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Delhi
JU

Jatin Upadhyay

2w

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 team

Autocar India

Verified
1w
The best option within your budget is the Nissan Magnite, which represents near-unbeatable value for money at this price point. While the Maruti Baleno and Toyota Glanza are good options too, for the price, the Magnite will offer more space, more features and the all-important SUV-like road presence. The Skoda Kylaq and Kia Sonet are, sadly, out of your budget of Rs 8.5 lakh.
The Magnite's 72hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine and 5-speed manual gearbox make for an easy driving experience, and though mileage isn’t a huge concern for you, it is fuel-efficient as well. It’s also known to be relatively low on maintenance, which adds to its appeal as a great first car.
Nissan Magnite

Nissan Magnite

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Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

CG

C G Venkatsubramanian

1w

I don't understand the recommendation of Magnite when the list is Big

SU

Sumit

1w

I am confused between Punch petrol amt and Baleno Amt. Which one to buy for a new driver??

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I really like the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT, but I am unable to finalize my decision because of the rear seat space and a few other compromises. My other options within a ₹14 lakh budget are the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX and the Nissan Magnite CVT. Considering these choices, which would be the best option overall? Also, what should I prioritise more in this segment - space and practicality or driving performance?

Autocar India team

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It's a shame that the Skoda Kylaq's rear seat space is not quite up to the best in the segment, because otherwise it is a superb compact SUV that scores highly on most other counts. Of the other options, the Nissan Magnite, while capable and a great value for money, feels like a sub-segment lower in terms of quality, space and performance. The Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX should be your best bet because it offers both - performance and rear-seat space. In fact, it has one of the most spacious cabins in the segment, although the boot is a bit smaller than others. The RevX offers a good feature set as well, along with a few unique styling embellishments, and overall, we feel this is the one you should pick.

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Sanjay Sharma

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Hi sir, I am looking to buy a new car, approximately under ₹11 lakh and am confused between the Kia Sonet HTK Plus and Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus petrol. My running is daily 50 km on the highway. Kindly advise which model and variant I should go for.

Autocar India team

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Both cars are good options and would be fine for highway driving; however, between the two, we would recommend you lean towards the Skoda Kylaq, as the Sonet is older and will be updated in about a year or so.On the other hand, the Kylaq is far newer and would thus also get you a much better resale value. At city speeds, the Kylaq's ride is firm; however, stability at speed is very good, as is body control around corners, with good amounts of grip on offer. This is something you would benefit from, given that you drive daily on the highway.

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Hi, I am thinking of purchasing the Mahindra XEV 9S due to the variety of features it offers. I am confused whether to buy an EV or the Innova HyCross, considering resale value in another 3 years.

Autocar India team

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While both brands are very popular, there's no doubt that Toyota has an edge over Mahindra when it comes to resale value. This is especially true of the Innova brand, which has made a strong name for itself with regard to reliability and longevity since its introduction in 2005, and that has passed on to the Innova HyCross strong hybrid as well.Moreover, given that electric cars have only been around a relatively short time and the longevity of their batteries is yet to be proven, there is uncertainty around them, and thus their resale value is generally lower than that of vehicles with an engine, which aren't solely dependent on their battery.So even after three years, the Innova will have a stronger resale value than the Mahindra XEV 9S. And yes, while the Mahindra has a long list of the latest features, the Toyota Innova HyCross in top-spec trim gets all the essentials and then some.

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Posted on: 28 Feb 2026