Hello, I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of around ₹80 lakh. My priorities are safety, comfort, and performance. My usage will be evenly split between city driving and highway (long-distance) trips. I am currently considering the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and Land Rover Discovery Sport (despite higher maintenance, I understand it offers better performance). Could you please help me choose the right option?

autocar.india

•15h

With your low annual running of 4,000-5,000 km and a budget of Rs 10-12 lakh, a petrol compact SUV is the most sensible choice. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the strongest recommendation here. It offers the most spacious cabin in the segment, making it a genuinely comfortable 5-seater for a family of four, and the turbo petrol engine is punchy enough for occasional highway runs while remaining efficient in the city. This Mahindra car also comes well equipped and offers excellent value for money.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza Turbo is the alternative if you prioritise long-term reliability and low maintenance costs above all else. It is a proven, dependable product with Maruti's extensive service network, and it is also a comfortable 5-seater. The 1.2 petrol versions of the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are also worth considering if you want a more premium-feeling cabin and a wider feature list. They might not have the same performance as the turbo-petrol versions, but their engine is responsive and both are very user-friendly with light controls and good visibility.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•19h

The Hyundai Exter is a very sensible first car, especially for a new driver. This Hyundai car is compact and easy to manoeuvre, which makes city driving and parking far less intimidating. The H8 variant is well-equipped with essential features, so you are not missing out on anything important. Hyundai’s service network is extensive, and ownership costs are generally reasonable, which is reassuring for a first-time buyer.The Exter’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and predictable, making it easy to drive in traffic and forgiving for someone still building confidence behind the wheel. The ride quality is comfortable for a car of this size, and the cabin feels well put together. It also offers a decent amount of space for a small family, so it can comfortably serve as your primary car for several years.

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•21h

With a budget of Rs 25 lakh and a monthly running of just 350- 400 km, petrol is the clear recommendation. At this usage level, the cost savings from diesel simply will not materialise, and petrol engines are quieter, smoother and generally easier to live with in the long term. As for transmission, go for an automatic. Modern automatics are smooth, stress-free in traffic and make everyday driving far more comfortable, especially in city conditions.Now, on the car itself. At Rs 25 lakh, a strong recommendation would be the new Skoda Kushaq, which has just been refreshed. It gets a lot more features, like ventilated seats in the front, a panoramic sunroof, massage seats in the back, and a decent amount of room as well.However, it is also very nice to drive, and since your priorities are performance, it will definitely do the job perfectly for you. Driving between cities and on highways, it is extremely stable. It is light and convenient in the city, and it is planted on the highway. The 1.5-litre TSI engine is the one we recommend, which blends performance and refinement. In your budget, you can get the top-spec Monte Carlo trim that comes loaded with all the bells and whistles and still save a good amount of money. However, if you want an even bigger car with a lot more power and three rows of seating, then the Mahindra XUV700 in its AX7 guise is a good consideration. It comes with a more powerful engine, a lot more features, and a lot more space as well. If you don't mind a large car, then that is a good choice, but if you want to stick to the compact dimensions, then the Kushaq is a preferred option.

Skoda Kushaq