Hatch-ing a plot

I’m on the lookout for a hatchback for my wife. She will drive it to work and back, so it’s going to be city driving for the most part. The car will do 1000 km every month and my budget is up to Rs 6 lakh. One option I have in mind is the Hyundai i20. Currently, she drives a Tata Indigo diesel, so a diesel option is not out of the question. Please suggest which car would suit my requirements the best.

Paritosh, email

The i20 is a good car, but keeping in mind the sort of expected mileage, paying more for a diesel does not make sense. Instead, you could opt for the 1.2 petrol i20. It will ferry your missus around the city with ease and will be frugal while doing so. The Asta version comes loaded with features and fits neatly into your budget, while Hyundai’s after sales service will add to your peace of mind.

Czech it out

I want a luxury diesel saloon in the range of Rs 20-25 lakh and I have shortlisted the Skoda Superb diesel and the Passat diesel. I have tried out the Passat and like the solid build and quality, but I have heard that the Superb is very good too. What do you think? Is the price difference between the two cars justified?

Amar Dalvi, Mumbai

Well, the Superb is a newer car and benefits from more contemporary styling. It also has more space than the Passat. The Passat is a more driver-centric car, but its common-rail diesel engine does not offer any significant advantage over the Superb’s Pumpe-Duse motor in day-to-day usage. And finally, the price difference of Rs 5 lakh is too much, which is why the Superb is it.

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