Hyundai i20 price in Cachar

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Honda Amaze CVT is a good pick for you. Its CVT gearbox is smooth and delivers a pleasant driving experience, superior to what you'd get with AMTs in the same price band. The Amaze CVT in fully-loaded VX form fits your budget and is worth a look. 

You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCT in Accomplished S trim. It's well equipped and, while performance is unexciting, the gearbox is very smooth. 

Other options we'd recommend considering include the Nissan Magnite CVT, Renault Kiger CVT and Hyundai i20 CVT. Do note, their top-end versions are pricier than Rs 11 lakh.