I am from Goa, have sold my Celerio AMT & am planning to buy an automatic hatchback in the price bracket of ₹8.00 to ₹10.00 lakhs. My usage is about 50-60 Kms a day, mostly in the city with occasional highway runs. Would it be prudent to buy the existing Maruti Baleno or wait for the upcoming facelift, or go for the Hyundai i20 with the CVT(IVT)? My only grouse with the Baleno is that it's no longer available with the CVT, but the AMT. Also, neither of these cars is 5-star rated for safety, hence I was also thinking of the Tata Altroz DCT, but then it comes only with a 3-cylinder NA engine & not with the Turbo, what say?

Autocar India

•2d

Consider the Tata Altroz diesel. It suits your high running, has good space for a small car, and its suspension feels robust. The suspension uses a simple, proven layout - front MacPherson struts with coil springs and a rear twist beam with coil springs. This type is strong and not costly to repair. Ground clearance, too, is enough for most broken roads and speed breakers. Also, the ride comfort and high-speed stability are excellent. And you're likely to appreciate its diesel's drivability and fuel efficiency, which might not be as good as the Scala's, but still much more than what most petrol cars deliver. A compact SUV alternative for similar money is the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel MX3. It uses a similar suspension setup, has a strong and refined diesel engine and has even better ground clearance and feels even tougher than the Tata Altroz. The only downside being that the Mahindra will not be as efficient as the Tata Altroz.

Tata Altroz

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•39m

Go with your head on this one and pick the Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O). For your use, it is the roomier one - seats or boot - and the more comfortable, with a strong features list as well. When you fold the last row, which disappears into the floor, unlike in the Innova Crysta, where it would fold upwards, it makes a long, wide boot that easily swallows big bags for road trips. The ride is smooth and quiet on broken roads, the steering is light in the city, and it stays steady on the highway, so long drives feel easy. The VX(O) packs the comfort and safety features most people want without pushing the price into the top trim territory, and Toyota’s service reach and resale are strong across India.The Jeep Meridian Longitude Plus may be more desirable, but it simply can't match up to the Toyota in your other areas of interest. It feels tough, has a rich cabin, and a strong engine. But the third row is tight, not helped by a middle row that does not slide, and the boot is smaller; it doesn't ride as comfortably. Also, the Jeep service network is not as wide as Toyota’s. Moreover, even though it's a diesel engine, its fuel economy is not great, and nowhere near what the Hycross hybrid offers, and its resale value won't be as strong as the Innova's either.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Jeep Meridian

Autocar India

•1h

Your mostly city use with a Rs. 13-14 lakh cap points you to the Renault Kiger Turbo CVT RXZ. The CVT automatic is smooth enough for city traffic, and the car is small and easy to park. It will also handle your once-or-twice-a-month highway runs without stress, cruising steadily and feeling easy to place on the road. The Kiger will also likely land a little cheaper too, leaving room for insurance and add-ons inside your budget.Two things to note on the Kiger: the back seat is fine for two but feels tight for three adults, and the cabin feels basic in places. If your family often uses the rear seat, this matters.If you care more about punch on the highway and a roomier back seat, the Mahindra XUV 3XO Turbo AX5 makes sense. It feels stronger when you want quick overtakes and rides well over broken roads. Just check if the AX5 with an automatic transmission fits your budget in your city; if not, the manual will be heavier to live with in traffic.For your mostly city use, the Kiger Turbo CVT RXZ fits best.

Renault Kiger

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•5d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•6d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV