattern.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good car with a powerful turbo petrol engine, but it is a larger and heavier car, which may not be ideal for your father. Mahindra's service experience can also be inconsistent depending on location.The Skoda Kylaq is the driver's choice with a strong turbo petrol engine and a smooth torque converter automatic, but the 70 km distance to the nearest service centre is a significant drawback. Skoda's ownership experience is generally good, but service accessibility is a key consideration.Given your requirements, the i20 CVT is the most sensible and reliable choice. It will deliver a smooth, comfortable and hassle-free ownership experience, which is exactly what you are looking for.

VehicleHyundai i20
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleSkoda Kylaq

Popular discussions right now

•3d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

Verified
•2d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
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•1w

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

Verified
•6d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Punch
VehicleTata Tiago
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire

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Posted on: 10 Aug 2026