Hyundai I20 vs Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•1h

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai i20

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•5w

Pick the Hyundai i20 Asta IVT. For mostly Bangalore city use, it feels light and easy to drive and its clean, sporty look will still feel young in five years. It's very efficient too, though some others might be better. The automatic is the smoothest to drive and the most polished in traffic, but that trim will likely go past your car under Rs 10 lakh budget; settle for the Sportz (O) instead. A quick word on the rest. The Honda Amaze CVT is smooth, friendly and efficient, but as a compact sedan it might not deliver the style statement or road presence you want, and the Honda Amaze price starts at Rs 7.51 lakh (ex-showroom). The Baleno will be the most efficient; in real-world traffic you can expect around 11-13kpl if you are judicious with the throttle, and the cabin is airy and comfy for the daily grind. However, the AMT is not as smooth as the i20’s automatic. Tata Nexon AMT gives you SUV stance and presence, but the AMT is clunky in stop-go and city economy is weaker, so your 10-12kpl requirement is a stretch.

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

•31w

Unfortunately, the compact SUVs you've listed - Skoda Kylaq, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Tata Nexon - will only fit in your budget in a low- to mid-spec variant, which will deprive you of some crucial features. We would instead recommend the Hyundai i20, which gives you not one but two petrol-automatic options, and is a great all-round premium hatchback which you can get in near-top-spec guise in your budget. The Hyundai i20 price starts at Rs 6 lakh and goes up to Rs 11.59 lakh (ex-showroom).It's fine to have a bit of performance with reliability, and if so, you should check out the 1.0 turbo-petrol N-Line variants of the i20. But if you prefer the smoothness of a CVT, there is the lower-powered 1.2 NA petrol too.Alternatively, check out the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, which offer the best of both worlds - turbo-petrol and CVT - well within your budget.

Nissan Magnite

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

Renault Kiger