Hyundai cars in India (12)

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Hyundai Creta diesel automatic. With your 20,000 km yearly usage and ₹16-18 lakh budget, it offers the best balance of comfort, space and running efficiency. The diesel engine suits high running, and the automatic gearbox is smooth in traffic while keeping the engine relaxed on highways. Compared to your current cars, it will feel like a proper upgrade with a higher driving position, a more spacious cabin and better ride comfort over long distances.If you are open to stretching your budget slightly, it is worth considering strong hybrid options like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder or the Maruti Grand Vitara. With your kind of running, hybrids can make more sense today. They offer better real-world efficiency, especially in city conditions, along with a smoother and quieter driving experience without the concerns typically associated with modern diesel engines.

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•1h

Unfortunately, the automatic variants of the Renault Duster and Maruti Suzuki Brezza/Victoris don't fall within your Rs 10 lakh budget. Since you're looking for an SUV-like automatic option, you could consider Maruti Fronx or Toyota Taisor 1.2 petrol-AMT. These are crossover-esque versions of the Maruti Baleno/Toyota Glanza hatchbacks, which are spacious, efficient and will be a good replacement for your Swift. If you're open to hatchbacks, the Hyundai i20 IVT is also a great option.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Toyota Glanza

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•15s

Go for the Hyundai Creta S(O) petrol manual coming from a Grand i10 that now feels small, this gives you the size, comfort and ease of use you’re looking for. The Creta’s cabin is bigger and feels more roomy inside, and the boot is much larger too and can take family bags without a squeeze. The ride feels more comfortable over broken roads, the higher seat gives you a clear view out, and Hyundai’s light steering and smooth clutch will feel familiar to you after 10 years with the i10. Sticking with Hyundai also means a wide service network and a hassle-free shift in ownership.

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•35m

The Skoda Kushaq will nicely meet most of your priorities. The car is very safe, with an extensive list of standard safety features. It includes 6 airbags, ESP, hill hold control, and multi-collision braking, which automatically applies the brakes after a severe accident to prevent the car from rolling further. As for the driving experience too, you will find this very good with the Kushaq, the 1.5 litre unit is really very lively, and even the smaller 1.0 litre engine is peppy enough in most scenarios. Mileage and space will not be as much as some rivals, but efficiency is quite acceptable; the 1.0-litre automatic should get you about 8 to 10 kpl in the city and 14 to 15 kpl on the highway, while the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine with the DSG gearbox, should also return similar figures. As for comfort, there's a decent level on offer with adequate all-round room and supportive seats. Uniquely, the Kushaq also offer rear seat massagers. Since the Kushaq is also not as long as rivals like the Hyundai Creta, you should find it a bit more manageable, given you drive a bit more in the city.

Skoda Kushaq

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O) 7‑seater. For your use, it will make daily life easier for your father, keep your grandmother most comfortable on long trips, and be the safer long-term bet even if it costs more and has fewer flashy features.In the city, the Hycross strong-hybrid stays on electric power a lot, and the engine comes in gently, so it feels very smooth and uses less fuel. The hybrid automatic (called an e‑CVT) has no jerks and no gear changes you can feel, which is great in traffic. The second row captain seats are wide and supportive, the floor is flat, and getting in and out is easy for elders. Space in the third row is better than most, and the ride stays calm on rough patches, so Pune runs and that Rajasthan drive will feel relaxed. Toyota’s service network and reliability add peace of mind outside big cities, and resale will be stronger. Coming from your Hyundai Creta diesel, you will notice the Hycross is quieter and roomier, and there is no diesel filter to worry about.One thing to be aware of: when you press hard, the hybrid’s engine can sound loud for a moment because of how this gearbox works. Also, with all three rows up, boot space is limited.Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L only if saving the ~Rs. 10 lakh is crucial, and you really value its extra features. The diesel is best if your father’s commute includes regular, faster runs that keep the diesel filter clear. The petrol is smooth but will use more fuel in the city, and as a fresh launch, there may be some early software niggles.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1d

The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 diesel manual should be your first choice. It offers a larger, more powerful diesel engine, which will feel like a proper upgrade from your Astor. It pulls strongly on highways and climbs effortlessly in high-altitude conditions. It is also spacious, feature-loaded and very comfortable for long-distance driving. If you want an automatic, go for the AX5 diesel, which is the more value-for-money option.The Mahindra Scorpio N diesel is the more rugged alternative. It is better suited for tougher terrain and rough roads, making it ideal if your Ladakh or Spiti trips involve more challenging sections. However, it is not as comfortable or as easy to drive daily as the 7XO.The Hyundai Creta diesel is the more refined and easy-to-drive option if you want something similar in size to your Astor. It is smooth and comfortable for highways, but it does not offer the same level of power or ruggedness as the Mahindra options.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1d

We would suggest the Hyundai Verna HX 10 1.5 petrol IVT. For under Rs 22 lakh, it gives you one of the smoothest drives and the most features for daily use. The IVT is essentially a CVT automatic that works very well in city traffic. The cabin is quiet, the ride is comfortable on bad roads, and Hyundai’s wide service network makes ownership easier wherever you are. For a self-driven sedan that you’ll also use with family, the Verna feels modern inside, has a large boot, and packs in plenty of safety and convenience kit for the money.Just keep in mind the CVT is tuned for smoothness, not outright performance, so if you drive hard it won’t feel as quick or sporty as a turbo engine with a dual-clutch gearbox. Also, very tall passengers might find rear headroom a bit tight because of the sloping roofline.If you’re someone who really enjoys fast highway driving, then the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus 1.5 TSI DSG (or the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG) is the better driver’s car. The 1.5 turbo feels stronger and the DSG shifts very quickly, but it can be a bit jerky at crawling speeds and may be more expensive to maintain once it’s out of warranty.

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•3d

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

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Hyundai i20 Sportz (O) IVT - for a first-time, new driver in your budget, it is the easiest and most stress-free automatic here. The IVT is a type of automatic transmission that keeps the engine in the right range and changes ratios smoothly, so in slow city traffic, it moves without jerks and feels calm. The i20 is a small car that is easy to see out of, the steering is light, and the gearbox creeps forward gently when you lift off the brake, which makes parking and tight turns simple. Hyundai’s service reach is wide across India, so ownership is straightforward.One thing to be aware of: the i20 IVT is not built for quick highway sprints, so fast overtakes need a firmer press on the accelerator. Also, if you often face tall speed breakers or very bad roads, the i20 sits lower than a taller car.Pick the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT only if you really want a higher driving position and better clearance for rough roads, or if you plan more highway runs. Its DCT is a different type of automatic that shifts very quickly, but in very slow, stop-and-go traffic, it can feel a bit jerky and needs a gentler right foot.

Hyundai i20

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•4d

Given your love for long drives, you will be happier with the Renault Duster. It's got a fantastic ride and handling balance, which will make your journeys comfortable and very enjoyable. The great suspension and body control are matched by a strong 160hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Power and performance are good. Going for a Duster does come with a slight compromise in terms of cabin space. It's not as roomy as the Hyundai Creta and other models, like the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. If more space is a key priority, the Hyundai Creta Turbo-DCT is worth a look. Of the other alternatives, the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT and Tata Sierra turbo AT are also strong options.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Hyundai Creta