The perfect AT sedan on a 12L budget: What choices do I have?

In case you can install even a basic 15A home charger, you should also consider the Punch EV. The entry-level variants fall within your budget and it'll be an ideal city commuter.

BHPian drive1987 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I'm in the market place with a tight budget of 12 Lakhs (absolutely no stretching) for an automatic sedan. I need your expert advice/s please.

P.S: Strictly not looking at the used car market. The car has to be brand new.

Your responses would be highly appreciated, many thanks in advance!

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Honda Amaze CVT is the best suited to your requirements. It's an all-rounder budget sedan & that smooth CVT is its USP in a sea of jerky AMTs.

In case you can install even a basic 15A home charger, you should also consider the Punch EV. The entry-level variants fall within your budget and it'll be an ideal city commuter.

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

At present, you have only a few options in this segment and price range, they are:

1. Tata Tigor XZA Plus Leatherette Pack

Priced at 10.50 lakhs OTR Bangalore, the Tigor offers reasonable performance owing to 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol producing 85 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque, it comes mated to a 5-speed AMT (which although not best-in-class, gets the job done). It has a strong suspension and a good low-speed ride. The 4-star GNCAP rating is another positive and ensures safety is taken care of. However its drawbacks are fit, finish, and quality levels, as well as poor ASS in many cities. Moreover, its competitors offer a more spacious cabin. Now as regards offers on this model, you get discounts to the tune of 30k on the 2024 models and much higher discounts on leftover MY 2023 stock

2. Hyundai Aura SX Plus 1.2 AMT

At 10.70 lakhs OTR Bangalore, the Aura offers large seats, an airy cabin, and a general sense of space, the car is feature-loaded as well, with excellent quality fit, and finish levels. Service, spares, and resale aren't an issue either due to Hyundai's strong presence in the market. The 1.2 Litre 4-cylinder motor is smooth and offers adequate power (82 bhp) and torque (114 Nm) which improves driveability, although mated to an AMT, The Aura's AMT is best-in-class and offers the smoothest driving experience among all AMTs. The only major drawbacks are its bouncy ride and poor GNCAP score (2 stars). Offers for this month include discounts of upto 20k.

3. Maruti Dzire ZXi Plus AGS

The Dzire is long overdue for a facelift, and it should come out this year too, along with the new Swift facelift. If you are willing to wait, it will be worth it\

However, if you need a car now, then the Current Dzire ZXi Plus AGS at 11.30 lakhs OTR Bangalore is a good car for the money with a 1.2L 4-cylinder Dual Jet engine mated to a 5-speed AGS (AMT). The car is one of the most spacious in its class with adequate head, leg, and shoulder room. Ride quality is good and absorbent. After-sales network and resale is the best owing to being a Maruti. However, it has begun to look a bit dated and fit, finish isn't class-leading. Moreover, the 2-star GNCAP rating doesn't inspire confidence. Offers on this model are upto 32k this month.

4. Honda Amaze Elite Edition CVT

The Honda Amaze Elite Edition CVT costs exactly 12 lakhs OTR Bangalore and is perhaps the best sub-4-metre sedan in this segment right now, however, it is also due a facelift this year and is worth the wait. Despite the same, the current model is a great choice with the best-in-class CVT, big boot, cabin space, 10-year warranty, 4-star NCAP safety rating, etc. The 1.2L 4-cylinder IVTEC is an excellent engine producing 89 bhp of power and 110 Nm of torque. Moreover, the Honda Amaze Elite Edition gets some visible changes on its exterior including an Elite Edition badge, boot spoiler with built-in LED, front fender garnish, and anti-fog film on ORVMs, along with a host of features like TPMS, front armrest with a sliding function, tyre inflator, and Elite Edition-specific seat covers and illuminated scuff plates. Moreover, Honda is offering Upto Rs 92K Benefits (Inclusive of Upto Rs 30K Cash + Rs 15K Exchange Bonus + Corporate & Loyalty) on MY 2023 stock and around 50k benefits on MY 2024 stock.

Of the Above, it's the Amaze that I would recommend, owing to its rock-solid reliability and overall better packaging and safety credentials

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

It would be Honda Amaze any day. I have owned a Honda Jazz and Honda City (sold recently) and I can vouch for its superb drive quality and suspension. The 1.2 ltr CVT is the same as the one on the Honda Jazz and its extremely smooth to drive. The gear shifts are hardly noticeable and rarely do you use the S Mode barring couple of occasions on the highway.

Amaze is due for a facelift and the rendering on various websites shows the car in a completely new design and looks beautiful if that's how the final production spec looks like.

Go for the Honda Amaze if you are looking at the completely fuss free and hassle-free ownership

Here's what BHPian Vkap257 had to say on the matter:

I would go on a limb here and propose Ciaz delta AT variant.

Everything better with reasonable equipment and no-nonsense ownership. Though it's slightly expensive and definitely over your budget. If you can stretch, do check it out.

Here's what BHPian mgastor2022grey had to say on the matter:

I'd like to differ from others and suggest to you the I20 1.2L IVT. Great car, at 11.XX L and way more fun to drive than the Amaze. Test drive this and the N-Line before making a decision. Trust me, great mod potential (for the N-Line) and amazing features along with spacious interiors will seal the deal for you. All the best for getting your dream steed

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

Honestly, as other's have suggested Amaze is a amazing car (pun intended) but I would suggest you to once visit the Tata showroom and look and TD the Altroz, the Altroz is in a different league compared to all the other cars in your budget in regards with the amount of space available and the build quality it offers. Plus with discounts I am pretty sure you can negotiate the highend variant XZA(S) DCT under your budget. Plus I think only Altroz gets the sunroof in comparison to all the other cars suggested in the budget.

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