Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•5h

For your requirement, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz (O) AMT is a very sensible and well-suited choice. It is compact, easy to drive and park in city conditions like Bengaluru. The light steering, along with the AMT gearbox, makes stop-and-go traffic much less tiring, which is ideal for your parents. It also offers a comfortable ride and a familiar hatchback form factor, making it an easy upgrade from your current Santro.Given your monthly running of 500-700 km, a small petrol automatic fits perfectly, and Hyundai’s strong service support adds to the peace of mind.That said, one thing to be aware of is that AMT gearboxes can feel slightly jerky at low speeds. If smoothness and comfort are a higher priority, you could consider slightly stretching the budget for options with smoother automatic gearboxes like the Hyundai i20. It comes with a more refined IVT/CVT option and offers a more seamless driving experience.If your parents would prefer a higher seating position for easier ingress and better visibility, the Hyundai Exter AMT is also worth considering as an alternative.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

•5d

The Hyundai i20 has a smoother, more refined four-cylinder petrol engine. Its steering, gearbox and clutch feel light and effortless to operate. Also, its fit-finish and interior quality are superior to the Tata. The i20 Sportz petrol MT variant should fall within your Rs 9 lakh (on-road) budget too.For similar money, the Tata Altroz could get you a few more features. Additionally, it also feels a bit tougher, and its suspension feels more suited to tackle bad and broken roads. Still, the i20 feels like a more polished car, hence it gets our vote.

Hyundai i20

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•1w

If the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is in good condition and serving you well, there's no real need to switch to the Hyundai i20. The i20 Magna is a low-spec variant and misses out on many features that are part of the package on your Baleno Alpha trim model. Among the features on the Baleno Alpha that are not on the i20 Magna are auto climate control, keyless entry, touchscreen infotainment system, etc.In essence, the switch will feel like a downgrade and is not recommended.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1w

For your requirement of a city-friendly car that will be used more by your parents, we would suggest going for the Hyundai Venue HX4 manual.The biggest advantage of the Venue is its higher seating position, which makes getting in and out easier, especially for elderly users. It also offers better visibility in traffic, which makes city driving less stressful. With your usage being mostly in the city, this becomes a big advantage in daily use. The Venue also has higher ground clearance, which helps over speed breakers and rough patches.The Hyundai i20 Sportz (O), on the other hand, is the better choice if your priority is features and a more premium cabin experience. It offers more equipment, but the lower seating position makes it slightly less convenient for older users.In terms of safety, neither of these cars has been crash tested, so there is no direct comparison. However, the Venue is a newer car, and newer Hyundai models have shown better safety performance. On paper, both the i20 and Venue are quite similar, as they offer 6 airbags and other essential safety features as standard.

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1w

For your requirements of a smooth, automatic, premium feel and ease of driving, we would first suggest considering the Hyundai i20 IVT. The CVT gearbox is very smooth, which makes it the easiest car to drive in city traffic, especially for a new driver. It also feels premium inside, well-equipped and well priced, making it a great first car. Hyundai’s after-sales service and ease of maintenance are also strong positives.That said, in terms of safety, the i20 scored a 3-star rating earlier, and the facelifted version hasn’t been tested yet, so that remains a bit of an unknown.If 5-star safety is your top priority, then you can consider the Tata Altroz DCA. It has a strong build and better safety credentials. The ride quality is also more comfortable, and the car feels more stable on the highway.However, the engine and gearbox are not as refined or as smooth as the Hyundai's, though it is still a better experience than an AMT.

Hyundai i20

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•1w

For your requirement of a proper automatic under ₹12 lakh on-road with mostly city usage, we would suggest going for the Hyundai i20 IVT.The CVT gearbox is extremely smooth, which makes it very easy to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The car is also compact, easy to manoeuvre and has good visibility, which is important for daily city driving. It feels premium inside, well-equipped and offers a fuss-free ownership experience with good after-sales support.If you specifically want a higher driving position, then you can also consider the Nissan Magnite CVT. It offers SUV-like seating, is easy to drive and still comes with a smooth automatic gearbox.

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•1w

Unfortunately, Toyota has absolutely no plans to launch the GR Corolla hatchback in India. This is a car with very limited demand, so it would not be worth Toyota's time and effort to launch such a low-volume model. Go ahead and buy the Hyundai i20 N line, which, though nowhere near as exciting or powerful as the GR, is nonetheless a fun-to-drive car.

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1w

Based on what you felt during the test drive, we would suggest going for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The fact that you found it more comfortable and the engine smoother is very important, especially since this is your first car. The Baleno is easier to drive, feels more natural and refined, and for daily use, that makes a big difference.For a family of five, the Baleno also works better. It offers a more spacious rear seat, feels wider, and overall comfort for passengers is better than that of the Tata Punch. The Punch, as you noticed, feels a bit tall and boxy, and the body roll you experienced is normal because of its higher stance.The Punch is a good car in terms of package and build, but it is better suited if you prioritise bad roads and a higher driving position. For regular city use and comfort, the Baleno is the more sensible choice.Regarding the Hyundai i20, you are right that it is more expensive and slightly lower on efficiency. However, it is also a very refined and premium option. If your budget allows, it is worth a look, but it is not necessary since the Baleno already fits your needs very well.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Tata Punch

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1w

There's actually quite a variety of automatic hatchbacks within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and its twin, the Toyota Glanza, are well-rounded products. Good ride comfort and excellent fuel economy are highlights, and the AMT gearbox is good enough for average driving. However, gearshifts aren't the smoothest, and you'll feel this over a quick overtaking manoeuvre. If you are open to the Citroen brand, the C3 is a great option. Its 1.2-litre engine and torque converter auto gearbox combo is excellent, and ride comfort is also very good.You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCA in Creative S trim. The dual-clutch auto gearbox is very smooth and well-suited to city use. There's also a toughness to the package that gives great confidence at highway speeds.We are also fans of the smooth and polished Hyundai i20 CVT, but the Sportz(O) that fits your budget isn't an ideal choice as it misses out on the safety of a rear wiper. Finally, if you have the option to install an EV charger at home or office, the Tata Tiago EV is also an option to consider. Being all-electric, it's super smooth and very refined. However, it works best as a city car.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Citroen C3

Tata Altroz

Hyundai i20

Tata Tiago EV

Autocar India

•2w

We would suggest you consider the Hyundai i20 IVT. The gearbox is smooth, the cabin is spacious, and within your budget, you can get the Sportz (O) variant. It is compact, easy to drive and park in the city, and also offers a reasonably large boot.If you want something slightly larger, you can consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It is more spacious inside, more comfortable for a larger family and also has a bigger boot. The AMT gearbox is not as smooth as the CVT in the i20, but it is well-tuned and will also be more efficient.

Hyundai i20

Maruti Suzuki Baleno