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•14h

Hi, I’m confused about buying a car. My budget is below Rs. 11 lakh on-road. I’m looking for an automatic car, primarily for city driving in Chennai and its suburbs, with occasional highway trips. Reliability, safety, and fuel economy are also priorities.

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•4m

At your budget, the automatics available are mostly the AMTs (automated manual transmission), which are cost-effective and efficient but a bit jerky during the shifts. This can be a bother in traffic, and given that most of your driving is in the city, we would recommend that you avoid these. A good option would be the Honda Amaze; it comes with a CVT transmission, which is smoother than AMTs, and the car meets your other criteria of reliability, safety and mileage very well. You could consider the XUV 3XO too, which has a torque converter gearbox and is the smoothest type of autobox around. It's also a very safe car; however, the mileage would not be very high.

Honda Amaze

Honda Amaze

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•2d

Hi everyone, I am looking for a reliable automatic upgrade for my parents. My budget is strictly capped at Rs. 17 lakh (on-road, Hyderabad). The lower, the better. I will be selling our 2019 Ford Figo Titanium petrol manual. Our use case & priorities: Primary drivers: My parents Usage: We live on the outskirts, so the car will see mixed usage, mostly in mild traffic. Priorities: Low maintenance, low running costs, and a hassle-free, smooth driving experience. Shortlisted options: Honda Amaze ZXi CVT, Honda Elevate V CVT, Maruti Brezza ZXi AT, maybe Mahindra XUV 3XO

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•1d

With your requirement of keeping the purchase cost as low as possible while also getting something reliable, go for the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT is smooth, the car is easy to drive, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It will also be the most affordable option on your shortlist, which fits your budget constraint perfectly. It should be more than sufficient for your parents and their usage, but bear in mind, it's not much larger than the Figo they're moving from, so it may not feel like as much of an upgrade. Also, make sure entering and exiting the vehicle are not an issue for them, as it is quite low-slung.The Elevate CVT is the largest vehicle here, and as such gives a bit more space and comfort than the others, and it meets your other requirements, but if you're locked in on the V CVT variant, it might feel a bit barebones. The V CVT is well within your Rs 17 lakh budget, so consider going up a variant, as that would make it worth your while.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza, however, might be your best bet. The ZXi AT is great value for money; efficiency and hassle-free ownership are Maruti hallmarks, and the 6-speed AT gearbox is as smooth, if not smoother, than Honda's CVT. It's compact enough to be easy to drive, yet almost as spacious as the Elevate, with easy ingress and egress. We feel this will be the best fit for your parents.

VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleHonda Elevate (2023-2026)
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

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•1w

I test-drove both the Kia Seltos GTX(A) IVT and the Hyundai Creta N10 Turbo DCT. For some reason, the Creta felt more balanced over rough roads and was also quieter. I initially wanted to purchase the HTX(A) Turbo DCT, but it wasn't available for a test drive. Now, I'm confused about two things: Seltos vs Creta and manual vs DCT. Around 60-70% of my driving will be in the city, but I still want a punchy engine. Having driven manual cars for years, I've always enjoyed them and am comfortable with them. However, considering the advancements in automatic transmissions in 2026 and the fact that I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years, a DCT seems like a convenient option. I'm now unsure which combination would be the right choice for my needs. What would you recommend?

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•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT as it strikes the best balance for your needs. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable, while the DCT makes city driving far less tiring than a manual. You enjoy manuals, but with 60-70% city usage and a 7-8 year ownership horizon, the convenience of an automatic becomes hard to ignore. The Seltos also feels slightly more premium inside than the Hyundai Creta, and the HTX(A) is a well-equipped variant without pushing the budget too far. The Creta is also the older model, and the next-gen version is right around the corner. The difference in terms of stability and ride comfort between both is marginal, and the Seltos counters that with a more premium cabin and a slightly wider rear seat. The IVT is smooth but lacks the punch you are looking for, while the DCT delivers the performance you want without the fatigue of a manual. Overall, the Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT is the most complete package for your usage pattern and long-term ownership plans.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta

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Posted on: 8 Oct 2026