Khordha

•5w

Hi Autocar team! I’m a first-time driver looking for a small car for my little family. My budget is under Rs 8 lakh. I’ve currently shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai Exter, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Which of these would be the best choice for me, or is there another car you would suggest?

•5w

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios would be the best choice for your requirements. As a first-time driver, you'll appreciate its smooth four cylinder petrol engine, light steering, excellent visibility and easy driving manners. It also feels more refined than the Celerio and offers a more premium cabin, making it a car you'll be happy to live with for many years.

If your budget stretches closer to Rs 8 lakh, the Hyundai Exter is worth considering. It gives you SUV styling, higher ground clearance and a higher seating position, which many first-time drivers find more confidence inspiring. It is also better suited if you regularly encounter bad roads or large speed breakers.

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio remains an excellent option if fuel efficiency is your biggest priority. It is inexpensive to own and extremely frugal, but it doesn't feel as premium or as comfortable as the Hyundai pair.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Grand i10 Nios

from ₹6.30 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Celerio

from ₹5.20 Lakh

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.54 Lakh

•4w•

go for tiago ev as there is a chance gov will jump to e30

•5w•

Go for Hyundai Grand i10 nios. I am also having the same and loving it even the mileage part.

•5w•

Confused between the brezza turbo petro vs Zeta Baleno petrol ...use case scenario navimumbai to BKC 5 day commute and family Sunday rides?

•5w•

Creta owner · 19,800 km

@jerry.1 Must go for Maruti Brezza Turbo Petrol. Its higher seating position, more comfortable ride, and better ability to handle varied road conditions make it the more practical all-round choice.

More posts on similar cars

•3d

I am a new driver and am 6 feet tall. I want to set my hand, preferring strongly for a manual. Suggest some car options in both new and used market.

•15h

Go for a used Maruti Suzuki Swift or a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios in manual. Since you won't be keeping the car for long but only till you are a confident driver, buying a used car makes sense. Both these cars are easy to drive, forgiving and reliable, which is exactly what you want when you are learning. The Swift has a slightly more engaging driving experience, while the Grand i10 Nios feels a bit more refined and easier to drive in traffic. Both cars are also comfortable for taller drivers, with decent headroom and a good driving position. Once you are comfortable with driving, you can always upgrade to a larger car.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

•1d

I am a first time driver looking for an AMT car. I have shortlisted Hyundai Exter, Honda Amaze and Maruti Suzuki Fronx. I like Fronx the most but compared to Exter and Amaze, its basic features are missing. Further, I have found some visibility issue while driving in nearby area because bonet comes in my near vision. Exter is good but I have heard negative reviews about it. Amaze is good too for AMT but I am little confused whether I should go for sedan in today's market. I would be mostly driving on weekends so my driving will be mix of city and highway for trips. I stay in Mumbai and I personally don't like Punch and Brezza. While Punch is for space and Brezza is for features and build quality in comparison to other car. I am not particularly sure about Nexon AMT's performance. I need your guidance about a car that will be suitable for me in a budget of Rs. 9 to 10 lakh.

•1d

Go for the Honda Amaze, which is possibly the best automatic car in this price range for your needs. The biggest advantage is its smooth CVT gearbox, which is far superior to the more basic AMTs that are offered by the other cars in this price range. That gearbox is mated to a smooth, refined and fuel efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine that's proven and reliable. Its compact dimensions make it easy to drive, and Honda's famous attention to space management and ergonomics mean it feels like a big car on the inside and is easy to drive too. Moreover, for your occasional highway trips, the 89hp, four-cylinder engine has good power for cruising and overtaking. There's no harm in choosing a sedan at all, and you should buy the car that suits you and not the market.The Exter is a good alternative, with a higher seating that makes it easy to see out of, and you will get a higher variant in your budget, although compared to the Amaze, it feels like a smaller car from a lower segment. The engine isn't as punchy as the Honda's and the AMT gearbox is nowhere as smooth, and while it might be sufficient in the city, it doesn't inspire confidence on the highway. Overall, the Amaze is the best bet for your needs.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Exter

•20h

I am relatively beginner city driver. I am planning to get a car for senior parents and be independent. I need a car in which bonnet is visible from driver seat. I am interested in Citroen C3X. Is it wise to get the AT version considering I rarely go on highways. City commute is also relatively low, around 1000km/month.

•18h

The Citroen C3 X is a sensible choice for your requirements. It is compact, easy to drive and has a relatively upright seating position, which helps with bonnet visibility. For a beginner driver, that confidence at the wheel is important, especially when manoeuvring in the city.Given your usage of around 1,000 km a month, mostly in the city, the automatic version makes sense. It will make driving far less stressful in traffic and the C3X’s automatic gearbox is smooth enough for urban use. The car’s compact dimensions also make it easy to park and navigate narrow lanes, which is a big advantage in city driving.The C3X also offers decent rear seat comfort, which is important when you are regularly travelling with senior parents. The ride quality is one of the car’s strengths and it handles bad roads well, which adds to overall comfort. The drawback is the Citroen's service network isn't wide spread and can be inconsistent. Check your local dealers reputation before committing. Overall, the C3X is a good fit for your needs, but the automatic is only available in top trim. If that is pushing your budget, consider the Hyundai Exter instead. Its AMT isn't as slick as the Citroen's torque convertor, but is smooth as far as AMTs go. It is also easy to drive, comfortable for family use and well suited to city commuting.

Citroen C3

Hyundai Exter

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Expert reviews worth reading

HyundaiGrand i10 Nios

Popular discussions right now

•5d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•4d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

Kia Seltos

Tata Nexon

•6d

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

I want to buy my second car, an SUV, within a 15 lakh to 17 lakh budget. I drive occasionally in hilly areas and on highways. Suggest a car in my budget?

•6d

Considering your budget and usage pattern, the Skoda Kushaq Signature 1.0 MT is the best fit. It is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that gives you confidence on winding hill roads and highways. The Skoda Kushaq also offers good ride comfort, a solid build and a premium feel inside the cabin. You'll just have to be content with missing some features compared to the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo.If you want a more feature-rich and value-focused option, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 Luxury petrol is also worth considering. It offers a roomy cabin, more features than the Kushaq Signature and a strong 1.2 turbo petrol engine as well. However, the Kushaq is a larger car and feels more enjoyable to drive.

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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