I currently own an Alto K10, which is 15 years old. I plan to upgrade to an SUV or hatchback (petrol or hybrid). My budget is ₹12-13 lakh. Around 70 percent of my driving is on highways and 30 percent in the city, covering 900-1,000 km monthly. I want good mileage, comfort, safety, and ample rear legroom.

Autocar India

•10h

Pick the Maruti Fronx Delta CNG, it fits your Rs. 10 lakh budget, gives you the smooth 4‑cylinder you want, and it is the closest to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza feel without paying Brezza VXi money. The 1.2 CNG is quieter and smoother than most 3‑cylinder CNG cars, and the Delta trim has the basics you need, so it won’t feel as bare as a Brezza LXi. Maruti’s service network in NCR is widespread, which keeps ownership simple.Be aware of two things. With CNG, pick-up is calm, especially with four or five people and the AC on, so plan overtakes. The CNG tank also eats into the boot, so luggage space is limited.If these are deal breakers for you, then consider the Tata Nexon iCNG in Smart+ trim. It uses twin-tanks so you get a 321-litre usable boot and gets all the basic features you need. It has a 3-cylinder engine instead of the 4-cylinder you prefer, but it is turbocharged, which means you get a lot more performance.On the test drive, load three adults, switch on the AC, and climb a flyover to see if performance is adequate.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•9h

Pick the Tata Punch iCNG AMT Pure+ if you do decide to change your car. With your high, 2000+ km monthly running and a Rs. 10 lakh cap, the Punch CNG AMT meets your requirements and helps you cut your fuel spend. The AMT automatic gearbox makes it easy to drive in traffic, and the CNG setup keeps running costs low while still feeling solid and safe for daily use.That said, with only Rs. 3 lakh resale, it would also make sense to keep your EcoSport if it is running well. It is still a tough, safe car with a smooth automatic and a good ride on bad roads. Ford service support is still available in most big cities, so upkeep should not be a worry if your car is healthy.If you do switch to the Punch iCNG AMT, know these trade-offs: it is not very quick for sudden highway passes, the boot is smaller than the petrol because of the CNG tanks under the boot floor, and the AMT can feel a bit hesitant during gear changes at low speeds. Also, make sure CNG pumps are easy to reach on your regular routes.Bottom line: keep the EcoSport if it’s mechanically sound; if you must change under Rs. 10 lakh and want an automatic, the Punch iCNG AMT is the most sensible fit for your heavy running.

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•12h

Go for the Kia Sonet HTX diesel manual for your 50-70 km a day with mostly city use, as it keeps fuel bills low like your Honda Amaze diesel. But feels like a clear step up in terms of comfort, features and safety.In stop-go traffic, the Sonet diesel pulls cleanly from low speeds, so you do not need to shift gears as often, and the clutch is light, which makes daily driving fairly easy. The higher seating position gives a better view out, and getting in and out is also easy. It is still small enough to park without stress, but the cabin feels nicer and more solid, and highway runs are relaxed thanks to the strong mid-range of the diesel engine. Kia’s network is wide now in most cities, and upkeep has been reasonable for owners in this price range.A couple of things to be aware of. The back seat is not very wide, so three adults will feel tight on longer trips. Also, like all new diesels, it has a particulate filter, which requires you to run a regeneration cycle periodically.If you prefer Hyundai’s aftersales and a slightly softer ride, the Hyundai Venue diesel manual is a good alternative. If your priority is the lowest running cost, look at the Maruti Victoris CNG.

Kia Sonet

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Venue

Maruti Suzuki Victoris