Hyundai cars in India (12)

Autocar India

•21h

The Hyundai Venue Diesel-Automatic is a far superior powertrain compared to the Tata Nexon's unit as far as smoothness and refinement go. Also, the Venue gets a 6-speed torque converter (automatic), which is much smoother-shifting and more comfortable, compared to the Nexon's automated manual transmission (AMT), which can feel relatively slow and a bit jerky in comparison. Between the two, it is the Venue diesel-automatic that gets our vote.

Hyundai Venue

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•21h

At the moment, the Honda City is the only mid-size sedan in the market with a hybrid powertrain, however it should cost you close to Rs 25 lakh on-road.Since you're looking for a value-for-money offering within Rs 18 lakh, the Hyundai Verna HX6+ 1.5 Petrol CVT is the one to go for. The car is feature-rich, comfortable, and very smooth to drive.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•19h

For your usage, the Venue Turbo-Petrol DCT should be fine. The scary DCT stories usually come from long, very slow traffic in peak heat where drivers keep pressing the throttle to crawl, or from holding the car on an incline using throttle. In mixed use like yours, and with plenty of highway airflow, overheating is rare. Also, it is advisable to shift to 'N' when the car is at a standstill for a long duration or at a red light.Hyundai’s unit has been on sale for years across many cars in India, and while you will find some cases online, widespread failures are not common. In summary, you can go for it, without stressing too much.

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2m

Low running, long-term keep, and you care about mileage and a steady feel at speed - in that brief, the Kia Sonet HTK Plus 1.2 manual fits you better. With the same 1.2 petrol engine, mileage will be much the same as the Venue's in daily use, but the Sonet feels a touch more stable on the highway. Its steering has a bit more weight, and the suspension feels firmer, so it holds a straight line well and gives you more confidence on flyovers and open roads. Cabin quality also feels a notch nicer, which matters when you plan to keep it for many years.Know the trade-offs. This 1.2 engine is fine in the city, but with four or five people and luggage, it will feel slow to overtake so you will plan your moves. The Sonet’s ride is a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps are felt more than in the Hyundai Venue. If you often travel with rear passengers, then the Sonet's back seat can feel cramped compared to the Venue, but it makes up for it with a larger boot. If most of your use is inside the city and you want a softer, easier drive, the Hyundai Venue 1.2 in a similar mid variant will suit you. Overall, for your needs, pick the Sonet HTK Plus.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Hyundai i20 Sportz MT for your needs. The hatchback has a spacious and comfy cabin, a premium interior, and it is very easy to drive thanks to its light controls. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is smooth, peppy and reasonably efficient too, while the slick 5-speed manual and the light clutch make driving in the city easy. The i20 is also fairly compact, so driving in narrow lanes and parking will not be an issue either. Also coming from your i10, the i20 will feel like an upgrade while still keeping you in the Hyundai family. The i20 has proven to be reliable, and Hyundai's service centres are widespread in the country, so your ownership experience will be stress free.

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1d

Before committing to an EV, it is advisable to speak to electric car owners in the complex to know about the ease of charging. Public chargers in easy access are a plus, but the ideal and often most reliable solution is a charger in your own parking. Many housing complexes do not allow this, making it all the more important to research public charging options in the vicinity. In general, Bengaluru does have a wide network of chargers, so a weekly plug-in shouldn't be a hassle. Further, major highways south and west of the city have regular fast chargers, so planned roadtrips are very workable.Of the cars, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a sensible buy for your usage. It's a good size for Bangalore's traffic yet offers comfortable seating for five passengers. It won't match your Tesla's wow factor, but the Creta does pack in all the features that you would need and use over your short commutes. You can buy the 51.4kWh battery pack version, which offers ample range for your city drives. If you'd prefer a larger vehicle with more interior space, options include the Mahindra XEV 9S (the 70kWh battery pack is a good pick but just out of your budget) and the Tata Harrier EV with the 65kWh battery pack.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV

Autocar India

•1d

There are quite a few EV options within your budget, but the Hyundai Creta Electric stands out as the most complete and fuss-free option. It offers the same space, practicality and user-friendly experience as the ICE Creta with the refinement and power of an electric powertrain. The Creta Electric is available in two battery pack options - the base 42kWh battery pack will serve you well for Mumbai city commutes. However, you'd do well to extend your budget and go for the larger 51.4kWh version. The added outlay will get you more range, which would give you greater peace of mind on outstation trips. Alternatives to the Creta EV include the Maruti Suzuki eVitara and Vinfast VF6, but neither feels as wholesome as the Hyundai.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Vinfast VF6

Autocar India

•2d

With 70 percent city use, some highway trips, a family of four, and a strict manual requirement, the Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport 1.5 TSI manual is a good upgrade from your Maruti Suzuki Swift. However, the manual transmission on the 1.5 TSI was discontinued earlier this year and has not returned with the recent facelift. This means the car you are considering is a pre-facelift version that may have been sitting at the dealer for a while. Moreover, Rs 28 lakh also seems very steep, as the last recorded on-road price of the 1.5 GT Plus Sport MT in Chennai, as per our records, was around Rs 22-23 lakh. Haggle hard if you proceed, do a very thorough pre-delivery inspection, and push for an extended warranty.As for the vehicle itself, the 1.5 petrol with the manual is an excellent choice. It feels quick and smooth, pulls cleanly from low speeds so you do not have to shift constantly in traffic, and has strong performance for safe highway overtakes. It is not too big for city lanes, the higher seating position improves visibility, and it feels stable at speed. Cabin quality and the overall safety focus are clear steps up from your Swift.Two things to note for your usage: the clutch is heavier than your Swift’s, and fuel consumption and upkeep costs will be noticeably higher.Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai Creta N Line manual or the Renault Duster 1.3 manual, both of which are great options for keen drivers.

Volkswagen Taigun

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•18h

Mostly city use, a Rs.15 lakh budget and a focus on low running costs, point straight to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It fits your brief for long-term reliability, low maintenance and service costs, and good fuel efficiency. It is a size up from the Tata Punch/Hyundai Exter segment, but is still manageable in the city while feeling stable on the highway.Why it fits: service and parts costs are among the lowest in the class, and Maruti’s service network is widespread, so upkeep stays simple for years. The petrol engine and torque convertor auto are smooth in traffic and remains efficient if driven with a light foot. Cabin space is good for five, the rear seat is comfortable, and the boot is useful for the occasional weekend trip.Trade-offs: the cabin does not feel particularly premium, and the engine lacks the punch of a turbo-petrol on the highway. It is also worth noting that a facelift for the Brezza is expected towards the end of the year, possibly with a turbo-petrol engine. Alternatively, consider the Hyundai Venue 1.0 DCT if you want a more modern cabin and stronger highway performance.Overall, for city-first use and long-term peace of mind, the Brezza is a good fit.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Exter

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•2d

The Kia Sonet is the better pick of the two compact SUVs. It's got the more refined engine, slicker gearbox and generally more polished driving experience than the Nexon. What also pushes the Sonet's case is its interior, which comes across as more premium with greater attention to detail and a higher level of fit and finish. Your budget will get you the fully-loaded Sonet, which is really well equipped. A very large boot is another Sonet highlight. The Sonet does feel firm in its ride comfort.The Tata Nexon has its strengths too. It feels tough, especially on bad patches of road. There's a bit more room at the back too though the sloping window line takes away from the sense of space. Further, the Nexon has started showing its age now. If you want something altogether newer, the Hyundai Venue diesel manual is an option to consider. It's spacious, refined and packs in new-age features.

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Venue