Mumbai

•3d

I have a 2017 Alto that is still running really well, but I’m planning to replace it. I’m looking to buy a micro SUV with a budget of under Rs. 10 lakh. Which car would you recommend? Also, are there any new micro SUVs expected to launch this January?

•1h

If your 2017 Maruti Suzuki Alto is running well, there is no urgent need to change it unless you genuinely want a new car. For cars under Rs 10 lakh, the best micro SUV options are the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter. The Punch offers a more robust feel and a higher seating position, while the Exter is more refined and easier to drive in the city. Both are good upgrades from an Alto, but do not expect a dramatic jump in performance or space. There are no major new micro SUVs expected in January, so you are not missing out on anything by buying now. If you are happy with your Maruti Suzuki Alto, it is worth keeping it for another year or two. If you want a new car now, go for the Punch or Exter based on your preference for a tougher feel versus refinement.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Punch

from ₹6.59 Lakh

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.71 Lakh

•11m

You can opt for new brezza and fronx also

•12m

Now you can go with New brezza and fronx also

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

Hi Team, I am thinking of buying my first car. I am on a tight budget under 8 lakh (on-road price) and can stretch to 10 if it's value for money. I need good mileage and a CNG option if possible. Plus, I also want Boot space and good safety. I drive mostly city rides to the office and occasional trips in the mountains with family.

•2d

Go for the Tata Punch CNG. It meets your requirements very well with a good list of safety equipment and a 5-star BNCAP crash test rating. Its dual CNG tank setup also limits boot space intrusion, and thus you get a clear load area free of intrusions. This Tata car is also perfect for the city with its compact dimensions, and it offers good highway stability, which will be handy on your occasional out-of-city trips. Importantly, the CNG range starts below Rs 8 lakh, and there are also many variants below your ceiling of Rs 10 lakh.

Tata Punch

•2d

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•1d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

I am planning to buy the Roxx Petrol Automatic. However, I’m concerned about the resale value of the petrol version. Would you still recommend the petrol variant if my running is quite low?

•1m

Yes, go for the Mahindra Thar Roxx petrol automatic if your running is low. The petrol engine is smoother, quieter, and better suited to city driving than the diesel, making it one of the more appealing petrol cars for buyers with low annual usage. With low annual mileage, the fuel cost difference is not significant enough to justify the higher price and maintenance of the diesel. This Mahindra car is a niche lifestyle vehicle, and resale value is driven more by overall demand for the Thar than by the specific engine choice. The petrol automatic is also the more relaxed and easier-to-live-with option for everyday use, especially in urban conditions. If you are buying the Thar Roxx as a second car or for occasional use, the petrol automatic is the right choice.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•4d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1w

I'm happy to choose either the Kia Seltos diesel or the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, as you suggested. However, I'm concerned about DPF issues. My usage is around 40km daily in Bangalore city, along with 3-5 highway trips every month.

•6d

With a 40km daily commute in Bangalore and 3-5 highway runs a month, you are actually in a good position for a modern diesel. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issue is a concern mainly for cars that do only very short, stop-start city runs with no opportunity for the filter to regenerate. Your 3 to 5 highway runs every month should suffice in keeping the DPF clean; you would have long enough stretches for the car to reach operating temperature and allow passive regeneration to occur. Between the Kia Seltos and the XUV 7XO diesel, the decision comes down to priorities. The Seltos diesel is the more refined and polished package, with a smoother engine and a more premium cabin experience. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the more powerful and more spacious car, with a stronger engine and a more commanding road presence. If you value refinement and a more premium feel, go for the Kia car. If you want more power, more space and a more rugged feel, go for the Mahindra car.The key point is that with your usage pattern, the DPF should not be a deal-breaker. Both cars are strong diesel options, and your driving routine is well-suited to modern diesel ownership.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1w

My 2025 Verna naturally aspirated automatic is providing only 7- 9 km/l mileage in the city with the AC switched on. Is this the same experience for other owners, or is there something wrong with my car? The car has run only 3.5k km so far.

•6d

That fuel efficiency figure does sound a little on the lower side for the Hyundai Verna naturally aspirated petrol automatic, but it is not necessarily abnormal depending on your driving conditions. In dense city traffic with the AC running, frequent stop-start driving and short trips, it is not uncommon for fuel efficiency to drop into the 7-9 km/l range. The Verna’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and refined, but it is not the most fuel-efficient unit in heavy urban conditions, especially when paired with an automatic gearbox.At 3,500 km, the engine is still relatively new and may improve slightly as it loosens up, but do not expect a dramatic change. If your driving is predominantly bumper-to-bumper city traffic with the AC on, this figure is within the expected range. If you start seeing figures below 7 km/l consistently, or if this Hyundai car feels sluggish or rough, it would be worth having the car checked by the service centre. Otherwise, this is largely a reflection of the driving conditions rather than a problem with the car.

Hyundai Verna

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