Hyundai Aura

The Hyundai Aura works as a practical, no-fuss compact sedan for buyers who want low running costs and a usable boot without stepping into a higher price bracket. First-time car owners and small families are the core audience, though commercial users who need predictable ownership costs fit too. The biggest advantage? Choice. Petrol manual for straightforward value or AMT for city convenience. And factory CNG if you’re trying to keep fuel costs down on longer daily commutes.

The 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol is tuned for smooth city response rather than outright performance. It feels refined at low speeds and pulls cleanly through the lower gears, which is exactly the kind of stress-free power delivery you want when you spend an hour in urban traffic every morning. Doesn’t sound as strained as some three-cylinder engines either. Highway overtakes with a full car? Plan ahead. Downshift early, give it time, and don’t expect the kind of instant mid-range shove you’d get from a turbo-petrol in a segment above. The AMT reduces clutch fatigue in dense traffic, which is its main purpose. Quick downshifts aren’t its strength, though. Creep mode works fine at signals, but it won’t match a torque-converter auto for shift crispness. The CNG option trades some throttle response for significantly lower fuel bills. If you’re covering long distances daily, that trade-off makes practical sense.

Ride quality holds up well for your money. Suspension handles broken urban roads and speed breakers without feeling overly stiff. 165 mm ground clearance keeps the underbody safe from scrapes. Cabin noise? Acceptable for what you’re paying. NVH insulation won’t match a segment above, but you’re not paying segment-above money either. Steering is light and the turning radius is tight. Parking is easy. You won’t find sharp feedback or any real driving engagement here, and if you’re the kind of buyer who enjoys the driving experience itself, this probably isn’t the car for you. But for most people at this budget? Perfectly fine.

The feature list gets stronger on higher trims. SX and above come with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, a rear camera, push-button start, and cruise control. Rear passengers get AC vents and reasonable knee room for this segment. The 402-litre boot genuinely helps if you do airport runs or carry family luggage regularly. Bigger than what most hatchbacks offer at similar prices. The catch? Feature distribution isn’t even. Several comfort items only appear on higher trims, so if you’re buying a lower variant, compare the feature sheets carefully before you commit because that jump to the next trim might actually be worth your extra spend.

Safety is a strong point at this price. Six airbags are standard across the lineup, including on the ₹5.99 lakh base variant. Not common in this segment. ESC and TPMS come on select trims, along with hill-start assist and a rear camera depending on your transmission choice. The tested Global NCAP rating? Two stars. The equipment does its job, but the structural result leaves room for improvement. If crash-test performance tops your checklist, compare with the Dzire and Amaze before making a call.

Running costs are the main reason to shortlist this car. Delhi ex-showroom pricing goes from ₹5.99 lakh to ₹8.54 lakh, and 11 variants let you pick between bare affordability and added convenience. Petrol works well if your yearly usage is moderate. CNG makes more financial sense if you’re doing heavy daily kilometres or running a vehicle where per-kilometre fuel cost drives the decision, especially in cities where CNG station density is high enough that range anxiety isn’t a factor. Hyundai’s service network and familiar maintenance cycle help keep your long-term costs predictable.

Should you buy it? If you want low running costs, a practical sedan layout, easy city driving, and a real CNG option, the Aura belongs on your shortlist. If you’re after stronger highway performance or a higher crash-test rating, see what the Dzire and Amaze offer before you decide.