Hello, I am looking to buy a car within a budget of ₹11-12 lakh on-road. I prefer an automatic car with good boot space, a refined and hassle-free engine, decent interiors, and good mileage. If possible within the budget, I would also prefer a car with a good safety rating.

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Honda Amaze V CVT, which is a superb compact automatic car at this budget. For a daily office run, the CVT’s seamless, gearless feel reduces fatigue in heavy traffic far better than an automated manual or AMT, which a lot of other cars at this price use. The compact sub‑4‑metre size makes it easy to place in tight city spots, yet the 5‑seat cabin is comfortable for occasional family rides. The proven 1.2‑litre petrol is refined and efficient, and Honda’s scheduled service at 10,000 km or 1 year will keep the car running smoothly. Plus, it has a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating, which gives you a little extra peace of mind.The one thing you give up is the higher driving position and extra ground clearance of a compact SUV, but it makes up for that with more fun driving dynamics. If you can stretch the budget a small bit, the higher VX variant offers more features, like a wireless charger and keyless entry and go, in case she is interested.

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi+ MT. It stays well within your Rs 13 lakh budget, delivers a 24.79kpl ARAI efficiency, and offers a roomy 382‑litre boot.The Dzire also offers a comfortable and spacious cabin, and it has received a 5-star crash safety rating from Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. You also get the peace of mind associated with Maruti ownership. The one thing you give up is the high ground clearance and elevated seating position you'd get in a compact SUV.If you want SUV-like clearance and a taller driving position, consider the Kia Sonet 1.2 HTK+(O) petrol instead. It has a claimed ARAI mileage of 18.83kpl, and its 385‑litre boot can fit in more cargo than you'd think.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•4h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT; at your Rs 15 lakh budget, it balances excellent highway stability, 189mm of ground clearance for mild off-road use, and supportive seats for adults.With 90 percent highway driving, the Kylaq feels secure and planted, while its five-star Bharat NCAP rating adds peace of mind. The seats are comfortable and supportive for longer journeys, though you might find rear legroom a bit tight for taller folks. In our real-world testing, the 1.0 TSI AT managed 8.7kpl in the city and 13.36kpl on the highway.The one trade-off is outright boot space; at 360 litres, it is a bit smaller than rivals, so carrying five adults with large bags will be tight.If you regularly carry five adults along with large luggage, consider the Kia Seltos IVT instead; its 433-litre boot and slightly wider rear seat make packing and seating easier.On your test drive, seat two adults in the rear and do a 60-80kph run over patchy roads to assess ride comfort, cabin noise and stability.

Skoda Kylaq