Autocar India
27w

Hi Autocar team, I am an amateur driver looking to buy my first car. I am planning to buy an automatic (AMT) car with a budget of ₹11 lakh in Bangalore. I will be driving this car 85% of the time in bumper-to-bumper city traffic. I am confused between the Toyota Glanza and the Hyundai Exter top variants. My top priorities are ease of driving for a new learner and decent city mileage. I know each car has its strengths, but which one do you think I should choose?

Verified
27w
Those are both excellent options, and as you said, each has its strengths. The Hyundai Exter has the advantage of a taller seating position and a more compact overall footprint, both of which should serve you well as an amateur driver. Since that is your main priority, the Exter should be your pick, as mileage too will be good (ARAI rating of 19.2kpl), although not quite as good as the Glanza (ARAI rating of 22.94kpl).
The Toyota Glanza has a more premium and spacious interior, and a few more features too, but if that is lower down on your priority list, then stick with the Exter.
Toyota Glanza

Toyota Glanza

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20h

I am 73 years old. With our children living abroad, I am looking to buy an automatic car that both my spouse and I can drive comfortably. I have shortlisted the Hyundai Exter, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Ease of driving in traffic and parking are important factors for us. My budget is around Rs. 10 lakh. Our current vehicle is a Hyundai i10. Considering our requirements, which of these would be the best choice? Thank you.

Verified
1h

Since you already have a Hyundai i10, we would recommend moving up to another Hyundai, so that you continue in the same service network. You can even try and ask your dealership for a loyalty bonus or exchange offer at the time of purchase. While the Grand i10 Nios comes across as the VFM choice, in that you can get a fully loaded Asta AMT variant well within your Rs. 10 lakh budget. If that's okay with you, it should still feel like a sufficient upgrade from your older i10, with considerably more space. However, a real update would be the Exter, which though based on the Grand i10 Nios, is newer, more spacious and crucially gets you a bit more ground clearance as a buffer against poor roads. Ingress and egress are easy in the Nios but easier still in the Exter, and it recently got an update which has kept things relatively fresh. The downside is you won't get a fully loaded AMT variant in your budget, but you don't miss out on too much. Another alternative is the Tata Punch, which feels a bit more solid, but its powertrain is nowhere as smooth as the Hyundai's 1.2-litre petrol and AMT combination.

VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleTata Punch
VehicleHyundai Grand i10 Nios

Popular discussions right now

4d

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car for my daughter. She recently obtained her driving license and is currently driving an automatic Tata Nano. Now that she is comfortable and confident with it, I am considering upgrading her to a larger vehicle. I am evaluating options such as the Kylaq and the Kia Sonet. However, my wife is insisting on an electric car. I am a bit sceptical about EVs, as they are not yet fully proven to be trouble‑free, and her weekly commute is around 150 km. I am also waiting for the launch of the updated Brezza, and my preference is for a torque‑converter automatic rather than a DCT. I would appreciate your opinion on electric cars, the Kia Sonet diesel, the Brezza, and which one I should go for. This car will be mostly used for city drives since I have an Ertiga manual for long trips.

Verified
3d

Of your shortlisted cars, go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. For mostly city use and just 150km a week, its punchy turbo petrol engine with a smooth torque converter is a great mix of fun and ease of use. Its light yet sharp steering, upright seating and compact size feel like a natural step up from a Nano, and the interior feels fresh and upmarket too.The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is quick and efficient, but a diesel engine is overkill for your daughter's limited usage. Not only is it pound-for-pound more expensive than an equivalent petrol to buy, but it also requires extra care, such as regenerating the DPF (diesel particulate filter) every so often via a high-speed run, as well as top-ups of the ad-blue tank. The Brezza is a good option thanks to its simple, naturally aspirated engine, which should deliver better fuel economy than the Kylaq. But in its current form, it's just a bit uninteresting and unenthusiastic an offering, and it's best to wait for the facelift, which is right around the corner, before making that decision.For 150 km a week, an electric car is actually ideal if you have a private parking spot with a 15A socket or a home charger. The powertrains these days are much smoother, batteries carry long warranties, and city running is silent and cheap. Upfront cost, charging access and resale value are the only real hurdles, so if you are interested, a compact EV like the Tata Punch EV is a great option.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
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Posted on: 10 Dec 2025