First time buying a car, budget is a maximum of ₹8.5 lakh. I have shortlisted a few: Nissan Magnite, Fronx, Baleno, Glanza, Skoda Kylaq, and Kia Sonet. Please tell me which one I should buy. I recently learned how to drive, so I’m looking for a manual with good features. Mileage isn’t an issue.

Autocar India

•2d

Mostly city use, a few trips out of town, first-time driver, and Rs 12 lakh to work with, in that situation, we would pick the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT, ideally the top CVT trim that fits your lease budget. The CVT is seamless and keeps things smooth, which makes stop-and-go traffic much easier, and the turbo has good pull for the highway. It sits higher and gives you a better view of the road, and the steering is light, so squeezing into tight lanes or parking is simple.A couple of trade-offs to note are that Nissan’s service network is smaller than Honda’s, so check how close the dealer and workshop are in your city. Also, the cabin feels basic in some areas compared to pricier cars.The Honda Amaze has a very refined engine and smooth CVT, so it is great if you like an easy, relaxed drive. The flip side is that you sit lower and ground clearance is less than the other two, and performance is milder on highways with a full load. The Renault Kiger Turbo CVT is very similar to the Magnite in how it drives. Pick it if you prefer its look or if the Renault dealer is closer or gives a better deal.Overall, for your city-first use and as a new driver, the Magnite Turbo CVT lines up best.

Nissan Magnite

Honda Amaze

Renault Kiger

Autocar India

•5h

You are coming from diesel, so your expectations are clear. Strong performance, long-range confidence and a solid feel. The Mahindra XEV 9e matches that better. It is a larger, more powerful car that offers significantly more space and boot capacity, and delivers stronger performance. It also has a bigger battery and higher claimed range, which makes it better suited for long-distance use.The BYD Atto 3, on the other hand, is a more mature and sorted EV. It feels very well put together, easy to drive and comfortable. It is slightly smaller, easier in the city and has a more proven track record as a product. If your usage is mostly urban and you value refinement over size and performance, it is a strong option.

Mahindra XEV 9e

BYD Atto 3

Autocar India

•5h

The difference is in character. The Hyundai Creta Electric is very well calibrated and easy to drive. It feels like a normal petrol car that happens to be electric. That makes it comfortable and predictable, especially in daily use. But that also works against it. It does not feel special or exciting, just very clinical.The Mahindra XEV 9e is the opposite. It is faster, more powerful and noticeably larger. You get more space, a bigger boot and significantly better range thanks to a larger battery. It also feels more futuristic inside and out, which adds to the overall experience.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•6d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•2d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•6d

From your shortlist, there isn’t one SUV that perfectly ticks every box. If driving enjoyment is a priority, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI stands out. Its quick-shifting DSG, strong mid-range performance and sharp, agile handling make it the most engaging and driver-focused of the three. It also offers one of the best audio setups in the segment, with an 8-speaker system, subwoofer and amplifier delivering rich and punchy sound.On the reliability front, the 7-speed DSG has improved over time, but it’s still not as inherently robust or smooth in stop-and-go city use as Honda’s CVT. The Elevate, in contrast, is the easiest-going and fuss-free option here. It offers significantly better rear-seat space and comfort, along with Honda’s strong reputation for long-term reliability. However, it’s not particularly exciting to drive.The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT sits somewhere in between. Its turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, but the car itself isn’t as sharp or driver-oriented as the Kushaq. Rear-seat space is also not its strong suit, and overall, it doesn’t quite stand out in any one area.So broadly, Kushaq for driving fun and audio, Elevate for space and peace of mind, and Duster as a middle-ground option.

Skoda Kushaq

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster