Shivanand Dutta

Cars you need to be looking at to beat Guwahati’s traffic and harsh road conditions

Citizens of Guwahati aren’t new to heavy traffic and imperfect road conditions, which seem to keep getting worse. Even though the city’s infrastructure is improving, it will take a long time before it is capable of handling this sort of traffic. Given the trucks looming inside the city and the deteriorating road surfaces, it is on us, the people, to choose the right cars that can handle all this while also keeping us in utmost comfort. When it comes to choosing the right car for our needs, we need to consider several factors, the most important of which is whether the car is reliable and affordable to run at the same time. Here is a curated list of the top five cars you can consider if your budget is under 10 lakh rupees.

1) Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki has been a leading player in the Indian automobile market for a long time. With its efficient engines and reliable, widespread service network, you can be assured of a hassle-free experience. Its engines rarely face breakdowns, and its service is also very affordable, as all its parts are readily available in the Indian market. The Dzire builds on the long-lasting trust and goodwill of Maruti Suzuki in India. The car has an engine that is peppy to drive in the city while also being very efficient. And to add to that, the interior of Dzire gives you a luxurious and comfortable experience. The beige cabin gives off an airy feeling with classy touches like the wooden finish on the dashboard. The seats are very comfortable, so you don’t experience fatigue while traversing through traffic for a long time. The back seat experience is also very good, with AC vents, adjustable headrests, and an armrest. The recline angle of the seat is good, giving the passengers at the back a sofa-like experience. Even the air conditioning is very good to suit the prevailing weather conditions. Dzire can be had with an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). Automatics are becoming a boon to us, aiding us in the heavy traffic. Although the safety parameters of the car do need improvement, you can’t go wrong with the most popular compact sedan in the country.

Engine Specifications:
1197 cc 

Power: 89 BHP 

CNG: Available

Torque: 113 Nm

1.2 Dual Jet Petrol 

City Fuel Efficiency: 14 Kmpl
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 22.67 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 22 Kmpl 

Horizon Score: 4.5/5 

2) Honda Amaze 

Honda is arguably the maker of the best small-capacity gasoline engines in the world. Their VTEC gasoline engines are renowned worldwide and enjoy a wide customer base. With their proven reliability and affordable service experience, it’s hard not to consider them as an option for your next car. The Honda Amaze is a car designed with Indian customers needs in mind. The 1.2 i-VTEC engine is fairly peppy and can keep up with the demands of imperfect roads and harsh traffic conditions. As with any compact sedan, the beige cabin is spacious, and the seats are very comfortable. Honda makes very good seats that keep you comfortable for long hours, and the back seat, though lacking adjustable headrests, gives you a couch-like experience. The suspension is very pliant and irons out the bumps on the roads, keeping the ride comfortable. Unlike its rivals, which use an AMT transmission, Amaze uses a sophisticated CVT transmission, which will give a much more seamless experience if automatic is your priority. Honda tunes the CVT well for Indian conditions, and it also has a low mode for a more effortless experience in hilly areas. Honda’s emphasis on safety is a given since this car scored a brilliant 4-star crash safety rating at global NCAP. The Amaze is a very good choice for car driving in Guwahati.

Engine Specifications:
1197cc
Power: 89 BHP
Torque: 110 Nm 

1.2 i-Vtec Petrol

City Fuel Efficiency: 12 Kmpl 
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 18.3 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 18 Kmpl

Horizon Score: 4.3/5 

3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx 

It is no surprise that another Maruti would make it onto the list. It comes with the same proven and reliable stamp of Maruti Suzuki. It is very much a baleno, which is raised for more ground clearance. SUVs and crossovers always have this inherent advantage of handling bad to worse roads. The Reliable 1.2 Dual Jet engine is peppy and will handle most of everything thrown at it. Fronx is sold through the NEXA outlets of Maruti Suzuki, giving customers a premium buying experience. The car is comfortable, and the suspension is pliant, along with the raised ground clearance. It will handle the biggest potholes and road imperfections with ease and glide smoothly through the road. The interiors of the Fronx are very comfortable and spacious. Not to forget, it is loaded with Tech like 360-degree cameras, a heads-up display, six airbags, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, and more. This makes for a very competent package that will handle everything and more while being efficient and affordable to maintain. It is also available with an AMT gearbox as an automatic option. If you can stretch your budget a bit, you can also have it with a Turbocharged 1.0L Boosterjet petrol engine, which produces a lot more torque and makes it effortless to drive. Boosterjet Powertrain is also available with a sophisticated Torque Converter automatic gearbox, making it very effortless to drive. The Fronx is a brilliant option that gives you the advantages of an SUV’s high ground clearance, which compact sedans don’t have. It would definitely make a very good purchase.

Engine Specifications: 

1.2 Dual Jet Petrol
1197 cc
Power: 89 BHP 

CNG: Available

Torque: 113 Nm
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 21.8 Kmpl
City Fuel Efficiency: 13 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 20 Kmpl 

1.0 Boosterjet Petrol (998cc)
Power: 99 BHP
Torque: 147 Nm 

City Fuel Efficiency: 11 Kmpl
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 20 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 18 Kmpl 

Horizon Score: 4.3/5 

4) Hyundai Exter 

Being the second-most-sold brand in India after Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai is known for its widespread service and dealer networks. Engines are known for their reliability, and service is very affordable. Exter is the new kid on the block from Hyundai. A lot of mass-market options from Hyundai could have made it to this list, but the Exter, being an SUV, has that inherent advantage when it comes to handling rough roads. Being a Hyundai, you can expect it to be loaded with features, making it very practical. A sophisticated touch-screen infotainment system, six airbags as standard, comfortable seats, and a spacious cabin will make your experience rich. The high ground clearance and peppy 1.2 Kappa petrol engine make it very effortless and easy to drive, even through the worst of road conditions. Along with that, it is available with an AMT system with paddle shifters. You can take control of the gearbox using these paddles whenever you need a quick dose of power. The compact dimensions make it very easy to drive through traffic. All these winning features make the Exter a tremendous package that is worth your hard-earned money.

Engine Specifications: 
1197 cc

Power: 82 BHP 

CNG: Available
Torque: 113 Nm 

1.2 Kappa Petrol 

City Fuel Efficiency: 12 Kmpl
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 19.2 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 20 Kmpl 

Horizon Score: 4.2/5

5) Tata Punch

Tata Motors is on a roll these days, creating stylish, practical, and safe cars for Indian customers. The 1.2 Revotron motor, being a 3-cylinder, cannot match the refinement of other 4-cylinder engines on this list. But it is very efficient and decently reliable, as it doesn’t have much mechanical complexity. Tata Motors makes very comfortable seats, and the cabin is fairly luxurious and loaded with features. The main highlight of Tata Punch is its incredible 5-star safety rating at the Global NCAP Crash Test. This little SUV is as safe as some of the more expensive offerings. Add to that the high ground clearance and front fascia resembling that of the Harrier. It has a solid road presence. The SUV has a robust suspension that feels like it will never break apart. You can go right through some of the worst potholes with authority, and you won’t feel much inside the cabin. Tata Motors is vocal about Punch’s ability, and they have taken Punch up the treacherous road to Sandakphu with the first lady driver who drove to Sandakphu, Samantha. They also released the Kaziranga edition as a tribute to the Kaziranga National Park, showcasing their love for the North East. Tata Punch has a CNG variant with a unique 2-cylinder approach, freeing up a lot of boot space for luggage. Punch also has a nicely put-together cabin and comfortable seats, which make it a great buy.

Engine Specifications:

1199 cc
Power: 87 BHP

CNG: Available
Torque: 115 Nm 

1.2 Revotron Petrol 

City Fuel Efficiency: 12 Kmpl
ARAI Fuel Efficiency: 18.8 Kmpl 

Highway Fuel Efficiency: 20 Kmpl 

Horizon score: 4/5