Latest questions answered by experts

I want to buy a car between 13-14 lakhs, and my requirement is an automatic car for 60-70% city drive. I need good reliability as it’s gonna be used by the family too, and need a decent to good fuel economy car. But, I ain’t able to decide which car to go for, I need a suggestion (Except Tata, Mahindra and Maruti). Also tried Amaze 3g too, but the rear seats are not comfortable for the passengers.

Autocar India

•24m

Consider the Hyundai Venue DCT; its size makes it easy to drive in the city, Hyundai has a solid reputation for reliability and service, and efficiency is decent for the segment. It sits higher than the Amaze you tried, so getting in and out is easier, and the seats are comfortable for two adults. The narrow width means seating three abreast in the rear is a bit of a squeeze.Hyundai’s service reach and parts availability are big advantages for family use. Ride comfort is well judged for bad roads, and the cabin feels airy and easy to live with.One catch: the DCT can hesitate at times, but for normal city use, it will be fine. The Skoda Kylaq has a smoother torque-converter automatic, but the back seat isn’t as roomy as the Venue’s.If you want a more spacious cabin, the Kia Syros is an excellent alternative. It has the same turbo-petrol DCT combination as the Venue, but the cabin is significantly roomier. Kia also has an excellent reputation for after-sales service, so that shouldn’t be a concern.

Shyam S

I am planning to buy a car primarily for city use. I was considering the Hyundai Venue DCT and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AT, both petrol. However, I have now seen the XUV 3XO EV and am seriously considering it. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•54m

Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV for city use, as long as you have a fixed parking spot where you can install a home charger. In traffic, it is smoother and quieter than the petrol alternatives, costs far less per kilometre to run, and the range is easily enough for daily commutes with the AC on. One-pedal driving also makes stop-and-go traffic less tiring.The catch is charging. If you can’t install a home charger, then public charging will cost a lot more, and the savings will take much longer to add up. Also, if you often do long highway trips, an EV requires more planning, with stops revolving around charging stations. For pure city use, though, an electric car is much smoother and less tiring to drive than a petrol automatic.If charging feels like a hassle, then go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AT over the Hyundai Venue DCT. The Mahindra’s automatic feels calmer at low speeds, and the car rides rough patches better, which matters in our cities. The Venue DCT is still nice to drive and compact to park, but in heavy traffic, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant.So, if home charging is sorted and your usage is mostly in the city, pick the XUV 3XO EV. If not, pick the XUV 3XO AT.

Rohit Dewan

My car budget is Rs. 15-25 lakh on-road. My annual usage is around 8,000 km, primarily within Delhi city, with 1-2 highway trips with family every year. I am looking for an automatic car. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•54m

Pick the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT. In Delhi traffic, it feels easy and calm, the automatic is smooth, the steering is light, and the ride takes broken patches and speed breakers without fuss. For the odd family highway trip, it has a roomy back seat and a large boot, and it feels stable at speed, so everyone stays comfortable.Your running is low, so petrol makes sense, and you avoid the complications that can come with diesel ownership. The 1.5-litre petrol with the IVT suits stop-go use better than the quicker turbo options, and it fits your budget comfortably, depending on the variant. Expect about 10-11kpl in the city and 14kpl on the highway.One thing to know: this automatic feels relaxed rather than fast when you press on, and the engine can sound a bit vocal if you really floor it. If you want something with a touch more performance, then the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth a look, but the Seltos is the nicer all-rounder for family use.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Ankit

•1d

Hi team, my budget is 12-13 lakh maximum for an automatic car, so it is easy to drive for both my wife and me in Hyderabad city traffic. I am a first-time car buyer and am feeling quite confused. My requirements are: good mileage, petrol engine, good boot space, rear-view camera, hill assist, and recent interiors. Kindly help.

Autocar India

•1h

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo-petrol automatic in Zeta trim. In Hyderabad traffic, it is easy to drive, the steering is light, the automatic keeps stop-and-go stress low, and you get hill-hold and a clear rear camera that makes ramps and tight parking simple. It is a turbo-petrol and returns good mileage for daily use – expect roughly 10-11kpl in the city and 16kpl on the highway. The 308-litre boot takes airport bags and weekly shopping without fuss, and the cabin is well built and comfortable. Ground clearance is higher than that of a hatchback, so speed breakers and broken patches are less of a worry.Your budget should cover the Zeta automatic in Hyderabad, but if it feels like a stretch, the Fronx is also available with a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine and an AMT. This combo won’t have the highway performance of the turbo-petrol and the AMT shifts with a slight pause between gears, so it won’t be as seamless as the turbo's torque-converter automatic. However, it will deliver higher mileage, in the region of 13-14kpl in the city and 18kpl-plus on the highway.For a first-time buyer, Maruti’s reliability and stellar service network make the most sense. However, if you want an alternative, the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 turbo-petrol automatic is also a good choice. It has a more SUV-like presence, and the cabin feels more premium, but the boot is a bit smaller, and efficiency won’t be as good as the Fronx’s.Overall, the Fronx fits your needs best.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Akki Leto

•1d

Hi, I am looking to buy an automatic car with an on-road budget of 11-12 lakh in Bangalore. I am considering the Tata Altroz Creative S AMT, Tata Altroz DCA, Hyundai i20 Sportz iVT, and Renault Kiger Techno CVT. I have heard that AMT gearboxes have improved significantly and are no longer as jerky as they used to be. My usage will include regular city driving, along with one or two highway trips every month.

Autocar India

•2h

The Hyundai i20 iVT Sportz is the best fit here. Its smooth automatic gearbox, refined cabin and proven ownership experience make it particularly well-suited to Bangalore's traffic while remaining comfortable on highway trips. It may not be the most powerful car in the segment, but it delivers the most polished overall experience.The Renault Kiger CVT would be the second choice. The CVT is smooth in city driving, the higher seating position is appreciated in urban conditions, and the turbo petrol engine feels more energetic than the naturally aspirated units in the Altroz and i20. While cabin quality and refinement are not quite at Hyundai levels, it offers good value and a more SUV-like experience.The Tata Altroz DCA takes third place. The gearbox is far superior to an AMT, and the car feels solid and planted on the road. However, the naturally aspirated petrol engine lacks the punch of the Kiger Turbo, and the overall ownership experience is not as polished as the Hyundai.

Venkatesh K

Can you please suggest which is the better car: the Toyota Glanza/Taisor or the Maruti Baleno/Fronx? I am a first-time car buyer with a budget of over 10 lakh and would prefer an automatic transmission. Please recommend the best option from this list, or suggest any other cars that I should consider.

Autocar India

•2h

For a first-time buyer looking for an automatic in your budget, we would actually pick the Maruti Fronx AMT from your shortlist. It gives you the raised seating position and SUV-like feel that many first-time buyers appreciate, while still being easy to drive, fuel-efficient and inexpensive to maintain. It also feels a bit more special than the Baleno and Glanza.The Baleno AMT and Toyota Glanza AMT are mechanically identical, and if rear seat comfort, ride quality and value for money are your priorities, they remain excellent choices. Between the two, we would lean towards the Glanza because Toyota's warranty packages and ownership experience can be an advantage.The Toyota Taisor is essentially a Fronx underneath, so the choice between the two often comes down to styling preference, dealership experience and the offers available in your city.One car not on your list that is definitely worth considering is the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT gearbox is smoother than the AMTs in the Maruti and Toyota models. The car is comfortable, reliable and easy to own long term. If you do not specifically need the SUV stance, it is arguably the most refined automatic you can buy around this budget.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Honda Amaze