I travel about 80-100 km a week with occasional intercity trips 3-4 times a year. I want a car with good city fuel efficiency. Which is better, the AMT or DCT? Which car is good around ₹12 lakh?

Autocar India

•2d

Yes, it’s doable in a Punch EV 40kWh, but you’ll need three DC fast‑charge stops; keep a fourth short top‑up as backup. Hyderabad to Chennai is about 630 km. In the Punch EV, you can expect roughly 240km per full charge on the highway if you cruise at about 80-90kph with AC. Start at 100%, and stop every 200kms or so at a DC fast charger.There are plenty of chargers along the way, but plan your stops in advance along with alternatives if they are out of order or occupied. Aim for 30-50 kW DC wherever possible; 20-80% typically takes about 40 minutes. The drive is already about 11 hours and with charging stops, it will be closer to 14 hours. If that seems like too much time on the road then plan a night halt on the way.

Tata Punch EV

Autocar India

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 Automatic. It rides higher than hatchbacks, so potholes and monsoon waterlogging are less intimidating, and the generous ground clearance helps on Bengaluru's broken roads. The rear seat is genuinely spacious enough for daily family use, while the engine and gearbox combination feels relaxed and easygoing in traffic, returning good fuel efficiency at the same time. Maruti's widespread service network and affordable spare parts also make long-term ownership relatively hassle-free.If you want the SUV-like stance and higher ground clearance on a tighter budget, the Hyundai Exter Automatic is also worth a look, though its rear seat is not quite as accommodating as the Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1h

Your choice of a Linea suggests that you enjoy a fun-to-drive sedan. If that is the case, then consider the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus with the 1.0 TSI automatic combination. The smooth torque-converter automatic makes city life easy, and the engine has enough performance for highway driving too. Under the skin, both sedans are largely identical, so choosing between them comes down to which design you prefer and which brand has a more convenient service centre near you. Alternatively, the updated Honda City is a solid choice that is easy to live with and a good long-term proposition. If you want to move into an SUV, consider the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT or the Honda Elevate CVT. Both are solid choices for long-term ownership and feel spacious on the inside. An SUV will also be easier to get in and out of, and the elevated driving position makes it easier to manoeuvre in the city.

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Honda City

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate