Delhi

•4h

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.

Tap if an answer actually helped you decide.

•3m

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.54 Lakh

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.51 Lakh

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•3d

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?

•2d

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

•1h

New vehicle safety requirements are planned for 2029. Personally, I'd rather have stronger crash protection as standard than pay extra for features that only look premium.

•1h

Hyundai is investing ₹11,000 crore in its Pune plant. Hopefully, this means more choices for Indian buyers and better availability of new models.

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