I am a first-time buyer, and my usage will primarily be in the city, with occasional highway trips. Monthly running is around 500km. Should I buy a manual or an automatic car? My budget is Rs 10-11 lakh. Please suggest good sedan and compact SUV options in both manual and automatic transmission.

Hi, I am looking to buy a car, and my budget is around 12 lakhs. My driving is 70 city and 30 highway. I am confused between Amaze and Kylaq. Please suggest and advise on any other options.

Autocar India

•1d

With 70 percent city use, pick the Honda Amaze ZX CVT. It's well-suited to daily traffic because it is easy to steer, rides comfortably over bad patches, and the automatic keeps driving simply. It is also light on running costs and fits your budget even in this top-spec ZX trim, and the boot is big enough for weekend trips, so your 30 percent highway runs are covered too. The trade-offs: at higher highway speeds, it feels like a small car and road noise creeps in, and with five adults, it will not feel very strong on quick passes.The Skoda Kylaq sits in a much higher price band, and in your budget of Rs 12 lakh, you will only get entry-level models. It is nowhere near as fuel-efficient as the Honda, and maintenance will likely be more expensive in the long run. It does, however, have the punchier powertrain and is more fun to drive.Another great option is the Nissan Magnite, which gives you the best of both worlds. Reliability, fuel economy and relatively low running costs of a Japanese car with the high stance of an SUV and a punchy turbo-petrol engine. It is also one of the best value-for-money cars at this budget.

Honda Amaze

Angad

I want to buy a car that offers great features and strong performance, which is my top priority. My budget is ₹14 lakh max. Currently, I am considering the i20 N Line and the Kylaq. Can you suggest if there is a better car in this price range?

Autocar India

•1d

The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine in the Skoda Kylaq is punchy. If you are looking at the automatic, its 6-speed torque converter is far better suited to everyday Indian driving than Hyundai’s dry clutch DCT, especially in traffic. The Kylaq also gives you SUV practicality and a 5 star Bharat NCAP safety rating.The Hyundai i20 N Line is still a genuinely fun car and feels sharp and nippy to drive, but at Rs 14 lakh. It starts feeling expensive for what is still ultimately a premium hatchback, especially when the Kylaq gives you stronger overall value.

Hyundai i20

Kaustubh Patankar

•3w

Hello Team Autocar, I am planning to buy a new car and am currently confused between the Honda Amaze and the Skoda Kylaq. Although these belong to different segments, I am seriously considering both. The variants I am looking at are the Honda Amaze VX CVT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature/Signature Plus. Could you please suggest which one would be the better choice, considering reliability, driving experience, after-sales service, and long-term maintenance costs? My usage will mostly involve highway and out-of-town travel, along with occasional city commutes. I would also appreciate your recommendation on the most value-for-money variant to choose.

Autocar India

With mostly highway and outstation use in mind, we would lean toward the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic, rather than the Honda Amaze VX CVT. The Kylaq will simply feel stronger and more relaxed at highway speeds, rides over bad patches better. It is also very safe and feels solid, which matters on long trips.That pick suits your brief for three reasons. First, the 1.0 turbo engine has enough pull for quick overtakes even with family and bags on board, so highway driving feels easy. Second, the 1.0 automatic uses a proven, reliable, and simple-to-live-with automatic gearbox. Third, the Kylaq’s higher-seating-position suspension makes long hours less tiring than the Amaze's.A few trade-offs to note. The Kylaq’s upfront price and routine service costs will be higher than the Amaze, and Skoda’s service network is not as good as Honda’s, though it has improved. If your use shifts to mostly city and you want the lowest running costs and the widest service reach, the Amaze VX CVT is smoother and easier in traffic, but on highways, it will feel slower, and overtaking requires more effort.Overall, for frequent highway trips and a good driving experience, the Kylaq Signature 1.0 automatic is the best fit for what you want.

Honda Amaze

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