Ananthapuramu

•1d

I have owned a Maruti Alto K10 since 2012, and it has covered only around 21,200 km so far. I now want to switch to another car for better safety and mileage. I am 68 years old. Please advise me on the best car for city driving as well as long trips.

•1h

Given your age, your very low annual running and your priorities of safety and mileage, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the most sensible upgrade from your Alto K10. It is easy to drive, has a high seating position for better visibility and is extremely easy to get in and out of, which becomes increasingly important with age. The petrol engine is reliable, fuel-efficient, and well suited to both city driving and occasional long drives. Maruti's service network and low maintenance costs also make ownership hassle-free.

If you want something that feels more premium and modern, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a good alternative. It offers a more comfortable ride, a more spacious cabin and better highway stability, while still being easy to drive and fuel-efficient.

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Maruti Suzuki

Wagon R

from ₹5.82 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Alto K10

from ₹4.32 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.98 Lakh

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•4d

I currently use a second-hand, 13.5-year-old Hyundai Verna 1.6 diesel for my daily office commute of around 30-35 km. My annual running is less than 9,000km, but as the car is getting old, I will need to replace it soon. I am looking for a reliable, economical and fun-to-drive car for my daily mix of city and highway driving. A few months ago, I drove a third-generation Swift manual and really liked its nimble handling, slick controls and free-revving engine. However, I am a little concerned about the new Swift's 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, although I have not driven it yet. How do the Fronx and Baleno compare with the Swift? I prefer the Fronx over the Baleno purely because of its looks. I am not planning to buy immediately and can wait for a few months if there are suitable new launches coming. Rear-seat space and long-distance comfort are not priorities, as I already have a Tata Curvv diesel for family use and highway trips. I would prefer a compact car for city driving. I enjoy driving a manual, as my commute does not involve much bumper-to-bumper traffic, although I would still prefer a light clutch and slick gear shifts. As I am early in my career, I plan to keep this car for a long time, so I would also like it to be suitable for future ethanol blends beyond E20. Would it also make sense to consider the Tiago EV or Punch EV? My concerns are their higher upfront cost, which may be difficult to justify given my low annual running, and long-term reliability. I also already own a Tata car. My initial budget was Rs 8 lakh, but stretching the budget for an EV would also bring the Skoda Kylaq into consideration, although I understand it is not particularly fuel efficient. What would you recommend below Rs 8 lakh for my requirements?

•2d

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Swift remains the most sensible choice. Your running is under 9,000 km a year, so a petrol car makes the most sense, and the Swift’s compact size, light controls and nimble handling are exactly what you enjoyed in your old Verna. The new 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is not something to worry about. It is a free-revving unit with good refinement and a light, slick gearbox, and Maruti’s long-term reliability record is strong. It is also very fuel-efficient, as it delivered 14kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway in our real-world tests.The Fronx and Baleno are both good cars, but they are larger and not quite as engaging to drive as the Swift. You also do not need the extra space or rear-seat comfort, given you already have a Tata Curvv Diesel for family duties. On the EV front, the Tiago EV and Punch EV are worth considering, but your running is too low to justify the higher upfront cost, and you already have a Tata car in the garage.If you want to keep the budget under Rs 8 lakh, the Swift is the best fit. However, if you feel you need a larger car, the Baleno is a solid choice.

I'm in planning to buy a reliable and comfortable car for 4 members with more than 400 litre of luggage space for 70% city and 30% highway use with a peppy engine. I live in a big city and am looking to replace the S-Cross petrol AT. I am open to automatic variant for a petrol or diesel engine. Do I have any luck?

•8h

Yes, you have a few good options. The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol CVT would be the best fit if you want a comfortable, reliable automatic with a peppy-enough engine and a genuinely useful boot. At 447 litres, it comfortably exceeds your 400-litre requirement, while the naturally aspirated petrol-CVT combination is well suited to your 70% city usage.The Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol CVT is another strong option. Its 433-litre boot meets your requirement and it offers a particularly comfortable ride, making it a good replacement for the S-Cross. However, the Seltos is slightly more spacious and its interior feels a little more upmarket and premium.If performance is a higher priority, the Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT is worth considering. However, the higher price and DCT's less relaxed nature in predominantly city traffic make the CVT the better fit for your usage.A diesel automatic doesn't make much sense for your usage unless your annual running is substantially higher than it appears.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

•1w

Is the Creta going to get a facelift or a new-generation update? If so, will the new Creta be available with a strong-hybrid powertrain or a regular petrol engine? Will the new Creta be similar to the new Seltos in terms of design and features?

•3h

Yes, the Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, not just a facelift. The current Creta is still a strong product, but Hyundai is already working on the next-generation model, which is expected to be a ground-up redesign. It will continue with petrol and diesel engines, as well as an EV, and while a hybrid version is on the cards, whether it will arrive at launch or at a later stage is yet to be seen. Hyundai (and Kia) are reportedly working hard to localise components of the hybrid powertrain so that it can be launched at a competitive price in the new Creta and Seltos. The new Creta will remain a separate product from the Seltos, with its own design and interior, although the new Creta will move to the new-gen K3 platform introduced with the new Seltos this year.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•3d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•4d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•3d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hi, I am 70+ and currently own a Skoda Slavia 1.0 automatic, but it gives very low mileage in city driving. I now want to switch to a sub-4-metre automatic car with good mileage and ADAS features. I am open to both petrol and diesel options, as I also drive long distances. Please suggest some suitable options.

•2d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Venue diesel automatic is the best fit. This Hyundai car is one of the few sub-4-metre cars still available with a diesel engine, and it delivers strong fuel efficiency both in the city and on the highway. The diesel engine is well suited to long-distance driving, offering good torque and effortless cruising, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. The Venue also offers a comprehensive ADAS suite, which adds an extra layer of safety and convenience on long journeys. It is a comfortable and spacious car for its size, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely usable five-seater. If you prefer petrol, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the alternative. It is reliable, efficient and easy to drive, but it does not offer the same level of long-distance efficiency as the diesel Venue.

Hyundai Venue

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I have owned a Maruti Alto K10 since 2012, and it has covered only around 21,200 km so far. I now want to switch to another car for better safety and mileage. I am 68 years old. Please advise me on the best car for city driving as well as long trips.

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