I am looking to buy a sedan, my driving is like 70 city and 30 highway which one will be good for me

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI automatic rather than the 1.5 DSG, given your 90 percent city use in Malad’s heavy stop start traffic. You get the same cabin, driving position and overall feel you liked, but the 1.0’s torque converter automatic is far better suited to daily Mumbai conditions as it is smoother at low speeds, easier to modulate in bumper to bumper traffic and less stressful to live with over time. The 1.5 DSG, while genuinely quick and engaging with its fast shifts, can feel jerky at crawling speeds, tends to heat up in prolonged traffic and can be expensive to repair once out of warranty, which makes it less ideal for your usage. The 1.0 still feels adequately quick in the city with light controls and easy drivability, so you are not really giving up much unless you drive hard on open roads. If you are considering alternatives, the Honda City CVT and Hyundai Verna IVT are even smoother in traffic and very easy to live with, while the City e:HEV is the best for city efficiency if you are willing to stretch. The only drawback with the 1.0 is that it lacks the punch and sharp shift feel of the 1.5 DSG on highways, but overall it is the far more practical and stress free choice for your driving conditions.

Volkswagen Virtus

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•31m

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic as your first car, with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic as the safer and more dependable alternative.The XUV 3XO suits your usage better because it feels more premium and modern, while also offering a comfortable ride, strong highway stability, and a smooth automatic transmission. This makes both city driving and long journeys effortless over the next 10 years. It also has a more spacious and feature-rich cabin. Its suspension is well suited to the kind of broken roads and rough patches you are likely to encounter on trips to the higher Himalayas. The Brezza, in comparison, is the more straightforward and fuss-free option. Additionally, it offers Maruti’s proven reliability, an excellent service network, and easy long-term ownership. It is also comfortable and dependable on bad roads, though it does not feel as modern, powerful, or as premium as the Mahindra.The only drawback with the XUV 3XO is that long-term ownership and after-sales consistency may not feel as effortless as the Brezza. However, overall, it offers a better balance of comfort, performance, and highway ability, making it the more complete choice for your needs.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•5d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•5d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

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With your income and priorities, you should focus on low cost, high fuel efficiency and ease of driving. The Alto K10 fits this perfectly. It is one of the most affordable cars in India, delivers excellent mileage and is extremely easy to drive in the city, which is ideal for your parents. It is also inexpensive to maintain and backed by Maruti’s wide service network, which keeps ownership stress very low. Over time, this matters more than anything else.If you want more space and a slightly more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the next step. It offers better cabin space, a more comfortable ride and still maintains strong fuel efficiency and low running costs. It feels like a more complete car, especially if your parents value comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Autocar India

•5d

For mostly highway trips with a family of five and a budget of Rs. 17-20 lakh, the Kia Seltos petrol with the IVT automatic is the one we would pick. It rides comfortably on long roads, the back seat is wide enough for three, and the boot takes family luggage without a fuss. The IVT, which is an automatic that does not shift gears in steps, feels very smooth in the city and keeps the engine calm on the highway. Kia’s service reach in Coimbatore is strong, which makes ownership easy.Two things to note. The top automatic trims can stretch the budget in some cities, so check local on-road prices. And while performance is adequate, highway overtakes with 5 onboard may require some planning. If you find that the performance is not enough, then consider the turbo petrol instead.Overall, for your family trips and mixed use, the Seltos IVT lines up best for comfort and ease.

Kia Seltos