We are a family of four, and due to budget constraints, I am planning to buy a second-hand car that is comfortable for my parents, who usually sit in the rear seat. Ease of ingress and egress, along with good rear seat space and comfort, are important priorities. My budget is ₹5-7 lakh. I have shortlisted a 2020 Maruti Brezza (petrol manual) and a 2022 Tata Nexon (petrol manual). Our usage is limited- mostly weekend city driving in Pune and 4-5 annual trips to our hometown in Konkan. Are these good choices, or would you suggest any better options within this budget?

Autocar India

•1d

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT is the best fit among your options. It uses a smooth torque converter automatic, which is ideal for city traffic and more reliable in the long run. The engine is simple, proven and efficient, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make ownership very easy. It also offers good ride comfort and a spacious cabin, which adds to its family appeal.The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are more feature-rich and feel more modern inside, but both use turbo petrol engines with DCT gearboxes in the automatic versions. These are quicker and more fun to drive, but in heavy city traffic, they are not as smooth and can feel slightly jerky at low speeds.On stretching your budget, the Kia Seltos is a segment above and a better all-round car, but the petrol automatic will go well beyond your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is also appealing, especially in strong hybrid form, but again requires a significant stretch.For your usage and priorities, there is no strong reason to stretch. The Brezza already fits your needs very well.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Renault Triber Emotion MT. Within your budget, it is the best 7-seater for mixed city and highway use.It is easy to drive and park in the city because it is not very big, the steering is light, and you get a good view out. On bad roads, it stays comfortable, and the cabin is very practical. The second row slides, and the third row folds or can be removed. So you can switch between carrying people and luggage based on the trip.The 1.0 naturally-aspirated petrol engine feels adequate, but one thing to be aware of is that with seven people and bags, the engine will feel underpowered, so you have to plan overtakes. Also, the third row is best for kids or short adults, and with all seats up, there is very little boot space.Alternatively, you can even consider the Nissan Gravite, which is essentially a badge-engineered Triber with a tweaked design and a different interior. If you can stretch a bit over Rs 10 lakh on-road, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga LXi is roomier, has better performance and fits seven adults better.

Renault Triber

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Nissan Gravite

Autocar India

•1h

The Renault Duster Hybrid that you have booked is a very sensible choice. It will offer good efficiency without needing charging, and for long highway drives, it is completely hassle-free. You can refuel quickly and continue without planning stops, which matters a lot at your level of usage. It is also a well-balanced option for mixed conditions and long-term ownership.If you are seriously considering an EV, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a strong fit for your requirements. The Pack One 79 kWh version offers a real-world range of over 450 km, which comfortably covers your 280 km daily usage even on highways. With home charging, running costs will be significantly lower than those of a hybrid.However, the Pack One variant is not the most feature-rich, and since you are keen on top-spec features, this is an important trade-off. Higher variants with more features will push the price beyond your current budget.If you want maximum convenience and a fully loaded experience, stick with the Duster Hybrid. If you want the lowest running cost and are okay compromising slightly on features, the XEV 9S Pack One is a very strong option.

Renault Duster

Mahindra XEV 9S