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Dhaval Kothari

•4w

I want to buy my first car with a budget of up to ₹10 lakh for a family of four. My daily commute is around 70 km, and the car will be driven by both me and my wife. Which would be the best option considering fuel costs, comfort, low maintenance cost, and long-term reliability?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2w

Buying your first car is always an important decision, and it pays to err on the side of practicality, ease of driving and a brand with a strong reputation for reliability and after-sales support.

For a small family, the Honda Amaze CVT is a very solid option. Its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient. The CVT automatic is seamless and relaxed to use in traffic, and Hondas are known for their dependability. For a long daily commute like yours, that smoothness really helps reduce fatigue. The Amaze VX CVT, priced at just under Rs 11 lakh on-road, is worth stretching to if you can.

If going beyond Rs 10 lakh isn’t possible, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It, too, is reliable, inexpensive to maintain, and well-suited to family use. However, it comes with an AMT (AGS) rather than a CVT. An AMT is convenient, but it isn’t as smooth or as intuitive as a CVT, and in heavy traffic, you will notice the gearshifts more. Over a 70km commute, it may require a bit more attention from the driver.

The Baleno Zeta AGS, at around Rs 9.6 lakh on-road, fits neatly within your budget while still delivering the low running costs Maruti is known for.

Honda Amaze

Honda Amaze

Explore cars mentioned

Honda Amaze

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.49 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.65 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

JA

Jagadeesan

•2w

Tata punch Adventure Amt.

AR

Arjun

•2w

I want to buy a 7 seater car with a budget of up to ₹10 to 12 lakh. My daily commute is around 70 km, and the car will be driven by me. Which would be the best option considering fuel costs, comfort, low maintenance cost, and long-term reliability, safety and off road?

DD

Debarka De

•2w

Go for the second to top model of Kia Carens petrol AMT.

RI

Rish

•2w

Dhaval if your wife is comfortable the amaze VX MT on road is about 9.5lacs but if you are comfortable with minor deletions you can opt for base model automatic version it will be around this, manual ac and no reverse parking camera alloy wheels but great car

GO

Gopal

•2w

Go for honda Amaze. I am using honda city good milage and maintainance free.

More questions on similar cars

AN

Anirban

•3d

My driving is around 800 km a month. I am not sure which one would be more value for money: Swift or Baleno/Glanza. Currently, I drive an Urban Cruiser but am looking for a change. My priority is ease of city driving, comfort on highway drives, and I will go for an AMT. The more fuel-efficient and safe, the better. Though safety and efficiency do not go hand in hand. Please help me decide.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•20h

The Swift's 1.2L 3-cylinder petrol engine is very drivable and is likely to deliver slightly better fuel efficiency compared to the Baleno's/Glanza's 1.2L 4-cylinder unit. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is quite peppy up to 60kph of speed, after which you will find performance to be a bit lacklustre. And since you've mentioned you want a car for city and highway usage both, we recommend you opt for the Baleno or Glanza instead, for its more effortless performance.There's little to choose between the Baleno and Toyota Glanza, as both are nearly identical. Though the Glanza's beige-black interior colour scheme looks a touch more upmarket than the Maruti's.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleToyota Glanza
AT

Alok Tirkey

•2d

I need a 7-seater family car under a ₹16-17 lakh budget with safety and mileage for medium running. Ertiga, XL6, Clavis, Scorpio N, etc. I want to invest in only one car for long-term, 10+ year use. Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•11h

The Kia Carens Clavis would be a good option for you. The insides and comfy, and the third row is spacious for two adults and has AC vents as well as type C ports for charging. With three rows up, there's also a fairly useable 216-litres of boot space, and there is some more space under the boot floor too.Kia cars have proven to be quite reliable, and this would serve you well since you plan to keep it for a long time. The car is well-equipped with a host of safety features that are standard, and since mileage is also your priority, we would suggest you opt for the diesel or the naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 1.5-litre petrol engine.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
SA

sathish

•2d

I need a car within ₹10 lakh on-road in Bangalore. 80-90% city usage and 10-20% highway. It should have all the necessary features, inside and outside. It should be comfortable for my parents, with low maintenance, tension-free and reliable ownership. Occasionally, I may use it for long trips as well. This is my first car, and I am a new driver, so an automatic is better.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•11h

We would recommend you take a look at the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Being a Maruti car, it will meet your requirements of being low on maintenance and generally tension-free. The car is also slightly higher off the ground compared to sedans and hatchbacks at this price, and thus, this will offer an easy entry and exit for your parents. Rear seat head and legroom are also good, and for two adults, the rear is very spacious and a comfortable place to be in.The Fronx fits within the 'small car' definition as it measures less than 4-meters in length, thus it is very manageable in crowded city conditions. For your few highway trips, too, you will find the handling secure, and the car remains planted at regular highway speeds.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx

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Posted on: 22 Feb 2026