While you haven't specified which car you are buying, we assume this choice is for either the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, or Kia Carens Clavis. Whichever the case, given your usage and requirements, we recommend the 1.5 IVT.The Hyundai/Kia CVT gearbox, which uses a chain drive, feels more robust and responsive than others that use a belt-drive system, and the 115hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine feels more than sufficient for city or highway use. Yes, of course, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is more powerful and more exciting, but the 7-speed DCT gearbox is simply too jerky in low-speed use, which becomes frustrating after a while. In the long run, this gearbox will likely require more maintenance than the IVT, too.

If you want to buy any of these SUVs, we suggest increasing your budget by ₹2-3 lakh. At a ₹10 lakh on-road budget, you will have to settle for the lower variants, which is a personal choice but does mean missing out on key features. Within a ₹10 lakh budget, a good option for you is the Hyundai Exter. It allows you to choose a fully loaded variant that comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, sunroof, cruise control, wireless phone charger, rearview camera, and other useful features. It gets a smooth and refined 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine that delivers power in a predictable and easy-to-manage manner. Since you are a new driver, opting for the AMT would be a sensible choice, as it adds to everyday driving comfort and convenience.Amongst the cars you mentioned, you can consider the Tata Nexon or Kia Sonet.

The Maruti Suzuki XL6 would best suit your requirements of mileage and performance. Against the others in your shortlist, the 1.5 litre petrol engine in the XL6 offers decent performance and refinement, but a noticeably better fuel efficiency. The engine has a mild-hybrid setup and, in our standard test cycle, returned a figure of 9.2kpl in the city and 17.0kpl on the highway. We assume, of course, you are comparing petrol versions across the three MPVs in your shortlist, given that the XL6 comes with only a petrol engine. If not, the Kia Carens and Hyundai Alcazar also have diesel engines, and these versions would be more fuel efficient than the petrol XL6.

Unfortunately, there are very few sedan options available today, and between Rs 20 to 30 lakh, you would only find the Honda City Hybrid. The City will meet your requirements of good mileage and low maintenance cost, however this variant isn't really value for money at all. Thus, we would suggest you consider the Hyundai Verna instead. The car may not be as fuel-efficient as the Honda, but it is efficient enough. We put the 1.5 litre turbo petrol auto through our standard test cycle, and it returned 10.76kpl in the city and 16.05kpl on the highway. The Verna is also well equipped and offers good value, and will be reliable and low on maintenance costs. It also secured a 5-star rating in the GNCAP crash tests.