I recently bought a Grand i10 automatic 2017 to practice driving, and I’ve been using it for a year now. My monthly running is almost 900 km, and I am getting a mileage of about 9 km/l. I am looking to upgrade to an SUV with good fuel economy and decent features, with a budget of around ₹14 lakh. Which car would you suggest?

Traditionally, torque converter automatics have been known to affect fuel efficiency, and the four-speed unit in the Hyundai Grand i10 did so even more due to the limited number of ratios. However, after experiencing a torque converter automatic that feels polished and premium, switching to an automated manual transmission will feel like a downgrade. An AMT feels more basic and rudimentary, even though it is as efficient as a manual gearbox.

Within your budget, you now have several good options. If you want to stay within the Hyundai car family, the Venue turbo petrol with the DCT in the HX 6 variant is worth considering. It is well equipped and uses a punchy 1.0-litre engine paired with a smooth 7-speed dual clutch automatic.

If you enjoy driving, the Skoda Kylaq is also a strong option. In fact, if you are willing to stretch your budget slightly beyond 14 lakh, you can get the top Prestige automatic variant on road. 

It is better equipped than the Venue HX 6, and its 1.0-litre engine feels lively, while the 6-speed torque converter automatic performs well too.