Hi team, I am planning to buy a new car and the Wagon R CNG is on my mind. Because of travelling for the job and personal work, I am focused on mileage. The Wagon R CNG also fits my budget of ₹6.5 lakh, and I do not wish to spend more, although I can stretch my budget to ₹8 lakh. However, my family does not like the Wagon R CNG and wants me to consider the Fronx or other options. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•2d

Highway trips with the whole family of six and an automatic in the Rs 15-22 lakh range point us to the Kia Carens Clavis, specifically the 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT. Pick the HTK+ that comes without a sunroof. It fits your use because it has true three-row space, the third row is easier to get into than most taller cars, and even your older parents will find the ride comfortable on long runs. Coming from a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG, you will feel a big jump in power and highway ease; the turbo-petrol has strong pull for quick overtakes, even with all six on board. Safety basics are well covered with six airbags and stability control across the range, and it feels steady at 100 kph, which matters for your 80 percent highway use.A couple of things to note. With all three rows up, the boot is small, so you may need to use soft bags or fold one seat for luggage on longer trips. Also, the DCT can feel a bit jerky in very slow, stop-and-go traffic, though your driving is mostly highway, so it should not bother you. If you often travel fully loaded and want an even calmer drive with better fuel efficiency on long trips, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel with the smoother 6-speed torque-converter automatic is also worth a look.If you want an even tougher-feeling highway cruiser, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is larger and feels very solid, but it will cost more and is harder to park. Overall, for your use and feature preference, the Carens Clavis automatically lines up best.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

First, set your budget correctly. With a Rs 92,000 monthly salary, your safe car budget should be Rs 6-8 lakh on-road, and you should avoid stretching beyond ₹9 lakh. This keeps your finances comfortable and avoids unnecessary EMI pressure. The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R fits perfectly here, with on-road prices roughly starting around Rs 6 lakh and going up to about Rs 8 lakh depending on the variant.Now coming to EMI. If you take a typical loan with around Rs 1-1.5 lakh down payment, your EMI will roughly be in the ₹9,000-₹12,000 per month range depending on tenure, variant and interest rate. That is a healthy level for your salary and leaves room for other expenses.The Maruti Celerio fits your requirements well. It is compact, easy to drive for a beginner and extremely fuel-efficient, which keeps running costs low. In fact, it is among the most efficient cars in this segment, which directly benefits your monthly expenses . It is also reliable and inexpensive to maintain, which matters most at this stage of ownership.The Wagon R is the better choice if your height and comfort are a priority. At 6 ft, you will appreciate its tall-boy design, which offers better headroom and a more upright seating position. It also feels more spacious overall, especially for daily usability. If you want a crossover or an SUV, the Tata Punch in the lower variants will fit your budget. However, it is not as spacious as the Maruti options, and choosing a lower variant means you will miss out on features. It is also not as fuel-efficient as the Celerio or the Wagon R.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Autocar India

•11h

Given your usage, the Maruti Brezza ZXi AT fits your brief best within Rs 12-14 lakh on-road. Pick it because the cabin is roomy and the seat is set high, so getting in and out is easy, and there is good headroom for your height. Its 6-speed automatic is the smooth, torque converter type (not an AMT or DCT). Coming from your Nissan Magnite’s CVT, this will feel natural and calm in stop-and-go traffic and on slopes. Ride comfort is good over broken roads, and its simple 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine allows a vehicle of its size to be unstressed, fuel efficient and sufficiently powerful. Do note: The Brezza automatic is tuned for easy driving, not fast pick-up, so it feels relaxed rather than quick, and it hasn't been crash tested by any NCAP agency, though it has all the requisite safety features. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is also a decent option, though it's not quite as spacious as the Brezza, and in your budget, you'll have to settle for a mid-spec automatic model. Most of all, though, it is nowhere near as fuel-efficient. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx, while also good, won't feel like as much of an upgrade from your Magnite as the others, especially in terms of size and space. Overall, for comfort, smooth driving and sensible running costs in your budget, the Brezza ZXi AT is still your best bet.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Fronx