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Delhi
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Vigneshwar S

3d

I am planning to buy a new car under ₹7 lakh. I am looking for a car with smooth engine performance and enhanced safety features.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4m

We would recommend you look at the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. Refinement from the 1.0 litre engine is much better than you would expect from a three-cylinder engine, and minimal vibrations filter into the cabin. 

The overall performance is smooth and easy for normal everyday driving, and at low city speeds, it even feels a bit eager, and it is thus quite enjoyable to drive. In terms of safety, the car is well equipped with safety features like 6 airbags, anti-locking brakes (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP). 

It also scored a three-star crash safety rating in the GNCAP test. You can get cars with a better crash rating, like the Tata Tiago, for instance, but you will not find the engine as smooth. 

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

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RM

RATHI MRINALINI

1d

I'm a new driver on the road. Been driving a Celerio (second-hand) for the last 2 years in Bangalore. Looking for an automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹9.5 lakh. My priority is safety and ease of adapting to the new car. I am thinking of a Punch. Looking for your suggestion.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
46m

Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

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KR

Krishnav

2d

I have been looking for a secondary car, primarily to be driven in the city. A petrol automatic would be preferred. Mileage is not a very big criterion. Good engine performance, features and a hassle-free ownership experience are on the must-have list. We are looking for something compact and easy to maneuver in the city and park in tight spaces. Budget is around ₹15 lakh, plus or minus a lakh. A lack of dealerships in the city we reside in restricts us to only a few brands: Maruti Suzuki (Nexa too), Kia, Hyundai, Mahindra, Toyota and Tata. We test drove the Hyundai Venue (new gen), Kia Sonet and also looked at the Toyota Fronx and Nexon. Which car would you kindly suggest?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

The Hyundai Venue is a good option to consider. It is compact, has a good feature list, and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is punchy and fun to drive. The DCT automatic gearbox is also smooth and quick to respond. Being the newest entrant to the compact SUV segment, it gets a modern cabin that is well-equipped and gets all the features you would want.This Hyundai car also has decent space at the rear, and the ride comfort and sales and service experience is good, too. Overall, it is a well-rounded package that does everything the way you'd want it to. The HX 8 trim is one shy of the top-spec, but it will fit in your budget and offer a long equipment list.

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VP

VISHNUDAS P

3d

I want to buy an automatic car mainly for city use with a budget of around ₹10 lakh. I shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, but I have heard rumours that its production might be stopped. Is there any update on this, and what are some good alternatives to the Ignis?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
17h

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is still in production. It is worth noting that the Ignis is a bit long in the tooth now, and sales are very low, especially so by Maruti standards. Thus, there could be a possibility of it being discontinued or updated. In any case, being a Maruti model that has been on sale for a while now, you would still be able to get it serviced for a fairly long period of time.If you are, however, worried about this, you could consider the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch, which are two cars that will offer similar benefits of being compact, high-riding and available with an automatic transmission.

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VehicleTata Punch

Posted on: 13 Mar 2026