New buyer

•9w

Writing again to get a response. I am a first-time car buyer looking to purchase an automatic car within a budget of ₹13-13.5 lakh. I have shortlisted the Kia Sonet HTK(O) DCT, as it is feature-rich and offers modern features that are not available in competitors like the 3XO and Venue within this budget. I mainly drive in the city and less on the highways. Please advise.

Autocar India

•8w

If you have zeroed in on the Kia Sonet HTK(O) DCT, then go for it. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is peppy, and the DCT automatic gearbox offers quick shifts. Overall, the Sonet is enjoyable to drive. As you pointed out, it is well-equipped, and the cabin feels plush and upmarket and has the quality of a more expensive car. The only real downside of the Sonet is that the back seat is cramped, so if you are travelling with your family regularly, that might be an issue.

The new Hyundai Venue, which is a sister car of the Sonet in its new avatar, has a bit more legroom and also has a premium feel. The Mahindra XUV 3XO has the most spacious cabin of the lot and is also worth considering. However, if you are mainly driving yourself and back seat comfort is not important, go ahead with the Sonet.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.30 Lakh

Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.07 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.56 Lakh

Confused Buyer

•8w

Thanks for your response. Can you please let me know if 3XO AX5 has Hill Assist or not? I have checked it on car dekho and it seems that this feature is missing in that car. My first priority was 3XO only as it comes under my budget and its performance is also very good. Just because of 2-3 important features I have decided to opt for Sonet.

Ron

•8w

yes, it has hill assist, but depends on the variant you buy. in the ax5l and ax7l, you also have auto hold feature which holds your vehicle untill you press the accelerator

Himanshu Bajaj

•8w

If you have hilly and city driving in mind, DCT is a TERRIBLE idea. The one with 1.0 turbo is I guess dry clutch DCT, and any person who values reliability wouldn't touch one with even a ten feet pole.

Rajendra

•8w

Buy exter amt top model. Very easy to drive in city

Anonymous

•8w

If your diving in mainly in the city, don't go for DCT gearbox, try 3x0 or Kylaq instead

Confused Buyer

•8w

3XO AX5 AT or 3XO REVX A Turbo AT Which one should i prefer?

Himanshu Bajaj

•8w

The more powerful engine at that miniscule a price difference is a freaking steal. The difference between the two is direct Injection and I cannot recommend the revv trim enough. Di means ethanol blending becomes your ally (it increases octane, e20 is anyways almost 95 octane, and Di makes use of high octane), far more refined engine due to DI, and so on. Get the better engine

More questions on similar cars

Kapil

•10h

I own a 2012 Toyota Etios Liva petrol manual. We are a family of five, with a 6 km daily city drive and one highway trip every month of around 250 km or more. I have no issues with my current car, but I need to replace it as it is about to complete 15 years. Should I upgrade to a sedan or a compact SUV now, or should I wait? My budget for a new car is ₹7–12 lakh.

Autocar India

•7h

The XUV 3XO stands out because of its width and cabin space. At over 1,820mm wide, it is one of the widest cars in the segment, which directly translates to better shoulder room and a more comfortable three-abreast rear seat. For a family of five, this matters in daily use, not just on paper. This Mahindra car also feels more modern, more powerful and more substantial to drive, making it a clear step up from your Etios Liva in both performance and overall experience.The Brezza, on the other hand, is the safer and more predictable choice. It is not as wide or as exciting, but it is comfortable enough for five, extremely easy to live with, and offers proven reliability with low maintenance. This Maruti car has a more relaxed driving nature, which works well for your mix of city runs and occasional highway trips.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Palash

•1d

I want help choosing an automatic car under ₹15 lakh. I like the power of the XUV 3XO, but it is the most expensive among its peers. The Nexon with the DCA gearbox also felt surprisingly smooth during my test drive and is nearly ₹2 lakh cheaper than the 3XO. However, I have heard concerns about Tata’s reliability. Is this true? What are my other options? My usage will mostly be in the city (around 30 km daily), along with a weekly return trip between Mumbai and Pune.

Autocar India

•4h

For mostly city use with a weekly Mumbai-Pune trip and a ₹15 lakh budget, the Tata Nexon DCA is a strong choice-preferably a mid variant like the Nexon Creative DCA (or the closest equivalent within your budget; confirm current variant names with the dealer). It fits because the DCA feels very smooth at low speeds, which makes daily traffic easy. It also handles rough roads well, so your city and ghat stretches feel calmer; and it keeps you a good 1-2 lakh below an XUV 3XO auto with enough power for the Expressway climbs.Regarding Tata’s reliability concerns, older Tata cars did have small issues and service quality could vary by dealer. However, the current Nexon has improved a lot and we are not seeing widespread trouble with the new DCA. The safer way to own it is simple; pick the maximum extended warranty, choose a well-rated service centre, and keep the software updated. Also, like any dual-clutch gearbox, avoid holding the car on the throttle on slopes; use the brake or hill-hold.Compared to the XUV 3XO, the Nexon is not as quick when you push hard, and in very heavy stop-go the DCA can feel a touch hesitant if you frequently modulate the throttle.If you are considering alternatives, and a very smooth automatic, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi/ZXi AT uses a simple torque-converter auto and has excellent service reach, but it is not as fast.Overall, for your mix of city and Mumbai-Pune runs within budget, the Nexon DCA lines up best with what you described.

Palash

Help me choose a car within ₹14 lakh. I am looking for an automatic. My running will be around 1,000 km a month, with 60% city traffic and 40% highway usage.

Autocar India

•6h

The Hyundai i20 Asta (O) IVT fits you best. The IVT is Hyundai's CVT automatic that feels very smooth in traffic, and the i20 is easy to place in tight gaps on your city commutes. On the highway, it remains stable at speed and accelerates smoothly when you press the pedal, so overtaking doesn't take much effort. For 1,000 km a month, a petrol automatic like this Hyundai car makes sense as your running costs will not be too high. The cabin feels solid, the seats are comfortable for long stints, and the suspension handles rough patches without tossing you around. Two trade-offs to note: it is not a tall car, so you will need to slow down over large speed breakers or rough roads and the IVT is tuned for smoothness rather than sudden sprints or efficiency. If you want a taller car in the same budget, consider the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT or the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT.

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Hyundai Venue

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