Mumbai

•22h

Hi, we live in Thane, and my commute is around 12 km on alternate days. Our budget is Rs. 20-25 lakh, and we’re looking for an automatic car. We’re open to both petrol and EV options. Based on reliability, comfort, mileage/running costs, and after-sales service, which cars would you recommend? Thanks!

•18m

With a 12km alternate-day commute and a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, you are in a sweet spot where both petrol automatics and electric cars make sense. The decision really comes down to your usage pattern and ownership priorities.

If you have a dedicated parking space with charging access, an EV is a very strong option. The Hyundai Creta Electric is the most sensible recommendation here. It is a well-rounded EV with good range, a spacious cabin and a mature ownership experience. Your running costs will be significantly lower than those of a petrol car, and the short daily commute plays perfectly to an EV's strengths. Another good option is the newly launched Tata Sierra EV, though unless you stretch your budget, you might have to settle for the smaller 63kWh battery.

If charging is not practical, a petrol automatic is the safer long-term choice. The Kia Seltos IVT is the recommendation here. It is a comfortable, well-equipped and reliable midsize SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox that is well-suited to city driving. Kia's after-sales network is strong in Thane, and the Seltos strikes a good balance between comfort, features, and peace of mind in ownership.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Creta Electric

from ₹19.12 Lakh

Tata

Sierra EV

from ₹19.92 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 Lakh

•11m

@shsu Go for Sierra EV because it is next gen car with solid build and rich features

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I need your suggestion on car. We live in Thane, and my commute every alternate day is around 12 km. Our budget is Rs. 20-25 lakhs, and we’re looking for an automatic car (petrol or EV). We also take 5-6-hour road trips once every 2-3 months. Currently, we drive a 2011 Hyundai i20 and are planning to upgrade. Which car would you recommend and why, considering comfort, reliability, running costs, safety, and after-sales service? Thanks!

•19h

Consider the Kia Seltos DCT. For a 12km commute and occasional 5-6-hour road trips, you will find it comfortable in the city, quick on the highway and easy to own long term. The latest-generation Seltos is larger than before, so feels spacious inside. The cabin is tech-laden and upmarket, and the ride quality has improved too. The turbo-petrol DCT has good performance for quick overtakes on the highway, and the DCT is responsive. The downside is that it can occasionally hesitate in the city, but with your short commute this shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Kia's service is also amongst the best in the business.If you want something larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a solid choice in your budget. It is a genuinely comfortable car with a spacious cabin, excellent ride quality and strong highway manners. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Mahindra's service network is strong in Thane and Mumbai. The drawback is that the big petrol engine will be thirsty in the city.An electric car makes sense if you can charge at home and if there are fast chargers on your usual highway route. In that case, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a safe bet. It is well suited to your short daily commute and offers very low running costs. In our real-world testing, it managed an impressive 486km on a single charge in the city and 378km on the highway.Overall, the Seltos is the best balance of comfort, reliability, running costs and ownership experience for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta Electric

•2d

Currently, I am using a Hyundai i20 and looking for an upgrade. I need a little more power and decent mileage. My preference is a diesel or an EV, and my last preference as hybrid. My budget is 23 to 25 lakhs.

•1d

Since you're open to electric cars, get the Hyundai Creta Electric. It is a fantastic, well-rounded EV that'll easily fall into your budget. Performance is very smooth and effortless, and there's ample power on tap. Coming from an i20, the Creta Electric will feel like a natural upgrade within the Hyundai family.In case you're keen on diesels, you could opt for the new Kia Seltos, which feels thoroughly modern, spacious, and its engine delivers impressive fuel efficiency. For outright performance, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel remains unmatched - power delivery feels strong, and even though it won't be as efficient as the Kia, it will still return decent fuel efficiency given its size and power.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•3d

I'm planning to buy an automatic SUV with a budget of around 18-20 lakh. My monthly running is around 500km, with a mix of city and highway driving. My priorities are fuel efficiency, comfort and safety. Which SUV would you recommend, and why?

•1h

With a budget of Rs 18-20 lakh, a monthly running of around 500 km and a mix of city and highway driving, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient option. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in both city and highway conditions, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. The Victoris also offers a comfortable ride, good rear-seat space and a strong safety package, though at your budget, you are looking at an entry-level trim.For your running, the Kia Seltos IVT is a better alternative. It isn't as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid but offers a more premium and feature-rich cabin. The IVT gearbox is seamless in operation, and the 1.5-litre NA engine is very refined, making it a very relaxed car to drive in the city.The Tata Sierra is also worth considering if comfort and space are your top priorities. It offers a very comfortable ride and a spacious cabin.Overall, if fuel efficiency is your absolute top priority, then the Victoris Hybrid is a solid choice. But otherwise, the Kia car is a more rounded package with a good balance of fuel efficiency, comfort, features, safety and long-term ownership experience.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

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•5d

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

•2d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

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•5d

Hi, I live in Ahmedabad. My daily travel is around 85 km. I already own a Maruti Suzuki Baleno and a Hyundai Accent. My budget is Rs. 25-27 lakh. Kindly suggest a few good options.

•1d

With a daily commute of 85 km, your running is very high, so fuel efficiency and running costs become the most important factor. At the same time, you already own a Baleno and an Accent, so this car should feel like a meaningful upgrade in terms of comfort, space and overall ownership experience.The best option for your usage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city and highway conditions, and the petrol engine ensures long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. The Victoris is also a very comfortable and spacious car, making it well-suited for long daily commutes. The hybrid system of the Maruti Suzuki car is particularly effective in stop-and-go traffic, where it can significantly reduce fuel consumption.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is also a strong option. It is a larger and more powerful SUV with excellent highway performance and a comfortable ride.Overall, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit for your needs. It offers the right balance of fuel efficiency, comfort, reliability and ownership experience for a high-mileage daily commuter.

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•5d

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

•2d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

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