Dear AutoCar Team, I currently own a 2014 Suzuki Ciaz and am planning to buy a new automatic car. My usage will be 50% city and 50% highway, with a budget of around ₹20 lakh. I am open to all body types. My top priorities are safety, good boot space, and adequate ground clearance. I plan to keep the car for at least 7 years and do not want an electric vehicle due to infrastructure and range concerns. Kindly suggest the best suitable options and expert advice. Best regards, Rahul

The Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT is a good pick for your requirements, but it is advisable to check the following models as well. Here's a list of options and how they compare - Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT: Down on wow features to the Venue, but has a smoother gearbox, plusher ride, and more comfortable seats.Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT: Again, not as well-equipped as the Venue, but it has a smoother gearbox and punchier engine. Space at the back is less, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker for you.Kia Sonet HTX Petrol DCT: It is due for replacement within a year, but it is very competent. Packs in plenty of tech and shares its engine and gearbox with the Venue, and is actually a better value for money. Space is less at the back, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker for you.Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A: Stronger engine, lots of features, and feels tougher in its build. Boot space is less than the Hyundai car.

The Hyundai Venue HX8 is the one for you. It will satisfy most of your requirements. The 1.0-litre Turbo GDI churns out 120hp and is easy to live with in city conditions. Hyundai's maintenance cost is reasonable, and its extensive service network offers strong after-sales support. The recently launched Venue brings fresh design, more features, offers more space than earlier and has a comfortable ride quality.

If she is a learner and a new driver, it will be better to go for the AMT version. The Renault Kwid Climber is a better choice than the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. The Kwid is more spacious, has a bigger boot, and is more comfortable.The Kwid Climber is also more feature-rich and gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear parking camera.

Since you are a family of five, rear seat space and comfort would be important; thus, we would recommend the Mahindra XUV 3XO as your best option. It has a wide rear seat, so seating three at the rear will be much better than other compact SUVs.Overall, this Mahindra car is a well-rounded car with good features and smooth, powerful engines, though fuel efficiency is not class-leading. If this is very important, you could also look at the Kia Syros, which has very comfy rear seating with even sliding and reclining seats and cooling too. And besides the quirky looks, there's nothing significantly wrong with this Kia car.