Autocar India
SK

S K Kathuria

6w

Please suggest a good new automatic car within a ₹8 lakh budget.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6w
Without knowing your exact requirements, it will be hard to suggest any one option as there are plenty of models available across body styles within a budget of Rs 8 lakh. Your Rs 8 lakh cap rules out most CVT or torque converter automatic options, and you'll have to go for an AMT.
If you want a small hatchback for the city, pick the Tata Tiago AMT, which comes with a solid build, a decent features list and a 4-star safety rating. If you prefer a sedan, go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT, which stands out for its relatively spacious cabin, comfy ride quality and a 5-star crash safety rating.
However, if you prefer an SUV bodystyle, consider the Hyundai Exter AMT, which comes with a smooth 1.2-litre engine and a lengthy features list. Do note, you'll have to settle for the entry-level automatic variants of the latter two, given your budget.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

More questions on similar cars

SR

Sreearg

4d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to upgrade from my Hyundai i10 Sportz 1.2 AT and am looking for a new automatic car with a maximum budget of ₹11 lakh (on-road). The car will be used mostly by my parents for city driving. My current shortlist includes: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT Hyundai Exter AMT Honda Amaze CVT Key requirements: Good real-world mileage Easy to drive in city conditions Comfortable and convenient for my parents Preference for top-end variants My annual usage is relatively low, around 6,000–7,000 km, so I am inclined towards petrol but open to diesel if it makes more sense. While the usage will be mostly within the city, the car may occasionally be used for long trips (around 500–800 km) once or twice a year. I am confused between choosing a more comfortable and efficient hatchback, a taller car with better visibility, or a more refined CVT sedan. I am also open to other suggestions slightly outside this shortlist if there are better options within this budget. Could you please advise on the best choice for my requirements?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Mostly city use by your parents, low yearly running, and a hard cap of about Rs 11 lakh on-road points to the Honda Amaze CVT.Why this fits your brief: compared to your 2013 i10 AT or the other AMTs you've shortlisted, the Amaze’s CVT will feel calmer and smoother at low speeds, so stop-go traffic will be less tiring. The cabin is simple, the seats are supportive, and visibility is good, so it is easy to drive and park. Petrol is the right pick for 6,000-7,000 km a year.Two watch-outs: the Amaze sits low, so getting in and out is not as upright as something like the Hyundai Exter. Fuel efficiency also won’t be as good as the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. In our real-world tests, the Amaze managed 13.28 kpl (combined), while the Dzire averaged 15.41 kpl (combined). If that is a concern, the Dzire is a good bet, though the AMT won’t be as smooth as a CVT. If your parents value a higher seat and an easy step-in, pick the Hyundai Exter AMT.Overall, for mostly city use and comfort for your parents, the Amaze CVT lines up best with what you described.

VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
RO

Rohan

3d

I am planning to buy a car that offers a CNG option with an automatic transmission. Are there any models currently available in the market that provide both CNG and automatic transmission?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

There are a few cars that meet your criteria, like the Tata Punch iCNG, Tiago iCNG, Tigor iCNG and Nissan Magnite CNG. Among these, the Punch and Tiago are good choices with their dual-tank solution that lets you keep a large part of the boot. The Magnite CNG is a dealer-level fitment and does take up almost the entire boot.If it fits your budget, then the Punch iCNG is your best bet. It suits daily city use because the automatic takes the stress out of stop-and-go roads, and CNG keeps fuel costs in check. Since the CNG system is factory-fitted, you keep the full warranty and safety checks, which is safer than adding CNG later.A couple of trade-offs to know: an AMT can feel a bit slow between gear changes, so you may feel a small pause. On CNG, the car is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes need planning.As of today, most other CNG cars from Maruti and Hyundai are manual only. Overall, for your goal of CNG with an automatic, the Punch iCNG AMT is the simplest and most complete answer.

VehicleTata Punch
VehicleTata Tiago
VehicleTata Tigor
MA

Manish

4d

Hi Autocar Team, My wife and I are planning to buy a new car with an AMT in the ₹10-12 lakh range. We are currently considering the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Hyundai Exter, and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. We are not considering the Tata Punch, as my brother already owns one, and we do not want the same car in the family. My wife is very particular about safety ratings, but the Hyundai Exter has not received an official crash test rating yet. We will mostly be driving in the city, with occasional highway trips. We are not in a hurry and can wait until Diwali if needed. Could you please suggest the best option within our budget (preferably AMT)? Also, are there any upcoming cars in this segment that we should wait for, or should we go ahead with the current options in the market?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Mostly city use with the odd highway run and Rs 10-12 lakh to spend points me to the Hyundai Exter HX10 AMT. The AMT here makes your daily drive easy, and in this top trim, you get one of the strongest safety feature sets in this price range.It fits your brief because its small size and high driving position make tight city roads and parking simple for you and your wife. It also rides over speed breakers and bad patches without scraping, which helps on daily commutes. For your safety focus, the Exter gets important items like electronic stability control and six airbags, so even though the official crash test score is not out yet, you still have strong protection features on board.Two trade-offs to know: like most AMTs, there can be a slight jerk when moving slowly or during gear changes in traffic. And on highways, overtaking will need some planning. If you would rather have more rear seat space and a calmer highway feel, the Maruti Baleno Alpha AMT is the other good pick in your list.If a 5-star rating is a priority, though, the facelifted Tata Punch is your best bet. Otherwise, for your usage and budget, the Exter AMT lines up best.

VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleTata Punch

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Vedant Nawange

5d

Hi, I am confused between buying the Kia Seltos diesel, which I love for its interior and power and which gives around 15 km/l mileage, and the Toyota Hyryder, which involves a slight design compromise but offers 22+ km/l mileage. My daily running is around 70 km, including both city traffic and highway cruising. Also, please share if there is even the slightest possibility of a Kia Seltos hybrid coming next year, as I would be happy to wait.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

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SB

Shashidhar Bhat

5d

Hi, My monthly driving distance is around 1,000 km, mostly on highways, and safety is a priority for me. Automatic transmission is also a must. My budget is ₹12-13 lakhs. Could you please advise me on the best car for my requirements?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

Mostly highway use, about 1,000 km a month, safety first, and an automatic in the Rs 12-13 lakh range, in that brief, we would suggest the Skoda Kylaq Signature. Its torque converter is much smoother than an AMT or DCT, so city driving feels easy, and performance from the 1.0 TSI makes highway overtakes effortless. The Kylaq has a 5-star crash score from Bharat NCAP and feels steady at highway speeds, which builds confidence. It also rides well over broken patches, so you are not tossed around.Two things to keep in mind: while the front seats are comfy and supportive, space in the back seat is a bit tight. It makes up for it with a large boot and a low loading lip. If you want more space, look at the Nissan Magnite Tekna Turbo CVT, which has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.Overall, for highway-heavy use with safety at the top, the Kylaq lines up best in your budget.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleNissan Magnite

Posted on: 19 Mar 2026