Autocar India
•2d

I currently drive a Ford EcoSport 1.0 EcoBoost and am planning to replace it with a new car. I am considering two options: the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT and the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX A. We are a young family of three, with a toddler, and the car will primarily be used for 70% city driving and 30% highway driving. We are based in a relatively remote part of the country, where road conditions, service accessibility and long-distance usability are important considerations. My priorities are safety, driving engagement, rear-seat comfort and ease of long-term ownership. Considering these requirements, which car would you recommend and why? In particular, does the XUV 3XO's larger boot and higher ground clearance make it a more practical family choice? Is the i20 N Line significantly more engaging to drive and better suited to everyday city use? How do the two compare in terms of rear-seat comfort, ride quality and highway stability? Which offers a more dependable ownership experience, especially considering the DCT versus a torque-converter automatic? If you had to choose one for the next seven to nine years, which would it be?

Verified
•3m
Between the two, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a better choice for a growing family. As you mentioned, road conditions where you live aren't ideal, so the 3XO's added ground clearance and superior ride quality give it an edge over the i20 N Line. The N Line is more engaging to drive, but its ride has a firm edge to it, which can get a bit jarring. The 3XO RevX A rides on 16-inch wheels with tall-sidewall tyres that do a remarkable job of rounding off sharp edges. It is also a surprisingly tidy handler, with slightly numb steering being the only real complaint. The 3XO offers very good performance too, while its torque converter automatic is smoother in traffic than the i20 N Line's DCT. In terms of practicality, the 3XO's wider cabin, roomier rear seat and larger boot give it another advantage over the i20.
Overall, while the Hyundai i20 N Line is certainly a more entertaining car to drive, it can't match the 3XO's practicality, which matters more when you have a young family. If you'd like an alternative, consider the Hyundai Venue N Line, which is a more direct rival to the 3XO.
Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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•2d

Hello team, I currently drive a 2023 Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI manual and am planning to buy a second car. My weekly running is around 700km. I live in Mysore and commute to my office in Bengaluru twice a week. I had booked the Tata Punch EV, but was hesitant about its sales and service network. Unfortunately, I also faced an issue with the dealer, who suddenly increased the price while I was waiting for the car, even after I had paid the booking amount. I cancelled the booking and started looking at diesel cars instead. I do not want to spend too much on my second car. I tried a few used diesel cars through Spinny, but most had multiple previous owners and high mileage. What I am really looking for is a car that delivers over 20kpl. I am considering the Kia Sonet diesel, but I have heard that the next-generation model is due to launch. However, there is no official launch date yet. Should I wait for the new model or book the current Sonet?

Verified
•2h

The Kia Sonet diesel is a good fit for your Mysore-Bengaluru commute. The next-generation Sonet is expected to launch sometime next year, although the exact timeline is unclear at the moment. What we do know is that the new model will move to the K1 platform and get the latest electrical and electronics (E&E) architecture, enabling over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics. It may also grow in size, which could address the cramped rear-seat issue of the current Sonet. However, it is also likely to be more expensive.Since you don't want to spend too much on your second car, you might be better off looking for discounts on the current Sonet, particularly as the launch of the new generation draws closer.You could also consider the Hyundai Venue diesel. It already uses the new K1 platform and gets the latest technology. The rear seat is roomier, and the ride is more absorbent. It uses the same diesel powertrain as the Sonet, so fuel efficiency should be similar. One drawback, however, is that the Venue's light steering doesn't inspire much confidence on the highway, which will make up the bulk of your commute.Overall, the current Sonet is a fine choice for your needs. However, if you can wait, you might be able to get a better deal when the launch of the next-gen model is near.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia New Sonet

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•1w

improve the grammar and write it in a paragraph - Hi Autocar, Iam looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars. Petrol Automatic IVTs. My running is mostly going to be 95% city (office to work in Mumbai traffic). Daily commute is around 15km, so I don't want a turbo in traffic. That's roughly 5k annual running. I am 6ft tall so wouldn't want something that is cramped 1. New Seltos HTK(O) 2. New elevate VX 3. Bayon HX 8 All of these are close to the 16L ex showroom price. I've driven the Seltos and Elevate. I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium from the inside and I feel like that is something worth having in a daily car. The elevate is brilliant, but it seems cheap on the inside. No pani sunroof too, although I would maybe use it 1 day in year, it's priced the same as the Seltos, so that felt a miss. I know Honda engines are top, but at my running and limited enthusiast journey, I'm not sure if that does justice to need. Now comes the bayon. I have not done a test drive yet as its not available, but the bayon pricing at Hx6 and hx8 seems very close to the Creta currently.. I am tempted to go for the hx8 as it as a 360 camera,( I think that might be usefull for parking etc as I am coming from a hatchback ) but I am getting a "lesser car" vs the Seltos here I wonder.. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before diwali, will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikey though)

Verified
•5d

All things considered, the Kia Seltos is the better fit for your needs. Since you are on the taller side, you will appreciate the extra room it has to offer compared to the Hyundai Bayon. Opting for the Bayon does get you a higher variant with a 360-degree camera, which can be helpful in tight spots. However, once you get used to the size of the vehicle, you might find yourself using the camera less often.As for the Honda Elevate, as you rightly mentioned, the Seltos feels more premium inside and costs about the same. The Elevate does offer a bit more performance from its 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, but since 95% of your driving is in slow-moving Mumbai traffic, the added performance won't really make much of a difference.Overall, the Seltos is the right fit for your needs.

VehicleKia Seltos
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•2w

Dear Autocar India team, I am planning to purchase my first family car with a budget of Rs 11 lakh and have already booked the Kia Sonet HTK+ variant. However, concerns raised on social media about the performance of its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine have made me reconsider my decision. Since our monthly usage is relatively low and the car will primarily be used for occasional trips, would the Sonet HTK+ be a suitable choice for our requirements, or should I consider another model or an alternative powertrain within the Sonet range? I would appreciate your professional guidance in making the right decision. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Verified
•5d

If your usage is primarily in the city, the 1.2-litre Kia Sonet will serve you just fine. It has a smooth, refined engine paired with a light clutch and gearbox, which makes it easy to drive in city traffic. Where it falls short is on the highway, where it may need a downshift to make an overtake.If you frequently travel on the highway with three or more passengers, you would be better off looking at a turbo-petrol version of the Sonet. Alternatively, consider something like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza or Hyundai Venue with a turbo-petrol engine. However, the trade-off for better performance from a turbo-petrol engine is lower fuel efficiency in the city.If you only plan on using the Sonet around town, stick with the naturally aspirated engine. But if highway performance is important, the turbo-petrol is a worthwhile upgrade.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue
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Posted on: 10 Nov 2026