The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a very good choice as a city car. It has compact dimensions, light steering and good fuel efficiency. Powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cyl engine, the Swift has enough performance while maintaining a strong fuel economy of around 14kpl in the city. What's also a positive is the ride comfort, thanks to its soft suspension setup, which helps bump absorption. In your budget, you can get the top-spec ZXI+ trim that gets a well-appointed cabin with all the necessary features. The cherry on top is also how well the Swift holds its resale value.

As EVs are still relatively new, their performance after 15 years is still an unknown quantity. EV batteries are expected to have a shelf life of 10-12 years. During the course of which the battery's capacity to hold a charge will gradually deplete. After this point, it will have to be replaced, which is a high cost, although the savings on fuel over the years are expected to offset it. This, of course, reduces their resale value considerably compared to petrol or diesel cars. Public charging infrastructure is improving at a rapid rate, so the problem of busy chargers should be less with each passing year. But the best charging solution remains to have a charger at your home and at your destination, and to charge in small amounts as needed.As for hybrids, the same battery concerns apply to them too - it's just that the batteries are smaller and therefore cheaper to replace. Self-charging strong hybrids aren't burdened with charging and therefore not dependent on charging infrastructure. But while they are super efficient, they still use petrol, which is expensive. Still, if you do plan to keep the car for 15 years plus, a hybrid would be a safer bet overall.

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx would be a better choice, as it offers higher fuel efficiency. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is efficient and also has enough performance for the hills. What is also better on the Fronx is the ride quality, which is an advantage over rough terrain. The Delta+ version also gets a decent set of features, including LED headlamps, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and more. Our pick between the two would be the Maruti Fronx.

In your budget of Rs 5 to 6 lakh, there is no brand-new four-cylinder bike available today. Therefore, your only option is to look at the used market. Bikes that should be available in your price range are the Honda CBR650F, Kawasaki Z800 / Z900, and Triumph Street Triple 675.Do bear in mind that you're looking at machines that are nearing 10 years of age - possibly even more - and buying a machine with a documented service history would be advisable, even if it means paying a little bit more, as replacing mechanical or electrical components on these bikes will cost you a pretty penny. Also, none of these bikes are E20 fuel compliant, which is another factor to consider.