I am confused about choosing between the Kia Sonet and the Hyundai Verna. Please suggest which car/SUV and model I should choose. My driving is mostly in the city, around 900-1,000 km per month. My budget is ₹10-12 lakh. A.K. Dinodia Patiala.

autocar.india

•5h

The Hyundai Venue Diesel is the better choice for this usage. With an annual running of around 15,000km, split between 60 percent city and 40 percent highway, a diesel is well-suited to the driving pattern. It will deliver excellent fuel efficiency on long highway drives while remaining refined and easy to drive in the city.For a first-time buyer planning to keep the car for around 10 years, the Venue also makes a strong ownership case. Hyundai has a widespread service network, the 1.5-litre diesel is a proven engine, and the Venue's compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre in traffic while remaining comfortable enough for family trips.The Kia Sonet HTK+ Diesel uses the same engine and is a capable alternative. However, the Sonet is expected to be replaced next year, whereas the Venue is the newer product, making it the more sensible long-term buy. The Maruti Brezza ZXi continues to be an excellent petrol SUV with lower maintenance costs, but for your annual running and highway usage, the diesel Venue is better aligned with your requirements and will be more fuel efficient on longer journeys.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Hyundai Verna. Coming from a City, you’ll appreciate the airy cabin, big rear seat and boot, and the way it smooths out rough patches. You said you’ll use it frequently, and the Verna feels secure and relaxed at highway speeds while still being easy in tight city gaps, so it won’t feel like a step down from your Honda on the daily grind. It's also well equipped, and you get a choice of two distinct petrol engines, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The former is the better all-rounder, smoother and lighter on the pocket, with the better auto gearbox - a CVT. The latter is punchier but drinks noticeably more fuel and gets a clunkier DCT gearbox. If your usage is mostly on the highway, the turbo petrol might make sense, but in most cases, the regular 1.5 petrol is better.The Skoda and Volkswagen are also excellent choices, especially if you enjoy driving. Their turbo engines are punchy, though they are also heavy drinkers if you are not careful, and Skoda/VW service is not quite as bulletproof as Hyundai's. Moreover, both sedans are due for a facelift very soon, so we would recommend waiting to see what's in store before taking the plunge. If you're in a hurry, though, the Verna is the safer bet.

Hyundai Verna

autocar.india

•2d

Pick the Honda City automatic for your mix of Chennai crawl and marathon Kerala runs. The City rides a touch comfier over broken roads and has a more natural steering feel, which matters on a 1,000 km day when you are tired and just want an easy, steady car.The Hyundai Verna 1.5T DCT is the faster car and feels nicer on open roads, no question. But a dual-clutch can hesitate at times in stop-and-go traffic, whereas the City's CVT is seamless.If you crave the Verna’s shove for quick highway overtakes, it is tempting. Just be honest about your daily crawl. For hassle-free city use and relaxed long drives after 11 years in a Jazz, the City will feel familiar, calmer and easier to live with.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna