I’m planning to buy a new fully automatic car for a family of four. About 90% of the driving will be in Bangalore city. The driver is 6’1”, and the budget is around ₹15-20 lakh.

Autocar India

•14h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 NA petrol seems to be the right fit as a family car. It suits your low monthly use, is easy to drive every day, and it'll feel like a huge step up from your Swift in space, comfort and modernity. The Tata Harrier and Tata Sierra are larger and heavier cars, and their 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine isn't likely to be as fuel-efficient as the Kia either. Also, while they're wider, which makes them more suited to ferry three adults abreast in the back, for everyday use, these could feel relatively more cumbersome to drive and park in the city. For your use and budget, the Seltos NA petrol seems ideal. You could also consider the CVT automatic version for a smoother, more effortless drive.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Tata Harrier

Autocar India

•1d

The Kia Sonet HTX diesel automatic is the smoothest and most refined option from the cars listed. With a Rs 15 lakh budget, it packs all the features that you want, both basic and good-to-have ones. Its backseat isn't as spacious as the Tata Nexon, but unless you have six-footers regularly travelling at the back, the Sonet should be fine.The entry-level Hyundai Alcazar belongs to a higher segment, and not only is it the most spacious, but it also gets you the flexibility of a third row. However, it will not fall within your Rs 15 lakh budget, and even after extending your budget by a few lakhs, you'll only be able to get a manual - the diesel-automatic is much more expensive.You could also consider the Kia Syros, which is compact yet more comfortable and more spacious than the Sonet.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Alcazar

Kia Syros

Autocar India

•1d

The Renault Duster certainly rides and handles better, and has a bigger boot too. However, its rear seat space is tight compared to a Tata Sierra, which is much more spacious in comparison. And besides a roomier cabin, the Sierra's seats (front and rear) are comfier, its cabin feels more inviting than the Duster's, and the turbo-petrol is a strong performer too.Overall, as a family car, the Sierra fits the brief better. Yes, it doesn't have a good reputation as far as reliability and after-sales service go, so we'd recommend you opt for the longest warranty coverage on the car.

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

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

•6d

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