Sir, I am planning to buy a new automatic car for my sister. The priorities are budget-friendliness, safety, good mileage, and ease of driving, as she is a new driver. The budget is ₹7 to 7.5 lakh. I am considering the Tata Tiago, but am open to other suggestions. Please advise.

autocar.india

•2h

Yes, the Kia Seltos HTK iMT is a reliable choice if it is driven normally and maintained as per the service schedule. The iMT system itself has proven to be dependable in the market, and because there is no clutch pedal, it also reduces driver fatigue in city traffic.For typical city and highway use, the iMT works well and does not require any special driving techniques. Avoiding aggressive launches, riding the accelerator on inclines and repeated hard acceleration will help maximise clutch life, but that is good practice with any manual transmission. There is no need to be overly cautious or alter normal driving habits.If annual running is low to moderate and the appeal of a clutch-free experience is important, the iMT is a good middle ground between a manual and a conventional automatic. However, if most driving is in heavy stop-start traffic and convenience is the top priority, the IVT automatic remains the better option because it is smoother and requires even less driver input.

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•3h

A petrol car is still the right choice if your annual running is around 18,000 to 22,000km, although a strong hybrid or diesel can also be worth considering depending on how much of that is on the highway. There is no reason to postpone buying a car because of concerns around ethanol blended fuel. Modern E20 compatible petrol engines are designed to run on it, and there is currently no official roadmap for fuel with higher ethanol content. The impact is largely limited to a small reduction in fuel efficiency, and it is not a reason to avoid buying a petrol car.With a daily running of 50 to 60km, the choice should depend more on where those kilometres are covered. If most of the driving is in city traffic, a strong hybrid can significantly reduce fuel bills while remaining as easy to own as a petrol car. If the running is predominantly on highways and exceeds 15,000km a year, a diesel still makes excellent sense and should not be ruled out purely because of emissions concerns.Rather than worrying about future fuel changes, focus on buying a car that suits your usage, budget and long term ownership plans. The right fuel type and a proven powertrain will have a much bigger impact on ownership satisfaction than ethanol blending.

autocar.india

•4h

Yes, we'd recommend the Wagon R ZXi AMT, especially for a first-time buyer.The AMT is one of the easiest automatic transmissions to get used to. It removes the hassle of operating a clutch in traffic, making city driving much more relaxed. Combined with the Wagon R's light steering, excellent visibility and compact dimensions, it's a very beginner-friendly package.That said, it's important to understand the nature of an AMT. Gear shifts are slower and less seamless than a CVT or torque-converter automatic, and you'll occasionally feel a slight pause during acceleration. If you ease off the accelerator slightly during gear changes, the shifts become much smoother. For everyday city driving, most owners adapt to its behaviour very quickly.If your budget allows, a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios AMT offers a more premium cabin and a slightly more refined driving experience. However, if value, ease of ownership and fuel efficiency are your priorities, the Wagon R ZXi AMT remains one of the best automatic hatchbacks in its price range and an excellent choice for a first-time car buyer.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R