Need an automatic car under 12-lakh rupees in Bengaluru

The car is for purchase in the immediate family. It is likely to stay parked on most weekdays and will see action only once/twice a week.

BHPian dailydriver recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Requirments

• Automatic under 12 lakh rupees on road in Bengaluru
• Should handle the Shiradi and Charmadi ghats with ease and comfort, specially when fully loaded
• High ground clearance preferred due to bad patches in the native place (frequent destination)
• No AMTs, IMTs or MTs please
• Hill hold and Creep mode needed
• Spacious 5 seater with adequate boot space or 6/7 seater with modifiable boot space
• No body style restrictions as such
• Dual airbags and ABS-EBD are a must
• Seat height adjustment and/or telescopic as well as tilt steering
• Kids would love a sunroof; not an absolute need though
• Fuel efficiency of around 15 kmpl in city and 18 kmpl on highways.
• Petrol vehicle preferred due to less running
• Fuss free ownership. Can't keep visiting the service centres to address niggles; have neither the time nor the inclination (specific about this as any issues might need my intervention and presence)

The car is for purchase in the immediate family. It is likely to stay parked on most weekdays and will see action only once/twice a week.

Most trips are likely to involve two adults and two uber active kids. However, highway runs will take in two elder members of the family - aged 60+.

Both primary drivers aren't comfortable driving manual cars, specially in Bengaluru. Being first time owners, they are looking for comfort and ease of use rather than absolute power or speed.

Here's what BHPian hridaygandhi had to say on the matter:

The Honda Jazz CVT ticks all the boxes with the possible exception of number 3.

It is easy to drive, has loads of space, decent power on top, fuel-efficient, and comes with reliable and fuss-free ownership of a Honda. The low ground clearance will be an issue some times though. Only if Honda offered an automatic in the WR-V.

Here's what BHPian Dr.AD had to say on the matter:

Many of your requirements are contradictory. I do not think any new or used car will meet all these requirements.

You are looking for a petrol AT (no AMT too) car that is "Spacious 5 seater with adequate boot space", and yet looking for "Fuel efficiency of around 15 kmpl in city and 18 kmpl on highways." I do not think any such vehicle exists.

Then this is another criterion: "Should handle the Shiradi and Charmadi ghats with ease and comfort, specially when fully loaded". Now I can only think of SUVs meeting this. No small hatchback can do this, especially fully loaded. A small hatchback can do this, but not "with ease and comfort" as your requirements say. Only an SUV can do this with relative ease and comfort. But then, a petrol SUV will never give you 15km/l in city nor will it give 18 km/l on highways.

I would have suggested a Duster Turbo Petrol (with CVT) for the comfortable ride quality in Shiradi ghat. However, it will cross Rs. 12L on the road budget. And further, it will also not give you the fuel economy you are looking for.

Maybe if you could revise your requirements and relax some constraints, then some good options might emerge!

Here's what BHPian Sanidhya mukund had to say on the matter:

Since reliability is important, I wouldn't recommend any of the DCT cars.

Your options are as follows;

1. Kiger/Magnite - The budget can easily get the top of the line model of any of these cars, but my only concern is that they are new products and hence yet to prove their reliability.

2. Jazz/Amaze- Again, you can get the top of the line models, and being Honda cars, they should be quite reliable as well. Only point to ponder upon is the fact that the 1.2 Petrol engine has a weak midrange, so it might struggle on steep inclines/ghat roads. This can only be verified through a test drive or by talking to existing owners.

3. Skoda Rapid Rider Plus Auto- A great car for the price, but a little long in the tooth now. Not exactly known for being trouble free, but buying a service pack at the time of purchase might help.

4. Hyundai i20 Asta CVT- Suits your requirements, but being a Hyundai, long term reliability might be questionable.

5. My recommendation- Any of the larger Marutis- Ciaz Delta A/T, Brezza VXI A/T, Ertiga VXI A/T. S-cross Delta A/T and XL6 Zeta A/T are a little beyond your budget, but are great options if you could stretch a little.

6. Ford Ecosport Titanium A/T- It may be a little beyond the budget and the kmpl figures might not be great, but is still a very competent product for the price.

PS. Your query made me realise that cars are very expensive in Bangalore. A good 1-2 Lakh more than Delhi.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.