I live in Thane and work in Navi Mumbai, with a daily running of approximately 65 km. I am confused between buying a sedan or an SUV within a budget of around ₹15–20 lakh for a mix of city and highway driving. My priorities are comfort and good fuel efficiency, especially considering rising petrol prices. I am not interested in CNG or EVs. I will also be turning 60 in a few months, so ease of driving, seating comfort, and overall convenience are important factors for me. Could you please advise which type of car and which models would best suit my needs?

Autocar India

•7h

With 100-125 km a day, mostly in the city, you should consider getting a strong hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. In city driving, a strong hybrid runs on electric power a lot of the time without you needing to charge, so your fuel bills will drop noticeably. Do note, though, the Victoris strong hybrid will be more expensive to buy than the regular petrol versions, and it has a smaller boot thanks to the battery.However, if you have access to home charging, an electric car like the Hyundai Creta Electric makes sense. It will drop your per-km cost sharply, one overnight home charge can comfortably cover your daily run, and the smooth, quiet driving experience makes heavy traffic far less tiring than your Creta diesel. You will also appreciate the familiarity with your current Creta.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•23h

You want an automatic SUV that is fuel efficient and comes with strong after-sales support - in that case, pick the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI (O) petrol automatic. It is powered by a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that has a claimed efficiency of 21.06kpl. Although the efficiency in the real world will be significantly lower than the claimed. Alternatively, you can also consider the Victoris VXI strong hybrid if fuel efficiency is paramount. The Victoris strong hybrid eCVT automatic has a claimed mileage of 28.65kpl, and you can easily expect over 20kpl in the real world in city driving conditions. Also being a Maruti model, the Victoris is backed by the manufacturer's widespread service network, so your ownership experience will be stress-free. Do note a couple of trade-offs. The strong hybrid costs more than the regular petrol-auto, and the boot is a bit smaller thanks to the battery.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•41m

We are assuming you're comparing the Maruti Victoris ZXI O to the Grand Vitara Zeta O, both of which are similarly priced and equipped, and are powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine. Also, they have similar space, quality, and their driving manners are also similar. So the only difference between these cars is the way they look - the Victoris has a lighter coloured interior, which feels airier, compared to the Grand Vitara's dark brown and black colour scheme. You won't go wrong by opting for either; however, the Victoris gets our vote because it feels a bit more modern and has brighter interiors.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•5d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•6d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV