I am planning to buy a car within a budget of ₹8 lakh. My preferred choice is the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG. Could you please suggest some better alternative options, considering CNG variants?

Autocar India

•38m

The Kia Carens diesel automatic is the closest match to your brief. It is not an SUV in shape, but it gives you the space, easy access to the third row, and the features you want at this price. Pick the diesel with the automatic gearbox, because that is the one most likely to meet your 15kpl goal in real-world use while still feeling strong enough with a full load. The Carens also offers important safety gear across trims like multiple airbags and stability control, and mid-to-higher trims offer a sunroof, which makes long trips nicer for the second row.Two things to keep in mind for your budget. The exact Carens trim that bundles diesel, automatic and a sunroof may sit a bit above Rs 15 lakh on-road in Pune, so you may need a small stretch of the budget. Also, it feels more like a family car than a tough SUV, so if you want a high, rugged feel, this will not give you that.If the sunroof is not a must and you want to stick closer to Rs 15 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 automatic 6-seater is the value pick. It is smooth in the city, uses less fuel than most petrol rivals, and is easy to live with, but it does not offer a sunroof, and its engine isn't punchy. If you must have an SUV, there is the Citroen Aircross, which also offers smoothness and punch. That said, its third row is not as spacious as the others, and it also doesn't offer a sunroof.

Kia Carens

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

•8m

Mostly city use with a 350 km round trip every couple of months, and an XUV700 already in the garage for longer highway runs, makes the Tata Nexon EV with the 45 kWh battery a good fit for you. In daily city traffic, it is quiet and smooth, so you will feel less stress than in the Creta you’re used to. You can charge at home overnight and skip fuel stops, which suits a second car that does lots of short trips. For your 350 km round trip, it can do the job with one quick fast-charge halt on the way if needed, and the XUV700 is there for the odd trip where charging is tricky.A couple of things to keep in mind. You need a fixed parking spot to install the home charger. On fast highway runs, you will plan one charging stop and check chargers on your exact route in advance. Also, the Nexon EV is a size down from your Creta, so rear seat and boot space are a bit less.If you want a similar size and a more premium feel, consider the Hyundai Creta Electric, though it costs more.Given your usage and that the XUV700 already covers long trips, the Nexon EV makes a lot of sense.

Tata Nexon EV

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•14h

Yes, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE expected in India in the first half of 2027 is likely to be worth waiting for, as it is a heavily updated model with substantial tech and cosmetic changes. Globally, it gets the new three-screen MBUX “Superscreen” layout running Mercedes’ latest MB.OS software, along with refreshed styling, lighting and more features.All this will make the new GLE feel more future-proof, especially if you plan to keep the SUV for many years.However, when it launches, the new GLE will almost certainly be significantly more expensive than the current car, even though the exact Indian prices are not out yet.The upside of the existing model is that it is still a very competent and luxurious SUV, and as it moves into its run-out phase, you should be able to negotiate sizeable discounts and get quicker delivery.So, it really comes down to your priorities: if you value the latest tech, design and a longer life cycle, wait for the new GLE; if you’d prefer a better deal and are happy with a still-strong package, the current GLE is a good buy.

Autocar India

•3d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•3d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City