•1w

I’m currently driving a 2017 Maruti Baleno and looking to upgrade to an MPV for more space and comfort. The XL6 Automatic is on top of my list because of Maruti’s low running costs, reliability, and servicing. Which variant is suited for Bangalore usage at a reasonable price? I want the best balance of features vs value. What are other options - I’m specifically looking for an AT MPV/7-seater with low maintenance, good cabin quality, and strong after-sales. Does anything beat Maruti here, or is XL6 still the best bet? What is your opinion on second-hand? My budget is 15 lakhs. What is also your take on a second hand?

•7m

Go for a lightly used 2022-on Maruti XL6 Zeta Automatic, and you’ll get the best mix of comfort, features and Maruti peace-of-mind while staying near your Rs. 15 lakh cap in Bengaluru. The 6-speed auto is smooth in traffic, captain seats make second-row comfort a big step up from your Baleno, and running costs stay friendly. New-for-new, the Zeta is the value pick; the Alpha mainly adds nice-to-haves. The catch is that the XL6 is a 6-seater, and with all rows up, the boot is small. Also, with a full load it feels just okay on highways, not brisk.

If you want seven seats, look at the Maruti Ertiga Automatic or Toyota Rumion Automatic. Same proven hardware, low upkeep, wide service network, and better third-row access. Cabin quality is simpler than XL6, but perfectly usable. In Bengaluru, both autos usually creep over Rs. 15 lakh on-road, so used makes sense here too.

If you must buy a new car under Rs. 15 lakh, the Renault Triber automatic is the only realistic seven-seater, but it feels a size smaller, and the engine feels weak with seven onboard. After-sales is also patchy and not as strong as Maruti-Toyota.

So yes, XL6 still fits your brief best. Buy a good used, low km, 2022-on Zeta AT, and you’re sorted.

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More questions on similar cars

•4d

I want to buy 6/ 7 Seater car, budget-friendly. Also, more comfortable in all three rows. I chose Kia Clavis and Xl6. I did test drive both vehicles. I'm comfortable with XL6. More leg room in all three rows. But experts in many forum they praised Clavis. Most of my family members are above 5.9. So I feel XL 6 would be a better option. Suggest to me what's best?

•2d

The Kia Carens has a roomier third row, as well as a middle-row bench seat option, while the XL6 is only available with captain chairs. But if you and your family members found the Maruti XL6 more comfortable, and you're fine with the six-seater layout, then that is the one you should get. It is a fuss-free, no-nonsense offering, and with Maruti's widespread, as well as proven, reputation for reliability, it is an option you can't go wrong with.

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•1d

I prefer sedans to the pseudo SUVs available in the market. Does this make sense in 2026? In sedans, my preference is the Hyundai Verna. Should I go for the Hyundai Verna HX10 DCT or the Hyundai Verna HX10 IVT? I drive the car myself, and my running is intercity, with roughly 80% of it on highways. I drive around 2,500-3,000 km a month. Safety, mileage, performance, and easy, pocket-friendly maintenance are my main concerns. At present, I own a Hyundai i20 Asta (O) DCT.

•2h

Go for the Verna HX10 DCT for your use. With 2,500-3,000km a month and 80% of it on the highway, you'll prefer the added punch from the turbo-petrol engine. The DCT is the quicker, more exciting choice. If you live for sharp overtakes and already enjoy your i20 DCT, you will like it. The 1.5 petrol IVT will be smoother in the city and slightly better on city mileage, but given your usage, the difference won't be so much.Either way, the safety kit is the same, and the Verna stays stable and quiet at speed. The Verna has also scored a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating. And yes, choosing a sedan still makes sense in 2026 - the lower centre of gravity means better highway stability and braking, and you will usually get better mileage than a similar SUV at this price.

Hyundai Verna

•1d

Hi, I am confused between the Kia Seltos HTK optional diesel automatic and the HTX diesel automatic. Please help.

•7h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTX diesel automatic. It is the nicer feeling of the two Seltos' and is worth the extra money. You get better night visibility from the LED headlamps and fog lamps, a roomier-feeling cabin thanks to the panoramic sunroof and nicer interior, and a more modern, larger infotainment setup. The core mechanics are the same, so the HTK(O) drives just as well and saves you cash, but you will miss these daily comforts, and it will feel basic faster over a 5-7 year ownership.One catch with HTX is that a larger wheel setup makes the ride a touch firmer on bad roads. If your budget is tight, the HTK(O) makes sense because you keep the same engine-gearbox and safety kit. Otherwise, it's worth stretching for the HTX.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•5d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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•1w

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•3d

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

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•6d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

•4d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

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