Delhi

•44w

Hi, I am currently driving a 2021 VW Taigun 1.0 MT with annual running of ~10,000 KM (60% City, 40% Highway). The car is running fine, but it becomes a pain in heavy city traffic due to constant gear shifting & turbo lag. I am confused between 3 options: (1) Get the cheapest possible city automatic like an S-presso AGS and use it with Taigun, (2) Get a proper AT like Amaze/i20 CVT or Brezza AT and upgrade Taigun after a few years, or (3) Sell Taigun and upgrade to a proper AT SUV. Please suggest.

•43w

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso AGS, which has an AMT thought convenient, doesn’t offer a smooth driving experience because of the way AMTs work - their main weakness is that annoying pause in between gear shifts, which feels quite jerky and causes ‘head nod’, a term that is synonymous with AMTs.

Upgrading to a proper AT leaves you with very few options; some of the ATs are diesels, and the only mid-size SUV petrol AT is the Tata Sierra. Your option of getting a city-centric car, keeping the Taigun for highway driving, and upgrading it later makes the most sense.

The Honda Amaze, with its CVT transmission, makes the most sense as a city car. It is smooth and comfortable, taking the stress out of city driving, whilst the manual 1.0 Taigun is a solid highway car. The Taigun is due for a facelift around February–March 2026, and other new midsize SUVs, including an all-new Creta, are expected around 2027. So yes, hang on to your Volkswagen Taigun and pick up an Amaze for your city chores.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

S-Presso

from ₹3.80 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.54 Lakh

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•1w

I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXI+ AMT and Honda Amaze VX CVT for my first family car. Both have an on-road price of around Rs. 11 lakh. But, the Dzire offers more features, including a 360° camera, sunroof, and TPMS, while the Amaze has a CVT transmission and a good reputation for reliability. Which one would you recommend for a first family car?

•15h

For a first family car, we would lean towards the Honda Amaze VX CVT. Its CVT is noticeably smoother than the Dzire’s AMT, especially in stop start traffic, and the more relaxed transmission makes it easier to live with. The Amaze also has a larger 416 litre boot, which is useful for family trips.The Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi+ AMT counters with more features, including a 360 degree camera, sunroof and TPMS, along with better fuel efficiency. However, its AMT has noticeable pauses between gear shifts, whereas the Amaze’s CVT feels more seamless.

Honda Amaze

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•3d

Dear experts, my budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road price) for a car that can be extended upto Rs. 25 lakh. I need a car except a sedan with powerful engine, bigger wheels and a good music system Please suggest a car that meets all these criteria.

•2d

With an on road budget of Rs. 20 lakh, stretchable to Rs. 25 lakh, the best fit is a compact or mid-size SUV with a punchy engine, large alloy wheels and a good factory-fitted sound system. The key is to choose a car that delivers all three without compromising ride comfort on Indian roads. A powerful engine and big wheels can make a car fun to drive, but the largest wheel option isn't always the most comfortable.The Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is the closest match if you want something distinctive, powerful and with a premium sound system. Its top variants get 19-inch wheels and a banging 12-speaker JBL system. The Kia Seltos is another good option, with an available Bose sound system and 18-inch wheels, while the Skoda Kushaq is worth considering if driving enjoyment matters more than sheer size or visual presence.Before choosing, prioritise a test drive over the wheel size alone: larger wheels can make sharp bumps more noticeable.

I am planning to buy my first car. Since its my first car, I am planning to buy something under Rs. 8 to 12 lakh that’s easier to drive. It should be an automatic, compact, high safety and reliable car that has a good suspension for Indian roads. I would probably be using it for less than 500 km per month. I need it mostly for city driving and occasional intercity highway as well. So I want something that’s good overall.

•2d

For a first car with a budget of Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh and usage below 500km a month, the Honda Amaze CVT and Hyundai i20 IVT are the two to shortlist. Both offer automatic convenience without the complexity of a turbocharged engine, and your low running means a petrol car makes more sense than a diesel or CNG. The Amaze is the more practical choice if you want a compact sedan with a comfortable ride and a reputation for straightforward ownership, while the i20 is worth considering if you prefer a hatchback that’s easier to park and manoeuvre in tight city spaces.Safety also favours the Amaze, as the latest generation has a five star Bharat NCAP rating, while the i20’s isn't crash tested yet. The Amaze’s suspension is particularly suited to broken city roads, although its cabin insulation could be better on the highway. The i20’s stronger appeal is its more premium cabin and generous equipment. With such low monthly running, fuel economy differences won’t save you much money in absolute terms. The Honda Amaze CVT would be the first choice for easy city driving, ride comfort and long term ownership; test drive the i20 IVT as well if cabin quality matters more to you.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

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•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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