Which Automatic Sub Compact SUV as replacement for my i10 manual? Hello Car experts,
My first post here, had posted it at another location but didn't get too many responses, so thought of trying here. Apologies if its too long a post.
Background - I am in my mid 40's and work in IT. I own a i10 Magna 2009 petrol manual and am looking to replace it with an automatic before the registration expires in January 2024. Family of 3. My wife owns a i10 Sportz AT (bought in 2013). I don't know which transmission my wife's car has, as I did not do as much research back then, nor did I know about Team BHP! I go to office once a week approximately which is a ride of 23 kms one way in Pune city traffic. Plus some weekend rides for errands/ nearby places which currently happen on my wife's car but assuming we will use our new car for it once we have it. Highway rides are occasional, mostly driving in city. If I listen to my brain, I understand that I don't actually have immediate need of a new car, and can manage by extending the registration of my old i10 by five years or with my wife's AT i10 or by travelling through a cab. If I sell my car, I can even rent out my parking! Though if I listen to my heart, I feel I should by a car now, otherwise when will I do it?
At times, my i10, on roads / curves on highway where there is super-elevation on one side, I feel as if the car is rolling over on one side though I felt it in multiple cars so I guess it's a more to do with my age catching up! Hence, I started with looking for sedans which have less chances of rolling over as they are closer to the road.
Criteria - Looking for a bigger vehicle than i10, budget between 10-12 Lakhs on road, Automatic transmission, at least four star safety rating
Cars considered so far -
Ciaz - Initially took a test ride of Ciaz AT since it's spacious and reasonably priced. Felt that Ciaz will be too long to drive in city traffic hence decided to check in sub compact SUVs due to higher ground clearance.
Sonet and Venue - Test drove a Sonet IMT, thinking that IMT will be cheaper than fully automatic but figured that I don't want the pain of changing the gears though there is no clutch. Technology makes us lazy! Then understood that safety rating of Sonet and Venue is just 3* and their transmission (DCT) is not suitable for Indian weather (hope this understanding is correct). Though Sonet is the one which convinced me about going for CSUVs rather than Sedans.
Nexon and XUV 300 - Test drove Nexon and XUV 300 also but decided against them due to jerks in AMT gear shifts.
Fronx - Test drove Fronx as well, but thought it was too small and we don't even know its safety rating yet.
Brezza - Test drove the Brezza and liked it. Brezza VXI is around 13.3 Lakhs on road in Pune however it comes with just 2 airbags. Also, I felt a little dizzy after multiple test drives, is it a problem with Brezza's suspension etc. or is it a problem with me?
Also Brezza's waiting time is more (5-6 months).
Kiger Turbo CVT - Liked Kiger (my daughter's favorite!) Waiting time is about 2 weeks. While taking test drive, I felt that the break and accelerator are very close to each other, and while removing my foot from the break and putting it on the accelerator, my foot was kind of getting stuck under the break. Has anyone observed this problem? My wife also felt a problem with the driver's seat belt, which I didn't notice.
Magnite Turbo CVT - Liked Magnite as well. Magnite's waiting time is similar to Kiger's. I personally liked exteriors of Magnite's compared to Kiger's, may be because I haven't seen as many Datsun Go's compared to Kwids!
But Kiger's interiors are better than Magnite, and Kiger top model RXZ CVT offers 4 airbags compared to Magnite top model's 2. But Magnite offers 360 degree camera which the Kiger doesn't.
Also, Nissan has only 1 showroom in Pune compared to 3-4 of Renault.
Magnite's ground clearance is same as Kiger's but height is less, thought that it will be less prone to roll over.
Height of the vehicle mentioned on the brochures is from the floor or from the ground? Since width of some vehicles is bigger than others but length is less etc, so if I am trying to compare volume of space (like old Indica adv of more car per car!), should I be using height or height minus ground clearance?
Also, thought that Magnite and Kiger will be better for city driving compared to Brezza due to smaller size. Or is it just a matter of getting used to bigger vehicles?
I understand that Brezza's base AT version(VXI) costs more than Magnite and Kiger's top end CVT versions, but it offers a four cylinder engine vs three cylinder engines of Magnite and Kiger. So considering my use case, will it be worth spending extra money on Brezza just to get this engine?
I quite liked the Magnite as it has 360 degree camera in XV CVT version for on road price of 12.8 Lakhs v/s just reverse camera in Kiger RXZ CVT at on road price of 13.48 Lakhs. Renault salesperson told me we can get front sensors installed for 3500/- INR to make up for this lack of front/ 360 degree camera in Kiger to some extent. Is that right? I am a little nervous about parking new car in tight spaces.
I understand CVT and TC are better than AMT, but if I were to choose between CVT and TC, as is the case for Magnite and Kiger(CVT) vs Brezza(TC), what would you recommend?
Which car would you recommend between Brezza AT VXI (on road around 13.4), Magnite top end XE CVT(12.8) and Kiger top end RXZ CVT(13.48)? Waiting time for Brezza is far more than Kiger and Magnite. Also Renault and Nissan are offering cash discount, exchange bonus, corporate discount and some accessories v/s Maruti is not offering anything. Waiting time for Brezza will also mean my current i10s value will depreciate as I can't sell the car 6 months before getting the new car.
Read somewhere that in October 2023 6 airbags will be mandatory, is that right? Should I wait until then? I don't want to pay for / not keen on features such as sun-roof etc.
Do you recommend buying extended warranty?
All the dealers are offering better price for my old i10 compared Cars24. But I believe ownership transfer will happen in few days. How do I get the No Claim Bonus certificate in such case in the meantime to get NCB benefit on new insurance I need to buy for my new car? Renault and Nissan dealers will hopefully agree to me buying it myself instead of through them but not sure about Maruti due to high demand of Brezza. This will bring down the On Road Price further. Any recommendation for a particular Insurance company? How is Acko Insurance?
How do I calculate how much should be RTO tax to confirm what the dealer is charging is not more?
And what are registration fees and reward program fees?
What are HSRP, Doc & Del and LDH charges? Are they all legal?
What accessories do you suggest I should add?
I know too many questions, but please find time to share your interesting perspectives. Looking forward to learn a lot from you to make an informed decision.
Thanks in anticipation! |