Looking for automatic hatch under 10L. Suggestions needed

[pscoe2]

Hello gearheads,

I am looking to buy an automatic hatch for my city driving. I will be replacing my 9-10 year old Santro
My running will be about 400-500 Km/month (Thus ruling out the diesel cars)

Requirements:
1. A good engine and fun to drive
2. Upmarket feel and safety features
3. Good after sales and hassle free ownership

Cars considered:
1. Polo GT TSI (Yet to be test driven)

Pros
- Awesome engine and power (According to reviews)
- Loaded with safety features

Cons
- VW's lack of spare part availability
- High service costs?

2. Baleno Zeta CVT

Pros
- Maruti's parts
- Lots of features (Lacks a few safety ones though)
- High FE
- Cheapest of the lot

Cons
- Too light? (Is it as safe?)
- Automatic not available on Alpha model

3. i20 Automatic

Pros
- Hyundai ownership
- Good looking

Cons
- Costliest - even more than the Polo GT TSI
- Automatic not on top model
- TD left me feeling similar to that in my Santro. Wanted a change

I didn't consider Jazz as i dont like the way it looks. I am quite confused and am wondering what to do

Also, Should i wait around for Diwali to get the festive offers? Also, should i wait for Baleno RS to come out and then make a call?
SA at Nexa are denying any info about RS currently

<This is my first post here, Am quite excited to be a part of the group>

[muztariq]

Add Ford Aspire Titanium Automatic to the list. The only issue is that Ford reduced the prices of all the variants except the Automatic.

[pscoe2]

How good is the ford's after sales and service network?

I am not looking at <4m sedans though. I am rather considering the figo 1.5 AT which does look cool

[rageshgr]

Just test drive the Polo GT TSI and the Figo 1.5 DCT. they are the two most fun to drive. Polo, more so. But the Figo is cheaper. But don't blame me if you get addicted to the Polo. Floor it in S. Till it shifts to next gear. Don't tell me you didn't get addicted to that wonderful music

Btw Baleno RS will be manual

[pscoe2]

Just test drive the Polo GT TSI and the Figo 1.5 DCT. they are the two most fun to drive. Polo, more so. But the Figo is cheaper. But don't blame me if you get addicted to the Polo. Floor it in S. Till it shifts to next gear. Don't tell me you didn't get addicted to that wonderful music

Btw Baleno RS will be manual

Is it certain that the RS will be automatic? I heard rumours it being mated with an automatic gearbox.
Also, What do you think about waiting till the festive season arrives? (Or looking towards the upcoming GST bill (though that is not coming till April))

[sparkls]

automatic gearbox

Automatic or automated transmission(AMT?

[pscoe2]

I heard automatic but it was an initial rumor. Maybe I am wrong.

[rksingh1]

If I were in the market to buy a car with the requirements like that of yours, I'd have picked Hyundai Elite i20 Magna AT! I know you've sited your dislike for it ater test drive, still here are my reason for picking it over Polo:

1. 1.4L engine compared 1.2L engine in Polo
2. Cheaper to maintain, Polo would certainly be expensive
3. Better FE, even though its got 1.4L engine, I am convinced it'll have better fuel returns
4. Its perspective, but I find i20 to be bigger and spacious than Polo. Its appeals to my eyes too.

I would not look at Baleno and will consider Figo. However, I doubt Figo can make a cut between Polo and i20.

[Evolution88]

1. 1.4L engine compared 1.2L engine in Polo

Please don't go only with the cc.
1.2 TSI is one of the good engines you can get in a hatchback. If you take the Power/Torque figure also, Polo stands out.

Polo GT TSI
Power: 105 Ps @ 5000 RPM
Torque: 175 Nm @ 1500-4100 RPM

Elite i20 Dual VTVT 4-Speed
Power: 100 Ps @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 132 Nm @ 4000 RPM

As well Polo comes with a 7 speed DSG transmission. Transmission on i20 is a 4-Speed one. Haven't driven Hyundai Automatic car or this transmission. So can't comment much about it.
I have posted above details as OPs one of the requirement was this...

1. A good engine and fun to drive

Better FE, even though its got 1.4L engine, I am convinced it'll have better fuel returns

1.2 TSI returns good FE if driven sedately or with a light foot.

[sparkls]

2. Cheaper to maintain, Polo would certainly be expensive

Isnt 15k for per year/15000kms cheap. That too for a diesel. Also hyundai has costly parts like vw,but i think parts failure is high in hyundai. ECU,turbo failure are more often in hyundai than any other brands.

As well Polo comes with a 7 speed DSG transmission

Thats a good choice.