Kia Sonet Petrol 1.2 HTE (O)

Autocar India

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You should consider the Hyundai Venue HX6 1.0 Turbo DCT. Within your Rs 12-14 lakh budget, it gives you a sunroof, ventilated seats and many more features besides. For your daily drives, the Venue's high seating, good visibility and light controls make light work of traffic. And on your weekend trips, the 120hp turbo-petrol engine will provide some excitement. It also feels steady at highway speeds, and the ride handles bad patches well. Features are strong for the price, and Hyundai’s service reach in Chennai is wide and hassle-free.One thing to be aware of is that the DCT can feel a bit jerky at very low speeds, and this highlights the engine's turbo lag. But you will soon learn to drive around this, though.Another alternative is the Kia Sonet HTX 1.0 Turbo DCT. Though it uses the same powertrain, it is a little cheaper than its rival from Hyundai, which is built on a new-gen platform, and thus could provide better value. It too gets ventilated seats and a sunroof, but bear in mind its rear seat isn't as spacious as the Venue's, and the ride is noticeably stiffer.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

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We would suggest going for the Skoda Kylaq. With your 70 percent highway use, it is the most comfortable and fun to drive compared to the Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet. Coming from a Wagon R AMT, you will notice a big step up in how stable and secure it feels at 80-100 km/h. Also, how well it absorbs bad patches, and how smoothly the 6-speed torque converter automatic shifts without the slight jerk you sometimes feel in an AMT. The 1.0 turbo petrol also has strong mid-range pull, so overtakes are easy even with family and luggage. Safety is another strong point, and its high-speed stability stands out on long drives.Do keep in mind that Skoda’s service network is smaller than Tata's and Kia's, and since all three are turbo petrols, fuel efficiency will not be very high. Also, the rear seat in all three cars is best suited for two adults rather than three, unlike your Wagon R.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Nexon

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Autocar India

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The Kia Sonet 1.0 DCT is a well-rounded car which delivers on several fronts, including driving comfort, interior quality, features and its real-world fuel efficiency will be respectable too. It has all the safety features too, including ADAS, which prevent an accident in the first place.Do keep in mind that the current version of the Sonet is towards the end of its lifecycle, and a new model will be introduced next year. Alternatively, you could consider a Hyundai Venue 1.0 DCT instead, which is thoroughly modern, and besides all the safety kit, like the Sonet. It has also been crash tested and awarded 5 stars by Bharat NCAP for adult and child protection.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

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You should check out the Kia Sonet 1.2 HTK (O) manual, it fits your budget and needs best for safe, easy city driving. Your use is very low and only in the city, so the simple 1.2 petrol with no turbo is the right call. It is a 4-cylinder engine, so it feels smoother and quieter than most 3-cylinder engines. The HTK (O) trim includes a rear camera, though if you can increase your budget slightly, consider moving up to the Sonet HTK+, which will get you features like keyless entry and go, a wireless phone charger, a 60:40 split rear seat and alloy wheels.The 1.2 in the Sonet doesn't get an automatic option, so if you decide you must have one, you would need to look at a different model. Consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 Delta+ AMT, which also gets a rear-view camera and a four-cylinder engine. If you don't mind a hatchback, there's also the Hyundai i20 1.2 IVT Sportz, which gets a smoother CVT automatic gearbox.The only 1.5-litre engine in your price bracket can be found in the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. But as that very engine capacity disqualifies it from small car tax breaks, its price is higher than others, and you will only get a base model.

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

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If you're open to diesel options, you could consider the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet. Both share their engine and gearbox options. Opt for the manual version of either for maximum efficiency.An excellent electric option is the Punch EV. If you can arrange for home charging, your running costs will be very low - something you will surely appreciate given your usage.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG can also be considered. Its engine is reliable, and the CNG will keep per km costs in check.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Punch EV

Autocar India

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Go for the Tata Nexon EV with the 45kWh battery. You can easily expect around 350km of real-world range, and with home charging, you can top up its battery overnight and run for a week without worry, keeping your 50-75km usage in mind. In daily traffic, it feels smooth and quiet.But if you can't arrange for home charging, then you could consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel-AT option. Keep in mind, being an AMT, gearshifts aren't very smooth, and on account of its weight, the XUV 3XO won't be as efficient as a Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue diesel-automatic, which will also be far smoother to drive.

Tata Nexon EV

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

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Go for the Maruti Victoris VXi manual as it fits your Rs 14 lakh budget and represents a step up from your i20. You will sit higher, see the road better, and it deals with bad roads and speed breakers better than the i20, yet it is still relatively easy to park and thread through traffic. The controls are light, the petrol engine feels smooth and calm in the city, and Maruti’s wide service network makes ownership simple almost anywhere. One thing to be aware of: the engine is more about smoothness than speed, so if you're on a highway with four people and luggage, you may need to plan your overtakes. While the Victoris VXi MT will be ideal, if you want to benefit from lower running costs, consider the Victoris LXi CNG. If a big part of your 1,500 km is highway and you want lower fuel bills and stronger pull at low speeds, look at the Kia Sonet diesel manual mid variant. It suits long runs well, though the ride can feel a bit firm on sharp bumps. If you want to stay with Hyundai, check the Venue diesel manual, which is mechanically identical to the Sonet.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Sonet HTX diesel manual for your 50-70 km a day with mostly city use, as it keeps fuel bills low like your Honda Amaze diesel. But feels like a clear step up in terms of comfort, features and safety.In stop-go traffic, the Sonet diesel pulls cleanly from low speeds, so you do not need to shift gears as often, and the clutch is light, which makes daily driving fairly easy. The higher seating position gives a better view out, and getting in and out is also easy. It is still small enough to park without stress, but the cabin feels nicer and more solid, and highway runs are relaxed thanks to the strong mid-range of the diesel engine. Kia’s network is wide now in most cities, and upkeep has been reasonable for owners in this price range.A couple of things to be aware of. The back seat is not very wide, so three adults will feel tight on longer trips. Also, like all new diesels, it has a particulate filter, which requires you to run a regeneration cycle periodically.If you prefer Hyundai’s aftersales and a slightly softer ride, the Hyundai Venue diesel manual is a good alternative. If your priority is the lowest running cost, look at the Maruti Victoris CNG.

Kia Sonet

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Venue

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

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For your requirement of fuel efficiency, city driving and overall maintenance, both the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Sonet are strong options, but they suit different priorities.The XUV 3XO petrol automatic is the easiest car to drive in city traffic. Its torque converter gearbox is smooth, creep-friendly and well-suited to stop-go conditions, which makes daily driving stress-free. It also has a comfortable ride and feels more robust over bad roads. Maintenance is reasonable, and Mahindra’s network is wide.The Sonet, especially in diesel automatic form, is the better choice if fuel efficiency is your top priority. The diesel engine delivers significantly better mileage in city conditions and is very easy to drive. However, if you look at the turbo petrol DCT, it is quick but not as smooth in heavy traffic and can feel slightly hesitant at low speeds.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

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The Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT is the best fit among your options. It uses a smooth torque converter automatic, which is ideal for city traffic and more reliable in the long run. The engine is simple, proven and efficient, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make ownership very easy. It also offers good ride comfort and a spacious cabin, which adds to its family appeal.The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are more feature-rich and feel more modern inside, but both use turbo petrol engines with DCT gearboxes in the automatic versions. These are quicker and more fun to drive, but in heavy city traffic, they are not as smooth and can feel slightly jerky at low speeds.On stretching your budget, the Kia Seltos is a segment above and a better all-round car, but the petrol automatic will go well beyond your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is also appealing, especially in strong hybrid form, but again requires a significant stretch.For your usage and priorities, there is no strong reason to stretch. The Brezza already fits your needs very well.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet